Answered7 years ago
How can I obtain a 30-day extension of stay in Thailand due to COVID-19?
ATTENTION MEMBERS:
RE: "Unable to Travel Due to COVID-19 Extension"
There is a provision (clause 2.28) in the current Police Order (327/2557) concerning extensions of stays that allows immigrations to give a 30 day extension "based on embassy request". It is what they are using to issue these "can't travel due to covid-19 extensions".
In order to get one you need;
-To NOT be on any overstay
-To contact your consulate and get a letter stating you can't travel
-To go to the immigration office with that and apply for the 30 day extension for 1900baht.
Evidently this can work on ANY type of entry stamp (VOA, visa exempt, visa waiver, tourist or Non-Immigrant)
NOTE: Unfortunately if your consulate can't/won't give you the letter, as a rule you can't get the extension.
SOME immigration offices are letting people get the extension by showing flight cancellations BUT most are requiring the embassy letter.
This is the ONLY emergency extension available to people at this time due to covid-19 and the inability to travel. The 30 day covid-19 extension is issued regardless of whether you got a previous extension or not on your current visa/entry stamp
Check with YOUR consulate to see if they offer the letter. That is your first step in the process..
RE: "Unable to Travel Due to COVID-19 Extension"
There is a provision (clause 2.28) in the current Police Order (327/2557) concerning extensions of stays that allows immigrations to give a 30 day extension "based on embassy request". It is what they are using to issue these "can't travel due to covid-19 extensions".
In order to get one you need;
-To NOT be on any overstay
-To contact your consulate and get a letter stating you can't travel
-To go to the immigration office with that and apply for the 30 day extension for 1900baht.
Evidently this can work on ANY type of entry stamp (VOA, visa exempt, visa waiver, tourist or Non-Immigrant)
NOTE: Unfortunately if your consulate can't/won't give you the letter, as a rule you can't get the extension.
SOME immigration offices are letting people get the extension by showing flight cancellations BUT most are requiring the embassy letter.
This is the ONLY emergency extension available to people at this time due to covid-19 and the inability to travel. The 30 day covid-19 extension is issued regardless of whether you got a previous extension or not on your current visa/entry stamp
Check with YOUR consulate to see if they offer the letter. That is your first step in the process..
Answer summary
For those unable to travel due to COVID-19, Thailand's Police Order (327/2557) provides the option for a 30-day extension of stay. To qualify, applicants must not be overstaying, need a letter from their consulate confirming they cannot travel, and apply at an immigration office for a fee of 1900 baht. This applies to any type of entry stamp, including tourist and non-immigrant visas. However, obtaining the necessary letter from the consulate is crucial and varies by country.
52 repliesnewest first
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Max **********
GERMANY does NOT provide it yet. Embassy in BKK denied my request
Benjamin ******
you need that letter before you can apply for the extension.
Deanna *******
AMERICANS: I just got off the phone with the US Embassy in Bangkok. They informed me, that so far, they are NOT providing letters for extensions of stay for Americans because citizens are still able to fly back to the USA. :/
But to keep checking travel.state.gov for updates (located at the very top of the page)
But to keep checking travel.state.gov for updates (located at the very top of the page)
Tod *********
OPTheir take on it IS at this time there is no problem getting back to the US, so IF you can't get a visa to stay, leave...
Tod *********
OPCorrect they are NOT
The U.S. Embassy is aware U.S. citizens may choose to remain in Thailand as opposed returning to the United States or traveling to another country. The U.S. Embassy cannot assist with your continued presence in Thailand (visa extension). Decisions regarding immigration in Thailand are the sole purview of the Thailand Bureau of Immigration. We advise you contact an attorney if you are concerned with maintaining or extending your visa status.
Sincerely,
American Citizen Services
US Embassy, Bangkok
The U.S. Embassy is aware U.S. citizens may choose to remain in Thailand as opposed returning to the United States or traveling to another country. The U.S. Embassy cannot assist with your continued presence in Thailand (visa extension). Decisions regarding immigration in Thailand are the sole purview of the Thailand Bureau of Immigration. We advise you contact an attorney if you are concerned with maintaining or extending your visa status.
Sincerely,
American Citizen Services
US Embassy, Bangkok
Ana ***********
@Tod ********
friends of a friend from hungary are in difficilties due to the end of their tourist visa and travel ban. They just get to their embassy with the text you posted. Their embassy answers that's only concern chinese national or Non-b non-o 1 year Visa.Ana ***********
Never mind !!!!!
I just ask them the truth about their research for a flight back and the answer is... messy. I think they just don't want to go back home but they told me they don't have flight anymore. Figure out, they are just worry about being rejected during the transit... but there is no reasons for that.
I just ask them the truth about their research for a flight back and the answer is... messy. I think they just don't want to go back home but they told me they don't have flight anymore. Figure out, they are just worry about being rejected during the transit... but there is no reasons for that.
Benjamin ******
Their embassy doesn't know what they are talking about. What exactly was the text they received?
Ninnete *********
Is there any successful case?
Benjamin ******
lots and lots of them, mostly from Chinese.
Paul ************
I rang the Belgium embassy in bkk and they will NOT issue a letter
Joe *****
May I see the official government document or the link to forward it to some friends. Thank you
Patrick ********
Other Germans have reported that the German embassy has not yet given out these letters. Has any German received this letter?
Niki ********
Thank you for this. I appreciate your help.
Isabelle **********
Although you clearly state this seems to work for any visa, including non-imm, in practice this seems a little odd for those of us with 1 year non-imm visas e.g. no flights or intentions of going "home" because here is home. I'm sure the penny will drop and regulations will change, but in the meantime this seems to leave those of us who live here and whose embassies are not issuing letters in a bit of a pickle!
Has anyone on a non-imm b visa successfully obtained a letter from their embassy?
Has anyone on a non-imm b visa successfully obtained a letter from their embassy?
Ivan ************
That sounds like you are in the grey area where your employer can't qualify for an extension.
The borders with Laos and Myanmar are still open without restrictions so you should be able to bounce there.
The borders with Laos and Myanmar are still open without restrictions so you should be able to bounce there.
Benjamin ******
>us with 1 year non-imm visas
You should get an extension of stay based on whatever applies, OR bounce out at a border every 90 days.
You should get an extension of stay based on whatever applies, OR bounce out at a border every 90 days.
Ivan ************
If you are on a 1 year non immigrant you can extend it same as you usually would extend it, no need for this letter.
Christina *******
Called US embassy this a.m and they told me no letters and I could negotiate with immigration or hire a lawyer 🤨
Galloway *******
@Christina ****************
we got the same replyBenjamin ******
Sounds reasonable. There are still flights from Thailand to the USA.
Ralphy *****
Why get letter, you get extension anyway ?
Benjamin ******
1. You can extend this visa exampt by another 30 days at the local immigration office for being a tourist. There's lots and lots of information on this group about how to do that.
2. You may be able to extend your visa exampt because you are unable to travel back home because of the virus. If that happens, you'll contacted your embassy and ask for the letter. If they can not issue that letter, then you do not qualify for that extension of stay.
2. You may be able to extend your visa exampt because you are unable to travel back home because of the virus. If that happens, you'll contacted your embassy and ask for the letter. If they can not issue that letter, then you do not qualify for that extension of stay.
Benjamin ******
Because if you already have an extension of stay based on being a tourist, and you can't return back home because of the COVID-19, you can use this letter to get another 30 days
Benny *****
Do we need this letter for a "normal" extension (I've got a TR visa that i still not extend)? Or this covid-19 extension is in fact the new norm for get any kind of extension?
Thomas ********************
Thanks for asking, Ben. That was the question on my mind. And thanks all for clearing it up.
Benjamin ******
David Broadfoot do you have a source on that? It does make sense of course.
Benjamin ******
Read the announcement. This is for an extension of stay based on the COVID-19. If you want an extension of stay based on being a tourist, you can get that as well
Justin **************
Singaporeans, be careful... our side embassy does not issue such letters, due to that our infected cases are low... (this is really stupid) for Singaporeans living in Italy, it is possible
Benjamin ******
And that you can still return back to Singapore by air. This isn't a medical extension
Benjamin ******
No Jeremy Wright
1. Contact your embassy, consulate, or state department, and request the letter.
2. If you are given that letter, use it to apply for an extension of stay based on COVID-19.
3. You are (generally) allowed one extension of stay on a visa or visa exampt, but if you already have an extension of stay, the Thai government will grant another extension of stay based on the COVID-19.
1. Contact your embassy, consulate, or state department, and request the letter.
2. If you are given that letter, use it to apply for an extension of stay based on COVID-19.
3. You are (generally) allowed one extension of stay on a visa or visa exampt, but if you already have an extension of stay, the Thai government will grant another extension of stay based on the COVID-19.
Jeremy ********
So... Still go in and apply? Does it strike the 2x/year first? It's not clear enough mate but thanks for this! It helps a bit!
Tod *********
OPOkay, listen up people. I will start BANNING and BOOTING people the second they mention ANYTHING about agencies that are offering this extension for more than the actual price of 1900baht at the immigration office.
There are agencies in Bangkok and Pattaya that are offering 60-90 day extensions for CRAZY money, those are NOT covid-19 emergency extensions (based on embassy request) those are extensions based on medical reasons. 🤬 They are "greasing the wheels" to get them AND while they might be real stamps you got them by false means so IF there's an blow back it's on you..
Be warned :O.
Mention it in this group and you're gone :( .
There are agencies in Bangkok and Pattaya that are offering 60-90 day extensions for CRAZY money, those are NOT covid-19 emergency extensions (based on embassy request) those are extensions based on medical reasons. 🤬 They are "greasing the wheels" to get them AND while they might be real stamps you got them by false means so IF there's an blow back it's on you..
Be warned :O.
Mention it in this group and you're gone :( .
Ben **********
Does this also pertain to an already 30 day extension to a 30 day visa exempt stamp?
Benjamin ******
Ben Chesters I just checked Google, they are still having flights out from Thailand to London. I doubt they would grant that letter
Benjamin ******
Ben Chesters does the British Embassy issue the letter? Contact them to find out, the British Embassy speaks English
Tod *********
OPDID you contact your consulate to see if they even issue the letter
@B**
? That is your FIRST step in this process. 
Ellie *******
Ask to your local immigration office...
Tod *********
OPOkay, people I understand the concern (borderline panic) that everyone has but you need to READ & UNDERSTAND what I posted
Amy ******
@Anthita ****************
could this be an option?? 
Tanja *********************
@Natalie *******
@Kelly *******
Just what we spoke about this morning
Natalie ********
@Tanja ********************
yes. I’ll show my friend. Thanks x
Frank ***********
@Tod ********
what about the countries without embassies in Thailand?Benjamin ******
Contact your state department and ask them which consulate represents them in Thailand, they would know
Tod *********
OPThere is an embassy of that country (possibly in a nearby country) that DOES handle their citizens in thailand. Contact them
Danny ********
Can that letter from the embassy be sent on email or it have to be by the post? Because some countries that doesn’t have embassy in Thailand..
Benjamin ******
If a country doesn't have a consulate in Thailand, ask your State Department (may be called the office of foreign affairs or something similar) for the country that represents your country in Thailand. Then, ask them.
Tod *********
OPDid you ask your consulate?
Ellie *******
That's the question you need to ask to your local immigration office.
Tod *********
OPLISTEN UP: There is NO need to post a question OR a comment on this post UNTIL you have talked to your consulate to see if you can get that letter from them OR until you have talked to your immigration office to see if they will do it with just proof of your flight being canceled or if they require the letter from your consulate
.
Those are the FIRST steps,
DO them and you will know IF you can get this extension or not.
.
Those are the FIRST steps,
DO them and you will know IF you can get this extension or not.
Stephanie **********
@Tod ********
Good information as always. I will save this as we are due to fly back UK June 1st and this may be what we will have to do if UK on shutdown. Thanks again. Activity
27 joined27
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