What are the recent changes to the Special Tourist Visa (STV) in Thailand after July 3rd, 2021?

Mar 18, 2021
4 years ago
Jim *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
So my understanding of the changes to the Special Tourist Visa (STV) is that the 2 extensions will remain possible for visa issued before 03 July; but any STV issued AFTER 03 July will only be good for 90 days.

Is that the way you guys are reading the changes?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Recent changes to the Special Tourist Visa (STV) in Thailand indicate that STVs issued before July 3rd, 2021, will still allow for two extensions, while those issued after this date will only be valid for 90 days without any possible extensions. Additionally, there is a consideration that the issuance of STVs may end after July 3rd, and the final extension option appears to align with a deadline of September 30th, 2021. This has led to some concerns about the effectiveness and timing of the STV amidst ongoing COVID-19 considerations.
Jared **********
The STV was a mostly failed visa type to try and deal with covid so while it makes sense as it being a temporary visa I feel there jumping the gun a bit in making this news official before quarantine or vaccination news....but this is thailand
Benjamin ******
That's my reading on it too. The STV is a visa that only very few people should get.
Olivier *********
Frédéric ******************
Every STV holder who is permitted to stay in Thailand any date up to 30 September can request an extension by going to the immigration office before or on 30 September.

People allowed to stay from 1st October onward, will not be eligible to request such an extension.

Therefore, every STV holder who enter Thailand from 3 July onward, will not be eligible for an extension of stay, because they will be allowed to stay at least up to 1 October (90 days) which is after 30 September.
Olivier *********
July refers to the people who will enter Thailand. September is for people who are already in Thailand.
Jim *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Olivier ********
that's the confusing information about Sept and july
Steve *******
I read it as last extention 3rd July. It sounds like the visa wont be issued after that date. When it was first issued Immigration said it would only be valid untill 30th September 2021.
David *******
I read it as if you ENTER on a STV after 3 July you get 90 days but no extension.

The bit about 30 September seems to suggest no new extensions after that regardless of when you enter.
Frédéric ******************
If your end of allowed stay is before or on 30 September, you can ask for an extension.

If your end of allowed stay is after 30 September (that will obviously be the case of people entering the kingdom from 3 July onward) no extension request accepted. Period.
David *******
@Frédéric ****************
That’s how I read the announcement as well.
Jim *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David ******
its worded so strangely I just can't tell. I was planning arriving in May and staying 9 months. I don't know if I can still do that now.
Frédéric ******************
@Jim ********
Arriving in May means that you can stay up to November, 6 months only.
David *******
@Jim ********
we probably won’t know until it come to that time. It looks to me as if no-one will be in the country on an STV extension after the end of December (90 days from 30 September)
Steve *******
@David ******
Last 90 day extention 3rd July. It was only ever valid untill 30th September 2021.
David *******
@Steve ******
but the last part of the announcement says people can apply for an extension up to 30 September. The language isn’t clear but it does indicate it’s possible to stay on an STV after that.
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