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Answered5 years ago

Can Non-Immigrant Visa Holders Apply for the New COVID-19 Extension in Thailand?

COVID-19 Visa Extension Non-Immigrant Visa Thai Immigration Rules Visa Application Process Extension for Non-Ed Visas Embassy Letters for Visa

Tod *********

OP

asked Mar 29, 2022

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**ATTENTION ALL MEMBERS: 

CURRENT COVID EXTENSION PROGRAM

(the one that runs Mar 26th - May 24th)

Re; Non-Immigrant Type Visa / Extension holders**

I made a mistake when I was outlining the new covid extension program and people on Non-Immigrant type visas or extensions CAN now apply for the 60 day covid extension (the previous program they could not) 

You need to fill out the form stating your embassy doesn't issue a letter asking for you to get an extension and you should be able to apply for a 60 day covid extension now for 1900baht. 

You will most likely get an under consideration stamp and have to return to the SAME office that issued that stamp to "close the loop" and get the rest of the extension inked in

I am sorry for the mis-information in the earlier post   

Thanx go to Anyarin Piyachawanphat for sending me the complete PDF (y) Thank you :)

Answer summary

A recent update has clarified that holders of Non-Immigrant type visas in Thailand can apply for a 60-day COVID extension from March 26 to May 24, 2022. Previously, they were excluded from applying, but now, if their embassy does not issue a supporting letter, they are eligible to apply for the extension at a cost of 1900 baht. Applicants may initially receive a provisional stamp and will need to return to the issuing office for the full extension. The community discussion raised questions about specific visa types, the process for students nearing the end of their education, and the discretion of immigration officials regarding extensions.

72 repliesnewest first

30

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Ellie *******

Ellie *******

This is now FYI only post.

If you need to ask something, please make your own post.

1

Nigel *****************

Nigel *****************

Hi

So if you previously had an ed visa and then switched to covid extensions for the last year,does it now mean you are able to apply for another covid extension?

Thanks..

0

Daniela ******

Daniela ******

@Nigel ****************

yes

1

Nigel *****************

Nigel *****************

thanks...

0

Tod *********

Tod *********

OP

Okay, people listen up.

I posted this correction that the order for the new 60 day covid program (Marh 26-May 24) "seems/appears" to allow people on Non-Imm visa extensions to apply for a covid extension now.

IF your office won't do it, I don't know what to tell you. 😕

There are confirmed reports of it working

AND

there are reports of people being told no, leave the country.

You choices are go to your immigration office and try

OR

leave the country and come back in.

I mean it'll either work and they will do it OR it won't and they'll tell you to leave. Not a lot of grey area there.

Sorry to be so terse and short but it's either gonna work for you or it's not and you're out nothing by trying it but time. SO invest the time and go see how your office is handling it.

6

Marguyvin **********

Marguyvin **********

Thanks

. So it sounds like this is one of those typical situations where they don't explicitly exclude Non-Imm (unlike the previous order that said "only tourists"), but they also don't explicitly include Non-Imm either. The ol' plausible deniability card. ;)

1

Tod *********

Tod *********

OP

it really seems written with WAY too much latitude given to the officer you're sitting in front of and as I said, all people can do is try, because it sure doesn't say like the other one did that people on any Non-imm visa can't get covid extensions..

2

Daniela ******

Daniela ******

maybe we should use the embassy letters from early 2020...that worked back in September 2020 ;-)

0

Max ********

Max ********

What about visa on arrival?

0

Tod *********

Tod *********

OP

15 day visa on arrival needs to have a letter from their embassy or they can't get the extension and it has to be the original letter not an email.

2

Mannu **********

Mannu **********

Thank you

. I appreciate your work on this page.

I just sent this post to a couple of friends.

One of them who has been on an Ed visa went straight to Koh Phangan Immigration and they told her no extensions for Non Immigrants.

2

Daniela ******

Daniela ******

@Mannu *********

I´m going straight to Samui next week. I already assumed KPG is not doing it!

2

Mannu **********

Mannu **********

Would be good to know what happens there

1

Daniela ******

Daniela ******

@Mannu *********

of course I will let you know...

1

Tod *********

Tod *********

OP

@Mannu *********

Sorry to hear about that. Then again that's just a small rinky dink immigration office and she should go try at Samui OR the real office in Surat Thani

3

Marguyvin **********

Marguyvin **********

Thanks

. Any chance of seeing an english translation of the PDF?

0

Tod *********

Tod *********

OP

the government doesn't put out english PDF translations 😕 this is thailand

2

Tara ********

Tara ********

Does this mean people who were previously on Ed visas can now get it? I can't keep up with the chances

0

Tod *********

Tod *********

OP

it mean you can apply for a 60 day covid extension if you cancel your ED visa extension. It's not guaranteed you will get it, so I'd say stick with the ED visa you're on

1

Li ****

Li ****

Dear Tod, thanks for an information. I've had an ED visa and after moved to covid visa. Then I've got an 30 days extention with letter from Russian Embassy.

What do you think do I have a chance to get a 60 days extention according to this news?

P.S. From today the Immigration of Phuket doesnt extend with letters 🤷‍♀️ No news yet from Suratthani.

0

Tod *********

Tod *********

OP

you're on your own, you deal with the office and the restrictions those offices have 😕

1

Федор ********

Федор ********

How do you think, will it work for Russian nationals, when it is well known that Russian consulate do issuing the letters asking for extension?

0

Tod *********

Tod *********

OP

@Федор *******

ANY russian on ANY extension or visa can get the letter from their embassy and get the 30 day embassy request extension so nothing changes for them

2

Федор ********

Федор ********

I probably asked the wrong question. My idea is that now I can throw away that consulate letter and apply for a 60 day Covid extension instead of a miserable 30 days, pretending that I never ever received this letter.

1

Федор ********

Федор ********

Thanks for advice!

0

Tod *********

Tod *********

OP

@Федор *******

because if you're denied the covid extension you get the 7 day stamp to leave thailand and you leave when that stamp runs out..

2

Tod *********

Tod *********

OP

@Федор *******

I sure wouldn't do that until you KNOW for a fact you can get the 60 day covid extension,

2

Maria ********

Maria ********

they stopped to give the letter from today

0

Tod *********

Tod *********

OP

then they just go try and apply and see what happens I guess

0

Wannikea *********

Wannikea *********

@Федор *******

I believe there are special considerations for Russian and Ukrainian passport holders at this time.

2

Daniela ******

Daniela ******

So we need a real letter from embassy this time, or like always the extra page you needed an the time for c extension... Where you state that you can't fly home?

0

Tod *********

Tod *********

OP

IF your embassy gives the letter you will get a 30 day embassy request extension. IF they don't issue it you mark the form saying they don't issue it and you should be able to apply for a 60 day covid extension

1

Katrin *******

Katrin *******

which form are you referring to? The Covid extension form? Thanks for clarifying.

0

Daniela ******

Daniela ******

ok, thank you

0

Axel ********

Axel ********

I'm here on a non-immigrant O (90 days/Single entry) visa that runs out 20.4. Does the new regulation means that now I can go to the immigration and apply for the 60 days covid-19 extension?

Last week I tried to get it at two different immigration offices, but they told me that it is non possible for non O visa holders.

Is it possible now?

0

Tod *********

Tod *********

OP

last week was still the OLD covid extension program that ran out on Friday the 25th and it said Non-Imm holders COULD NOT get a covid extension

The new program that started on the 26th (Saturday) says they can apply this time. SO go back and see

2

Axel ********

Axel ********

thanks Tod

0

John **********

John **********

sounds like it but they can still refuse it if the want, why not just extend your Non-O though?

0

Abigail ***********

Abigail ***********

Which countries will not issue the letter? Does this new rule only apply to certain nationalities?

0

Veit ********

Veit ********

Germany doesnt, I called Friday. US neither.

0

Tod *********

Tod *********

OP

@Abigail **********

contact your embassy and see if they will or won't issue it.

0

Keef ********

Keef ********

Thank you for another great update

0

Veit ********

Veit ********

Thank you so much Tod. This is incredible news for the few of us who were cut out by that rule the past 2 months and getting ready to leave. I'm in awe by your way to share and correct information. In my case, I might be able to save 2 of my kittens from the street thanks to this. Me and them owe you big time.

5

Aurélien *********

Aurélien *********

So that means if you're on Ed Visa, you can apply for Covid extension when your ed visa runs out?

1

Gil *****

Gil *****

@Aurélien ********

Yes, it means you can apply but there are never guarantees. Much better chance now though.

1

Tod *********

Tod *********

OP

@Aurélien ********

it says you can APPLY for one and are not prohibited from applying, doesn't say they'll give you one 😛

2

Damo ********

Damo ********

Any changes to STV?

0

Tod *********

Tod *********

OP

STV's are tourist visas and they have always been able to get covid extensions under the programs that have ran. It's the individual offices that are denying those AND because covid extensions are 100% discretionary if they say no, you try another office

1

Damo ********

Damo ********

Thank you 🙂

0

Wannikea *********

Wannikea *********

there have been previous reports of STV visa holders getting covid extensions.

0

Wannikea *********

Wannikea *********

I read a commentary on the new regulations that this time around they removed the previous regulation clause about the IO having discretion to give the covid extension. Any comment on this?

4

Silvia ***********

Silvia ***********

@Wannikea ********

looks amazing . I hope so.

0

Mathieu **********

Mathieu **********

:)

0

Andrew *********

Andrew *********

Everyone thought the same Tod , don't beat yourself!

1

Danielle ******************

Danielle ******************

Hi Todd, thank you for the information. Just to confirm the information as this would be the first time I would need to do this, people who currently have a non-imm Ed visa are able to apply for the covid extension once their Ed visa has been cancelled?

Many foreign students who are about to finish their degrees at STC are losing their Ed visas at the end of April but will only receive their degree transcripts and letter of completion in June and will need a way to stay in the country until then. The university is unable to provide paperwork to extend their visas past 30th April.

Thank you for your help and my apologies if in any way this hijacks your post 🙏🙏🙏🙏

0

Tod *********

Tod *********

OP

@Danielle ****************

should work, cancel the ED extension and apply for the 60 day covid extension.

2

Danielle ******************

Danielle ******************

thank you so much! This would be amazing news for many concerned students. 🙏🙏🙏

0

Tony ********

Tony ********

Thanks thats good news

0

Bim *******

Bim *******

So what was the point of the last extension and the people like me they denied

4

Federico **************

Federico **************

the government probably notice that they made less money when they did not let non-immigrant holder get covid extension.

7

Gil *****

Gil *****

Probably to clear out some of the people who got denied from the previous order and had no choice but to go home. Just like when they announced the covid extensions after many people had either left or decided to get a ed/volunteer visa a few years ago.

2

Tod *********

Tod *********

OP

no idea, you're looking for logic where none is to be found. I stopped doing that here in thailand a long time ago 😕

17

Wannikea *********

Wannikea *********

Good news for many with no alternative and a Non Imm visa.

2

Jess *********

Jess *********

Even for those with Non B’s with the 7 day visa to exit the country?

They gave me one that expires on 1st April. Is it worth me going to immigration to see if this can be extended?

0

Tod *********

Tod *********

OP

They were correct, from Jan 26 to March 25 the could NOT issue covid extensions to anyone on a Non-Imm visa or extension SO all you could get would have been a 7 day get out of thailand stamp

NOW (March 26th to May 24th) the covid extension program in effect DOES appear to allow 60 day covid extensions on Non-Imm visas / extensions.

All you can do is go to your immigration office and ask, BUT be prepared to get out when that stamp runs out if they say nope they can't do anything.

AND while it's off topic I'll answer this much; DO NOT go to Malaysia and try the thai consulate in Kuala Lumpur for a tourist visa. GO to Cambodia and use the one in Phnom Penh like people are doing. That consulate in KL is not user friendly and people are being required to do a LOT of hoop jumping to get visas from there.

If you have more questions about this MAKE YOUR OWN THREAD (as it's getting far off from the topic of this one) 🙂

4

Jess *********

Jess *********

okay thanks for all your help

0

Kanson ******

Kanson ******

hi my visa under non-imm and yesterday i was in Chiangmai immigration and they giving me a hard time and not allow me to apply covid extension. i provide my embassy letter and they request the original until now i still waiting the original all the way send from BKK. can i know this new program am i allow to apply under non imm O.

0

Tod *********

Tod *********

OP

if they say you need the original letter you do, there is no way around that

It is totally up to the immigration office you are dealing with

1

Ellie *******

Ellie *******

you’d need an original letter

1

Tod *********

Tod *********

OP

, go to your immigration office and see, as far as the other questions make your own thread asking about it

1

Wannikea *********

Wannikea *********

highly unlikely, that extension leaves you with no alternative but to leave.

2

Jess *********

Jess *********

Its strange because they only issued me with this as they said the policy had changed. Now they say policy changed again.

How easy is it to fly out and back in again?

What visa would I need to apply for then? Can I get 60 days in Malaysia?

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