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Answered5 years ago

What was the experience at Chiang Mai Immigration for extending a COVID visa?

Garrett ***********
asked Oct 14, 2021
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Chiang Mai Immigration:

- 60 day covid unable to travel extension

- I arrived 8:20am, left 10:05

So I went to Chiang Mai's immigration office today to extend my visa. For those that don't know, I've been living in Bangkok almost 4 years and just moved to Chiang Mai a couple weeks ago. This was my

first time at CM immigration. I'll start by saying I was surprised how friendly all of the immigration officers were. It's a relative contrast to the normally cold demeanor of Bangkoks IO's. There was also a foreigner volunteer working at the document check that was friendly and nice to see. He was much friendlier than the farang volunteer at the Phuket office who thought she was guarding Fort Knox’s.

While it was definitely organized, the document check process was absolutely 100% too long and unnecessary. Everyone that does any extension goes into the same que, and there's only ONE officer that checks the paperwork. That means the same single officer checks all the documents for tourist visas as he does for yearly extensions. I showed up at about 8:20, 10 minutes before they opened and got que ticket number 30, ended up leaving around 10:05. In Bangkok during normal non covid times, if I showed up at 7:30, I'd have que ticket number 250 (249 people ahead of me) but I'd be out between 45-60 minutes. I can only count 1 time I've been there past 9:30am.

The biggest issue I heard people having was with their bank book for yearly extensions. I saw 3 people turned away because their balance was dated yesterday, it needs to be dated the same day you are applying.

-In terms of the coivd extension, CM Immigration is back to the 2 week "under consideration stamp" that requires you to return in 2 weeks for your stamp. Why? Who knows, but I do know Phuket and Bangkok have dropped it.

-There were some talk online about when a covid extension starts, is it added to the end of your current stay or does it start from the date you apply for it. Chiang Mai, the first thing the Immigration Officer said when I got the window was

-this extension will start from today. Now this is my first covid extension, a subsequent extension may be different but I'm not sure.

-tm30's are also 100% required for all extensions. Again, something Phuket did not ask for in September when I did my 30 day extension.
Answer summary
The user shares their experience at the Chiang Mai Immigration office for extending their COVID visa. They highlight the friendly staff, contrasting it with their experiences in Bangkok. However, they express frustration over the lengthy document check process, mentioning that all extensions are processed by a single officer, causing delays. They note a key requirement of having a bank book dated on the day of application, which led to some applicants being turned away. The user indicates that the COVID extension process now requires a two-week wait for a decision and confirms that the extension starts from the date of application, rather than the end of the current visa. Additionally, TM30 forms are now mandatory for all extensions.
36 repliesnewest first
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Nicole ***********
Nicole ***********
Hello, did they ask for a letter from your embassy confirming you cannot go back?
Garrett ***********
Garrett ***********
OP
Mikael *********
Mikael *********
When visa expires at 21st nov, but if I do an 60 day covid extension on the 9th nov, will the 60 days start counting from 21st or from 9th?
Mikael *********
Mikael *********
Yes
Mikael *********
Mikael *********
Oh ok, thanks. It's the first covid extension, but already had 2 STV (90 days each) extensions, if that makes a difference.
Mikael *********
Mikael *********
Ok, will try anyways. Asked an officer at the immigration office a few weeks back and he said that it's ok, we can use covid extension on STV
Garrett ***********
Garrett ***********
OP
@Mik***
Which immigration office? Chiang Mai?
Garrett ***********
Garrett ***********
OP
@Mik***
That's a problem. You cannot transition to another visa or extension off of an STV. I've seen some people be able to get the covid extension from the STV, but you need to legitimately demonstrate your inability to travel.
Garrett ***********
Garrett ***********
OP
@Mik***
If it's your first 60 day covid extension, it will start from the day you apply. If your visa expires on the 21st, I'd wait until the 20th or so to apply for the extension.
Jim *****
Jim *****
What’s a bank book..???
Garrett ***********
Garrett ***********
OP
@J**
Open a Thai bank account, they'll give you one.
Mike ********
Mike ********
Opening up Pandora’s Box here, man. 😂 I will say the IO’s in CM are pretty genuinely friendly, positive, and actually want to see efforts pay off. Sorry the doc check is taking a bit. That’s some good feedback, tho.
Garrett ***********
Garrett ***********
OP
@Mi**
Not that anyone cares though, just like to share lol.
Klaus ***********
Klaus ***********
Welcome to the north - hope u got already an escape plan for the fire/smoke season January until May. Mae Hong son got also good immigration offices.
Nigel *********
Nigel *********
Great news folks. Phuket is now doing the 15 (or so) days under consideration thing again. Yayyyy
Stuart *********
Stuart *********
@Nigel *********************
I believe that’s it’s got something to do with Phuket not being able to “sign off” on these extensions without permission from the head office “Hat Yai” for the south. They have to send off the paperwork to them and get an approval. I could be wrong.
Brian ************
Brian ************
I went last month to renew my marriage extension and the volunteer checking the papers added 1 hour to my visit. Total pain in the Astra 😩
Garrett ***********
Garrett ***********
OP
@Br***
It actually looked to me like the volunteer was moving faster than the immigration officer.
Bruce *************
Bruce *************
Do you recall for how long they will issue covid extensions? I'm on exemption and my covid extension expires one month from today (Nov 15). Thanks.
Bruce *************
Bruce *************
Ah, just found another thread. Apparently until Nov 26.
Bruce *************
Bruce *************
I was thinking the same. Looks like I'm good for one more however.
Garrett ***********
Garrett ***********
OP
@Br***
Yepp, currently the last day to apply for it is Nov 26th. They've been extending it since they started it ththough. If Thailand does open November 1st, I doubt it will get extended again though.
Steven *******
Steven *******
Also, do you know the Full list needed? Thanks a million
Garrett ***********
Garrett ***********
OP
@Ste***
They have all the forums there. There are 3 pages of the application (application, overstay notice, and a covid reason/cannot travel forum), passport, copy of passport data page, entry stamp, TM6, TM30, 1 photo, 1900 baht.
Steven *******
Steven *******
@Garrett **********
Thinking what reasons people use... hmmm?
Steven *******
Steven *******
@Garrett **********
OK great, didn't know I could self register. Will they fine me because the hotel can't even register? Thanks Garrett
Garrett ***********
Garrett ***********
OP
@Ste***
No, you don't need insurance for an extension. You'll have to self register at immigration, there's a window to do tm30s.
Steven *******
Steven *******
@Garrett **********
Did you need medical/covid insurance? Also the TM30 system is down so my hotel cannot produce a print out, any suggestions? Thanks
Garrett ***********
Garrett ***********
OP
@Ste***
A few. Phuket, Bangkok, and chiang mai you can go for an extension up to 45 days before it expires. Most other offices is 30 days.
Steven *******
Steven *******
@Garrett **********
How many days in advance did you go before the expiration of your visa?
Steven *******
Steven *******
@Garrett **********
Thank you. First time applying for this one, was on a non-b before.
Garrett ***********
Garrett ***********
OP
@Ste***
It's just a paper, doesn't matter what you write on it. Just say you're afraid to travel.
Steven *******
Steven *******
Did you get your TM30 from the hotel printout?
Garrett ***********
Garrett ***********
OP
@Ste***
I'm in a condo, landlord did an in-person tm30 and gave me the receipt.
Steven *******
Steven *******
@Garrett **********
I am staying at a hotel, so they report the TM30 online through another system
Garrett ***********
Garrett ***********
OP
@Ste***
Yepp, just ask for a receipt. They can print one out for you.

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