What are the details and application process for the extended 60-day COVID-19 visa extension in Thailand?

Nov 24, 2021
3 years ago
Effective today, the 60 day "covid unable to travel extension" has been extended to January 25th, 2022. That means the last day to apply for it is January 25th.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The 60-day "COVID-19 unable to travel extension" for visas has been extended until January 25, 2022. Applicants must apply before this date and be prepared for thorough questioning during the process. Discussions reveal confusion about extensions, visa fees, and procedural requirements. There's clarification that the extension duration is counted from the date the current visa expires rather than the application date, although some opinions suggest otherwise. Conversations also touch on issues related to Thailand's immigration policies, necessity of 90-day reporting, and the rationale behind the COVID-related extension amid perceived tourism restrictions.
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Rio ******
Quick question. When in Bangkok, do I still go to Chaeng Wattana Immigration Office to do this 60 days Covid-19 visa extention?
Garrett ***********
Christopher ********
Clear as mud to me...

I arrived Nov. 11 on a visa exempt 'Thailand Pass' of 30 days. Therefore, my stay expires Dec. 10.

My intention was on that daye to fly to Vietnam or go overland to Cambodia. However Cambodia, I believe, still has expensive and complicated tourist rules and Vietnam is still closed. I am rendezvouing with another tourist in an ASEAN Jan. 15, so it would be simpler if I could just stay until Feb. 10 to explore Thailand with him (my staying 3 months total in Thailand).

How do I do this? What is the fee? Is it discretionary? I am Canadian and have not been to Thailand for several years, so it's not like I am an expat trying to live here long term?

Is it guaranteed or open to interpretation by Immigration officer?
Apex ********************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Chris******
All visa exempt entries are extendable 1 time at an immigration office for an additional 30 days. The fee is 1900 baht. After that, you'd be eligible to apply for the 60 day "covid unable to travel extension", which is what is listed above.
Christopher ********
@Thailand ***************************************
Thank you for this clarification. It is counter-intuitive though. The way you describe one can stay an additional 90 days in the Kingdom, but starting with 30 days and adding 60 after. I would expect the opposite, mostly in order to reduce work load on Immigration staff (though it does allow tighter control of foreigners in the country - perhaps a good thing).

I will now read further to see what is the difference in cost (per day) between the non-visa visa extension (or perhaps we get an actual visa this time rather than visa exemption?) versus the cannot travel extension. Versus leaving Thailand.

Also I must learn how much is discretionary. Only then can I decide (based on whether India, Cambodia, Nepal and Vietnam continue/open) whether to stay and for how long.

Seems rather complicated and tentative. But an uncertain cool season in ASEAN country for me is better than a certain cold season in the Canadian prairies. So I am not going to complain.

I wish the government and people of all countries success in maneuvering between public health and economic needs.
Tina ******
What about the 90 days report ? Still required ?
****
@Tina *****
they update your 90 report at the same time you get the 60 days cv-extension to avoid going back and fourth
Scot *******
@ ***
- well that's useful info.
Frédéric ******************
Kevin ***********
So I can extend my TR visa 30 more days is this worth doing or should I just try for the 60 day covid extension ? Serious question
Wendy ************
@Kevin **********
hi kevin- question on this- when is the earliest one can apply for the “Covid unable to travel” when I got my extension to stay processed on 7Dec which is now valid till 24Jan.
Kevin ***********
@Wendy ***********
Hey I am not 100% sure about this. I would go a week before
****
to be safe
Craig *******
@Kevin **********
most immigration offices will not give you the covid extension until you have first obtained the 30 day extension
Dean *******
Do they count the 60 days from the date you apply or the date the current (covid-) extension in your passport expires?
Jo **********
Onur Şahin yes 1900 baht
Jo **********
@Dean ******
done this 4 times and it’s from when your current stamp expires
Eh **********
@Jo *********
Can I ask what are the required documents for this covid extension visa? I couldn’t seem to find it anywhere. Thank you so much in advance 🙏
Dean *******
@Jo *********
(because above James said the date of application is the factor)
Jo **********
@Dean ******
no that’s not how it works of done this so many times. it’s always from the time your stamp expires
Dean *******
@Jo *********
hm ok interesting, thank you. Wondering if its depending on the province. I'm in Krabi.
James *******
@Dean ******
the date you apply in my experience.
Dean *******
@James ******
thank you
Craig *******
This is so silly - I can't imagine anyone has legitimately qualified for this extension in the past year.
Joan *********
@Craig ******
I fully understand what you mean Craig. But then of course I am one of the "old and worthless"...
John ***********************
@Craig ******
i extended my stay about 4 times... so yes mate people do - and are - using it
Craig *******
@John **********************
oh ya I know people are using it, but not because they are stuck there due to covid - that's the silly thing.
Jo **********
@Craig ******
you must non understand what this I have had 4 of these
Craig *******
@Jo *********
I know what it is. I've had one. But how many people really cannot travel due to covid?
Jo **********
@Craig ******
really no one but again that’s not the point
Jo **********
@Craig ******
ok i explain it started out that way middle of last year. it evolved into a tourist extension visa. they are extremely few tourists in Thailand and they know you can’t go and fly out and fly back (a visa run) without serious complications.Thai officials know you can fly out. but that’s not the point. they want to keep you here
Craig *******
@Jo *********
yes I know, when covid first hit people couldn't travel, but that hasn't been the case for more than a year. It's just a visa extension, so why not just call it that.
Garrett ***********
@Cr***
You should be aware that posting a picture on Facebook showing alcohol is a violation of Thai law, punishable by a fine and imprisonment. What's silly is people who are on "yearly extensions" simply because they're old and worthless to society thinking they're better than people who are on visa/extensions less than a year in duration.
Bill **********
@Garrett **********
Just joined this group. Astonished to see a forum admin describing members of the group and large numbers of people who stay in Thailand in good faith as "old and worthless to society" and making legal threats against them because someone made a harmless observation. What the **** ????
Garrett ***********
@Bi**
I didn't threaten anyone, just pointed out the hypocrisy of his comment.
Craig *******
@Garrett **********
just for clarification, I wasn't suggesting the post was silly, moreso the policy. Just don't know why they have to pretend that people are unable to travel. Similar to the silly 30 day extension (why not just offer a 90 day visa?).
Keven ****
@Craig ******
Why don't you find another hobby than complaining about visas and immigration matters that have nothing to do with you? It's just silly.
Eddie ******
@Craig ******
so why comment
Michael ********
Play nice facebook has already removed a few comments from this thread
Gabi *****
Will ************
They also said its not automatic.. you'll be thoroughly asked questions about your stay before issuing it, you all need a backup plan
Will ************
James ********
James ********
James ********
Will ************
@James *******
cheers everyone was working off initial translations about
***
hours ago
Garrett ***********
Richard No they didn't
Garrett ***********
@Wi**
"They said" Who's they?
Mark *************************
@Todd ********
what a clown.
Todd *********
@Will ***********
let it go lol. It’s 2 years for people now 🤷‍♂️
John **********
@Will ***********
they will continue to get it untill alot of tourist start rolling in. When that happens they will cut it off. If they lose the folks on that covid extension they would really be hurting financially
Jo **********
@John *********
that’s exactly what’s happening
Marguyvin **********
Official link to the announcement ???
Peter ****
@MarGuyvin **
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40-ability-to-apply-for-covid-19-extensions-extended-until-jan-25th/
Apex ********************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@MarG*****
it was published in the Royal Gazette this morning.
Peter ****
@Tito ****
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40-ability-to-apply-for-covid-19-extensions-extended-until-jan-25th/
Will ************
@MarGuyvin **
its in the Royal Gazette
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