Answered5 years ago

Should I apply for a normal 30-day extension or a COVID extension for my stay in Thailand?

Thailand Visa 30-Day Extension COVID Extension Visa Rules Immigration

Cesar **********

asked Feb 19, 2022

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I am here on a regular 30 days stay..  I want to stay longer so should I apply for the normal 30 day extension or should I get a covid extension? which of those is most likely to get approved? how long is each? thank you all for your help.

Answer summary

The user is seeking advice on whether to apply for a regular 30-day extension or a COVID extension to stay longer in Thailand, questioning which option is more likely to be approved and the duration each extension provides. A comment clarifies that the user must first apply for the regular 30-day extension and cannot apply for the COVID extension until that is done, due to a new rule implemented on January 26.

9 repliesnewest first

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Tod *********

You have ONE choice and that is to apply for the 30 day regular extension you can get from a 30 day visa exempt entry stamp 😕

Until you have taken that extension you can't apply for a 60 day covid extension. <- that is the new rule that started on the 26th of Jan with this new 60 day covid program

5 years ago

Cesar **********

Thank you Tod. Is it difficult to get approved for the 30 days regular extension? and after the 30 days , is it difficult to get approved for the 60 days covid extension?

5 years ago

Colleen *********

@Cesar *********

bangkok office told me no covid extension for visa on arrival because most countries are now open. Only special circumstances which don't include foreigners who are travelling . Makes sense to me.

5 years ago

Tod *********

@Colleen ********

which doesn't mean you can't apply for a covid extension, just that this current covid program they are not handing them out to every Tom Dick and Somchai foreigner like they were before. You need to show why you need it and why you can't go back to your country OR that you will leave in 60 days. They are very wise to the many many thousands of people who have been milking covid extensions here since Nov 2020 when they started.

5 years ago

Colleen *********

@Ellie ******

ok should have said I arrived on visa exempt. Covid extension is 'old news' to use the words of the immigration officer

5 years ago

Tod *********

@Colleen ********

they are asking for proof of onward travel (that you're flying out in the 60 days you're going to get the next extension for) BUT most people who qualify are getting another covid extension

5 years ago

Ellie *******

@Colleen ********

Visa On Arrival and visa-exempt entry are different. And Visa On Arrival is not eligible for a 60days Covid extension while visa-exempt entry IS eligible under the new rule that started 26 Jan.

5 years ago

Cesar **********

Thanks Brandon

5 years ago

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

@Cesar *********

The regular 30 day extension is just a formality as long as you have the paperwork sorted. It would be a shock to get denied that.

The covid extension is at the discretion of the immigration officer, and some offices have stopped issuing it altogether. The only way to know if you will get it is to apply, but you'll want to wait until as close at March 25th as you can (this is the last day under the current program) as it starts the day you apply if you get it and you'll lose any days you have left on your original extension.

5 years ago