What is the policy at Jomtien immigration office for applying for a COVID extension before the current one expires?

Thailand Visa Extension COVID Visa Extension Jomtien Immigration Office COVID-19 Impact on Visas Pattaya Immigration Visa Application Procedure Expat Guides in Thailand

September 14, 2021

3 years ago

Eric ************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Good morning all. So I had posted the following question in the 🇹🇭 Farangs Stranded Abroad Due to lockdown in Thailand group. I have since gone to immigration and gotten an answer and was asked to share my experience here as well. Hopefully some find it useful. 🙏🏼

The question was (copied):

A question for anyone that has done more than 1 60 day covid extension at the Pattaya/Jomtien immigration office. 

What is the Jomtien immigration office poilicy on how many days prior to your previous 60 day covid extension expiring to apply for another one? I’m hearing reports of 15 days prior all the way up to 45 days prior depending on branch office policies, but I can’t find anything specific to our local office.

My first covid extension expires 12 October, but I would like to apply for another before 27 September since we are unsure if they will renew covid extensions beyond that point. Thank you. 🙏🏼

I will share the answer in the first comment as I need to go copy it.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A user shared their experience applying for a second COVID extension at the Jomtien immigration office in Pattaya. They inquired about the timeframe for application before the expiration of their first 60-day COVID extension. After visiting the immigration office, they learned that while policies may vary, they were able to apply 30 days before expiration. The process involved being polite, prepared with necessary documents, and generally adhering to an expected timeframe of up to 45 days in advance, although it was noted that specific policies can vary by officer.

Tod *********

Jomtien has been 30 days or less left on your stamp for most extensions (and sometimes depending on the officer they sometimes tell you to come back when you have 2 weeks or less)

so while the O/P was successful in their extension endeavor don't take that as a policy change for Jomtien Immigration office 🙂

3 years ago

Eric ************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Ok everyone, I just finished at Jomtien immigration and I have some answers. Yes they “approved it” (under consideration stamp), but it didn’t feel standard. I’ll explain. So I went in right at 8:30 when they opened. The gentleman at the counter looked at my current visa extension stamp and said “it doesn’t expire until October 12”. I explained that bkk issued a message saying you could apply up to 45 days early. I also showed him the image below that I grabbed here or on Thai visa. He looked at it a brief moment then let me through. I’d say he seemed hesitant but ok with it. I was going to explain the current covid extension program might not be renewed but it never came to that. The rest of the process was fairly standard. Filled out the forms, made my copies, gave them all that plus my photo and they gave me a number. When my number was called I sat right down. No wait. They reviewed it quickly, I paid 1900 and was asked to have a seat. 5 minutes later they called me back up and showed me my under consideration stamp and asked me to return on 12 October my current expiration date for my new 60 day stamp. My advice is to go early, be super polite and have your documents in order. Hopefully this information is helpful and the fact that I did it means it’s less new for the next people that go and try. Again, at first he seemed hesitant, but after my brief explanation they were great as always. Good luck everyone! 🙏🏼🙇🏻‍♂️

3 years ago

Donnie *******

@Eric ***********

as I mentioned in the same forum you mentioned above, I am here on visa exempt, therefore I wonder if would be same scenario for me. I already extended, at jomtien immigration last week. Now my stamp expires October 11 so I will try at beginning of October to extend again, or maybe I need to do before September 27 so can get 60 instead of 30. Just my thoughts, congrats on getting yours taken care of 👍. PS I hope this comment isn’t taken as me jacking your post, that is not my intent !

3 years ago

Eric ************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Donnie ******

that is correct, your 30 day extension is continued from the end of your visa. Switching to 60 day covid extensions is basically like switching to a new visa for lack of better words. Just that first 60 day you can lose days. After that 60 days continue off of each other. That’s why I was saying I’d wait until probably the 24th (Friday) to go do it. The 27th is a Monday so it could be done that day too, but it’s pretty close to call imo.

3 years ago

Eric ************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Donnie ******

If you already did a 30 day extension, I don’t believe you can do another. I think you would require the 60 day covid extension at this point if I am reading this correctly? That being said, your first covid extension chops off whatever is left on your 30 day. Like a new start. If you already have a 60 day and go early, it just continues from the end of the one before it. If it were me in that position, I would go a few days before the 27th and try to get a 60 day. But you will loose roughly 2 weeks off of your 30 day. And there is no guarantee they will do it. I did my 30 to 60 day transition like 2 days early. But it can’t hurt to ask them. Good luck

3 years ago

Donnie *******

@Eric ***********

when I extended last time it was extended from my expiration date so I don’t think I would lose two weeks, I could be wrong though…. Who knows lol. Yes I think I will go a few days before 27 and try to get 60 and see what happens.

3 years ago

Eric ************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Donnie ******

Hopefully they will just announce another 60 day program extension just before you go. We are hearing reports otherwise, but things change here so fast that anything is possible. If they do then you can go like October 10th and not lose any days at all.

3 years ago

Donnie *******

@Eric ***********

well as we both know, this is Thailand and everything is a chance lol. Thanks again though I’ll keep you posted 👍

3 years ago

Reply to

Donnie *******

James ********

Thank you for your helpful report. Glad you were successful with your extension at Jomtien Pattaya immigration. 😷

3 years ago

Eric ************

ORIGINAL POSTER