I saw an earlier post mention that the US Embassy is no longer giving Covid extension letters...? I'm sort of in between the two scenarios at the moment.
I'm US Passport here on a 60 day tourist visa. Before the covid Embassy Letters were even a thing, I went for my regular, one shot, 30 day extension, giving me until April 24th.
Then the Embassies started issuing letters. I got a letter to be prepared, but since I had just received my regular 30 day extension, and I had over 3 weeks until April 24th, I waited, as it seemed I should hold off on returning for my "Embassy letter extension" until a few days before my April 24th deadline.
...Then the "automatic extensions until April 30th" came into play....
Now, if the Embassies are no longer issuing letters, does that mean I can't even use my letter for an extension?
If I can still use the letter, then I'm still not quite sure what to do. I am worried that come May 1, if we don't all get a further extension, there will indeed be a mass stampede to Immigration for all of us on the "free" April 30th extension. (Hopefully immigration has considered this and will handle it differently. I'd like to think so.) If that's the case though, maybe I should go now with my Embassy letter?
I guess the most constructive questions for this mess of a post are:
(1) whether anyone has gone for an "Embassy letter" extension AFTER the "automatic extension until April 30th" came into play, and also
(2) whether anyone has tried to get an "Embassy letter" extension AFTER the "automatic April 30th extension" and ALSO after the Embassies stopped issuing letters.
I don't want to jump the gun and go now, and would rather stay home as intended by the automatic extension. But I also am concerned about waiting until after April 30th if the Embassy letters are going to be squashed by then (if all this rambling makes any sense.)
TLDR : Answer Summary
The US Embassy has stopped issuing Covid extension letters, leaving you uncertain about extending your stay in Thailand on a tourist visa. You are currently on a 60-day tourist visa that has been extended until April 30th due to Covid-19. Confusion arises on whether you should seek an extension with an embassy letter or if you're okay waiting until after this date. Given reports that immigration offices are advising against seeking these extensions and stressing the importance of planning your return, it seems best to focus on arranging your departure as flights are available.
