How can Australians in Thailand avoid overstaying their visa amid travel restrictions?

Visa Extensions Thailand Overstay Penalties Repatriation Flights Australian Embassy Travel Restrictions Amnesty Period Quarantine Issues

Aug 22, 2020

4 years ago

Jon **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I am an Australian on the standard 30 days you get on arrival. Now on amnesty until 26 September. It is impossible for all Australians to get back before amnesty. There are limits of a few hundred people allowed to enter the country/states each week from all around the world. Flight after flight being cancelled and unless very lucky will cost around 150-450k baht to get back as it is forced to pay for 5 star hotel quarantine as well for 2 weeks. It is a paradox because it is known by the Australian embassy that the demand to get home far exceeds the quota of people trying to get back, yet they are saying you have plenty of time to get back and aren't giving us letters of extension. My question is, given its impossible for all Australians to get back (if they can even afford it) how are we meant to stay here without overstay penalties and possible blacklisting?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

An Australian national currently on a 30-day visa in Thailand is facing challenges in returning home due to limited flight availability and high quarantine costs. With the amnesty period ending on 26 September, there are concerns about overstaying and potential blacklisting. Comments suggest contacting the embassy for assistance, exploring charter options with fellow nationals, and considering alternative travel plans. However, the Australian government is not issuing letters to extend stays, indicating that overstays and penalties may be inevitable after the amnesty period.

Benjamin ******

I'm closing this down. Aus is not giving letters letting you stay here longer, and it looks like you got good advice from others. If there are anything else to add, send a message to one of the mods and we'll reopen the post.

4 years ago

Mark ********

The Australian Government has Repatriation Flights nearly if not every Sunday in August from Bangkok to Sydney. Two weeks quarantine, then you can travel to home state. I belatedly registered my name and details with the Australian Embassy about 4 weeks ago. I stated I was not interested in flying home. I have a retirement visa here now. They send me emails with updates. I will attach a photo of the last email. One way ticket $1100 to Sydney. Contact the Embassy for all the finer details of quarantine and costs etc. Cheers

4 years ago

Douglas ********

@Mark *******

only 30 a flight here! They being extented next month also I understand... But at only 30 a go... Better have a plan B.

4 years ago

Bobby ********

@Mark *******

. Correct. And the Sunday flights are continuing through September. Citizens can apply for a loan to cover costs, and payment plans are available for the quarantine costs after arrival in Australia.

4 years ago

Reply to

Bobby ********

Brian *******

Overstay penalties and possible blacklisting will occur after 26 Sep. No question about that.

4 years ago

Wannikea *********

Tough situation, I'd be contacting my embassy urgently daily. Another possibility is gathering a group of nationals to fill a plane and charter it back home.

4 years ago

Bobby ********

@Wannikea ********

. Australia is limiting the number of people entering the country. Flights alone are not the problem. There are flights going to Australia with 30 passengers. A chartered plane will not get off the ground (literally)

4 years ago

Wannikea *********

@Bobby *******

well, Aus certainly planned this well didn't they.....

PS... I retract that, seems there are options available to the OP.

4 years ago

Reply to

Wannikea *********

Bobby ********

The ambassador has emphasised there will be no letters requesting extensions. The Thai authorities are telling people to leave by 26 September. People unable or unwilling to return to Australia should perhaps be looking at alternative countries to travel to, in order to avoid overstay complications.

4 years ago

Benjamin ******

Your only option is to request your embassy to issue you a letter saying you can not return home. *IF* they grant the letter, you'll give it to the immigration office, and *IF* they approve it, you can stay for another 30 days past the amnesty.

4 years ago

Reply to

Benjamin ******

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How can Australian passport holders extend their stay in Thailand without a visa run?

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