How can I extend my visa in Thailand if I'm unable to travel due to COVID?

Mar 3, 2022
3 years ago
Steven ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
# Options to extend my visa, due to getting COVID?

I'm in Thailand on a visa exemption (from US), which I then extended by 30-days. It now expires March 13. I just got a positive COVID ATK test today (with mild symptoms). I took the test at home myself, so the result is not reported anywhere official (yet).

I need to isolate now... but I still wanted to get more things done in Thailand before leaving. I have a dentist appointment on Monday that I will need to postpone until after I recover from COVID. I also wanted to see a friend in Phuket. So it'd be nice if I could stay until late March now.

My question: Is my best bet just to go into immigration after I'm recovered (hopefully that's before my visa expires), and try for the "unable to travel due to COVID" extension? My main concern with that extension, is that I already did that extension last November, and then I flew home to the US for Christmas, and came back in January (demonstrating, in effect, that I *could* actually travel). Also I've been in Thailand for ~6 of the last 7 months already, if that matters.

Any other ideas? Or should that work just fine?

Thanks so much!
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The individual is seeking advice on visa extensions in Thailand due to contracting COVID-19 while on a visa exemption from the US. They have already extended their visa once and are now concerned about applying for another extension under the claim of being unable to travel due to COVID. Comments discuss previous experiences with COVID extensions and advise obtaining a lab test for official documentation, considering potential issues with travel after recovery, and the importance of reporting the infection.
Mike ******
You can extend 30 more days, a total of 90 days on the Visa on arrival. Contact a visa agent to process it for you while you are recovering.
Bobby ********
Mike Gumm. He doesn't have Visa On Arrival - he's visa exempt
Mike ******
Bobby Howard it's the same thing. Means he got a stamp on arrival
Monika *******
I did my covid extension and there is a new form where you can tick "REASON FOR STAY DUE TO COVID SITUATION IN MY COUNTRY " That worked fine. No problems
Monika *******
Ok, it was my first covid extention
Bobby ********
Monika Riley. The form is not new. It's been around since covid extensions started
Monika *******
UK does not want pcr test now before flying
Steven ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Monika ******
The country I'll be going to next is the Philippines, so they require PCR test before flying
Monika *******
Kool *******
You actually have a much bigger concern, that could drastically alter your plans. By not reporting your infection to the health authorities, when you try to get your RT-PCR test to fly, you seriously run the risk of testing positive even though you recovered, and without that recovery document you will be quarantined and miss your flight, and the quarantine will be at your expense. This is why the recovery document is issued, and the authorities will not believe you that you recovered on your own. This is the biggest problem you will face, as you've got about an 80% chance for 3-4 months after you recover of testing positive.
Kevin ***********
@Kool ******
Where did you get that 80% number from?
Kool *******
@Kevin **********
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Kevin ***********
@Kool ******
That's antibodies. PCR tests are not for antibodies.
Steven ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kool ******
This doesn't say anything about testing positive via PCR after you recover? Just about still having antibodies
Steven ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kevin **********
My mom is a nurse and she says she doesn't think it's very common for people to get the persistent positive test results.. So I'm also still interested in a source for that 80% figure
Kevin ***********
@Steven *****
Smells like bullshit to me too.

"One study retested 203 people who had recovered from COVID-19. Of the 203 people, 29 people had positive PCR tests weeks to months after they had recovered, including five people who were tested 85-105 days after recovery. Another study in Wuhan, China, found that of 378 people hospitalized with COVID-19, 36 still had detectable levels of SARS-CoV-2 genetic material more than 30 days after they were diagnosed with the virus – the longest being 83 days."
Steven ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Michael *******
Thanks for that extra link. It sounds like I'd still need to get a test at a lab with my full information, but then I could isolate at home, no need for a hospitel/hospital stay necessarily (unless that's required through some other mechanism). But is this sketchy at all? Do you know the company to be reputable, legal, and their certificates are accepted? Thanks again.
Steven ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Ah ok, thank you for the tip. Where would I need to report, in order to get the recovery document in the end? I should just go to a clinic that does RT-PCR tests, take one, and then they will guide me through the process? And I will probably need to go to a hospitel/hotel designated for COVID patients or something? If you know of any resources/guides you can link to, please let me know. Also the 80% figure sounds surprisingly high, are you sure that is from a credible source? Thanks again!!
Michael ********
@Steven *****
medconsult do recovery certificates and they speak English and can be done remotely
Steven ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Michael *******
Interesting, I'll look into it. Thank you
Bobby ********
Steven Paul. You won't get a recovery certificate unless you've got a certified PCR positive test.
Steven ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bobby *******
Yes that makes sense
Michael ********
@Steven *****
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Bobby ********
A self-test means nothing. You should be getting a lab test done which you can use to extend your stay on medical grounds
Steven ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bobby *******
Thanks for the tip. Is there a name for how to extend on medical grounds, after you already have the 30-day extension? Like which extension would it be?
Bobby ********
Steven Paul. The hospital you deal with will be able to organise the extension on your behalf, as you will be isolated.
Steven ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bobby *******
Ok thank you
Jared **********
I had a Covid extension last spring, went home, came back in November and got a Covid extension last month with no issue.

You might do some searching about where to go as it seems some immigration offices are a lot easier then others, in that case you would go stay a night or two in a hotel and apply there. Also be aware if they have you an “under consideration” stamp you would have to go back to that office when they say.
Steven ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jared *********
Alright, it seems I might have some other issues, and I should maybe try to get an official recovery document for my COVID case... But I appreciate your input on this aspect! Thanks!
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