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Answered7 years ago

Is there any official news regarding visa extensions in Thailand during the COVID-19 outbreak?

Ellen *******
asked Mar 30, 2020
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Any official news about allowance to extend visa? I rather stay here for some more weeks then go back to Holland....
Answer summary
During a recent press conference, the Thai Immigration Bureau acknowledged the overcrowding at immigration offices and hinted at potential allowances for visa extensions due to the COVID-19 outbreak. While there is talk of waiving fines for overstaying, formal changes have not yet been announced, and the decision ultimately rests with the immigration officers. Many expats are uncertain about their ability to extend their stay without incurring fines or having their visas canceled, particularly those holding long-term visas. The situation remains fluid, and individuals are advised to stay updated on official announcements.
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Kev **********
Kev **********
Many expats in Thailand don’t think other People have the right to even be here let alone extend ther stay . And I really can’t see them extending anything until June without charging a big fee . It is the logical and righteous thing to do but I can’t see it with Thailand to be honest
Marguyvin **********
Marguyvin **********
Who cares what they think? If a person has to choose where best to go to avoid getting sick and dying...the last thing they would care about is whatever some expats opinion is about it.
Garrett ***********
Garrett ***********
Yes, you can extend your visa currently regardless of it's previous extension history. Where are you located?
Tanveer *****
Tanveer *****
Awesome, thanks for extra tips!
Tanveer *****
Tanveer *****
Okay that's great. I'll do the standard 30 day now (well, in 15 days) and then get the embassy letter if I need another extension. Appreciate the quick feedback :-)
Tanveer *****
Tanveer *****
Thanks so much. SInce this would be my first renewal though, could I still get 30 days without the letter though?
Tanveer *****
Tanveer *****
Bangkok (Sukhumvit Soi 11).
Ellen *******
Ellen *******
OP
@Garrette ***********
eh..you asking me? As I understand still no official news about extend visa...
Matt *******
Matt *******
Why does it seem like there are so many people who are in Thailand now who just decided they didn’t want to go back home and use the coronavirus as an excuse to LIVE in Thailand for as long as possible and get unlimited extensions on their Tourist visas? I have a feeling that the Immigration officers won’t care if you have a letter from the embassy I mean they don’t even care if you can show them the requirements to enter Thailand and have been known to deny tourists for too many back-to-back visas in a row. They aren’t obligated to honor multiple extensions on a Tourist visa 🤷🏻‍♂️ Just a feeling. Am I wrong?
Shea *******
Shea *******
Poster is correct, what they look for are people who had no choice to stay vs those that are trying to extend their holiday. There are many on both side.
Joe ***********
Joe ***********
Different contrast
Joe ***********
Joe ***********
Dianne *****
Dianne *****
@Matt ******
I think in this instance you are wrong. As many countries have closed borders completely and flights to the countries that haven't, are no longer available, then the usual rules cannot be applied. Other countries are having to extend the same generosity to Thai citizens stuck in their country
Ivan ************
Ivan ************
Ironically people on multi entry non immigrant visas are screwed over by this more than tourists, they can't get a special Covid-19 extension. Also people who actually live here, some with families, can't get back. But as long as you are OK.
Joe ***********
Joe ***********
Many people tried to get out - or even to a border bounce for 30 more days. But borders closed one after another within days of each other. Then flight cancelations, then other countries closed their borders - making connecting flights very iffy. Then add in very confusing government announcements - often retracted. But if you're sitting at your house with no deadline to meet - it all seems pretty simple to you.
Garrett ***********
Garrett ***********
@Ma**
Why do you care what the reason is someone decided to stay here was? At what does being on s tourist visa and being stuck here during this outbreak have to do with it?
Roy ***********
Roy ***********
@Matt ******
Thay are not obligated. But if it benefits Thailand (tourists not going home and spending is very nice to have) it is a win-win situation. Considering the circumstances.
Marguyvin **********
Marguyvin **********
You are right. The final discretion is with them. They even have the power to deny based on they just don't like your attitude. None of us tourists have any legal basis to demand an extension...we can only ask and hope for the best. To answer your first question....for many, their home country is a worse place to go to if they are factoring "survivability" in what their next move is. You can wax on forever with whatever platitudes you like about should have, could have, etc. But you know what? None of that matters if a person dies because they made the wrong decision of where to be during this crisis. And you can't answer that for them...each person is trying to make the best decision and hoping for the best outcome: make it through this ALIVE.
Freddie **********
Freddie **********
Joe ***********
Joe ***********
Even if Immigration waived the Overstay fines. The overstay stamp is still a problem. If anyone is on a Non Imm Multi Entry O or B. Visa. Then overstay cancels the visa. Fallout from that Penang will not grant a new B or any other visa if you have an Overstay stamp in your passport
Cameron ********
Cameron ********
@Joe **********
It also stops you from being able to purchase Thailand elite
Tod *********
Tod *********
TOTALLY NOT APPROVED and only sent to the cabinet for "consideration"

THERE ARE NO CHANGES to how it works now.

How about we heed the wise words of Harvey Keitel playing Winston 'The Wolf" Wolfe in the movie Pulp Fiction
Calandra ***********
Calandra ***********
Urging calm and logic
Calandra ***********
Calandra ***********
@Tod ********
it defies logic that they would in the circumstances take a hard and unreasonable line ... not to mention that Thailand and everywhere else needs all the revenue they can get....I appreciate you don’t want folks to get ahead of themselves but your negativity should be tempered with some logic and reasonableness and calming people rather than making them feel they will be thrown in jail ... won’t happen, can’t happen ... and even if you overstay then you pay the fine , if they insist on levying it... especially when there is no option to leave or options risk your health ... so please stop being so apocalyptic with respect
Siddhartha *********
Siddhartha *********
Henri ******
Henri ******
@Tod ********
the poofters would not agree with that statement.
Chester ********
Chester ********
Should send the immigration line videos to the PM see if thst helps lol.. edit in some virus pics around everyones heads
Ellen *******
Ellen *******
OP
@Tod ********
yes....amazing Thailand 😉
Mark **********
Mark **********
Source,
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*****
25
Mark **********
Mark **********
During a press conference on Friday, March 27th - Pol.Lt.Gen. Somphong Chinguang, the Director of the Royal Thai Immigration Bureau addressed the issue of overcrowding at the Chaengwattana Immigration Bureau in Bangkok and other Immigration offices in Thailand. Immigration 1 can handle approximately 2,000 visitors per day but since Wednesday, March 25th has been handling 5,000 people.

He said that the Immigration Bureau agreed that during the outbreak of the Covid-19 people should be allowed to stay and that fines should be waived. More information to be formally announced soon
Mark **********
Mark **********
This was last Friday

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