Answered5 years ago

How do I successfully apply for a COVID visa extension in Thailand?

COVID Visa Extension Tourist Visa Visa Application Process Thailand Immigration Insurance for Visa Extensions Extension Denial Process

Sergiusz ***********

asked Feb 28, 2022

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Hello,

I entered Thailand on a tourist visa, which I subsequently extended for 30 days. The extension is valid until 10 March. I would like to stay here until 3 April. As I understand my best bet is to apply for a COVID extension and I have a few questions about it:

1. In the context of my chances of getting the extension, is it better if I apply for the full 60 days, or just the ~30 days I actually need?

1. My current insurance policy ends on 11 March - will that be a problem for the immigration officer? I'm going to prolong it once I get the visa extension.

1. Which immigration office would be good to apply for the extension? I'm considering Bangkok, Surat Thani, Koh Samui, Koh Pha-Ngan, and Koh Tao.

1. How likely is it that my application gets denied, considering it's the first time I want to get a COVID extension?

1. If I do get denied: a) do I lose the 1900 THB I pay for the application? b) does my current 30 day extension also get terminated? c) can I apply again in a different immigration office?

Thanks in advance for any advice :)

Answer summary

A user seeks advice on applying for a COVID extension to stay in Thailand, following their initial tourist visa and extension. They inquire about the optimal duration to request, implications of insurance validity, chosen immigration office locations, chances of denial, and consequences of a potential application rejection. Community responses guide on whether to apply for the full 60 days, clarify insurance concerns, suggest locations for applications, and outline steps if facing an application denial.

13 repliesnewest first

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Nigel *********

1) it's 60 days. You don't get to choose.

2) doesn't matter in relation to COVID extension

3) you apply where you're staying and where your tm30 is filed

3) Samui seems to be the softest immigration

4) Nobody really knows. Should be ok, I guess only one way to find out.

5)(a) yes

5(b) if denied you get 7 days to leave. Best ask without formally applying first to avoid this inconvenience.

5(c) if you get the 7 day stamp then yore done. Nothing stopping you shopping around I suppose.

5 years ago

Ahmed ********

@Nigel *********************

If you have 3 weeks left in your 30 days extension, they still stamp you with the 7 days stamp?

5 years ago

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

@Ahmed *******

If you apply and are officially rejected, you will receive a 7 day stamp which means you must leave Thailand 7 days from the day you receive the stamp.

Better to ask before paying if you will be rejected and get a verbal rejection so you can leave without the 7 day stamp.

5 years ago

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

@Sergiusz **********

correct, that way you don't lose any days if they give you the 7 day stamp.

5 years ago

Sergiusz ***********

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

In that case I guess it makes sense to apply as close as possible to the end of the current visa termination date, in order to potentially prolong it by a few days via the 7 day stamp?

5 years ago

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

@Ahmed *******

A lot of the extensions agents get are obtained through bribery, and people have been running into a lot of issues lately because all of the leadership for immigration was changed to stop this type of activity. Some people have had their agents hold their passports for months saying everything was fine when it actually wasn't and they were on overstay the entire time. Or being told when they leave the country that if they try to enter again they will be refused because they have sketchy stamps in their passports.

5 years ago

Ahmed ********

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

I'm thinking of letting an agent do it for me to be safe. Do you think this is a good move?

5 years ago

Sergiusz ***********

Thanks a lot Nigel!

Just to clarify RE: 1) - the TM7 form that you use to apply for the extension has a field marked "I hereby apply for extension period of temporary stay in the Kingdom for……………days." - I wonder what best to put there.

5 years ago

Nigel *********

@Sergiusz **********

60.

5 years ago

Sergiusz ***********

@Nigel *********************

Yeah, I meant if they decline the informal request (and half-joking) ;)

Thanks again for all your advice!

5 years ago

Nigel *********

@Sergiusz **********

If they decline then you get 7 days and game over.... ask at the counter first... before formally submitting your application... there is no bargaining, you're not buying shoes.

5 years ago

Sergiusz ***********

@Nigel *********************

Maybe I'll just ask for 60 initially, and try to bargain for 30 if they decline ;)

5 years ago

Nigel *********

Actually, thinking about it. I suppose you could just ask for the 30. Might confuse them though.

5 years ago