How did the embassy letter extension process work for expats in Koh Samui during Covid?

Visa Extensions Covid Extensions Thai Visa Rules Non-O Visa Koh Samui Immigration Updates Expat Experiences Embassy Letter Process

Apr 12, 2022

3 years ago

Kostiantyn **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Report from Koh Samui: 

Passports: 1 Russian, 1 Ukrainian

Visa history: entered visa exempt March 2020, then Non-O volunteer, then covid stamps for 1.5+ years, then 30 (15+15) days embassy letter extension last month. 

Came in today with the exact set of documents for embassy letter extension as last time (see my previous post, 2x copies of everything, letters, map, tm30, etc etc). Got an 'under consideration' stamp for +30 days, got told by the officer we're somehow getting 30+30 this time, starting with the date of the application (from today). 

No idea how that works, think they gave us a covid extension but based on embassy letters somehow. Regardless, we got more than we came for so pretty happy.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A report from Koh Samui details the experience of two expats (a Russian and a Ukrainian) navigating their visa extensions. They entered Thailand visa exempt in March 2020, shifted to a Non-O volunteer visa, and received multiple covid-related extensions over 1.5 years. Most recently, they applied for a 30-day extension via an embassy letter, using the same documentation as before, and unexpectedly received a 30+30 days extension due to an 'under consideration' stamp. Discussions in the comments suggested the possibility of a broader re-opening of covid extensions and an inquiry about fees and documentation.

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Kostiantyn **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

On a side note, notified the officer that we plan on leaving some time in May, she said it's ok to fly out before 13.05 (date of under consideration stamp) if we want to, without closing it. Maybe also important to someone.

3 years ago

Ellie *******

Thank you for the update.

Did you pay the fee?

If possible, would you post the stamp without personal information? I'm asking because from the stamps you can see which (Covid or embassy request) extension you really got.

3 years ago

Kostiantyn **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Sure

Fee as usual, 1900

3 years ago

Ellie *******

@Kostiantyn *********

Thank you, it is Covid extension, so usually 60 (30+30) days.

3 years ago

Reply to

Ellie *******

Brandon ************

They re-opened Covid extension to nearly everyone again so most likely they didn't even care about your embassy letter and just gave you the Covid extension.

3 years ago

Kostiantyn **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brandon ***********

Cared or not, they still requested the full 'embassy' document package (with 2 copies of everything, map with coordinates, embassy letter itself, google translate of consul's email text), and the process was the same - instead of simple over-the-counter, had to wait for senior immigration officer who manually processed it.

3 years ago

Brandon ************

@Kostiantyn *********

interesting. Thanks for the report then. Hopefully it can help others in your situation

3 years ago

Reply to

Brandon ************

Robert *******

Thanks for the update

3 years ago

Reply to

Robert *******