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Is the free visa extension until July 31 different from the one I paid for in April?
May 15, 2020
6 years ago
Anthony ********
ORIGINAL POSTERHi everyone I am a bit confused so can anyone enlighten me. I went to chanthaburi immigration office last month thinking it would be free until April 30. However they said not blah blah blah so I paid as normal 1900. But this morning I arrived at same immigration office to renew again and this time they said it was free until July 31. So is this free extension different from the first time? Thanks for anyone can answer.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses confusion regarding the visa extension policies at the Chanthaburi immigration office. The author initially paid the typical fee for a visa extension only to find out later that a free extension is available until July 31 due to an amnesty. Comments from the community clarify that the extension is a new policy and highlight confusion regarding the different responses from immigration officers. Some commenters suggest seeking a refund for the paid fee, while others elaborate on the nature of the automatic extension compared to previous requirements.
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Anthony ********
ORIGINAL POSTEROK I have found out the reason why! It's quiet laughable. My visa was due to run out on the 17 April right. So my new visa was 17 April to 17 May. The free visa was for 30 April. So they decided to charge me for 1st May to 17th May as they didn't know the amnesty would be extended. if I had not gone there I would have been OK. It's quiet funny na. 555!!
Garrett ***********
@Ant****
The “free extension” is an automatic visa extension, meaning you don’t get a stamp in your passport. The first one that required you to get a letter from you embassy was not automatic.Even today, if you go to immigration you can pay 1900 baht for an extension. You don’t need one, but you can pay for one if you want. Chiang mai immigration has a waiver on the top of their applications stating you know it’s free but still wish to pay 1900 for an extension.
Anthony ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Garrett **********
HI Garrett I think I understand but who or why would you want to pay if you don't have to? Reply to
Anthony ********
Reply
Wayne ********
mine was due 6th may but i was still in lock down at Surin because of the bangtao hotspots. so i have not done and the last i say was we have amnesty until 31st july but also the understanding that once possible you should go and do it free of charge... i will venture down this week sometime to phuket immigration and i wont be surprised if some fool there tells me something completely different AGAIN....
Terary **********
Depends when you want last month. Thailand has offered an amnesty of sorts.
Anthony ********
ORIGINAL POSTERI would like to point out the main reason for this question was to confirm that I am definitely covered by this free extension. You can understand my confusion when payed for visa on April 17 and told to come back this month. Only to be told it's free! Two different immigration officers which one is right?
Justin *********
I don’t see any maliciousness or irresponsibility on anyone’s part.
One day extensions had to be paid for even though there were unofficial talks about the fee being waived, the next day it became official and are now offered at no cost.
Simple.
One day extensions had to be paid for even though there were unofficial talks about the fee being waived, the next day it became official and are now offered at no cost.
Simple.
Anthony ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Justin ****
the main point of the question was am I legally OK now without a visa as apposed last time on April 17 when I was told I had to get one and come back this month. Reply to
Anthony ********
Reply
Chester ********
Living under a rock? The amnesty was granted late last month to 31 july...
Alan *******
It’s a gift! Free extension! Maybe you’ve heard the expression “don’t look a gift horse in the mouth“?
Anthony ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Alan ******
only went to enquire last time and got changed ha ha I won't be going again 555Reply to
Anthony ********
Reply
James **************
When was your stamp dated from and until before you went to.immigration last month?
Anthony ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@James *************
stamped on April 19 arrived from Laos until 17 May Reply to
Anthony ********
Reply
Joann ********************
They did the same to a family member from Laos.
Bobby ********
Go in there and demand your money back!
Anthony ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Bobby *******
thank you Bobby I realize I've been done. But I'm not going to make a fuss! Corruption lives on eh! James **********
@Bobby *******
that money is gone I’d suspect that Johnny Walker took itReply to
James **********
Reply
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