This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.
What should I do if my visa is expiring and the borders are closed?
Mar 18, 2020
6 years ago
Hailey *********
ORIGINAL POSTERVisa Expiring on the 21st
Hey there, I had a flight to the US on Friday the 20th that got canceled. I booked bus tickets to the Mae Sai border for tomorrow the 19th.
I was just informed that the border just closed today. And that all borders are now closed. (Makes sense).
I really don’t know what to do at this point. It’s like I can’t go anywhere but I can’t stay here.
Hey there, I had a flight to the US on Friday the 20th that got canceled. I booked bus tickets to the Mae Sai border for tomorrow the 19th.
I was just informed that the border just closed today. And that all borders are now closed. (Makes sense).
I really don’t know what to do at this point. It’s like I can’t go anywhere but I can’t stay here.
TLDR : Answer Summary
A user expressed concern about their visa expiring on the 21st and their failed attempts to leave Thailand due to border closures amidst the COVID-19 situation. Various comments provided suggestions including applying for a 30-day extension from immigration, utilizing specific borders that are still open (like those to Laos and Myanmar), and obtaining express e-visas to facilitate border runs.
Pelle Eriksson★★★★★
Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...recently on Facebook
Luca G.★★★★★
I used this agency for my DTV Visa...recently on Google
Trusted Thai Visa Agent
OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED
#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND
Robert *******
I stop reading and just close it down.
Airports are open, again AIRPORT IN THAILAND ARE OPEN.
Stop spreading rumors and fake news stories.
NOBODY is stuck inside Thailand, NO country in the world would close the borders for their own citizens.
Behave yourselves and stop panicking.
Airports are open, again AIRPORT IN THAILAND ARE OPEN.
Stop spreading rumors and fake news stories.
NOBODY is stuck inside Thailand, NO country in the world would close the borders for their own citizens.
Behave yourselves and stop panicking.
Jean *************
“Visa Expiring on the 20th.....I had a flight to the US on Friday the 19th...I booked bus tickets to the Mae Sai border for tomorrow the 18th “
Friday is the 20th and tommorrow is the 19th by the way,
Friday is the 20th and tommorrow is the 19th by the way,
Hailey *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jean ************
yes haha I realized my dates were mixed up 😅 the DAYS are correct tho lolReply to
Hailey *********
Reply
Yeni *******
I’m literally in Myanmar right now doing a visa run via Ranong. Still good and no Evisa asked. Heading back to Thailand via boat in a few minutes
Yeni *******
@Tod ********
no visa required Benjamin ******
Thank you VERY much for the update :)
Tod *********
THANK YOU for the update.
Reply to
Tod *********
Reply
Hailey *********
ORIGINAL POSTERDo I need a medical certificate to come back into Thailand from Myanmar if I do the e visa express and go tomorrow?
Benjamin ******
Which border?
Reply to
Benjamin ******
Reply
Matt *******
This is the Surin office saying “The border is open as usual”
They posted this on their website yesterday.
They posted this on their website yesterday.
Benjamin ******
Surin is pretty far away from Mae Sai, but it is good that border's still open.
Reply to
Benjamin ******
Reply
Michael **********
I just made border run to myanmar with an agency. Swiss Passport. But in the group where some us passholder too. No problem to do the run.
Tod *********
AND what border with Myanmar did you bounce out and back in at? IF I was guessing I'd say you bounced at the Phu Nam Ron border with Myanmar in Kanchanaburi Province OR down south by water in Ranong..
Hailey *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Michael *********
awesome! Reply to
Hailey *********
Reply
Bobby ****
Apply for the express Myanmar evisa and you’ll be okay to cross mae sai. It says within 24hrs. So you should get it before they close tomorrow. The border is not closed, you just need a visa.
Hailey *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Bobby ***
great!! I didn’t know there was an express one!! Reply to
Hailey *********
Reply
James **********
If you're in BKK just jump on a VISA van to Maynamar border. Cost you 2k & they have you there & back in 6 to 8 hours
Benjamin ******
If he's doing Mai Sai, he's probably in Chang Mai.
Reply to
Benjamin ******
Reply
Tod *********
Okay ALL borders are NOT closed so how about you ease up on the unsubstantiated rumors.
You can bounce out and in at the Mae Sai - Tachiliek border with Myanmar IF you have a visa to Myanmar (which you can get online) OR you can bounce out and in at the borders wtih lao (the closest to Chiang Mai is up in Chiang Rai province at Chiang Khlong.
You can bounce out and in at the Mae Sai - Tachiliek border with Myanmar IF you have a visa to Myanmar (which you can get online) OR you can bounce out and in at the borders wtih lao (the closest to Chiang Mai is up in Chiang Rai province at Chiang Khlong.
Hailey *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Tod ********
okay, sorry. I didn’t know about these borders still being open. Also I didn’t know there was an express e visa. This is why I posted in this group to gain information.Reply to
Hailey *********
Reply
Benjamin ******
>And that all borders are now closed. (Makes sense).
All borders are *NOT* closed. Use the Laos border for example.
All borders are *NOT* closed. Use the Laos border for example.
Wanida *****
Apply for an express e-visa for Myanmar. 56 USD. Get on the bus tomorrow to do your border run
Hailey *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Wanida ****
the visa takes at least 3 days to getReply to
Hailey *********
Reply
David **********
Ranong or Nong Khai I think
Mike *************
Not all borders are closed, right? Laos and Cambodia still have bounce back options?
Ryan *******
I read today that if you could prove that u hadn't been to any of the Closed countries in the last 14 days then u are ok
Gavin ********
Thank you 👍
Gavin ********
Hailey. Please send a source to say cambodia border is closed
Mike *************
Are you positive? We just got a call from a friend who works at the Loas border and said it's still open
Hailey *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Mike ************
and Cambodia closed it’s borders.Hailey *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Mike ************
I’ve heard from MANY people who have gone to Laos, they weren’t back into Thailand.Reply to
Hailey *********
Reply
Wendy ********
Immigration announced they are giving extra 30 day extensions to people who can't leave. They need a letter from their embassy etc
Chris *******
I went to the french embassy this morning, they never heard about and didn't provide me any letter.
Nina **********
Maybe they can email you the letter ?
Hailey *********
ORIGINAL POSTERI wouldn’t qualify. Because by the time I get an appointment with the US embassy I would be overstaying my visa.
Reply to
Hailey *********
Reply
113 comments
3 years ago
16 comments
4 years ago
What should I do if my visa extension in Thailand expires but my flight is after the extension date?
6 comments
4 years ago
5 comments
4 years ago
5 comments
4 years ago
17 comments
5 years ago
10 comments
6 years ago
2 comments
6 years ago
8 comments
6 years ago
9 comments
6 years ago
2 comments
6 years ago
5 comments
6 years ago
10 comments
6 years ago
8 comments
6 years ago
11 comments
6 years ago
4 comments
6 years ago
6 comments
6 years ago
33 comments
6 years ago
18 comments
6 years ago
34 comments
6 years ago
12 comments
6 years ago
10 comments
6 years ago
18 comments
6 years ago
14 comments
6 years ago
7 comments
6 years ago
7 comments
a month ago
9 comments
a month ago
21 comments
a month ago
16 comments
a month ago
8 comments
a month ago
The ask:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.