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What are the current stamping rules for the Thailand Elite visa upon re-entry?

Elite Visa Thailand Immigration Visa Rules Visa Expiry Expat Life COVID-19 Extensions

Oct 17, 2024

2 years ago

Pierre ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi,

5 years Elite visa valid until 17 of January 2025. Came back from abroad  today at BKK and stamped until 17 of January 2025 and been told this is the way despite me insisting quite a bit  I should get a year.

So, I was expecting a one year stamp until October 2025 even with the visa expiring in  January 2025 as many people with elite visa did before.

Have the rules changed recently? Anything I can do? 

Thanks

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user recently returned to Thailand with an Elite visa valid until January 2025 and received a stamp only until that date, contrary to their expectation of a one-year extension. Comments indicate that the rules for stamping Elite visas changed, and now they are typically stamped only until the visa expiration date. Some users also mention experiences regarding extensions due to COVID-19.

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Andrew *******

My elite visa was supposed to expire this month so I contacted them. Turns out they gave a free 6 month extension due to covid. I just had to go have them put a new sticker in my passport in Bangkok and then do an extension at local immigration

2 years ago

Neil ********

Now that is a pain, especially if you have 15 more years of membership due to be issued with multiple new stickers - means a lot of going back and forth to immigration in Bangkok, even if you're not in Bangkok!

2 years ago

Neil ********

I will add that you can get the next visa inserted only during the last 6 months of the current sticker validity.

I know because I checked this with them

2 years ago

Pierre ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Neil *******

Thanks, wasn't planning to buy the 15 years extension, just wait 50 yo and do non-o. Probably too late to start the process for the extension now anyway.

2 years ago

Reply to

Pierre ********

Tod *********

You got stamped in correctly.

A few years ago Elite/Immigrations changed the program and people stopped getting stamped in for a whole year

Instead get until the Elite visa itself expires

2 years ago

Pierre ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tod ********

thanks I was not up to date and now need to find a solution until I reach 50 end next year.

Can I ask in this post if ex elites visa tend to get harassed by IOs if they come back soon after the end of the visa on exemption.

I've stayed almost full time the last five years...

2 years ago

Steve *********

@Pierre *******

Contact Thailand Elite and ask them about the 6 month extension that members are eligible for due to the travel restrictions during covid. I arrived back from an overseas trip last December expecting to be stamped in till the expiry of my elite visa in

June of this year. I was surprised when they stamped me in until December of this year and they explained that members had been granted a 6 month extension of privileges due to Covid. You might get a 6 month extension that way. Worth contacting them to ask but note that if you are already in the country it will entail you having to make a trip to CW to get your stay extended if you are eligible

2 years ago

Pierre ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Steve ********

thx but long story short (passeport change, visa transfer etc ...), I did already get this 6 months extension .

2 years ago

Steve *********

@Pierre *******

Okay good

2 years ago

Reply to

Steve *********

Tod *********

@Pierre *******

they do not have issues usually comin' back in free stamp once the Elite visa runs out

but

post on the Thai Elite Member group and ask those people will know for sure

2 years ago

Reply to

Tod *********

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