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What are my options for staying in Thailand after my COVID-19 visa expires in September?

COVID-19 visaThailand visa optionsTourist visaVisa extensionVisa regulationsImmigration adviceTravel adviceExpat help
Aug 25, 2022
2 years ago
Viktorija ****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hey, I am on a covid-19 visa since 2020. My visa is expiring the mid of September. What are my options? I ideally would like to remain on a tourist visa. Does it mean I need to leave the country and then come back with a return ticket?

Any help much appreciated ๐Ÿ™‚
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is currently on a COVID-19 visa that will expire in mid-September and is exploring options to remain in Thailand, ideally on a tourist visa. Comments suggest that she may need to leave the country and apply for a tourist visa at a nearby Thai consulate or return on a free entry stamp, with warnings about potential scrutiny upon re-entry due to her long stay on COVID extensions. It's indicated that she should prepare documentation proving her travel intentions, accommodation, and financial means to ensure a smooth re-entry.
James ********
And with that... The OP is now aware of her challenges in getting the correct visa/entry to stay in Thailand.... Good Luck.

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2 years ago
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Willem ****
Get a proper visa for longstay if you intend to longstay. For some not working, studing or being retired in Thailand it means the only option is a more expensive Elite visa.
2 years ago
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Viktorija ****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Willem ***
 thanks for that. I am not planning to stay here for much longer. Only for a few month.
2 years ago
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Viktorija ****
ORIGINAL POSTER
But I still need to leave the country in order to get that 30-day free stamp. Right?
2 years ago
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Tod *********
@Viktorija ***
 YES you do. you have to exit thailand, stamp in and out of another country and then you can stamp back into thailand to get a 30 day visa exempt entry.
2 years ago
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Tod *********
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Tod *********
@Viktorija ***
 then you can come in visa exempt (the 30 day free stamp) and get one 30 day extension. that will buy you two months without the need to go to a thai consulate in a nearby country and get a real tourist visa
2 years ago
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Tod *********
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Jason ***********
You have lived in Thailand for a long time, expect to be questioned upon returning to Thailand. They want people living in Thailand on the correct visas, tourist visas aren't it.
2 years ago
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Tod *********
Even if you went and bought a tourist visa at a thai consulate I would imagine if you've been here on covid extensions since 2020 you're going to get some grief comin' back into the country (even with proof you're going back to your country in 60 day, proof of lodging and proof of funds)

People who have been here a long time on covid extensions are getting giving a hard time coming back in
2 years ago
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Tod *********
Nick Christie I think it's 6 one, half a dozen with the other. It's more about the mood of the officer when you're stamping in, whether you have the proofz you can be asked for when you stamp in and how long you've been here on covid or other extensions.

There is no 'one size fits all' answer. You just have to try it and see how it works
2 years ago
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Viktorija ****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
 hmm itโ€™s interesting.
2 years ago
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Tod *********
@Viktorija ***
 it will be "interesting" when they pull you aside as you try to stamp back in and ask WTH you're doing comin' back in so soon after being here 2 years ๐Ÿ˜ฎ ๐Ÿ™

You need to be prepared or they'll turn you around and send you back
2 years ago
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Tod *********
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Tod *********
You're done ๐Ÿ˜ฎ you need to exit the country and you either GO to a thai consulate in a nearby country and BUY a tourist visa or you come back in on a free entry stamp (depending on the country your passport is from)
2 years ago
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Viktorija ****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
 why would I need to buy a tourist visa? ๏ฟผI have a Lithuanian passport.
2 years ago
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Viktorija ****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you
@Tod ********
2 years ago
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Tod *********
@Viktorija ***
 I'm saying you have TWO entry options, you either go BUY a real tourist visa from a thai consulate or you get in on a free 30 day visa exempt entry stamp
2 years ago
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Viktorija ****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
 thanks, Tod. What do you think Which option is a better one?
2 years ago
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Tod *********
@Viktorija ***
 I will leave that decision to you, all I'm saying is you need to be prepared to be pulled aside, because you have been here a LONG time on covid extensions and they will wanna know why you're comin' back in so soon. Because you want to is not a good enough answer.

Which ever way you go, when you arrive to stamp in have the 20K baht or the equivalent in CASH, have proof you're leaving in the number of days you'll get stamped in for (30 days if you're comin' in visa exempt and 60 days if you're comin' in on a real tourist visa) and have proof of lodging

Those are the things they can ask you for when you stamp in. Failing to show any of those things IF you're asked is grounds for denial of entry.
2 years ago
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Tod *********
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