Answered7 years ago
What Should I Know About the Non-Immigrant B Multiple Entry Visa and Extensions in Thailand?
For anyone needing information regarding a Non-immigrant B multiple Entry Visa, I am posting to let you know what I found out at the Chiang Mai Immigration office. I have been advised that the rules change often and it is good to check back with this group. Thanks to Mike Gaudet (volunteer) for escorting me through the multiple immigration stations.
I am a US Citizen and have a Non-Immigrant Business multiple-entry Visa that is valid until September 22, 2020. However, I need to leave the country by April 9 for my 90 day Country exit requirement. I was trying to go to the immigration office to get a stamp that would allow me an additional 90 days on my Visa without leaving the Country.
Following is what I learned.
1. Thai Immigration in Chiang Mai will not give a stamp to extend the visa for 90 days. The only options available are to obtain a 30 day Covid 19 extension accompanied by a letter from your embassy OR to attempt to obtain a new 1 year Business Visa.
1. If you leave the country it is almost impossible to get back into Thailand without a work permit.
1. You can contact the US embassy at acsbkk@state.gov and give them full name on passport, DOB, and US passport number to obtain the Covid 19 Extension Letter.
1. It is not yet clear whether the 30 day Covid 19 extension will void my Business Visa. I will update once I file for my 30 day extension.
1. Obtaining a new Business Visa within Thailand is quite onerous and the Immigration office advises against it. I have attached the roughly translated list of required documents.
If someone has additional or contradictory information, I would love to hear from you.
I am a US Citizen and have a Non-Immigrant Business multiple-entry Visa that is valid until September 22, 2020. However, I need to leave the country by April 9 for my 90 day Country exit requirement. I was trying to go to the immigration office to get a stamp that would allow me an additional 90 days on my Visa without leaving the Country.
Following is what I learned.
1. Thai Immigration in Chiang Mai will not give a stamp to extend the visa for 90 days. The only options available are to obtain a 30 day Covid 19 extension accompanied by a letter from your embassy OR to attempt to obtain a new 1 year Business Visa.
1. If you leave the country it is almost impossible to get back into Thailand without a work permit.
1. You can contact the US embassy at acsbkk@state.gov and give them full name on passport, DOB, and US passport number to obtain the Covid 19 Extension Letter.
1. It is not yet clear whether the 30 day Covid 19 extension will void my Business Visa. I will update once I file for my 30 day extension.
1. Obtaining a new Business Visa within Thailand is quite onerous and the Immigration office advises against it. I have attached the roughly translated list of required documents.
If someone has additional or contradictory information, I would love to hear from you.
Answer summary
This Q&A discusses the challenges faced by a US citizen in extending their Non-Immigrant B multiple entry visa at the Chiang Mai Immigration office. The author shares that the visa cannot be extended for 90 days without leaving the country, offering alternatives like a 30-day Covid 19 extension or applying for a new Business Visa. Comments provide additional insights and experiences regarding the extension process and emphasize the importance of checking with local immigration offices regularly due to changing rules.
37 repliesnewest first
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Robert *******
Thanks for the update, john has a 30 day Extension of Stay.
John ********
OPOk, Stamp does not expire until the 9th, so I think I will go in on the 6th of April. Do you think that gives enough time? If it does not get approved, then do I need to either overstay or take next flight out of Thailand?
John ********
OPWell I went to Cm immigration today and was given a 30 day stamp and do not have to check back until May 7. Perhaps I was given 30 days because I have a non-imm B visa.
Ryan *******
@Tod ********
do such people do so at CW or MT? Tod *********
it'll get approved, because people on year-multi-Non-B visas have already gotten their "unable to travel due to covid-19" extensions. The 6th sounds good to go on
Tod *********
@John *******
there are reports that offices WILL give the unable to travel due to covid 19 extension to people on Non-immigrant type visas where you bounce out and back every 90 days.GO and apply, they should give you about 15-20 days and then you go back to get the rest of the time up to the 30 that extension allows
John ********
OPHas anyone had success getting chiang mai immigration to accept this letter?
John ********
OPI understand that based on previous comments, just wanted to make sure it was accepted by immigration. Tod, based on your previous discussion, you indicated that I could bounce out and come back still on my Non-imm B visa once things clear up. Robert says, I will now be under Tourist visa. Which is right?
Tod *********
yes, people have up there, BUT know you're NOT going to get a 90 day extension (like the 90 days you'd get when you border bounced) you'll get an extension UP TO no more than 30 days, (and reports are up there they're giving them for 15-20 days)
John ********
OPReceived temporary extension letter from US Embassy. In the second paragraph it states, .... US citizens who arrived in Thailand as tourists...". Following is the email exchange from Embassy.
Robert *******
That is correct. This Embassy letter is for Tourists
Ploy *******************
Addition that I’ve learned today, all the documents can’t be from online even you paid for e-registration, you still need to get the one with the stamp! 😭😭😭
Nicholas ********
Thank you....
Jason *********
Thank you for posting, John. I am in a near identical situation (American with Non-B) so I'm looking forward to any new updates you may find out.
Ryan *******
let me know how it goes please!
Jason *********
Thanks Tod. I just messaged the US embassy and requested the letter. Still learning about the situation. Just want to make sure it gets "accepted" by Thai immigration!
John ********
OP@Jason ********
I’ll give you update once I get letter and go back to embassyJohn ********
OPDoes anyone know if 30 day Covid 19 extension is 30 days from end of last visa or 30 days from date you were granted from the Thai immigration office?
Tod *********
The extension is actually an "under consideration stamp" and at most offices it takes effect the date you apply for it <- which is WHY they're telling people not to come too early (because you lose the days on your current stamp)
Adam *********
Following
Wannikea *********
In number 2 you state “almost” impossible, actually it is impossible.
John ********
OP@Wannikea ********
good catch.Tod *********
with a valid work permit and a fit-2-fly letter a foreigner CAN get into thailand right now
Tod *********
You were just wishfully thinking you'd get a 90 day in country stamp, that wasn't gonna happen :/
Your only options on that visa are bounce out AND try to get back if you can OR meet the requirements for a year extension if you can OR the emergency covid-19 extension. There are no other ones available.
Your only options on that visa are bounce out AND try to get back if you can OR meet the requirements for a year extension if you can OR the emergency covid-19 extension. There are no other ones available.
John ********
OP@Tod ********
thanks for info. That’s consistent with what I was told. Tod *********
Okay, as far as whether the emergency extension will void your visa it WILL NOT. I say that because thai immigrations do not have the right to void visas issued from thai consulates (because they were NOT issued by immigrations but by the ministry of foreign affairs) <- meaning IF the borders re-open and your year-long, multi-entry Non-B is still valid you can bounce out and back on it like you always could on it
Ryan *******
I read another report yesterday if someone successfully canceling their consulate issued visa at CW, per their request, and then receiving for the covid consideration.
John ********
OP@Tod ********
thanks for reply. That seems logical to me, but logic does not always apply.
La ***********
this is 1 year Non B application
John ********
OPyes. Read post. This is one of the options
Tod *********
I think they were given what is required to get a year extension even though they are just getting a covid-19 extension with the embassy letter
Tod *********
@Joe **********
, this guy seems to have gotten an unable to travel due to covid-19 of a year-multi-Non-B.. John ********
OP@Tod ********
so No problem getting letter, problem is Thai immigration will not accept because it mentions tourist or does not mention B visa. Right? Has anyone been successful getting us embassy writing a letter directed towards non-immigrant visa holders?
John ********
OP@Tod ********
is the problem getting letters from their embassy or Thai immigration accepting the letter?John ********
OP@Tod ********
I haven’t gotten it yet. Hopefully there is no problem when I get my letter from Us embassy and go back to immigration. Do you think there will be problem?Robert *******
As the list you show on the picture start with TM7 Application form, application for a temporary stay inside the Kingdom, this list is for an 1 year Extension of Stay based on working inside Thailand and that is the normal way and the way you should follow.
John ********
OP@Robert ******
This is the list is you want a new 1 year business visa.Activity
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