Is it possible to request a COVID extension for the French Exemption visa in Thailand?

May 31, 2021
3 years ago
Cédric ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi there,

I am currently in the extension of the French Exemption visa and would like to stay longer.

Is it possible to ask for the COVID extension? If so what would I need?

Also, I am in the "digital nomad" box currently discussed by the Thai authorities for a new kind of SMART Visa. Any news from it and when it could be officially settle?

Thanks a lot in advance for your kind answers and help 🙏🏼
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user inquires about the possibility of obtaining a COVID extension for their French Exemption visa and the required documents for the extension process. They also seek information regarding the potential launch of a new SMART Visa for digital nomads, but responses indicate there is no update on this new visa type.
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Fatalism *******
I am wondering what exactly is the French Exemption visa
Cédric ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Fatalism ******
French don't need visa for 45 days + a 30 days extension. Then that's my question for after 😅
Benjamin ******
>Is it possible to ask for the COVID extension?

Most immigration offices require a person to get a 30 day extension of stay based on tourism before applying for a 60 day extension of stay based on unable to travel due to COVID-19. The 30 day extension of stay based on tourism and the 60 day extension of stay based on unable to travel due to COVID-19 require almost the same documents:

Different immigration offices have different requirements, but all require the following:

1. Your passport and:

a. a copy of your data ("picture") page

b. a copy of your most recent visa (if you have one)

c. a copy of your most recent stamp

d. a copy of your departure card

2. A TM30, filed in the immigration office [Generally not needed at Bangkok immigration office].

3. The forms (each immigration office may have different forms, and ant to use their special forms)

4. A letter from your embassy saying you can not return, OR a print out from your embassy saying they don’t issue the letters, OR a print out of a letter from the embassy saying they don't issue those letters. [ONLY FOR THE 60 day extension of stay based on unable to travel due to COVID-19]

5. 2x passport pictures

6. 1,900 THB.

Different immigration offices have different policies. *SOME* may require:

- The ID card of the property owner where you are staying

- Copies of *ALL* stamped pages in your passport

>Any news from it and when [New SMART Visa for Digital Nomads] could be officially settle?

There is no news about any new Digital Nomad visa
İzem ********
@Benjamin *****
until when the covid extension program is on?
Benjamin ******
@İzem *******
The last day you can apply for a 60 day extension of stay based on unable to travel due to COVID-19 is July 28. It is pinned as an announcement.
İzem ********
@Benjamin *****
thank you so much for the response 😊🙏🏻 I guess I failed to see it while looking on the page 🙊
Nick *********
@Cédric **********
i am in the same situation. I just got here on a visa exemption May 26th and am in quarantine. I am confused as well. I got the 45 day stamp then i will get a 45 day extention so I will have 90 days total. After i want to apply for covid extentions (assuming they will still be happening in 3 months)

I guess I will be able to apply and get approved because my government doesnt issue letters. Good luck to you!
Cédric ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Nick ********
good luck for you too 🙏🏼✨
Benjamin ******
@Nick ********
The last day you can apply for a 60 day extension of stay based on unable to travel due to COVID-19 is July 28. It is not known if this extension will continue to be sold.
Nick *********
@Benjamin *****
undetstood. I am gambling on that the government will keep extending it as they have so many times before. And I am thinking this will probably due to the outbreaks currently happening. My visa exemption will run out late August so I will have time to see if they extend it or not. Worst case scenerio I apply for a ED visa in Pattaya. Hey btw Benjamin thanks for taking the time out of your day to reply to us. Very much appreciated 👍
Nick *********
Actually mid august because visa extention is 30 days not 45 🙄
Fatalism *******
Most us us are allowed to fly back to our countries but given there is an emergency decree for most of the world immigration will most likely allow applications from anyone who can buy a COVID extension. There are multiple posts in this group with the same topic explained in detail.
Cédric ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Benjamin *****
thanks a lot for such a detailed answer. Actually there are flights between France and Thailand.. So I guess that this COVID extension cannot be applied for my situation.. 😓
Benjamin ******
@Cédric **********
The three reasons for a person to apply for a COVID-19 extension are:

- Because there is an ongoing outbreak

- Because there are no flights

- Because your government doesn't issue letters saying there is an ongoing outbreak or there is no flights

This is an optional extension that is issued on the immigration officer. However, I have seen *NO* formal rejections for the application, and only a few verbal rejections. You are out of NOTHING trying to apply for the 60 day extension. At worse, they would want you to take the 30 day extension (and then maybe apply later for the 60 day COVID-19 extension)
Cédric ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Benjamin *****
thanks again. I will try to do the COVID extension for the next one. Just got the visa exempt extension till the 9th of July. Hopefully it will work ✨ Thanks again 🙏🏼
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