What are the new rules for Covid visa extensions at Chiang Mai immigration?

Mar 9, 2022
3 years ago
Garrett ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Chiang Mai immigration:

Went for a covid extension this morning. Was told multiple times that "a new law since Monday" now says that all covid extensions start the day you apply. Immigration would like everyone to wait until March 24th to go apply for their extension. Remember to social distance and wear a mask.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Recent updates from Chiang Mai immigration indicate a new regulation stating that Covid visa extensions will now begin from the date of application rather than the expiry date. Immigration staff have advised applicants to wait until March 24th to submit their extension requests. This rule appears to apply specifically to Chiang Mai, while other regions like Nakhon Sawan have noted different procedures, including the suspension of Covid extensions and limits on the number of days granted. Expat experiences indicate that the ease of obtaining extensions can vary significantly based on the type of visa and the immigration office involved.
Lawrence *****
A friend in Chiang Mai told me same thing, in Phuket it’s extended from date of last stamp - and also covid extensions only for tourist visa and visa exemption as mentioned above
Jo **********
yes this actually has been in place for about a month. I have had about 6 or 7 covid extensions from Chiang Mai immigration. In the beginning it was from when it expired, now it’s when from you applied
Chiang *****
@Jo *********
I did my covid extension yesterday, nothing was told to me, I had my stamp under examination like the last times.

have to go back on the 24th for the second stamp
Bim *******
Was told today more or less the same in Nakhon Sawan except Covid extensions have stopped and only giving 30 days only that have to be approved by Chang Mai so everything submitted in double and starts the day you apply not when your extension finishes. Then it's off you go.
Jo **********
@Bim ******
just got mine approved 60 days. my 6 or 7 th extension
Bim *******
@Jo *********
what visa were you on and what office
Jo **********
@Bim ******
Chiang Mai
Bim *******
@Jo *********
Chang Mai are usually strict. They are the ones that offered me a 30 grace extension to allow me time to leave. Did you use an agent
Jo **********
@Bim ******
i have had 6 covid extensions just got one recently. went there directly was always very easy sometimes in one hour
Bim *******
@Jo *********
what visa did you enter on
Jo **********
@Bim ******
no visa, visa exempt
Bim *******
@Jo *********
you have been very lucky. So it looks as confirmed in January that only tourist visa or exempt will be able to get the extension again but even that is limited to how many you have had so far. Unfortunately I am not in that category hence why it was refused. I have had about 6 so far.
Lawrence *****
@Bim ******
I think you just hit the nail on the head.. it depends on the entrance visa type
Michael ********
Went on the 6th got till may 24th
Sophie *********
They told me to come back on the 16th to get a 60 day stamp from the 19th...
Jo **********
@Sophie ********
yes that’s consistent
Sophie *********
@Jo *********
But my Covid extension will not start the day I apply as this person's been told. It will start from the 19th - when the last one runs out.
Richard ********
@Sophie ********
yes nothing change for tourist and visa exemption .....but some have problems because immigration don t like dirty farang !!!!555!!!!
Sophie *********
@Richard *******
Not quite:
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Lawrence *****
@Richard *******
true - a Thai person told me to always dress nice for immigration
Benjamin ******
That “new law since Monday “ only applies to Chiang Mai immigration (from what I heard)
Jo **********
@Benjamin *****
from Dr covid extension it’s been in action for about 1-2 months
Garrett ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Benjamin *****
This was the first I've heard of it, or anyone having an issue. Pretty sure she was making it up.
Lisa ********************
@Garrett **********
definitely doesn't apply in Surat and the local island immigration offices. Although they are declining a lot of people here.
Benjamin ******
@Lisa *******************
what was the reason for declining and do you know if they were stamping passports?
Lisa ********************
@Benj****
not stamping passports, just saying can't have, to those who have been here on Covid extensions for a long time. Basically, told go home
Yanni *******
@Lisa *******************
can’t they just continue the tourist visa even if you’ve been on the extension for a while? My prob is I’m not vax and went from a year in the islands to now in the city but plan to come back down to the island as I have family coming out but now worried I’ll get told to leave lol
Bobby ********
Yanni Acott. If you have family can't you get a non-O visa?
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