Answered5 years ago
What should I do if my visa is about to expire and I am unable to apply for an extension due to Covid?
Hi, I came in on visa exempt on 18th and planned to apply for marriage visa.
However I was stuck with Covid and in home isolation and now on the last day of my visa.
Can anyone kindly advise what’s gonna happen and what I can do in this situation?
Thank you very much in advance
However I was stuck with Covid and in home isolation and now on the last day of my visa.
Can anyone kindly advise what’s gonna happen and what I can do in this situation?
Thank you very much in advance
Answer summary
The user entered Thailand on a visa exempt status and intended to apply for a marriage visa. However, due to a Covid-19 diagnosis and subsequent isolation, they are now facing the expiration of their visa. Community members suggest contacting the local immigration office immediately to discuss options, such as obtaining a medical certificate or PCR test documentation to apply for an extension. It is noted that without an extension application before the visa expiry, any overstay would prevent the individual from applying for an in-country Non-O visa, necessitating a border run to obtain the marriage visa.
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James ********
Commenting closed for now.
James ********
@Greg ******
please read ...thank you. I have sent you a pmRaimund *************
If on Visa Exempt, what about getting a regular extension first and sort out the marriage Visa then? The 30 days or 60 days family visit one? Even Covid-Extension?
Or is it Visa on Arrival?
Or is it Visa on Arrival?
James ********
@Raimund ************
visa exempt entry.Tod *********
Sadly for you
You also didn't go get a PCR test but went with a self test, AND decided to self isolate without going to the hospital
Without documentation from a health care provider you aren't gonna get a pass on the overstay, which means IF your stamp ran out on the 19th you're gonna start running on overstay if you don't go get an extension on it TOMORROW (if your stamp runs out on a day the immigration office is closed you are allowed to apply for an extension like normal the very next day they're open)
Unfortunately, IF you do go on overstay it means you cannot apply for an in country Non-O visa at an immigration office.
The rules state specifically that anyone who is on an overstay can't apply for in country visas 😕
Sorry you caught covid, BUT right now unless you're gonna send someone (with power of attorney and a letter from a hospital treating doctor) that you have covid and that they can get the extension on your behalf, you're gonna overstay, you're gonna not be able to get an in country Non-O visa and you're gonna hafta leave/come back and start all over with the "get the marriage visa plan"
@Peng ********
you needed a MINIMUM of 15 days left on your current stamp to apply for a 90 day Non-O visa at an immigration office and it sounds like you didn't have that when you first tested positive for covid. You also didn't go get a PCR test but went with a self test, AND decided to self isolate without going to the hospital
Without documentation from a health care provider you aren't gonna get a pass on the overstay, which means IF your stamp ran out on the 19th you're gonna start running on overstay if you don't go get an extension on it TOMORROW (if your stamp runs out on a day the immigration office is closed you are allowed to apply for an extension like normal the very next day they're open)
Unfortunately, IF you do go on overstay it means you cannot apply for an in country Non-O visa at an immigration office.
The rules state specifically that anyone who is on an overstay can't apply for in country visas 😕
Sorry you caught covid, BUT right now unless you're gonna send someone (with power of attorney and a letter from a hospital treating doctor) that you have covid and that they can get the extension on your behalf, you're gonna overstay, you're gonna not be able to get an in country Non-O visa and you're gonna hafta leave/come back and start all over with the "get the marriage visa plan"
Peng *********
OP@Tod ********
I can do to get PCR test or hospital verification that I am Covid positive and try to ask them to do extension on my behalf? I just got off the line w thai Covid hotline and they said ATK home test kit results are accepted by immigration 🤷🏻♂️ and I should call immigration on Monday.
I’m going to contact a hospital closest to me and see what’s their recommendation
Tod *********
@Peng ********
who ever you talked to are incorrect, and if you show up at immigrations AFTER your stamp expired (even with a letter from the treating hospital or doctor) you're gonna pay overstay. That's how it works, you need to arrange for the extension BEFORE you run out of time on your current stamp and start overstaying.As I said because your stamp ran out on a day the immigration office is closed IF you go Monday you could get an extension and NOT pay overstay fines (but you'll still get an overstay stamp in your passport) which means you will not be able to get a non-O visa issued inside the country and need to get it from the thai consulate in your country or a nearby country.
The covid hotline people are NOT immigration officers and while I hate to be the bearer of bad news what I outlined is how it has happened to many many many people who tested positive, isolated on their own, then showed up after their stamp expired.
Good luck with it
report back on how it goes
Peng *********
OP@Tod ********
How about @Raimund ************
’s suggestion below?If on Visa Exempt, what about getting a regular extension first and sort put the marriage Visa then? The 30 days or 60 days family visit one? Even Covid-Extension?
Or is it Visa on Arrival?
James ********
Read...
@Robert ******
wrote this guide for testing Covid positive:**************************************************************************
**********
*****
*****
*****
3/Peng *********
OP@James *******
weird I called 3 separate hospitals none seem to offer this service 🥲James ********
@Peng ********
FYI... @Tod ********
is indeed the EXPERT in Thai Visa Advice.Also he knows the Bangkok immigration offices BEST ...listen to his advice.
If I am correct .both you and your Thai wife entered Thailand together...with you entering visa exempt from Singapore
James ********
@Peng ********
see my pm sent to you in messengerJames ********
Contact by phone your local immigration office ASAP.
You should have called them when first diagnosed COVID.
You should have called them when first diagnosed COVID.
James ********
@Peng ********
the Thai medical side of this as you are now married to Thai.. is not my expertise. Possibly @Greg ******
Dr Donna @DrDonna *********
... @Jim ********
, @David ******
may be of help with advice.Peng *********
OP@James *******
not worried that much about the medical fees, more concerned about visa extension possibilityJames ********
@Peng ********
I note you were recently married in January. Was that in Singapore? If so has your marriage been registered in Thailand in the Amphur where you live?Peng *********
OP@James *******
I will! Thank you!James ********
@Peng ********
you are most welcomed.Take good care...and please report back the outcome of contact with Thai immigration.
James ********
Have your Thai wife call the Thai hospital nearest you...seek advice.
Request isolation at home.
Request isolation at home.
@Greg ******
can best advise too.James ********
Hopefully Thai immigration will ask her to scan email to them pic page of.your passport with pic of the entry stamp in your passport...and tell you to come see them in two weeks...no overstay fine. 🙏🙏🙏
Peng *********
OPJames ********
@Peng ********
important to contact Thai immigration Monday...by phone ...have your Thai wife talk to them. As you are positive with symptoms...its best she home isolate with you as she has been in close contact with you...COVID..incubation period is now as you just exhibited symptomsJames ********
@Peng ********
Peng Kee Ho must quarantine at least 10 days...When did / does your insurance expire?
Peng *********
OP@James *******
insurance expires 19th March 🥲James ********
@Peng ********
then if she is Thai and you are married... You may have little or no cost medical care as her husband. Ask her .Peng *********
OP@James *******
but she’s thai so she doesn’t have visa problemsJames ********
@Peng ********
and her stamp also expires as yours on March 17th ?Peng *********
OP@James *******
yes she’s been caring for me since we stay together.Oddly she’s still testing negative on the kits, we’re trying to take precautions tho
James ********
@Peng ********
OK...is she Thai ?Or from Singapore as you ?
And is with you now in your room ?
Which airline did you fly on to Thailand?
Peng *********
OP@James *******
I’ve been married to my wife over 1 year, she’s here with me in BangkokJames ********
@Peng ********
pardon meDamn !
You should have gone to the hospital when you tested positive on March 19...as you had symptoms
Its now 1:00am hour Sunday March 20th...
Still call the hospital in the morning
With your symptoms
And fever temperature...
Where is the man you will be marrying?
James ********
@Greg ******
she is in Bangkok...needing to get in touch with MTT immigration ASAP...Her arrival stamp expired this day March 17 th.
Self tested...isolated at home
Will be getting married soon.
Peng *********
OP@James *******
it expired 19th March, I arrived 18th FebPeng *********
OPJames ********
James ********
Peng *********
OP@James *******
on the 17th I tested positive. I still have symptoms now.Based on the other post u shared do you think I should go to hospital to see if they can do the extension on my behalf?
Peng *********
OP@James *******
thank you very much for the late night assist. Godbless Will be calling both hospital and immigration first thing in the morning.
My fever has subsided but I’m still coughing with sore throat, does this mean I don’t have to quarantine myself even though I’m still testing positive on ATK kits?
James ********
@Peng ********
you have symptoms...Call the hospital and ask advice.
I have tagged
@Greg ******
of the Bangkok Community Help Foundation in Bangkok. They have helped many expats with their options when testing positive.Here are the criteria for diagnosis of COVID read blue lines in center of page.
James ********
@Peng ********
will you be marrying a Thai ?Peng *********
OP@James *******
we are already married sir over 1 yearJames ********
@Peng ********
now what's important is to call Thai immigration ASAP...tell them you have COVID...And your stay expires ....on March ??
Did you see a doctor for COVID ?
Are you self isolating at home ?
Which immigration office do you use?
Peng *********
OP@James *******
I should be using cheang wattana. My stay expires on 19th March. I’m self isolating at home, haven’t seen a doctor yet.
Peng *********
OP@James *******
I haven’t used my 30days extension. I entered on 18th FebruaryJames ********
@Peng ********
then your immigration office is Mueng Thong Thani MTT in Bangkok. When did you enter Thailand?
Have you used your 30 day extension yet?
Peng *********
OP@James *******
I’m on tourist visa exempt. I tested at home with ATK kitJames ********
@Peng ********
how did you know you were COVID positive? Test by whom?Which visa if any are you now on ?
Your are on overstay...must contact immigration on Monday.
What day did you test positive?
Raymond *********
I would certainly call your local IO as a matter of urgency
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