What is the process and experience of applying for a visa extension in Bangkok?

Dec 8, 2020
4 years ago
Marguyvin **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Bangkok MTT Trip Report

US, Visa Exempt.

Applied with Covid Affidavit(no embassy letter)

Previous extension would expire 30-Nov.

Applied for new extension on 26-Nov.

8-Dec Under Consideration.

Permitted until 29-Jan.

(60 days from 1-Dec, not from date of application) 🎉

Afternoon appt. Got into queue at 12:30.

(4th floor at the smaller building. No more tent at the old building)

Waited for them to finish lunch hour.

Door opened at1:15, I know...TIT. 😂

Waited 10 mins in 1st room.

Passport collected, and group moved to 2nd room.

Out by 2PM.

If you have an afternoon appointment tomorrow(9-Dec), and are near Silom, On Nut, Mo Chit, or Rangsit, you can hitch a free ride on the shuttles serving the Motor Expo this week. (It's a 15 min walk from the Impact Arena to the immi building)
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user shares their recent experience applying for a visa extension in Bangkok as a US citizen under visa exemption, noting a successful application made on 26-Nov that allowed them to stay until 29-Jan. They detail the process including the appointment timing and the transition between rooms at the immigration office. The community discusses related experiences, the inconsistency of visa durations, and how to access shuttle services related to the Motor Expo.
Tod *********
thanx for the update.
Thinley **********
Can you please explain how you catch the shuttle from onnut
Tod *********
@Thinley *********
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Paul *********
the motor expo is also worth checking out if you like cars & pretties
Jordan ************
I applied on 24th Nov, and only got till Jan 23rd. 😞 Wonder how that works.

The amazing inconsistency of Thai immigration
Matthew ********
You mean those of us applying without an embassy letter are more likely to get the stamp from the date of expiry?
Jordan ************
@Matthew *******
Yeah basically. I’ve noticed that people who apply with an embassy letter (normally those from other Asian countries, like me), do end up getting an extension starting from the date they went from the application. While, those who went without an embassy letter tend to get a stamp from the date of expiry. But experiences vary, and at this point its seem like a coin flip.
Marguyvin **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Matthew *******
don't really know. I just posted my own situation. If others do the same, you will have more data points that might indicate their decision algorithm.
Jordan ************
Entered on a tourist visa and requested covid extension based on embassy letter. But yeah, I’ve been seeing everyone in this group getting various results.
@MarGuyvin **
@Adam
Marguyvin **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jordan ***********
I applied without a letter. (Covid affidavit instead)
Jordan ************
@MarGuyvin **
I did notice that people with embassy letters end up with the same situation as me. (Like people from Vietnam, Philippines with embassy letters.). While people while applied without a letter got until Jan 29. So maybe thats the case.
Tod *********
@Jordan ***********
did you apply on the date your current stamp was running out? <- as in what was the expiration date of your previous stamp (the one you had when you showed up on the 24th and applied for the new 60 day extension)?
Jordan ************
@Tod ********
The expiration of my previous stamp was Nov 30th. (Same covid extension with an embassy letter). And I applied for a 60-day extension on Nov 24th. Tbf, they did tell me already tell me on the day I went to apply I’d only get until 23rd Jan. But just curious about the different experience from different people (and people of different nationalities.)
Tod *********
@Jordan ***********
so strange.. I can't work out why some people get 60 days from the date they applied and others get it from the date their stamp expires.

Sorry guys it's beyond my ability to discern.
Jordan ************
@Tod ********
I think its the case of applying with and without the “embassy letter”. Cause thats the only consistency I can find.
Marguyvin **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jordan ***********
I know what you mean. Others who have been to MTT have reported getting stamp dates beginning on date of application. I don't know what algorithm decides what stamp date one will receive. 😐
Adam ***
@Jordan ***********
visa exempt or tourist visa? Covid extension? Consulate letter?
Tod *********
Thanx for that update on the way people can get there using the Motor Expo shuttles :)
Tod *********
you must have had a current stamp in your passport that was expiring on Nov 30th then... Correct?
Marguyvin **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
Correct.
Tod *********
well the up side is
@MarG*****
that we know they're ADDING the new extension to the current expiration date not starting it when you applied :) Thanx :)
Marguyvin **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
Yes. I updated my post to reflect my previous expiry date. I don't know who decides from when to start counting the 60 days, but am grateful to have lucked out that someone did mine 'properly'. 🙂
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