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How can I obtain a letter from the US embassy to get a 30-day extension for my tourist visa in Thailand?
US EmbassyTourist VisaVisa ExtensionCOVID-19 ImpactThai Immigration30-Day ExtensionVisa RulesNon-O VisaTravel Restrictionsexemption letters
Aug 27, 2020
6 years ago
Ricardo ********************
ORIGINAL POSTERHas anyone gotten a letter of cannot travel from the US embassy? I understand this is required to do the 30 day extension for a tourist visa. Thanks 🙏🏼
TLDR : Answer Summary
To obtain a letter from the US embassy for a 30-day extension on your tourist visa in Thailand, you need to request it due to an inability to fly home, often due to COVID-19 related issues. The process involves visiting the embassy, explaining your situation, and receiving a letter if certain conditions are met (no available flights or an outbreak situation). This letter is then presented to Thai immigration when requesting the extension, which costs 1,900 THB. However, having the letter does not guarantee automatic approval for the extension, as the final decision rests with Thai immigration.
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Benjamin ******
reI'm shutting this down.
1. The United States Embassy started allowing people to request those letters requesting the Thai government to grant them another 30 days. To request that letter, go to
2. Having a letter does *NOT* grant automatic extension of stay. It is up to the Thai immigration office to decide if they accept the letter or not.
IF you decide to apply for this 30 day extension of stay based on the embassy letter, it will cost 1,900 THB. If it is rejected, you *WILL NOT* get a refund.
IF you want to try submitting this letter to get another 30 days, please:
1. Apply for it at your local immigration office.
2. MAKE A NEW Post letting us know what happened. Include:
a. The visa you used to enter Thailand (i.e. visa exempt, 90 day Non-O visa based on visiting Thai family, etc.)
b. The immigration office you used (i.e. Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, etc.)
c. A scan of your approved stamp
Good luck!
1. The United States Embassy started allowing people to request those letters requesting the Thai government to grant them another 30 days. To request that letter, go to
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and follow the instructions.2. Having a letter does *NOT* grant automatic extension of stay. It is up to the Thai immigration office to decide if they accept the letter or not.
IF you decide to apply for this 30 day extension of stay based on the embassy letter, it will cost 1,900 THB. If it is rejected, you *WILL NOT* get a refund.
IF you want to try submitting this letter to get another 30 days, please:
1. Apply for it at your local immigration office.
2. MAKE A NEW Post letting us know what happened. Include:
a. The visa you used to enter Thailand (i.e. visa exempt, 90 day Non-O visa based on visiting Thai family, etc.)
b. The immigration office you used (i.e. Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, etc.)
c. A scan of your approved stamp
Good luck!
Ethel ********
Part of email from US Consulate Chiang Mai today:
If You Do Not Wish to Change to a Long-Term Visa Type from a Short-Term Visa and You Have No Extenuating Health Concerns – You should make plans to leave Thailand before the September 26 deadline or risk being in violation of Thai immigration law. If you wish you request a letter from the U.S. Embassy to accompany your application for a 30-day extension past the September 26 deadline, please click on this link to complete this form to request a letter. Please note the Royal Thai government is under no obligation to extend short-term visas and may end the practice at any time. If your request is denied or you do not wish to change to an appropriate long-term visa category, you should begin making plans to depart Thailand as soon as possible. Please contact the U.S. Consulate General in Chiang Mai if you need financial assistance to depart Thailand
If You Do Not Wish to Change to a Long-Term Visa Type from a Short-Term Visa and You Have No Extenuating Health Concerns – You should make plans to leave Thailand before the September 26 deadline or risk being in violation of Thai immigration law. If you wish you request a letter from the U.S. Embassy to accompany your application for a 30-day extension past the September 26 deadline, please click on this link to complete this form to request a letter. Please note the Royal Thai government is under no obligation to extend short-term visas and may end the practice at any time. If your request is denied or you do not wish to change to an appropriate long-term visa category, you should begin making plans to depart Thailand as soon as possible. Please contact the U.S. Consulate General in Chiang Mai if you need financial assistance to depart Thailand
Joy ******
Embassy's are not giving out letters if you came here on a tourist visa and that's all embassy's .they are only giving them out for long stay expats
James ********
@Joy *****
not true. Ask yours.Joy ******
@James *******
already did and just got another email today confirming itJames ********
@Joy *****
some are...some not.Joy ******
@James *******
ok sorry my bad I was going on what I was told by my embassyJames ********
Reply to
James ********
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Tod *********
This web-page about the covid-19 information on the American Citizen Services website has the link it in to click on and request the extension letter from the US consulate
It is under the "Thai visa to remain in Thailand" section
It is under the "Thai visa to remain in Thailand" section
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David *********
I am interested to see if immigration accepts this and offers another 30 day extension. It does not say you can’t travel. Immigration may take issue with that.
Basically they say hey, if you want to give another 30 days we don’t have a problem with it.
Basically they say hey, if you want to give another 30 days we don’t have a problem with it.
Kimberley ******
@David ********
I assume they would accept it otherwise why would the US so randomly all of a sudden agree to give letters when before it was a hard no? I asked earlier this month. I’m pretty sure there’s been talks.Benjamin ******
@Kimberley *****
There is no promises Thai immigration would accept it. New Zealand also issues those letters, and we received a report that Thai immigration rejected it. Reply to
Benjamin ******
Reply
James ********
@David ********
and its unknown if it will be accepted. Wait for reports.Reply to
James ********
Reply
Benjamin ******
This is the process to get a 30 day extension of stay from the Embassy letter:
1. A person goes to the embassy and request a letter because you can't leave Thailand because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This letter will be issued *IF* there are no flights available OR there is an "outbreak situation".
The definition of an "outbreak situation" is defined by each country's Center of Disease Control, or equivalent agency, and will be stated on the letter that's issued. Do not try to argue with Thai immigration that you should stay longer because there's an "outbreak", they won't care.
2. *IF* a letter is issued by the embassy, you'll go to the local immigration office and *REQUEST* an Extension of Stay.
3. The immigration office will then either approve the request, reject your request, or tell you to return later. *IF* it is approved, an additional 30 days will be granted, starting on September 27, 2020. If it is *NOT* approved, you have to leave by September 26, 2020.
All extension of stays are 1,900 THB.
As you can tell, there's a whole lot of *IFs* and *Mays* and "Requests* in this post. Having the letter does not mean automatic approval to stay longer; having the stamp in your passport will. Unless you have that stamp in your passport, assume you can stay no later than September 26, 2020.
1. A person goes to the embassy and request a letter because you can't leave Thailand because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This letter will be issued *IF* there are no flights available OR there is an "outbreak situation".
The definition of an "outbreak situation" is defined by each country's Center of Disease Control, or equivalent agency, and will be stated on the letter that's issued. Do not try to argue with Thai immigration that you should stay longer because there's an "outbreak", they won't care.
2. *IF* a letter is issued by the embassy, you'll go to the local immigration office and *REQUEST* an Extension of Stay.
3. The immigration office will then either approve the request, reject your request, or tell you to return later. *IF* it is approved, an additional 30 days will be granted, starting on September 27, 2020. If it is *NOT* approved, you have to leave by September 26, 2020.
All extension of stays are 1,900 THB.
As you can tell, there's a whole lot of *IFs* and *Mays* and "Requests* in this post. Having the letter does not mean automatic approval to stay longer; having the stamp in your passport will. Unless you have that stamp in your passport, assume you can stay no later than September 26, 2020.
Kimberley ******
@Benjamin *****
not true, the US sent an email out today with a link where you can request a letter. I got mine within half an hour. Benjamin ******
@Kimberley *****
What's not true?Kimberley ******
@Benjamin *****
about the letters. They are being issued now, it’s not a case of if and you don’t have to go to the embassy and say you can’t get home. Benjamin ******
@Kimberley *****
And from my original post:2. *IF* a letter is issued by the embassy, you'll go to the local immigration office and *REQUEST* an Extension of Stay. [which is what may be happening]
3. The immigration office will then either approve the request, reject your request, or tell you to return later. *IF* it is approved, an additional 30 days will be granted, starting on September 27, 2020. If it is *NOT* approved, you have to leave by September 26, 2020.
We don't know if they would accept it or not.
Kimberley ******
@Benjamin *****
yes of course it depends on a case by case basis. I was arguing your point # 1.I understand the situation.
Reply to
Kimberley ******
Reply
Darcy **********
I received an email today in regards to a 30 extension letter with a link to request one. Within an hour the embassy emailed me back the letter to present to Thai Immigration. Haven't made it to the immigration yet.
Lucky *****
@benjamin hays do you know if the letter should explicitly indicate "outbreak" or it can only say that the national can't travel at the moment.
Bobby ********
@Lucky ****
. If the national can't travel you need a certification from a doctor or hospital which details why you can't travel and hopefully you'll get a medical extension for a monthBenjamin ******
@Lucky ****
Ask your embassy; according to the flyer, it's if there is an outbreak only or there are no flights. IF you're trying to get the letter from the UK or AUS, they are not issuing them.Reply to
Benjamin ******
Reply
Jeff *******
I saw an ad/Post from Eva Airways earlier this week , listing several US destinations from Thailand. I didn't check "fine print", but seemed there were flights available.
James ********
@Jeff ******
there are many flights to USA each week from Thailand.Reply to
James ********
Reply
Ricardo ********************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Benjamin *****
thanks. I don’t think the USA qualifies tho Benjamin ******
@Ricardo *******************
The last I heard, the USA does not issue these letters, and they are advising everyone to either get an extension of stay or leave Thailand by September 26Justin *******
I just put in a request with that link and received less than an hour. Not sure letter will work but worth a try
Benjamin ******
@Justin ******
Let us know tomorrow (or whenever you can) if the letter works for Thai immigration. If you do, please:1. Make your own post (so it'll be on the top)
2. The visa you originally entered (30 day visa exempt, 60 day tourist visa, 90 day Non-B visa...)
3. The immigration office you used (i.e. Bangkok, Chiang Mai, etc)
4. Any comments immigration say if they reject it (i.e. "Come back next week")
Tod *********
@Justin ******
who gave you that link in the first place? Darcy **********
@Tod ********
the link is in an email the US Embassy BKK sent me.Ricardo ********************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Benjamin *****
appreciate it Reply to
Ricardo ********************
Reply
Ricardo ********************
ORIGINAL POSTERThanks 🙏🏼 hopefully someone here has tried it and can advise
Robert *******
Airport is open, airplanes do leave with destination USA, but if you are unable to use this, you need the documents of the doctor and hospital and they will help you to apply for an Extension of Stay
Reply to
Robert *******
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