What options does my friend have after being denied a COVID visa extension in Thailand?

Feb 3, 2022
3 years ago
Walter *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Asking for a friend.

My friend tried to apply covid visa extension again as he used to for 3-4 times now but just last week he was denied and told he need to go out of country and get back in on a tourist visa for him to be able to apply covid visa again.

Does anybody had the same experience? Any other option for him as his company is about to hire him back and process his working visa and work permit but this will happen in 3-4 weeks time hence the need for him to get another covid visa (2months)

Happened in phuket immigration if that helps.

Appreciate all advice!
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A user is inquiring about alternatives for a friend who was recently denied a COVID visa extension in Phuket, Thailand. The friend has previously been granted this extension multiple times but now must leave the country and apply for a tourist visa to re-enter in order to apply for another COVID extension. Comments suggest that the friend may have limited options, with suggestions of needing to secure a NON-O visa based on marriage or a Thai child, or simply re-entering Thailand after leaving.
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Tod *********
well doesn't really matter at all what his stamps were before he started getting covid extensions, the immigration office he deals with denied another one. SO what that means is he can stay until his current stamp runs out BUT he's gonna hafta leave/re-enter thailand (either get a tourist visa from a thai consulate in a nearby open country OR just come back visa exempt)

Not the ideal situation but people on covid extensions knew it wasn't gonna last forever .. ๐Ÿ˜•

Good luck to him. (y)
Bobby ********
Was his passport actually stamped "seven days to leave"?
Walter *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bobby *******
They were shown the photo above
Bobby ********
Walter David. I don't see a photo of his stamp, but I'd guess it's soon, so not enough time to organise the B-visa and work permit, so I think
@Tod ********
is right. It's time for a holiday out of the country!
Tod *********
@Walter ******
sounds a lot to me like your friend is done, he needs to fly out when this current stamp runs out and either get a tourist visa from a thai consulate in a nearby country or just come back in visa exempt
Walter *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Walter *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bobby *******
no. He was told verbally. No stamp whatsoever
Bobby ********
Walter David. So when does his current extension finish?
Ellie *******
If the immigration rejected his application, sadly, I'm afraid he has not many options but to leave. The only possible way to visa/extension is Non-O marriage to a Thai or raising half Thai child for him to be able to start working in such a short time.

There were reports the Covid extension was denied after multiple Covid extensions.
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