What is the process and experience of getting a COVID extension at Pattaya Immigration?

Mar 16, 2022
3 years ago
Steven ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
# Sharing my experience at Pattaya Immigration (COVID extension)

I just wanted to share a couple interesting things from my recent Pattaya (Chonburi) Immigration visits (last week and this week), to get my "Unable to travel due to COVID" extension:

* I originally came 4 days before my visa expiration date, but once they confirmed my documents were all together, they made me come back on the actual day of my visa expiration.

* When I came on the day of my visa expiration, they had a separate waiting area (over to the right side in the chairs, not in the standing line) for people like me who were assigned to come back on that day. If you can, sit near the front of the chair area, because they gave out numbers starting at the front.

* After I actually got inside and handed them my documents and 1,900 baht, then they told me to come back AGAIN the next day ("around 10am") to pick up my passport.

* So it took 3 days visiting the immigration office in order to finally get my extension.

* They gave me an "under consideration" period of 30 days for my COVID visa this time, which is longer than what I got last year in Chiang Mai (15 days).
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user shared their experience obtaining a COVID visa extension at Pattaya Immigration, detailing multiple visits due to procedural requirements. Initially, they were told to return on the visa expiration date, where they found a dedicated area for people returning for extensions. After submitting their documents and payment, they had to return the next day to collect their passport, receiving a 30-day 'under consideration' extension—longer than previous extensions in Chiang Mai. The comments suggest frustration with the process and highlight inconsistencies in treatment for those needing extensions.
Stefan ************
After 2 years still unable to travel? 🤔
Stefan ************
Someone who looses his job or gets divorced gets 7 days and that's it. Most of those people have a life here. Someone who 'is unable to travel' can get extension after extension. Not fair.
Jonathan *******
@Stefan ***********
I think we all know this particular extension has become a bit of a joke lol
Steven ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Yes but I think they are no longer giving those extensions after March 25th (last I heard)
Jonathan *******
@Steven *****
No one knows, they didn’t announce the last extension until a couple of days before hand last time. I don’t see why they would with everywhere open now and it becoming an endemic in Thailand from June
Stefan ************
Iliyan ***********
Do they also mess around with 30 day tourist extensions?
Steven ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Iliyan **********
Not sure, I got my 30-day extension at a different office (Chiang Mai), where I got it all done in 1 visit, a ~week before it was going to expire.
Peter ****
@Wai *****
we need to go 5 times total , per above 👆
Peter ****
After you submit all document and payment, you give them the passport, and you collect

The passport next day. When you collect the passport, the stamp is under consideration and need you to come back after 30 days ?
Steven ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Peter ***
Yes haha. In this case, I don't even need a 30 more days in the country, so I consider it done, for my purposes. But if I wanted the full 60-days more in the country, yes I'm supposed to come back after 30 days. (Keep in mind, I think they are stopping the COVID extensions on Mar 25th, last I heard.)
Jared **********
Second time I’ve heard about Pats immigration giving out 30 day under consideration stamps, and haven’t heard of anyone else doing this.

I wish after the last extension when they removed the other visa types from applying they got rid of the consideration stamp. I’m here on a TR so how am I supposed to travel around when 2 weeks or 30 days later I have to come back to the same office.

I’m grateful for the Covid extensions but it’s like watching a snake eat it’s tail around here.
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