What is the current process for obtaining a COVID-19 exceptional visa extension in Thailand?

Jan 10, 2021
4 years ago
What is the current status of being grated an exceptional visa extension based on COVID-19. I hear a lot of rumors that people can still remain in the country (again and again) beyond their initial visa period for another 60 days at 1,900 or 2,000 baht, claiming they cannot or do not want to go home due to the COVID-19 situation. Only, I cannot find any official information on that. Any links highly appreciated. Thank you.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
As of now, you can still apply for a COVID-19 exceptional visa extension in Thailand until January 29th. The extension grants an additional 60 days of stay for a fee of approximately 1,900 baht. It’s crucial to apply before this deadline. Current processes may involve a two-step application leading to a consideration stamp before finalizing the extension. Details on future policies post-January 29th are yet to be disclosed.
Chulala **********
You can extend for now, No new policy has been released on this
Gregg *************
I’m

So glad I’m not planning a trip to thailand this year!!! Wow !!! What a huge hassle !!!
Tod *********
At this time
@Frank-******
the rule that covers covid extensions is in place until the 29th of Jan. SO as long as you go apply for the extension BEFORE that date you should be able to get a 14 day under consideration stamp (if the office you use does the two step process) and then go back and get the 60 day extension inked in after that.

That you can't find anything about it doesn't mean it's not in effect.

How about stating the immigration office you use, what type of stamp you're on and when it expires?
Tod *********
@Frank-Steven **********
AND the immigration office MIGHT make you take the 30 day 'regular' extension that you can get from a tourist visa rather than hand out the 60 day covid extension. That's something you need to talk to them about. Some people who came back on tourist visas had the 60 day covid extension inked in no problem others were told they had to get the 30 day extension, it's a crap shoot.
Frank-Steven ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
Regarding the process of that 60-day COVID-19 extension: Would I just fill out the regular TM.7 (Extension of Temporary Stay in The Kingdom) and fill in under "I wish to apply for another period of" 60 days and under "reasons for extension": COVID-19? Or is there another / special / unofficial / secret form?
Tod *********
@Frank-Steven **********
they hand you a special form that you check boxes on why you want the covid extension and you fill out a TM7 too

Just go and apply before the 29th of Jan (when the order allowing 60 day covid extensions runs out)
Frank-Steven ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
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Tod *********
@Frank-******
yeah that's not the form either. :/

Here's a thought how about you just pick it up like everyone else when you go to the immigration office?
Frank-Steven ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
Sure. Asking about 150k foreigners in the country to each come in individually, to queue up (standing closely) in order to each ask the same questions and for the same forms individually, to then make them fill those forms out in a congested space, touching the same papers and pencils and what not is one way to do things. It is a shit way – not only in COVID times, but especially so right now. So here is another thought: How about making the information (including underlying regulations and required documents) and forms available upfront, so people could show up with all their ducks in a row, quickly hand in their shit and then frack off? Then again, sometimes the simple solutions seem the hardest to achieve. But maybe I should not complain I guess there is a reason why they like to hire me as an expert in digital innovation with open arms … because this topic leaves so much to be desired around here. And as to why each office of the same organization does things differently and each making use of different, individual forms … let’s not even get started on that. Great day, everybody. If I get a hand on the correct form in question, I might just make a copy available to upload … in case anybody else would be interested in showing up at immigration prepared.
Steve *******
@Frank-Steven **********
They dont all go at the same time to the same Immigration office.
Frank-Steven ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
This "spcial form"? I like to show up prepared with all forms pre-filled. ... If I can.
Tod *********
@Frank-******
That's not the one I have that's used in bangkok, so post on a chiang mai group and ask if anyone has a copy of it.
Tod *********
Just so you're clear
@Frank-******
in Chiang Mai you need a minimum of 21 days left on your current stamp to apply for an in country 90 day Non-B visa because it goes under consideration for 3 weeks.
Frank-Steven ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
I am in Chiang Mai. On a TR Tourist Visa, which initial 60 day stamp will expire on 24 January 2021.
Tod *********
@Frank-Steven **********
In Chiang Mai they allow you to apply for a new extension when you have 45 days or less left on your current stamp

SO in reality you could have left ASQ and went right to the immigration office to apply for either a 60 day covid extension OR the 30 day 'regular' extension that you can get from a tourist visa. Extensions are 1900baht and added to the expiration date you have now so there's no reason to wait until this current stamp is running out.

Also Chiang Mai doesn't do that "two stamp process" and they issue the 60 day covid extension right on the spot. Go to the immigration office near the Airport.
Frank-Steven ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
So I basically remain with two choices: 1) Extend my tourist visa for 60 days right on the spot @1,900 baht or 2) Swap to a new NON-B visa (based on job offer) and get 90 days @2,000 baht. Hmmmm.
Frank-Steven ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Lukas Hofer It is the "full stack". However, dependent on who your employer is, that stack could be bigger or smaller. For me, that stack is only one invitation letter and one form copy - as the employer would be a renown university. Would you be wanting to work for a regular / smaller company, the list can get very long, including pictures of building, work space and water bills. Crazy bureaucracy, really.
Frank-Steven ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
Thank you. That 60 days right on the spot (without "under consideration" and without the need to buy 30 days regular extension at the same price first) part makes me actually consider that route.
Eric ***************
I’m on my second 1,900 COVID extension about to apply for my third one end of January due to not ideal to fly to my home country or travel anywhere right now.
Ryan ********
@Eric **************
when you apply do you need anything to prove your address? TM30 receipt?

I am going tomorrow morning to extend my tourist visa, but my husband's landlord has yet to update the TM30. so i'm afraid i'll be making a trip out there for nothing.
Eric ***************
@Ryan *******
I did have to turn in the TM30 this last time, but not sure how strict it is or not if you have it. Wish I had an answer on that.
Ryan ********
@Eric **************
ended up not needing the TM30. Didn’t even ask about it
Rafaella ********
@Ryan *******
where was it? I am going tomorrow to extend mine
Ryan ********
@Rafaella *******
Muang Thong Thani Immigration - Counter K

Unnamed Road, Pak Kret District, Nonthaburi
*****
, Thaïlande

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Stuart *********
@Ryan *******
in most offices around the country you’ll need proof of registering your TM30.
Ryan ********
@Stu***
darn. Maybe not worth making the trip if I don’t have the TM30 done.
Stuart *********
Up until January 29th you can apply for an extension of stay based on Covid. After that date no one yet knows what will happen. The extension is for 60 days at a cost of 1,900 baht.
Frank-Steven ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
Thanks. And as I said ... I read comments like that a lot. But for the love of god, I cannot find any (at least semi-) official information on that.
Todd *********
@Frank-Steven **********
who cares man? Get it done and get on with your life. Enjoy your time
Frank-Steven ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Todd ********
Sure. Makes total sense if all 150,000 foreigners in the country go to immigration and ask individually. Sure. Posing information on some website would be too obvious I guess. People enjoy in different ways, I guess ;-)
Todd *********
@Frank-Steven **********
Ahh, you haven't been reading anything about this for the last 3 months. You don't need to ask. You just need to go to immigration as any of 500 posts on here indicate, drop off your 1900 baht and go enjoy. There is not an instruction manual for everything in life. But i can now clearly see why some need it.
Frank-Steven ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Todd ********
You are right about one thing: I stopped following all those posts here during the past couple of weeks / months. In fact I almost completely stopped social media altogether, ever since I was able to return to Thailand. Just enjoying my life in Thailand - as per your suggestion. And this is exactly the point I was trying to make: I is a pity, that one needs to follows hundreds of individual posts (of rumors) instead of having an official / single source of truth (commonly knows as a government website). But whatever. Have a Leo 🍺. Cheers.
Stuart *********
@Frank-Steven **********
a quick google search resulted in this unofficial translation of the order.
Frank-Steven ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
Thank you. This document slipped my attention. Although, it also does not appear to be all too current. Call me naive, maybe because I have not spend years in this country, yet - only about 6 months ... but I keep dreaming about going to the most obvious website
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and find information about how to extend visa in times of COVID-19. But I guess that would be too easy ;-) Thank you, as always, for your help and advise.
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