How long does it take to receive an Embassy Letter for a 30-day extension for US citizens in Thailand?

Sep 4, 2020
4 years ago
Paul ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi, are there any US citizens out there who have applied for an Embassy Letter to extend stay for 30 days? If so, can you tell me how long the wait is from time of applying? ...outcome and any other info you have. My one-year contract/work permit expired a couple days ago and I had a new job, but it fell through, and now in the process of getting a new teaching job, so I may need a little more time. Thanks!
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The conversation revolves around a US citizen seeking assistance on applying for an Embassy Letter to extend their stay in Thailand for 30 days. Various comments reveal mixed experiences, with some individuals claiming the US embassy recently stopped issuing these letters, while others argue they received their letters quickly, within a day. Participants share links to relevant resources and express concerns about their expired work permits and the complexity of renewing their visas. The discussion highlights various visa types and potential issues related to job searches in Thailand.
Ethel ********
They email it to you on the same day
Steven **************
Some people have great up to date info. But if it's stressing them out giving it then maybe they should take a break from answering.. were all looking for answers, not answers with attitude
Tod *********
All my answers have attitude, sorry, you want accurate answers or you wanna sit around a camp fire holding hands singing Kumbayah?
Steven **************
@Tod ********
most correct answers don't have attitude..I see no attitude at all on any American Website information page ( maybe you could point it out) I understand you must explain the same answer to lots of people. But it's easier to say look at my previous posts than get angry that you have to explain it again....anyone would get frustrated for sure but why further frustrate yourself by getting angry repeating yourself..... Do you not understand half the people know these answers from you or other sites...but their fishing and you keep taking the bait, as you are currently taking mine
Tod *********
@Steven *************
well played, now back to your moms basement for you my posting pundit
Steven **************
@Tod ********
ok you give great and accurate information. I think the biggest problem is ...they get the correct information from you, but then read other posts from so called experts and they start panicking and come back to you for reassurance. If they would just listen to you in the first place all their heart rates would be back to normal.....we all search for the answer we want..why just the other day I had a Cameroonian tell me his wife cleans the the house of the man who takes away the rubbish from the UK Embassy. So her information must be correct... Instead I'll listen to Embassy websites and knowledgeable people like yourself 🙏☮️☮️☮️☮️
Steven **************
@Tod ********
said a fool to a wise man
Chris *********
@Tod ********
can we have s'mores?
Tod *********
@Chris ********
(y) (y) best answer so far :)
Tod *********
Okay I didn't bother to read the comments because some of them are total B/S information :O

The US consulate IS issuing the "unable to travel due to covid -19" embassy letter.
Paul ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
It was a single entry 90-day, but I just reported to Immigration every 90 days and got free 90 day extension. But now the work permit has expired and visa also.
Tod *********
@Paul ***********
no you didn't I think IF you look in your passport you most likely had gotten a year extension of stay NOT a free 90 day extension (look at the stamp in your passport that says "EXTENSION OF STAY PERMITTED UNTIL" and see what that date was on it

AND

the 90 day reporting had nothing to do with your extension at all, and you wouldn't have been doing that without a long term extension

BE that as it may if those are expired and you're on amnesty you either get the embassy letter and ask for a 30 day extension or as immigrations stated in this most recent amnesty decree "prepare to depart" on or by the 26th of Sept :(
Paul ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
no, the visa says valid Sept - Dec, I then took my WP with me that says valid until Sept 2020 and they stamp visa valid until 90 later, and so on until WP expires. I applied for the Embassy Letter, I was just curious what kind of visa extension they would consider it, Non-B or general amnesty or what. Because when I get another job, be nice if I didn't have to pay for another Non-B.
Christopher ******
I'm hoping it works out either with the letter or with the extension to get a new stamp in my passport so I can renew my WP which expires in November (Non Imm B visa valid until March 2021) because they won't renew it on amnesty without a stamp. Not very well coordinated but that's how it seems to be.
Tod *********
You go to the ACS (American Citizen Services) Bangkok website

here:

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Tod *********
I was going to post the link BUT it totally looks like a gypsy b/s spam link so I did it this way for you people :P
Paul ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
If I had a non-B issued Sept 1 2019 and my work permit/visa expired on Sept 1 2020, what kind of visa extension would I be asking for? Or does it matter? I'm still trying to secure a new job.
Tod *********
@Paul ***********
if you had a Non-B visa issued in 2019 then you are most likely on an extension of stay NOT the visa anymore
Paul ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
It was issued Sept 1 2019 in Kuala Lumper.
Tod *********
My mistake
@Paul ***********
for not reading correctly :P
Tod *********
@Paul ***********
and was it a 90 day single entry or a year long multi entry Non-B?
Tod *********
You then click on Entry And Exit Requirement tab and click the link I highlighted
Tod *********
You click on Covid-19 information here

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Chris *********
But I'm winging it tbh. I Guess I'll go early next week just to be safe. (?)
Chris *********
still wondering when to do that. I'm told some are being asked to return on the 11th
Chris *********
I did the first time but not this time yet
Chris *********
better check the freshness of your info there champ, I just got one 4 days ago-- took less than a day
Todd *********
@Chris ********
so now the real question... have you taken the letter to immigration and received a 30 days extension from Sept 27?
Chris *********
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Chris *********
It's automated, you just click a few confirmations and provide ID info
Paul ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Chris ********
Can I ask what your situation was that you gave in your request?
Sam *******
I'm in the same situation
Corinne *********
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Paul ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
yes, and?...
Austin *******
The US embassy is not issuing those letters anymore. Here is an email I got from them.
Brian **********
@Austin ******
false. They changed stance a week ago. I have one
Austin *******
@Brian *********
Under what basis are they issuing these? I am curious because I may try to get one.
Brian **********
People have been getting under consideration stamps which require a second trip. Bring this with you if you get trouble about them dating it 30 days from end of amnesty
Brian **********
Brian **********
@Austin ******
they had a conversation with immigration and started issuing them
Austin *******
@Brian *********
I understand that. I am asking the reason for asking the embassy for the letter. Do you have a medical reason or is it because you can't get a flight. Something else?
Todd *********
@Austin ******
read what the letter states
Austin *******
Brian **********
@Austin ******
I filled out a google form and a letter came back. No proof of anything
Austin *******
@Brian *********
can you send me a link to the form or point me in the right direction? Thanks
Brian **********
@Austin ******
scroll up
Austin *******
@Monti *******
Yes, like I told Paul, he should plead his case and maybe they will do it. It is very hard to get one, though.
Paul ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
unbelievable
Austin *******
@Paul ***********
I think it's still worth a try. Plead your case and detail your situation and hopefully they may do it.
Paul ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Austin ******
What was your reason and situation that they rejected you?
Austin *******
@Paul ***********
I still think you should try.
Paul ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Austin ******
When did you get that email?
Austin *******
@Paul ***********
1 month ago
Paul ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Austin ******
this is from the Embassy website.
Sam *******
@Paul ***********
can you please send me that link
Brian **********
Fill that out
Sam *******
@Brian *********
thank you
Brian **********
@Sam ******
stay safe and pay it forward.
Sam *******
@Brian *********
absolutely!
Brian **********
@Sam ******
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Austin *******
@Paul ***********
I did not apply for a letter. This was from the regular email updates they send out.
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