What are the extension possibilities for the Special Tourist Visa (STV) in Thailand after 30th September 2022?

Special Tourist Visa (STV)Visa Extension Tourist Visa Thailand Immigration Rules Visa Conversion Options

Jan 25, 2022

3 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

I have 2 questions regarding the Special Tourist Visa (STV):

1. This is a 3-month visa with the option to extend twice (getting you 9 months total). Can it be extended again after that, or, can you move over to another visa once the 9 months is up without having to leave the country?

2. The Thai government have stated the STV will finish 30th September 2022. Does that mean the visa will no longer be valid after then and you lose some of your 9 months (I would be applying in April), or, does it mean that you can no longer apply after 30th September?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The Special Tourist Visa (STV) allows for a 3-month stay with the possibility of two extensions, totaling 9 months. However, you cannot extend it beyond this period and must leave the country before applying for a different visa. The cutoff date of 30th September 2022 indicates the last day to apply for the STV, but once issued, the visa will remain valid until the end of your stay after the extensions.

Charles ********

I formerly did the STV. It's an okay visa, but a few annoying requirements.

In general you can't convert the STV to anything else, but in 9 months a border run should be easy. I came on stv and left and came back with different visa in 2021, not too big of deal even with covid restrictions. I do know a friend that did successful get the covid extension from the stv in Chang mai, but I doubt the covid extension would be around for another 9 months.

The cut off date last year just meant you needed to get your last extension before that date, but not all offices followed that, phuket was reported to cutting people off on that date.

3 years ago

Darren *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Charles *******

thanks Charles. So essentially, towards the end of the 9 months you could do a visa run to another country and come back in on a different visa? i.e. Tourist Visa.

3 years ago

Blair ********

@Darren ********

hi there sorry to hijack the post ! I was wondering how much the insurance cost you for the Special Tourist Visa for 90 days ?

3 years ago

Charles ********

@Darren ********

yes, possibly even a second stv if they extend the program again. I consider it for the second time, and had I been in Taipei where I applied for it the first time I probably would have. I came back via visa exempt and then switch to Ed visa. There are a lot stv nay sayers, but it was alright.

If you think of living here and want to learn Thai, then ed visa learning Thai is also good option. I don't regret doing the stv first though.

3 years ago

Darren *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Charles *******

that’s great advice, thank you. I was considering the STV because it will be easier for me to get an exemption for leaving Australia. Showing 9 months looks a lot better than 60 days. The longer I can show I’m gone, the easier the exemption. What’s the annoying requirements for the STV?

3 years ago

Charles ********

@Darren ********

proof of accommodation, background check, and health check. In Taipei though, they did not require background check or health check, so it was a breeze.

3 years ago

Reply to

Charles ********

Shayne **********

You can't get off STV, you have to leave.

My suggestion is get a normal tourist visa and changeover to something else.

You basically get 9 months from the date you are stamped in with 2 extensions in the middle.

You can stay after September.

3 years ago

Darren *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Shayne *********

thanks Shayne, much appreciated. So you would suggest the 60-day tourist visa with the 30-day extension giving 90 days total, then move over to another visa after that? Without having to leave the country.

3 years ago

Shayne **********

@Darren ********

yes changeover without leaving.

3 years ago

Darren *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Shayne *********

ok great. Thanks Shayne. Can you do a border run and get another 60-day + 30-day Tourist Visa, or do they only let you do that once?

3 years ago

Shayne **********

@Darren ********