Answered5 years ago
What are the new rules for visa extensions and stays in Thailand due to COVID-19 restrictions?
This anouncement is a complete new way of letting people stay who are unable to travel due to Covid.
It is not an extension of the ending maximum 60 day program.
So far we understand:
People entered Thailand with a visa on arrival can NOT apply for an Extension of Stay based on unable to travel due to covid.
People entered Thailand with a Non Immigrant Visa can NOT apply for an Extension of Stay based on unable to travel due to covid and must apply according the normal requirements for their stay and reason why the visa is issued.
People entered Thailand on a Tourist Visa must apply first for the normal 30 day Extension of Stay based on Tourism, after that they can apply for an Extension of Stay for no more than (EDIT) 60 days each time.
There is an extra warning:
2. Increasing strictness in considering permission to stay in the Kingdom to prevent aliens from using them as an opportunity to circumvent the reasons for applying to stay in the Kingdom without meeting the objectives of the immigration law. In this regard, the relevant laws, regulations, orders and guidelines shall be complied with. The agency inspects the notification of residence under section 38 of the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 and checks to prevent illegal work without permission
There are still talks going on with Visa Experts and translators, but the general advice is for those who want to stay another 60 days in Thailand claiming they are unable to travel back home,
DO IT TODAY.
What this new program will offer for those who are already in Thailand using the Extension of Stay based on unable to travel is NOT mentioned. Be aware and make sure you have a plan B in place.
Please stay on topic and updates or corrections will be made if we found out the details in a better way.
Thanks for your patience.
It is not an extension of the ending maximum 60 day program.
So far we understand:
People entered Thailand with a visa on arrival can NOT apply for an Extension of Stay based on unable to travel due to covid.
People entered Thailand with a Non Immigrant Visa can NOT apply for an Extension of Stay based on unable to travel due to covid and must apply according the normal requirements for their stay and reason why the visa is issued.
People entered Thailand on a Tourist Visa must apply first for the normal 30 day Extension of Stay based on Tourism, after that they can apply for an Extension of Stay for no more than (EDIT) 60 days each time.
There is an extra warning:
2. Increasing strictness in considering permission to stay in the Kingdom to prevent aliens from using them as an opportunity to circumvent the reasons for applying to stay in the Kingdom without meeting the objectives of the immigration law. In this regard, the relevant laws, regulations, orders and guidelines shall be complied with. The agency inspects the notification of residence under section 38 of the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 and checks to prevent illegal work without permission
There are still talks going on with Visa Experts and translators, but the general advice is for those who want to stay another 60 days in Thailand claiming they are unable to travel back home,
DO IT TODAY.
What this new program will offer for those who are already in Thailand using the Extension of Stay based on unable to travel is NOT mentioned. Be aware and make sure you have a plan B in place.
Please stay on topic and updates or corrections will be made if we found out the details in a better way.
Thanks for your patience.
Answer summary
A recent announcement details new regulations for visa extensions in Thailand related to COVID-19. Those with a visa on arrival or a non-immigrant visa cannot apply for extensions based solely on an inability to travel due to COVID. Tourist visa holders must first apply for a standard 30-day extension before being eligible for a further extension of up to 60 days. The memo emphasizes stricter enforcement of immigration laws to prevent misuse of extension reasons. Expats are advised to act quickly to ensure they can extend their stay before the current program ends.
61 repliesnewest first
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Robert *******
OPOkay, time to close it down. Amazing that people decide that a visa conversion at immigration is not an official visa and not counts as an official stay.
Please, this page is for visa advice.
Please, this page is for visa advice.
Andrew *********
Thank you Robert , if you didn't mind I have copied and pasted into another forum in Thailand this might stop more questions coming your way.
Robert *******
OP@Andrew ********
Thanks if you mentioned this page.Andrew *********
@Robert ******
Done bud, keep up the great workDaniel **********
Those of us who are on "visa under consideration" stamp but applied before the new regulations (last week for example), will we still get the full 60 days that was the regulations until today when we go back after the 14 days of "visa under consideration"?
Edit: 14+46 days
Edit: 14+46 days
Daniel **********
@Benjamin *****
so would I but... Thailand 🤷♂️Robert *******
OPI would say, you applied under the old rules but we have to wait and see
Robert *******
OPThe rules are enforced tomorrow morning after opening the office, please understand that we can not confirm the decision made by the officer you are going to meet
Daniel **********
@Robert ******
yes. Would be nice if we could get someone to confirm if that's the case. Anyone going from tomorrow with a "visa under consideration" stamp should be able to clear this up.
Bill *********
I came on a TR visa. I go the 28th to get my COVID extension. I will enquire about the new extension and provide any info I learn.
Lau ******
Visa on arrival is the 30 days we get at arrival?
Robert *******
OP@Laurita *****
NO, Visa on arrival is for 21 countries, cost 2.000 Thb and gives only 15 days of stay. Example:
Ellie *******
Please be aware that this is an English-only group.
Mohamed *******
My brother came on VOA and already did the 30 day visa extension and now got the covid under consideration stamp in Chiang Mai. Anything he has to do or just wait until under consideration stamp is close to ending to go extend?
Jim **********
Mohamed Ahmad it is my understanding that both visa free 30d AND Visa On Arrival (VOA) no longer qualify and they will need to leave.
James ********
@Jim *********
on coming weeks we will know more. Thanks for your commentsJim **********
@James *******
Agree.James ********
@Jim *********
still not certain both are not eligible for the covid extension. VOA are NOT. VISA EXEMPT ...MAYBE eligible.Jim **********
@James *******
i asked at Immigration today and that is what I was told. I know TiT and all that, and different IOs can be variable on some points, but the IO's I spoke to were very clear - it is basically just TVs applied for from outside the country.
Xjwhudkwhry ********
@Mohamed ******
There's a date on that stamp, that's when 'your brother' has to go back to get the other stamp(don't forget the blue slip)Tod *********
@Mohamed ******
just goes back to the office on the date the under consideration stamp is up and they'll put the covid extension into his passport
Caroline *********
I entered the country with Non B working, since my work visa ran out March last year I’ve been using the extension.
My current ext is up on 25th feb.
(I literally have no idea how anything works, I always just go and see what they say)
Can you give me some help on what would be best to do as I don’t understand any of the above 🤦🏽♀️🙏🏽
My current ext is up on 25th feb.
(I literally have no idea how anything works, I always just go and see what they say)
Can you give me some help on what would be best to do as I don’t understand any of the above 🤦🏽♀️🙏🏽
Tod *********
@Caroline ********
you have been using Covid extensions to stay and the new program seems to say that IF you were on a Non-Immigrant type visa (of ANY TYPE) before you went to covid extensions you're done now and can't get any more after tomorrow. OR at least that's how it appears to read. Again, this group isn't here to tell you what to do, you make your own choice.
I would go to the immigration office today and see if you could apply for another 60 day covid extension (if you had 30 day or less left on your current one) because we know for sure that you can get another covid extension from a Non-B on THIS current program which runs out when they close the immigration offices this afternoon at 4.
Good luck
Caroline *********
@Tod ********
thank you, I went this morning and left because I was told I didn’t need to be there 🤦🏽♀️Do you know what options would be available after. I’d have to leave and come back before applying for a student visa right?
Ellie *******
@Caroline ********
, You were on Non-B visa/extension before your covid extension. You have to leave the country if you want to get Non-ED anyway. Other options depend on what you want and how you are eligible for that. Those are unknown to any of us. The decision is yours.Please make your own post if you still have questions.
Romain *****************
hello
@Robert ******
, thx a lot fo the time you take ! I don't understand why the need to go TODAY to extend, which would be very difficult to me : if I have still time on my extension, why not go later ?Robert *******
OP@Romain ****************
Tomorrow new rules, but the choice is yours, We only adviceRomain *****************
@Robert ******
ok, it's not clear to me. I thought covid extension was extended. My self I am on an extension of visa exemption right now, situation looks good no ?Tod *********
@Romain ****************
so let's get this straight, you entered on a visa exempt entry, got the regular 30 day extension and now are asking if you can get a 60 day covid extension right? What we are saying IS if you went today you could get the covid extension.
HOWEVER it is not clear if you went AFTER today (when the current program ends) if you would be able to get the 60 day extension or not.
SO you weigh up the odds and you make your own decision on whether you go today (no matter how difficult it would be) or whether you wait and see IF you can get the covid extension once the current program ends and the new one starts (tomorrow)
The worst they will tell you is that you cannot get the covid extension and have to leave when your 30 day extension runs out.
As we said, the choice is yours.
Michael **********
@Romain ****************
because as he told the current extension program ends today. What kind of extension program is comming is not clear.
Nathan ********
Can I get a new 60 day visa if I just got one on the 15th? In other words, restart the clock from today?
Bartłomiej *************
@Nathan *******
Hey, I had my stay until 22 FEB, and extended it yesterday up to 20 April, so the answer is yes, you can.
Jon **********
@Nathan *******
I was in exactly this situation this morning in Pai and they at first insisted it was not possible to apply and I needed to come in one week before my visa expired under the new rules.Tod *********
@Nathan *******
looks like you're in Chonburi and they usually tell people to come back when you have 2 weeks or less on your stamp. SO I see a visit to the immigration office in your near future 😉Robert *******
OPIt is an Extension of Stay as mentioned in the stamp.
You can try, worst case is a no.
You can try, worst case is a no.
Robert *******
OPWe try to help and inform people, please if you are that good in translating and know all the ins and outs of Immigration, help us in stead of telling us you knew it all before we do.
Thanks for your support.
Thanks for your support.
Christopher *********
Thank you
@Robert ******
, moderators & translators for all the information you guys provide for free - giving your precious time & energy helping the community. You guys just saved me a trip going to CM immigration today. I can now have peace of mind and board my flight to Phuket next week and apply there. Again-thank you sirs! :)
Julika ***************
@Robert ******
thank you so much for your work! Also many thanks to the translators!
Norbert ***********
@Robert ******
didnt want to bother you, i really appreciate ur work. its fucking hard to read that official papers and realize what it relly means. thumbs up for ur work to keep us updated all the time 👍👍Robert *******
OPUPDATE:
After reading again and again, the translaters are almost certain it must be 60 days in stead of the earlier translation of 10 days.
After reading again and again, the translaters are almost certain it must be 60 days in stead of the earlier translation of 10 days.
Raimund *************
@Robert ******
thx
Kevin **********
@Robert ******
My partner translated it for me earlier.Pretty much what has been reported here although it did state that you must leave at the end of this extension.
Of course until it is extended again or not as may be.
My personal view is they will be looking hard at those who have been on extension after extension to weed out those working here illegally.....besides that everyone should be fine.
Mary ************************
Ff
im using Covid visa since 2020
What will happen to my visa after March 25?
im using Covid visa since 2020
What will happen to my visa after March 25?
Mick *******
Well said.
Robert *******
OPIt is not nice to say, but there are people leaving Thailand and peope love that air travel is possible.
Go back home and apply for the correct visa to stay for the purpose and length of your new planned stay/
Go back home and apply for the correct visa to stay for the purpose and length of your new planned stay/
Rasmus ************
What is the last line mean? If just have the Non-O 90 days cannot, but people who got the extension of 12 months already at a Non-O can? Or I misunderstand something? 🧐
Robert *******
OPYou apply again for the 1 year Extension of Stay based on the same reasons
Rasmus ************
@Robert ******
But if cannot extend. Non-O 12 months again, the covid19 Amnesty a option on a Non-O?Robert *******
OP@Rasmus ***********
Not as we understand at the moment.
Jessa ****
What about getting in on a tourist exemption?
Julika ***************
@Jessa ***
what do you mean by tourist exemption? Sorry if this is a silly questionRobert *******
OP@Julika **************
30 days Visa Exempt Entry what people get if they visit Thailand without a visa.Robert *******
OP@Jessa ***
Not mentioned in the article, we are trying to find outJulika ***************
@Robert ******
so this tourist exemption is different from the visa on arrival you mentioned in your post ("people entered Thailand with a visa on arrival can NOT apply...")?Robert *******
OP@Julika **************
a Visa on Arrival is for 21 countries and gives only 15 days of stay.A Tourist Visa, you buy at the Embassy or on-line gives you 60 days of stay.
Yes, there are differences.
Jessa ****
@Robert ******
Thanks!
Marguyvin **********
Thanks for this update
@Rob***
. So if I'm reading you correctly, those of us who are currently stamped with an permit to stay based on the reason "Unable To Travel" (e.g. Covid Extension) must not assume that we will be able to apply once more before 26-March. This memo did not extend that program? If so, why did they assign an end date in the memo? If it is merely an addendum to Article 5...there would not be any need to assign a new "expiry date", no? A bit confusing(as many things they do are).Robert *******
OPas we see it it is a new temporary rule: even the (EDIT) 60 days each time is limited until 25 march, it is just a new announcement of new rules starting tomorrow
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