This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.
Can I Extend My Visa in Thailand Due to COVID-19 Restrictions?
Mar 25, 2020
6 years ago
K.B. ********
ORIGINAL POSTEROk! I’m American & I have a bit of a tricky situation. I flew into Thailand the 12th of January. I stayed in thailand for 3 weeks & then flew to Malaysia for one week.
I returned back to thailand Feb 20th and decided to extend an additional 30 days.
So when i went to immigration to get the 30 day extension last week, things w/ the virus really started to change rapidly.
So my question is, will i be able to keep extending until everything goes back to normal? My 60 days is up in the middle of April.
Are they allowing overstays or emergency visas past the original 60 days? And if they are, how do i go about handling this situation & showing the proper paperwork?
Do i contact US embassy or consulate? And if so, do i call or email them?
I’m currently in Koh Samui Thailand. I feel like its much safer for me to stay here as opposed to traveling back to NYC! It sounds like a bit of a sh*tshow there now. Not feeling that.
Any help or advice on this situation would be fantastic! I keep getting conflicting information. I’d like to get this sorted...
Thanks. Stay Safe!
I returned back to thailand Feb 20th and decided to extend an additional 30 days.
So when i went to immigration to get the 30 day extension last week, things w/ the virus really started to change rapidly.
So my question is, will i be able to keep extending until everything goes back to normal? My 60 days is up in the middle of April.
Are they allowing overstays or emergency visas past the original 60 days? And if they are, how do i go about handling this situation & showing the proper paperwork?
Do i contact US embassy or consulate? And if so, do i call or email them?
I’m currently in Koh Samui Thailand. I feel like its much safer for me to stay here as opposed to traveling back to NYC! It sounds like a bit of a sh*tshow there now. Not feeling that.
Any help or advice on this situation would be fantastic! I keep getting conflicting information. I’d like to get this sorted...
Thanks. Stay Safe!
TLDR : Answer Summary
An American expat in Thailand seeks guidance on extending their visa due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They originally entered Thailand on January 12, leaving for Malaysia and returning on February 20, leading to a total of 60 days of stay. With their visa set to expire in mid-April, they want to know if they can continue extending their stay or if emergency visas are available. Commenters suggest that a letter from the US embassy is necessary for any further extensions, and there are mixed reports regarding the success of obtaining additional time.
Pelle Eriksson★★★★★
Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...recently on Facebook
Luca G.★★★★★
I used this agency for my DTV Visa...recently on Google
Trusted Thai Visa Agent
OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED
#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND
Luan ********
so, as of today the us embassy is helping with the letter? how many have had success? thanks
Luan ********
not yet
Robert *******
If you need you apply and go to Immigration. Good luck
Reply to
Robert *******
Reply
Greg **********
I've got just about the same situation, exemption and time frame as you. Thailand has been my home now for almost 3 years, I don't have a place to live in the US, and I certainly don't want to go back with the way the virus is going over there and how it will likely be soon.
Before I go through this whole process, I'm waiting to hear back if any Americans have any success getting the 30-day covid visa extension by submitting the letter the embassy gives you. Nobody has yet. I just want some confirmation first. Hopefully we will see some confirmations.
Before I go through this whole process, I'm waiting to hear back if any Americans have any success getting the 30-day covid visa extension by submitting the letter the embassy gives you. Nobody has yet. I just want some confirmation first. Hopefully we will see some confirmations.
Greg **********
Thank you!
Casey ******
@Greg *********
you will hear back tomorrow from me on this forum for sure. Greg **********
Thanks for the info though.
Greg **********
Had tourist exemptions and tourist visas my first year, an ED visa my second year and now back to an exemption (they said they wouldn't do a 2nd consecutive year ED visa). Tourist visa next.
I have a house up in Mae Hong Son. I really want to do the retirement visa but I don't have enough $ for it yet. Anyway this is a whole other subject.
I have a house up in Mae Hong Son. I really want to do the retirement visa but I don't have enough $ for it yet. Anyway this is a whole other subject.
Robert *******
people do get the Under consideration stamp with between 12 and 20 days as far as i've seen.
What kind of visa do use to stay 3 years in Thailand?
What kind of visa do use to stay 3 years in Thailand?
Reply to
Robert *******
Reply
Casey ******
Same exact situation, but my visa expires Saturday. Will be at Samui immigration first thing, letter and email in hand. Will provide an update on how it goes.
K.B. ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Casey *****
please keep me updated. I got a few weeks...Reply to
K.B. ********
Reply
Bob **********
You will need a letter from the US embassy and you'll need the original not a copy of an email to get an additional 30 days
Jamie *********
Same- they accepted the pdf printout.
K.B. ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Bob *********
thx. Does this mean i have to go to bangkok? Reply to
K.B. ********
Reply
Robert *******
No, you are not able to keep on Extending your stay.
You need a letter from your Embassy to apply for a new Extension of Stay, contact your Embassy for details.
Sorry, but the excuse i feel safer in Thailand is not accepted as excuse for not traveling back to your home country.
You need a letter from your Embassy to apply for a new Extension of Stay, contact your Embassy for details.
Sorry, but the excuse i feel safer in Thailand is not accepted as excuse for not traveling back to your home country.
Robert *******
Lizzie Stewart Please open your eyes and ears for once.
Thailand is going into a state of emergency tomorrow, bars restaurants, school, massage parlors, malls are all closed to protect people from a deadly virus,
And all you can think of is how important your little saving are to help the Thai economy?
Thailand is going into a state of emergency tomorrow, bars restaurants, school, massage parlors, malls are all closed to protect people from a deadly virus,
And all you can think of is how important your little saving are to help the Thai economy?
JD *******
K.B. send an email to
****************
with your full name, DOB and passport information. They will sort you outK.B. ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Robert ******
Dude. NYC is ground zero for virus in the USA! Why wouldn’t i feel safer here???? 🤔Reply to
K.B. ********
Reply
29 comments
4 years ago
5 comments
4 years ago
2 comments
4 years ago
22 comments
4 years ago
17 comments
4 years ago
8 comments
5 years ago
7 comments
5 years ago
16 comments
5 years ago
27 comments
6 years ago
11 comments
6 years ago
3 comments
6 years ago
8 comments
6 years ago
8 comments
6 years ago
2 comments
6 years ago
1 comments
6 years ago
12 comments
6 years ago
9 comments
6 years ago
4 comments
6 years ago
19 comments
6 years ago
39 comments
6 years ago
11 comments
6 years ago
10 comments
6 years ago
4 comments
6 years ago
7 comments
6 years ago
7 comments
6 years ago
7 comments
a month ago
9 comments
a month ago
21 comments
a month ago
16 comments
a month ago
8 comments
a month ago
The ask:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.