Answered6 years ago
What are the options for extending a Non-O visa for medical purposes in Thailand?
Hello, I need advice :-)
I entered Thailand in November on a Non O for medical purposes, sponsored by the hospital. I'm stamped in until Feb 1.
I'm currently finalizing paperwork to return home to Vietnam, and expect to leave on Feb 5.
The hospital said since I'm done with treatment I can either do the Covid extension or just pay the overstay at the airport.
Of course just paying at the airport seems easiest, but I don't want to get in any trouble, especially it if would interfere with my departure flight.
Do you agree with the options that I was given, and what would you recommend?
Thanks!!
I entered Thailand in November on a Non O for medical purposes, sponsored by the hospital. I'm stamped in until Feb 1.
I'm currently finalizing paperwork to return home to Vietnam, and expect to leave on Feb 5.
The hospital said since I'm done with treatment I can either do the Covid extension or just pay the overstay at the airport.
Of course just paying at the airport seems easiest, but I don't want to get in any trouble, especially it if would interfere with my departure flight.
Do you agree with the options that I was given, and what would you recommend?
Thanks!!
Answer summary
The user is seeking advice on whether to opt for a Covid extension of their Non-O visa or to simply pay the overstay fine upon leaving Thailand. They entered Thailand for medical treatment and their visa is valid until February 1, but they plan to leave on February 5. Community responses suggest that obtaining the Covid extension (costing 1,900 baht) is the safer and more legitimate option, as paying for an overstay could lead to complications at the airport, especially if there are any delays in their travel plans.
69 repliesnewest first
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Bobby ********
Jennifer. You can now make a booking for a covid extension which will minimise your time spent at the immigration office. If you have an appointment they will attend to you at that time. Just ensure you're there 15 minutes before your time slot
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Jennifer ********
OP@Bobby *******
Nice, thanks! Kev ****
just went to BKK for extension yesterday. I must say the building was full of people inside during this covid. Bring a good face mask with you if you go!
Jennifer ********
OP@Elisa ******
Thanks, I was too chicken to overstay😆. I got the extension done, was no problem, luckily. 
Elisa *******
If you pay the overstay and it is the first time, no big deal. But allow a bit of extra time for processing at the airport. Just explain why. They will understand. Keep the receipt.
Jennifer ********
OP@Kev ***
Thanks for the info!Kev ****
Good luck!
Kev ****
that's would work well too.
Jennifer ********
OP@Kev ***
Oh really, afternoon is better? I was thinking about being there when they open. Kev ****
i cam in @ 2:30pm. took 2hrs and 20mins. I suggest you go later in the afternoon around 2:50pm would be best.
Jennifer ********
OP@Kev ***
I totally understand. I'm looking into using an agent to avoid that situation...I'll see what happens. How long did it take you to finish up in there?Kev ****
@Jennifer *******
Yes, you must wear face mask in order to get inside the building. A majority of people wear medical face mask(not N-95 grading. I was a bit scared as well.Jennifer ********
OP@Kev ***
Yes, that's the part I'm not looking forward to. Was everyone wearing a mask inside?
Alwyne ********
Go to your embassy and as them they will tell the truth go there don't take advise from people on here
Kool *******
At all cost stay legal.
Victoria *******
I had that same visa and extended it by 60 days without any trouble
Manuel ********
@Vicky ******
thanks, me too.Victoria *******
@Manuel *******
I hope soManuel ********
@Vicky ******
can you extend again after the 60 days?Victoria *******
@Jennifer *******
good luckJennifer ********
OP@Vicky ******
Thanks, Vicky, I appreciate it. I'm a total Thai immigration rookie, and was hoping to get my Vietnam approvals done before my visa expired. But, looks like I'll have to deal with this now 😆Victoria *******
@Jennifer *******
was normal tm7 then 1 extra form about covid, plus the usual photo copiesJennifer ********
OP@Vicky ******
Oh sorry, I know you mentioned it already! 😆What should I ask for when I go to immigration, just say I can't travel? Do you remember the form for that? Victoria *******
@Jennifer *******
no Surat thani Jennifer ********
OP@Vicky ******
Did you go to immigration in BKK? Victoria *******
You can show your leaving if they said anything, hospital offered a 30 day extension but it was 3,500, Saturday mornings only
Victoria *******
@Jennifer *******
no I just wrote down covid as the reason for not wanting to travelJennifer ********
OP@Vicky ******
Thanks for letting me know, Vicky. What did you have to show them...did they make you justify your need for the Covid extension in any way? Victoria *******
@Tod ********
no my visa came from Thai Embassy in LondonTod *********
@Vicky ******
and they're getting their extension in Bangkok :) not Surat Thani or Samui, like the people from the "Islands of Misfit Toys" do ;) Tod *********
you sure you didn't have one of those B/S medical EXTENSIONS
@Vicky ******
that the people from the islands were getting from that agency? The O/P entered the country in Nov on VISA, they haven't been here since the lock down last March Victoria *******
@Tod ********
yea I went in 2 weeks before and they added on 60 days I went to Surat thani was easyTod *********
@Vi***
you had a 90 day non-O visa based on medical reasons and you got the 60 day covid extension when your 90 days ran out? Jennifer ********
OP@Vicky ******
Thank you, good to hear! 
Sergejs *********
as you likely know Vietnam had greatly reduced, on purposes, flights until the end of Tet, hence you will likely get a flight only after the Tet.
Jennifer ********
OP@Sergejs ********
fingers crossed everything goes ok 😁Sergejs *********
@Jennifer *******
great then!Jennifer ********
OP@Sergejs ********
The Thai Vietjet flights are going direct every Friday, even during Tet..I confirmed with them :-) And I don't think going from BKK to HCMC the flights are really full, since it's still hard to get back in. Singapore Airlines also has flights up to the 6th, and from what I've heard from people taking them into VN, they're not full. Luckily you only need to "register" for the Thai Vietjet flights, and you can pay up to 3 days before the flight. I was just hoping to get all my approvals before Feb 1 to avoid visa stuff here, but it looks unlikely. 
Steve *******
Go for the 'covid extention' always better than overstaying.
Mart ******
If you go to immigration and tell them your story they will advise. They are being pretty understanding and I’m sure with your evidence of flight they will just let you extend. Don’t do overstay of you want to come back.
Tod *********
Totally up to you.
They will charge you 500 baht a day for the overstay fine so you'll get 2000baht in fines OR
you can go to the immigration office and pay 1900baht for the covid extension
They will charge you 500 baht a day for the overstay fine so you'll get 2000baht in fines OR
you can go to the immigration office and pay 1900baht for the covid extension
Jennifer ********
OPThank you so much, I really appreciate it
Tod *********
I still think you go to MTT though :P :/
Sorry, good luck with it. The two places aren't all that far apart (maybe 8km) so if you go to C/W and it's not the place you can get to MTT pretty easy
Sorry, good luck with it. The two places aren't all that far apart (maybe 8km) so if you go to C/W and it's not the place you can get to MTT pretty easy
Tod *********
here's Chaengwattana Govt Complex
You want building B, and go in by the south entrance
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You want building B, and go in by the south entrance
Tod *********
@Jennifer *******
While I believe that because you had a Non-O visa based on medical reasons you go to MTT to get the covid extension (that's where medical stuff is done now) BUT you might as well try Chaengwattana First and see if it's that.
Jennifer ********
OP@Tod ********
Thanks! And this is definitely where I'd go for the Covid extension? The hospital's visa guy mentioned Chang Watthana I think? Is that the same? Tod *********
@Jennifer *******
you want this building and go in at the arrow to get to the immigration stuff Tod *********
@Jennifer *******
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3&entry=gps&shorturl=1Jennifer ********
OP@Tod ********
If I take Grab, what should type in for the location? Tod *********
@Ty *****
you seem not all that dialed in to getting around Bangkok. Take the sky train to Wat Phra Sri station get off and then take a taxi to MTT immigrations 
Paul *******
@Jennifer *******
get the extension. Very easy to get. In the future, once travel restrictions are eased you might find yourself refused entry or blacklisted for a while for longer overstays. Not a good idea at all. 
Ray *****
@Tod ********
ok thanks for clarification, none of the options seem goodJennifer ********
OP@Ty *****
Thanks, I would love to use an agent here, it's the norm in Vietnam, but everyone here's always complaining about agents! 😆 I'll check it out, though. Tod *********
@Ray ****
That is not correct. IF you get caught out on overstay they don't take you to IDC at the airport until you fly out, you got to IDC down town OR more likely you're extorted by the police and they let you go because there is no money in it for them to take you to IDC for a short overstayTod *********
Miclaire totally false.
Jennifer ********
OP@Tod ********
What documents do I need to take to immigration for the Covid extension? And do I go to the Chang Watthana office? Thanks, I have no experience with immigration here. Ray *****
@Jennifer *******
the risk is if stopped by police etc before you leave you will be taken to the immigration cells at the airport until your flight. Not a place you want to beJennifer ********
OP@Tod ********
I don't care about the cost at all. How much risk is involved with the overstay route? I've been waiting for 3 months to get back into VN, and I don't want to cause myself any problems. Jennifer ********
OPIf I go to immigration, do I for sure qualify for the Covid extension? Just explain that I came for surgery, and it's difficult to re-enter Vietnam because of Covid? How strict are they about it?
Thao ****
@Jennifer *******
the Thai visa type doesnt affect you to enter Vietnam if you have all approval documents as expert. Having visa in Thailand to make sure for you to go outside with no trouble.
Jennifer ********
OP@Tod ********
Thank you. How far in advance should I go? And do I go to Chang Watthana, as the hospital told me? Tod *********
@Jenn****
proof you stay in bangkok, passport, passport sized photo, fill out the forms they hand you when you go to the immigration office and 1900baht Jennifer ********
OP@Tod ********
This is a good point, because I'm not 100% sure the paperwork will come through by then, even if that's what my agent in VN says. So...yes, best to get the extension. Can you tell me what I need to bring to immigration for the Covid extension, and do you think I qualify?Tod *********
@Jennifer *******
are you 100% sure you're flying out on the 5th with no f*ck-ups? (as in no last minute cancellation, etc?) If you are sure you're leaving, just pay the overstay fine at the airport when you stamp out. BUT if you're not sure OR you might get caught stay longer, GO get the covid extension. 
Steve *********
Go to immigration and do it the legal way.
Andrew ********
If you get caught big trouble, if you go for extension all is good and I think its only 1,900 bt and no trouble.
Michael ********
Extension 1900 baht
Overstay 2000 baht
You wont get into trouble you will get an overstay stamp in your passport.
Overstay 2000 baht
You wont get into trouble you will get an overstay stamp in your passport.
Michael ********
@Ron *****************
used to do it all the time so bypass the queue at airport, but they have said not confirmed flight. Couple of days and as long as you can show the flight details its not worth the hassle
Ron ******************
@Michael *******
unless she is caught before she reach the airport in which case she can be detained and go through a lot of pain untill she leaves the country. Best just to do the extension. Activity
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