Answered2 years ago

Can I extend my visa in Thailand for 3 months if I was there during COVID and then did a border run?

Thailand visa visa extension tourist visa border run COVID-19 visa policy immigration experience

Heather ******

asked Sep 3, 2024

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I am coming back to Thailand after being gone for 2 years. I was there during covid. 

I am wanting to come in on a 2 month visa, extend for one more and then if I want to stay for longer, do a border run. 

My question is, from your experience, are they allowing people to extend their visas for 3 months if you were here during covid? 

I know that no one can clearly say it will or won't happen. I'm asking what your experience is if you were here during covid and then left for a while and came back! And did the let you back in if you left for a border run after 3 months?

Thanks!

Answer summary

The poster is inquiring about the possibility of extending a 2-month visa for an additional month and then potentially doing a border run to extend their stay in Thailand, especially considering their previous experience during the COVID-19 pandemic. Responses highlight that travelers from certain countries may enter without a visa, receive an initial 60 days, and extend for 30 days. However, border runs might require proper visas to avoid issues upon re-entry, as advised by previous travelers who faced challenges when returning after extended stays during COVID.

9 repliesnewest first

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Ling *****

I had a 60 day tourist visa and I extended it last week. In and out the local immigration office within 30 minutes. Cost 1900 baht. If you need more after the extension then you need a border run.

2 years ago

Vitico ********

I spent from 2020-22 on covid extensions, basically the whole time that amnesty and covid extensions were a thing. I left and came back like a year later in summer of 23 and they gave me a hard time at the airport and told me they are going to let me in this time but won’t let me in again without a proper visa. Since then I have a proper multiple entry visa and have left and came back regularly with no issues.

2 years ago

Vitico ********

I also got extensions after that first entry in 2023 with no issue

Heather ******

thank you for this!

Henrik *****

Stuart *********

You don’t mention your nationality, but if you are from one of the 92 countries allowed for a visa exempt entry then you don’t need to get a visa at all.

You’ll get 60 days on entry and can extend that once for 30 days. You can then bounce out and back and repeat.

2 years ago

Heather ******

@Stuart ********

I'm from USA. I am more concerned with the fact I was there for 2.5 years during covid and now coming back. I heard one person not being able to extend his stay for the 3rd month. And I wasn't sure if that was a regular thing or not.

2 years ago

Stuart *********

@Heather *****

Ive only ever seen once case of where someone was refused an extension - and that was because they were on some “unwanted in Thailand” list.

If you get in you’ll get an extension.

Whether they will allow you in is up to the immigration officer, but if you’ve been away 2 years I don’t think they will suspect you of working here (one of the main reasons why they would deny entry).

2 years ago

Heather ******

@Stuart ********

good to know! Thanks so much!

2 years ago