Answered6 years ago
What are the latest updates on visa extensions for tourists in Thailand?
* "Grace period" for everyone until September 26
* It WILL be possible for tourists to apply for 30 day extensions beyond Sept 26, but they will be on a case-by-case basis and will need to be justified, with documentation
* If you do not secure an extension you must be out by September 26, or "face legal action and be blacklisted"
* It WILL be possible for tourists to apply for 30 day extensions beyond Sept 26, but they will be on a case-by-case basis and will need to be justified, with documentation
* If you do not secure an extension you must be out by September 26, or "face legal action and be blacklisted"
Answer summary
As of July 2020, there is a 'grace period' for foreign tourists in Thailand until September 26, during which extensions for visas can be applied for on a case-by-case basis. Extensions after this deadline require justification and appropriate documentation. If travelers do not secure an extension, they must leave Thailand by September 26 to avoid legal repercussions such as blacklisting.
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David ********
Must visit Golok immigration soon anyway, but it'd be nice to know if things don't pan out, I'll at least get some grace period to sort stuff out
Ryan *************
Is this confirmed amnesty extension?
Ivan ************
OPIt will be confirmed (or not) by the Cabinet on Tuesday. But I think it is looking very likely, as the Council of State specifically directed it to be announced.
Ryan *************
@Ivan ***********
literally driving to the sarakham immagration heh but I will not bother now heh , I could have got a 60 extension on my none o I’m told but looks like I shouldn’t bother, awesome news, should have read it more but driving just pulled up, cheers bud Todd *********
@T**
true. Unconfirmed. But let’s say, I’m not rushing out to buy a plane ticket anywhere 🙂 Can start making Christmas plans now 
Tod *********
@Ryan ************
totally UNCONFIRMED Ivan ************
OP@Ry**
I would hold off and see what is confirmed on Tuesday. If they do confirm it, and I suspect they will, you might want to "save" that 60 day extension until mid September.It's not clear right now what they are going to do with people on multiple entry non-immigrant visas, this announcement was focused on tourists. But they will surely have to do something for those people as well.
Bizkit ******
Those grace period is for u guys to proceed with visa extension which is d expired from 26th march till 31st july ! Its not consider that u need not do nothing. Even if u exit thailand by before 26th sep without do any visa from 1st Aug to the date u exit...u will get blacklisted or fined later! Tq
Bizkit ******
Lets be optimistic guys so far all this been anticipation by us and this proposal yet to be discuss in the cabinet yet. So lets hoping something positive from the authorities! The win win situation will be as below that all stranded foreigners to be remain amnesty till 26th sep and at the same this period till 26th sep will be grace period too for those who like to made their extension as well without hassle. Then everyone have sufficient time to made arrangement if due date to return is still restricted or without flights! Tq
Terary **********
I interpreted as; if you have a good reason to stay in Thailand, you have from July 31 to Sept 26th to get your paperwork in order and approved by immigration.
If you do not have a good reason, get out of Thailand before Sept 26th, no negative repercussion.
If you do not get out of Thailand AND you do not have appropriate visa, the will be significant negative consequences.
Being an American and 'wanting' to stay is not a good reason. For those individuals you'll have to find a good reason; maried, job, retired, etc....
If you do not have a good reason, get out of Thailand before Sept 26th, no negative repercussion.
If you do not get out of Thailand AND you do not have appropriate visa, the will be significant negative consequences.
Being an American and 'wanting' to stay is not a good reason. For those individuals you'll have to find a good reason; maried, job, retired, etc....
Todd *********
@Ter***
I really don't see how anyone can interpret that 'wanting to stay' is not a legit reason to stay. Tourists remain as welcome as any. No reasons exist to kick them out to nations they may not wish to return to. And very limited alternatives exist at this point. If one 'wants' to stay, go in and pay for extended visa. We will all be having this conversation well into 2021Terary **********
@Ivan ***********
I am just pulling your chain. I don't feel compelled to have an opinion one way or the other. However, I am glad I will be able to stay (supposing that I can). Ivan ************
OP@Ter***
obviously not. The point I am trying to make here is to distinguish between my own views on it and what they are actually doing. That I think they are NOT going to allow most tourists who "just want" to stay to stay. But that I think it would be a good thing if they did- that I'm not cheerleading the "kick everyone out" like some bitter expats love to.Todd *********
@Ivan ***********
agreed. What makes the most sense is they offer a 30-180 day 'ride out COVID' visa at a cost. Or other nations will take those tourists from them. It's a unique situation and zero value in forcing anyone whom can easily afford to stay to leave. This simply won't occur. In any nations. **********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
*******
/10/barbados-is-planning-to-let-people-stay-and-work-remotely-for-a-year.html?fbclid=IwAR1IgVgMVs_z5gG_L9cAvrreKfK1SxK2SUsUgeKL-utHvwvUU_Hk1P1-TEIIt's a unique situation. Terary **********
@Ivan ***********
Yeah -- they probably should have consulted you before making any polices. Maybe that's the delay for the announcement. Perhaps they're waiting for your approvalIvan ************
OPPersonally, I agree, I think they should be liberal in allowing people to extend. The tourism industry here is in dire straits and allowing people who are here, Covid free and want to stay would help that.
If they are concerned with people being destitute they could just ask to see a bank statement for the extension, just to show you have funds to support yourself. If I was setting the rules that would make sense to me. But I don't think that's what is actually happening.
If they are concerned with people being destitute they could just ask to see a bank statement for the extension, just to show you have funds to support yourself. If I was setting the rules that would make sense to me. But I don't think that's what is actually happening.
Ivan ************
OP@To**
yes it's easy if you are over 50 and have the money. Or if you qualify for Ed (there is a limit) or want to volunteer. As to the last option most embassies including the US have said they won't be issuing letters- but some have said they will, such as Australia. So I do think that will likely be an easy option for Australians. But not for everyone. Point is, you need to show actual proof you can't go home, and Americans and most Europeans won't be able to do that, as flights are available and their embassies won't issue letters.Todd *********
@Ivan ***********
that's what i'm saying really.... unable to return is one thing. No desire to is entirely another thing. Submit your paperwork. As i'm over 50, retirement visa application is easy. If under 50, ED or volunteer visa the same. If neither available, make your case to your embassy and get the letter. Easy, peasy. Ivan ************
OP@To**
I doubt from the article it's going to work that way. It would be nice if it did but I think it's unlikely."If they are unable to return because there are no flights or due to lockdown measures in their countries, they must submit proof. The granting of a short-stay visa will be made on a case-by-case basis,"
Bizkit ******
Try read carefully..." So we do not propose to extend visas after july 31, but allow for visas requests from Aug to 26 sep" which means not amnesty but can give sufficient time for u guys to get letters from embassy or docs to proceed visas. This is my understanding! Am i right?
Ivan ************
OP@Billy *****
"He said those who planned to return to their home countries did not need to contact the bureau but also had to leave Thailand by Sept 26."Visa extension is for those who want to stay after Sept 26.
Bizkit ******
@Ivan ***********
anyway may be i'm wrong but the most secure is to visit the nearest immigration to clarify it instead we argue for no point here. Tq for ur info and i will ask too later i in immigration bureau. Ivan ************
OPThis is incorrect, if you leave by Sept 26 you do not need to get an extension. This is specifically mentioned. Read the article again.
Graham *********
False.
Bizkit ******
@Graham ********
correct me if i'm really wrong. But the article stated that grace period for those who stranded in thai to get visa extension or else will get blacklist or fines....or should we wait for the official annoucement by 24th later?
Matt *******
Nobody even understands what this means yet. I wouldn’t jump to conclusions just yet thinking that everyone on Amnesty can continue to live in Thailand until Sept 26. Like it says it will be a case by case basis, so you’d most likely only get the extension if you can provide proof that you bought a flight out and it got canceled and a letter from your embassy stating that you have made attempts to leave, otherwise they would deny your extension and give you the “7 days to leave” stamp.
Ivan ************
OPIt's automatic until 26 Sept. If you want to stay LONGER than that you need to secure an extension.
"He said those who planned to return to their home countries did not need to contact the bureau but also had to leave Thailand by Sept 26."
"He said those who planned to return to their home countries did not need to contact the bureau but also had to leave Thailand by Sept 26."
Tod *********
@Ivan ***********
you just won't give it a rest will you? IT has NOT been even talked about by the cabinet yet What part of this do you not understand?
"He said the Interior Ministry's visa relief measures for foreign visitors would be submitted to the cabinet for approval next Tuesday.
The bureau would later issue guidelines on how to apply for a visa extension."
IT HAS NOT BEEN APPROVED YET
Ivan ************
OPThis is different, it was specifically directed to be announced from the government. We'll see next week but every indication is this is what is happening.
Tod *********
@Ivan ***********
Gear down big shifter :O :P , it is a proposal and it has NOT been discussed by the cabinet it will be PROPOSED to them on Tuesday for discussion.
NOTHING has been decided.
It's just another government official who had to get his fucking name in the paper spouting off about what it MIGHT be WHEN/IF the cabinet passes it, when Prayuth signs it and WHEN/IF it gets published in the Royal Gazette..
Ivan ************
OP@Tod ********
we will see. I think that the Council of State specifically directed it to be announced puts it in a different class to previous random immigration announcements.Ivan ************
OPIt's a proposal that the Council of State (which is headed by the PM) specifically directed the Ministry of the Interior to announce. I'll be very very surprised if this isn't what happens.
Steven ***************
@Ivan ***********
. What part of "proposal" confuses you mate?😅. A proposal has been announced, not a decision yet. Steven ***************
@Ivan ***********
. Still nothing more than a proposal . You know the rules. Nothing is official until its in the Royal Gazette. We've all seen the 100s of different versions of the rules blurted out by IOs over the last 4 months. And they still make their own shit up after its official anyway. Todd *********
More than a bit over dramatic lol. It’s all good news
In summary, 2 more months amnesty. You have 57 days from aug 1 to drop by immigration. Try not to be too late as you could be mildly inconvenienced. Thanks 🙏 The Management
In summary, 2 more months amnesty. You have 57 days from aug 1 to drop by immigration. Try not to be too late as you could be mildly inconvenienced. Thanks 🙏 The Management
Brahim ******
Read carefully . They will allow extensions after 31 July case by case which mean if you dont have proof then no extension.
Ivan ************
OP@Todd ********
yes, if you actually qualify for another visa that will likely be possible. For example if you are over 50, you can put 800,000B in a Thai bank and get a retirement visa/extension. They haven't explicitly announced how this one is going to work, they were refusing conversions from people on amnesty but it is likely.Todd *********
@Iv**
agreed. At present, there are zero available options for exiting amnesty. That appears likely to change effective 1 Aug now. Would not be surprising to see a new option exist as long as global travel options remain severely limited by COVIDIvan ************
OP@Todd ********
they will definitely have to have proof, immigration explicitly said that. It's not anyone can stay indefinitely just because they want to. You have until Sept 26 with no proof but beyond that need. Many embassies such as the US one have said they won't issue letters. You may be in luck if you are Canadian, maybe they will, you can ask them after the announcement on Tuesday.Todd *********
@Iv**
I must have missed that... the alternative to not having proof is to simply apply for whatever visa is applicable for you and getting that in place sometime in the next 2 months. I’m not sure how the embassy will play out. Aus has already reversed their decision. It seems likely the embassies will pick a route forward following the announcement
Mark *******
We shall see......
Mark *******
Anyone that could get an extension in the country already has.
It sounds more like an extension to the amnesty but they can't call it that because they said they would not extend it 😝
It sounds more like an extension to the amnesty but they can't call it that because they said they would not extend it 😝
Ivan ************
OP@Mark ******
it's not just that, the whole announcement was about how they are going to give actual further 30 day at a time extensions to tourists who are stranded, even beyond September- but they need proof. These will likely be available to for example to any Australians/ NZers still stuck here. They may not be for everyone though, if you can't prove you can't get back.Todd *********
@Iv**
zero chance they will have to prove they can’t get home. Their a multitude of reasons people will choose to stay. And embassies will generally support. Ivan ************
OP@Todd ********
it seems they will, but they will have to prove they can't get home. This is likely to be possible for countries like Australia that are really closed and the embassy is willing to certify that but less likely to be possible for most of Europe or America where people can get home easier.Todd *********
@Iv**
that’s the great but of news in that one really. If tourists can just carry on with 30 day extensions... great!! Ivan ************
OPI doubt it, I think it's clear enough they expect you to either get an extension or leave this time. They will give extensions to people who genuinely can't get home but others will likely have to go. Either way, you need to apply for one if you want to stay. I do wonder what they expect multi entry non immigrant people to do, maybe there will be more clarity on that next week. Or maybe not.
Ivan ************
OPCorrect, no extension unless justified. But you still have until 26 September "grace" to leave then.
You have the extra (almost) two months to EITHER apply for an extension OR leave. If you plan to leave before 26 Sept, you don't need to do anything.
You have the extra (almost) two months to EITHER apply for an extension OR leave. If you plan to leave before 26 Sept, you don't need to do anything.
Todd *********
@Iv**
or wait for the next extension to the extension. To bridge us to second wave. When we start amnesty again.
Rachel *******
@Todd ********
too true! 
Phill ******
@Todd ********
, you could be on to some thing there .David *********
Well I hope so for the orthers I got of the blocks a bit to quick lol
Geoff **********
Remembet while the comes fron a high level source it is not official until approved by the cabinet and published in the Royal Gazette. While sounds promissing it is not official and could change.
Maanee ********************
this is NOT confirmed
Ivan ************
OPIt's not law until the Cabinet approve it on Tuesday and it is published. But that the Council of State explicitly authorised the Interior Ministry to announce it, it's very likely this is what is happening.
David *********
Only yesterday I was at immigration and they wouldn’t tell me anything told be to get exstention which I did but if I had been told just wait the I could have got the exstention till November how many of us have done it and lost out and I have my visa till December because I am married to my thai wife hope the boarders get opened soon but I don’t think so oh well
David *********
But thanks for the info cheers
David *********
What money I had I put into the shop and we doing ok just ment I had to leave every 3 months so we had a little holiday as we work 7 days a week
Till this virus and messed everything up
Till this virus and messed everything up
Geoff **********
Or 400k in a bank account in your name only for 2 months (money can come from inside Thailand or outside).
David *********
Thanks for the info it’s a boarder run the hopefully I New I should wait till next week oh well fingers crossed
David *********
We have a shop together will they allow that or is just me alone
*****
Geoff **********
@David ********
need proof of salary for you alone. Requires pay and tax records.Ivan ************
OPIf you have a Thai wife and are currently on a stamp, you should be able to extend on basis of marriage for a further year. Need 400,000 in the bank or 40,000 monthly income.
Phill ******
there giving you 2 months to get your shit together .
Steve *******
@Phill *****
I was referring to the same 'you' as you were, not you personally.
Martin *******
@Greg *******
I will be fine you worry about yourselves 
Greg ********
@Martin ******
No worry for me mate. Steve *******
@Phill *****
They've already given you 4 months
Philip **********
@Steve ******
Are you on crack? Obviously you paid big money for a long term visa. Ours is free. Such a crybaby. Maybe you haven’t heard. The borders are closed you moron. I had two flights canceled. So I’ll stay put free for another two months then apply for an extension for another 30 days just to piss off people like you!Philip **********
@Todd ********
AgreedTodd *********
@Phi***
exactly. Who wouldn’t. Fair. Philip **********
@Todd ********
I don’t mind paying.Steve *******
@Philip *********
Who took the jam out of your donut? I was just replying to the OP. There's really no need to get offensive.Todd *********
@Philip *********
i still think it is likely the government some sort of 'emergency' type extension visa (at a cost) that will allow the traveller's isolated by COVID and financially capable, the opportunity to stay with an in-country visa. Great times to be here :) Phill ******
@Steve ******
, no they havnt . i hold a 20 year elite visa . Todd *********
@Steve ******
right! 6 is even better! Looking forward to the next one lol
Nick ************
@Steve ******
and it has not been possible during those 4 months. If they have changed nothing it still will not be possible.Martin *******
@Phill *****
let's hope unforeseen things never happen in your life! Greg ********
@Martin ******
Unforseen. It is 6 months. Martin *******
Joking aside I have been here for years 2005 been with the Enemy 13 years so decide to get married and this happens lol
Martin *******
Makes sense well done!
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