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Can I use a 60-day Covid extension before applying for a new ED Visa in Thailand?

ED Visa Covid Extension Visa Regulations Immigration Chiang Mai University Thailand Expat Visa Process

Jan 30, 2021

5 years ago

Julinhio *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi all,

So, I just want to make sure there's no potential issue with my plan. I'm in Thailand, on my first ED Visa, which is coming to an end on March 15th. I'm going to get a new one at Chiang Mai University (already checked with them), but with this lovely smoke season coming up, I'd like to skip town, and squeeze a '60-day Covid extension' in between. So, end of February, I would go to immigration here in CM, get the 60 days extension, go away for a month or so, and come back in May to get my new ED Visa. 

Anybody sees an issue with this plan?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user plans to apply for a 60-day Covid extension in Thailand before leaving for a month and then returning to apply for a new ED Visa. Responses highlight concerns about the immigration authorities' views on using the Covid extension for purposes other than pandemic-related issues and emphasize the importance of being enrolled in studies during the visa extension period.

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Steve *******

A lot depends on term time, if you're supposed to be studying but skipping town your extention of stay may become invalid.

5 years ago

Bobby ********

It's up to immigration. The covid extension is designed for people who claim they are unable to return to their home countries due to covid outbreaks and restrictions. Whether it's acceptable to use it to fit in a holiday between study periods is really up to immigration. I'd be more concerned about getting a new ED visa when you return after your holiday. That might be refused on those grounds.

5 years ago

Bobby ********

Julinhio Gaichet. Ok. I read "skip town" as having a break away from work or study, which many parts of the world call a "holiday". No country closes its borders to its own citizens, but that's irrelevant, as you have no intention of returning there. You may have to sign a declaration to get the covid extension. If your university is happy with the arrangement, you need only confirm this with immigration. Every case is different, and only they can give you the correct answer for your situation.

5 years ago

Julinhio *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Bobby *******

thanks for your answer. I know what the covid extension is for, my country just announced closing borders for outside EU travelers, so I totally qualitfy for it. I don't know where you get that I'm trying to fit a holiday... I'm trying to escape the smoke season, I have asthma. As I said, I already checked with CMU.

5 years ago

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Julinhio *********

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Will a 30-day COVID extension affect future visa applications and how long can I stay outside Thailand on a student visa?

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