What is the process for obtaining an emergency extension in Thailand?

Apr 2, 2020
5 years ago
Jc ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi, I went to the Nonthaburi Immigration on Monday, March 30, and wanted to share my experience incase it helps anyone. I am an American who arrived in Thailand Feb 4 on a tourist visa exempt stamp, got my first extension at the Nonthaburi Immigration office valid until April 3. You must line up outside and they will temperature check you and give you had sanitizer. People were not social distancing 😕 Once inside you go upstairs and there is tape on the floor for proper social distancing outside the main room. My paperwork was again checked by the first officer and I was given a number. I was there from about 9am-3pm. There were 10 people ahead of me when I got there. Documents required: 1. Passport copies: picture page and visa exempt stamps 2. Printed color copy of your US Embassy letter with your personal details (full name as it appears on your passport, DOB, and passport number) asking for an extension due to Covid-19 and the email where you asked for the emergency letter and the email they sent you with the pdf attached 3. Pictures of you and your Thai partner if you are staying at his/her house: outside the house with the house number visible, kitchen, living room, and bedroom 4. Filled out extension form (the first officer will give this to you) with one 4x6 pic (available onsite for 100 baht). 5. Copies of house book and Thai ID of your partner 6. A map of your house to the immigration office 7. Your partner has to fill out some forms in Thai asking basic stuff like job and age. Once I was called back to the office of the second officer, he checked my documents and made me sign each one. Then I had to fill out an additional form asking for permission to stay in Thailand and sign a paper stating I understood the rules and penalties of overstay. Next, he wanted to have a conversation with my Thai boyfriend in Thai. He wanted to make sure I did in fact have permission to stay at his house and was actually living there. My boyfriend had to provide copies of his house book and ID and sign them. He also had to some paperwork ensuring again that I was allowed to stay at his house, the house was his, my relationship to him, and his personal details. Then my boyfriend needed to draw a map of his house to the immigration office. The officer filled out some forms as well and then stamped my passport with the extension stamp for 16 days. He said I needed to come back on April 19 and then he would stamp it again for the full 30 day emergency extension. He had no additional information about new rules and overstay fines are still in effect. Paid 1900 baht for the emergency extension. Then I had to make 2 copies of the blue receipt and 1 copy of all the paperwork (50 baht and there facilities onsite). Gave the officers the copies, originals, and passport waited for them to process everything. I had my picture taken again and then waited some more. Then I was called up to get my passport and the officer reminded to me come back on April 19. This is a Sunday and she said to come in Monday April 20 and I wouldn’t get in trouble or have any fines. I don’t feel comfortable doing that, so I’m going in Friday, April 17. I hope this helps someone calm down/know what is required of them and the whole process of getting the emergency extension. Good luck everyone and stay safe.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A US citizen shared their detailed experience obtaining an emergency visa extension at the Nonthaburi Immigration Office. They had entered Thailand on a tourist visa exempt stamp and provided several required documents, including embassy letters, photos with their Thai partner, and forms filled out by both parties. The process included waiting in line, temperature checks, social distancing measures, and interaction with immigration officers. Despite the lengthy procedure, the individual received a temporary extension of 16 days and planned to return for a full 30-day extension. Various comments from the community highlighted other users' similar experiences and offered advice, emphasizing the importance of being well-prepared with documentation.
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Robert *******
Closing it down, sorry but nobody forced people to stay inside Thailand.

Complaining about making a copy is not a way forward,

Thanks
Morgan *********
Thanks for sharing. My husband and I are living in Nonthaburi, too. We’re both from the US, though. We already got our first extension stamp at the Nonthaburi office which is valid until the 16th. We’re going to have to take our embassy letters there for Covid-19 extensions soon. It looks like we should print some extra things out just in case... I really appreciate you sharing your experience!
Jamal *******
😱😱😱
Sean ********
Wow! All that for a few weeks of extension. Terrible ordeal.
Rob *******
What's the lesser of two evils, go through the process to stay a few more weeks or go home to the country of your passport? 🤷‍♂️
W **************
Jc West - Go back on the 20th. That is the common practice: the next business after the deadline. They won’t see you on the 17th!
Dorothy ************
Thank you so much
James ********
Thanks for your report 😉
James ********
She could EDIT her post with paragraphing.
Frank ***********
Next time please make use of paragraphing
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