What Should You Know About Extending Your Thai Visa During COVID-19 Restrictions?

Question

We (me and hubby) arrived in Thailand in March, on visa exempt and have had one 30 day extension. Yesterday we went to Chiang Mai Immigration at Promenada. Here's what happened. We were applying for the 30 day extension with our NZ Embassy letter. This is because NZ have put restrictions on flights. Firstly, we were told we should wait until mid September, to see if there's another Govt announcement.  The staff were helpful, but then said that our Embassy letter should have been dated after 23rd July. Unfortunately our letter was dated 16th July, we were being proactive when the announcement first came out.  The nice lady there also said that if we can show them a flight booking for October they will grant us our extension. But at the same time telling us that Head Office have to make the decision.  So, the moral of this story is, your Embassy letter is NOT a guarantee to getting an extension.

Ask Thailand · Answer

The user, along with their spouse, shared their experience applying for a 30-day visa extension at Chiang Mai Immigration. They had a letter from the New Zealand Embassy citing flight restrictions, but were informed that the letter needed to be dated after July 23rd, and they would need to show a flight booking for October to be granted the extension. It was emphasized that having the embassy letter did not guarantee an extension; final decisions were to be made by the Head Office. Several comments provided tips and insights on dealing with similar situations, including the possibility of getting a new letter from the embassy and the challenges of securing flights back home.

Robert ******* · Answer

And we all read different things, or combine a few words from different lines to let the outcome be what the reader prefers,

The bottom line: You came in March for a 30 day visit, you could not find a flight back home in April, May, June, July and August, You think you can not find a flight back home before 26 Sep and have doubts if possible during the 30 day Extension until 25 Aug.

I advice to put energy in plan B, if your wish is not granted, you have to leave before 26 September, Good luck.

Molly ******* · Answer

How did you get in contact with the embassy? What email address?

Ben ****** · Answer

try to go to another immigration office, I am sure you will be told another thing & maybe ur extension will be processed.

Alex ********* · Answer

Thanks for details. This is a great example how they handle each such extension.

Mark ******** · Answer

There was mention from various embassies that they would not give letters due to repatriation flights being available.. couple or 3 weeks ago. There has been no restriction of flights out of Thailand being the reason apparently

Tod ********* · Answer

Unfortunately on the 16th of July you had NO idea that there would be an extension of the current amnesty so getting an embassy letter dated BEFORE the new amnesty came into effect was not the best course of action :O :/

Good Luck with it.

At least your embassy WILL issue a letter so you're in better shape than people from countries whose consulates will not. I'd say get a NEW letter closer to this amnesty running out and go apply for the 30 day unable to travel due to covid-19 extension for 1900baht.

Robert ******* · Answer

Thanks for this update. I can understand as Immigration is working at the airport, that the information about flights is known,

7 months no flights to New Zealand, that is a long time.

What Should You Know About Extending Your Thai Visa During COVID-19 Restrictions?

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