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What are the options for changing a COVID visa to a tourist visa in Thailand?

COVID visa Thai tourist visa visa extension immigration rules Thailand France non-immigrant visa visa changes expat advice Thailand visa policies

Feb 19, 2022

3 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi there. I'm from France. I went to immigration today. I have covid visa and they said I cannot extend more than 7 days. They also said that I should go to my embassy to change my covid visa to a tourist visa. Anyone already had to do the same please ?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A French expat shared their experience at immigration where they learned that their COVID visa can only be extended for a maximum of 7 days. They were advised to approach their embassy for assistance in changing the COVID visa to a tourist visa. However, multiple community comments indicate that changing a COVID visa at an embassy in Thailand is not possible, and individuals may have to leave the country. The discussion also highlighted the risks associated with having overstayed and the need for proper documentation for future visas or border runs.

Stacey *******

US embassy is not issuing any letters for COVID or any type of extension.

For those that need the know. I just received an email stating this fact

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Stacey *******

My local immigration will not extend but thx for the advice :)

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Stacey *******

I've been to Pattaya, BKK, and Pathum Thani to try and get an extension

It's not possible

I've exhausted all options at this point

Not even corrupted agencies can help

My local immigration is Pathum Thani

They say no

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Stacey *******

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Thomas *************

Can you please tell us what kind of visa you originally held and later extended due to covid19. Also can you let us know which immigration office? Bangkok?

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Thomas *************

That explains all. Even though I have visa exempt entry with first 60-days covid extension on top, I am a bit sceptical about the prospect of second 60-day extension coming up next month. I try to figure out which immigration office would be best to increase the chances of approval as it seems every office has their own interpretation.

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Nguyen ****

@Thomas ************

If they say no visa extension it will be back to the old style of border runs to start the TR or visa exemption over. Laos and Cambodia are both open now. Just need Covid test, insurance, vaccine paper etc etc

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Thomas *************

yes, I agree. Good luck about your next 60day extension. I will go to Cambodia for the border run. The problem is though, if the thai side declines 60day extension then I won't have enough time to get paperwork to enter Cambodia or Laos. That is the only issue.

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Alain *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

"just"

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Alain *******

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Rik ***********

@Thomas ************

I’m on the same boat as you! Entered Thailand one year ago on visa exemption, and i kept extending this with the covid extension. Im worried they maybe gonna say i stayed too long in Thailand already next month 😣

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Nguyen ****

@Thomas ************

the news say it until 25th March

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Nguyen ****

@Thomas ************

we are same now

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Thomas *************

my first 60-day expires on March 12. I think I will apply for the 2nd covid extension in chanthaburi. I don't know this immigration office, I am a bit worried

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Nguyen ****

@Thomas ************

many grand pa here tell young people must to leave from August until now same old guy . Now I’m confused

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Nguyen ****

@Thomas ************

I hope I will get it there too like every month

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Nguyen ****

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Jo *********

@Thomas ************

Chiang Mai seems ok

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Nguyen ****

did you get Covid visa in Chiang mai this week ?

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Nguyen ****

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Ulrik *********

@Thomas ************

he was on volunteer (NON-O) and according to the updated rules he can not apply for more covid extensions.

The rules for covid extensions don't differ from 1 immigration office to another.

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Ulrik *********

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Benjamin ******

You have to leave. The Thai government may be willing to issue an extension of stay based on unable to travel at the request of the embassy. However, I know the French government does not issue the letter.

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Bobby ********

It was announced several weeks ago that people on covid extensions after having been on non-immigrant visas will no longer be eligible for covid extensions. The option was to go back to non-immigrant visa or leave the country. If your passport has already been stamped "7 days to leave" there's no option.

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Steve *******

You cant change a Thai visa at your Countries Embassy in Thailand

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Xjwhudkwhry ********

You have covid EXTENSION, not visa, what visa do you actually have? And I doubtv french embassy had anything to do with Thai tourist visas...

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Klaus *********

Why should your embassy give you a letter saying that you cannot go back to France while there are flights leaving from Bangkok to France daily?!?

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Brandon ************

Nothing you can do for Covid extension. The law specifically states if you were on a Non-immigrant visa (volunteer visa is one) you cannot get the Covid extension. You're out of options and likely need to leave the country.

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Alain *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Xjwhudkwhry *******

from what I heard I have to go to french ambassy to get a paper saying I can't go back then I have to go to bangkok immigration to change my visa to a tourist one. I made a volunteer visa and the company canceled it with a covid visa/extension.

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Alain *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

apparently I already have extension. Cannot make new one

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Erik *******

L’ambassade refusera de te faire une lettre sans motif sérieux et appuyé par justificatif. Ils vont te poser la question : qu’est ce qui vous empêche de prendre un vol BKK-CDG (au moins 10 options de vol BKK-CDG par jour) … ? Tu vas répondre quoi ??

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Alain *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

vous avez été dans le même cas ?

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Alain *******

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Stuart *********

It depends on the visa you initially entered with as to whether you can get a Covid extension this time around. Any non immigrant visa entry is no longer allowed. Your embassy is not able to change a “extension denied” stamp to a tourist visa as you cannot get those in Thailand. You will have to leave and work out a way to return if that is what you want to do. No agent can help once you have the 7 days to leave stamp.

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Sean **********

You have to leave 👌

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Sean **********

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