Can non-immigration visas still get a COVID extension if their expiry is before March 25th?

Non-Immigration Visa COVID Extension Visa Regulations Thailand Immigration Visa Validity Travel Restrictions COVID-19 Impact on Visa

Feb 17, 2022

3 years ago

Mouseen *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Can non-immigration-based visas still 'covid extend' if their current extension expires before March 25th?

I came to Thailand with a non-immigration visa. I got a covid-extension in January and the extension is expiring this March 2nd. 

The new covid-extension ruling (couple of weeks old) states that non-immigration-based visas can no more be 'covid' extended, and the 'start' date for the new ruling is March 25th. 

Thank you!

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The question concerns whether non-immigration-based visas can receive a COVID extension if their current extension expires before the new ruling takes effect on March 25th. While the user received a COVID extension in January, the recent announcement states that non-immigrant visas will no longer be eligible for such extensions after March 25th. Responses indicate that as of January 25th, individuals with non-immigrant visas are ineligible for further COVID-related extensions, and attempts to extend based on COVID issues will likely result in rejection. Alternative strategies such as border runs to obtain new visa types were discussed, but their feasibility and reliability are questioned.

Benjamin ******

Sadly, I don't see a reason to keep commenting open on this post. For questions about this extension of stay, please read my post at

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Thank you

3 years ago

Benjamin ******

Can you border bounce, return to Thailand, and apply for a 60 day extension of stay based on unable due to COVID-19? It is not a strategy I would recommend. Here's the potential time frame in doing a border bounce and getting the extension of stays (Note: I'm also excluding the timeframe of acquiring a Thai Pass)

Assuming a person decides they want to bounce today:

1. A visa on arrival is no longer being sold to enter Cambodia, however, the eVisa is. The eVisa takes 3 business days, per their official eVisa site. Earliest date the eVisa would be approved is Wednesday, February 23rd.

2. A person leaves Thailand for Cambodia on Thursday, February 24th. The last I heard a person needs to stay at least one day in Cambodia.

3. A person returns to Thailand on Saturday, February 26th, and do one day in a test-n-go facility. They are stamped in for 29 days, or until Sunday, March 27th.

4. On Monday, February 28th, a person goes to an immigration office and purchases a 30 day extension of stay based on tourism. That would let them stay until April 26, 2021

CAN A PERSON APPLY FOR A 30 DAY EXTENSION OF STAY BASED ON UNABLE TO TRAVEL DUE TO COVID-19 IN THAT TIMEFRAME?

MAYBE.

If the immigration office requires a person to have at least 30 days remaining, then an 60 day Extension of Stay Based on Unable to Travel due to COVID-19 can not be applied (since there’ll be more then 30 days remaining).

If an immigration office requires a person to have at least 45 days remaining, then a 60 day Extension of Stay Based on Unable to Travel due to COVID-19 can be applied. If the Extension of Stay is approved, then a person can stay until May 24th .

BUT….

This extension of stay is an optional stamp, and the immigration office does not need to issue the extension of stay. Approach this extension of stay as a bonus - if you get it, great; if not, then it’s not a big problem.

3 years ago

Astrid **********

@Mouhsine *******

you asking about borderrun. Technically you can get out, back in on a 30 day Tourist Exemption (if your passport allows) and thereafter apply for tourist 30 day extension. By then COVID scheme expired. Maybe beter to come back on a 60 day visa, and then extend to 90.

Atm there are no 1 day border runs, one needs to do at least Thai pass and Test & Go to get back in ✈️ no landborders are open.

3 years ago

Benjamin ******

I have no idea what you mean by "rulings", but according to the official announcement, starting January 25th, people who's most recent visa is a non-immigrant visa (or visa on arrival) no longer qualify for a 60 day extension of stay based on unable to travel due to COVID-19.

If you apply for a 60 day extension of stay based on unable to travel due to COVID-19, it will be rejected, and you will have 7 days to leave Thailand.

3 years ago

Mouseen *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Benjamin *****

Thank you for the clarification/explanation. I was confused with dates: March 25th is the deadline for those who qualify for the extension, but for those who don't quality (non-immig., etc.) ... the effect is immediate.

3 years ago

Tod *********

@Mouhsine *******

correct, the new program started on Jan 26th and that was the day they stopped selling covid extensions to anyone who had ever been on any type of Non-Imm visa/extension since their arrival in thailand.

3 years ago

Danny *******

@Tod ********

If someone with a previous Non-Imm did a quick border run today, and received 30 days entry. Will that person be qualified for 60 days covid extension before March 26?

3 years ago

Benjamin ******

@Daniel *******

Sadly, "quick border runs" no longer exist (at least, for Cambodia). For Cambodia, you'll have to get an eVisa, which takes 3 business days.

3 years ago

Ellie *******

@Daniel *******

it's clearly stated you have to apply for a 30days tourism extension first. Still, could be qualified for applying for a Covid extension.

3 years ago

Reply to

Ellie *******

Luke **********

@Benjamin *****

so what are the options available?

3 years ago

Benjamin ******

@Luke *********

The options available to stay in Thailand depends on your purpose in Thailand. Generally, the following common visas/ extension of stays are acquired by people wanting to stay in Thailand. :

- Non-O Visa/ Extension of stay based on marriage to a Thai national

- Non-B Visa/ Extension of stay based on employment

- Non-O Visa/ Extension of stay based on being over 50 ("retirement)

- Non-O Visa/ Extension of stay based on raising half-Thai child

- Non-ED visa/ Extension of stay based on studying

- Elite Thai visa (5 years to 20 years, price starts at 600K THB)

- BOI Investment visa (starts at 20M THB, if my memory serves me right)

If you have further questions about the process on acquiring these visas/ extension of stays, please make your own post

3 years ago

Reply to

Benjamin ******

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