What are the options for extending an APEC card visa in Thailand without leaving the country?

Aug 11, 2020
4 years ago
Paul ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Arrived here in March on an APEC card/Visa (90days)... what is the process with 26th September coming, as for renewing that without leaving the country? I am AUSTRALIAN, but usually based in China. Difficult for visa back into China, at the moment for foreigners. No, I will not be returning to Australia.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is looking for options to extend their APEC visa in Thailand, which expires on September 26. Suggestions provided by other users include applying for a long-term extension, obtaining a letter from the consulate or a doctor to apply for a short extension, or preparing to leave by the expiration date. Discussions also touch on the difficulties of returning to Australia and the changes in visa categories affecting expats.
Paul ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks everyone for the comment and suggestions. As mentioned I have no intention of returning to Australia, to have some clown then tell me I can not leave again. Let alone the 14 day quarantine that we are forced to pay if we return. I understand APEC cards are maybe not a commonly used or understood business visa issued allowing visas into about 20 countries from a business perspective. I understand that many visas are now being forced to change to volunteer, ED, retirement, etc... I was hoping with item 10 that is from trip.com website that APEC cards were viewed in this manner. Anyone with specific experience with APEC cards?
Keryn ******
Dani Minogue got to stay In Her own house and her medical reason for it was that she’s claustrophobic. Maybe you could try that line. If it can work for her it should work for everyone. Oh wait, forgot, there is one rule for us and one rule for them.
Rowan ******
I did get a letter from the Australian embassy to stay. Chiang rai immigration told me that it will be reviewed in September and I will get another month, and then another month on my letter.

I had a non B but it moved to a tourist visa because I was avoiding a visa run to Singapore because of CV.

I am trying to avoid a return to Australia, and how fxxxen dare the Australian State government charge $3000 for a room. I hate small spaces, claustrophobia and anxiety is a problem and creates mental issues. Feel like tongue them.
Keryn ******
Who in their right mind would want to go back to Australia with it turning into a mini America at the moment!! It’s turning into a Petri dish. Plus with airfares and quarantine your looking at about $7000 to return. Better to get a Ed visa and stay for a year. Yes it’s expensive, prob about the same price as a ticket home, but there’s no corona here and it’s way cheaper living as well as being a beautiful country.
Evan ********
Oz embassy are no longer issuing any letters
Padma's ******
Can we use the original letter issued by the Oz embassy? I have one that I didn’t use and it’s not dated. I did contact them to ask for one dated after July 31st but they said they were no longer issuing them.
Paolo ***********
It's insane and seems more than likely that they will reverse their policy again as the time approaches the deadline. I'm sure they don't want to have more work now and are waiting to see how Thailand's policy really shakes out towards the end of the deadline period.
Steven ***************
. Whoever told you that is wrong. Australian citizens, residents and direct family members can return to Australia, subject to quarantine on arrival.
Andy ********
I am a Brit so I have no skin in this game. How can the Australian Government not issue letters when they are restricting their own citizens from returning home.
Paolo ***********
they may do an about face in mid-September as they did towards the end of July
Paolo ***********
for now
Paolo ***********
or you contact an agent and have them sort our something for you at a substantial fee, or you roll the dice and see if they extend amnesty again or offer other before options before Sept. 26.
Tod *********
I covered that in my "long term extension of stay" option, although I didn't go into the particulars like you did :P
Tod *********
It's pretty simple :O :P ;)

You figure out a long term extension of stay

OR

get a letter from your consulate stating you can't travel after the 26th of Sept and apply for a 30 day extension

OR

you get a letter from a doctor/hospital stating you can't travel after the 26th of Sept and apply for an extension based on medical reasons

OR

you prepare to depart on or by the 26th of Sept.
Andy ********
@Tod ********
that is brilliant, I would of still be typing this time tomorrow. 😊
Todd *********
@T**
has a pretty fair assessment of the situation here
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