When should I apply for the 60-day COVID extension in Thailand and do I need a letter from the embassy?

Visa Rules COVID Visa Extension Thailand Immigration Visa Exempt Entry Embassy Requirements

Dec 29, 2021

3 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hello to all! I arrived in Thailand on November 13th and I got the free "visa on arrival". I then got the extra 30 days and I can stay in Thailand until January 12th. Then I want to apply for the 60 days covid extension. I would like to know if I have to apply for the extension before January 12 or if I have to go to the immigration office on the 12th to apply (on some websites, it says that the 60 days extension starts on the day of the application). Also, should I always hand in a letter from the embassy, as the information available online is not consistent about this too. 

Thanks in advance :)

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user arrived in Thailand on a visa exempt entry and wants to know the timeline for applying for a 60-day COVID extension before the current visa expires. The comments clarify that the COVID extension generally starts on the application date, suggesting to apply shortly before the current visa expires. Additionally, a letter from the embassy may be needed, depending on individual circumstances and whether the embassy provides one.

Reiner *********

Normally the immigration office will give you first a normal 3o days extension… and if the Covid extension will be possible after the 25.1 nobody knows

3 years ago

Ellie *******

@Reiner ********

, from current program announcement, the last day for Covid extension application is Jan 25.

Reiner *********

I changed it

Benjamin ******

Please don't listen to what "some offices say; the official announcement is what should be used, not what some immigration officer says.

Remember too, they aren't native English speakers, and they may say "20th" just to make things easier.

3 years ago

Reply to

Benjamin ******

James ********

3 years ago

Tod *********

there's no such thing as a 30 day free visa on arrival 😕 so if you showed up here without a visa in your passport and were stamped in for 30 days you came in on what's called a "visa exempt entry"

Be that as it may

They usually start the covid extension on the date you apply for it so wait and go a few days before your current stamp runs out. If your embassy issues the letter take it, if they don't, don't. Contact your embassy and see if they issue it. Also be prepared to be asked why you can't go back to your country AND possibly for a ticket showing you're leaving in the 60 days that they will give you for the covid extension.

3 years ago

Guillaume ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tod ********

Thanks for your answer! 🙂

3 years ago

Reply to

Guillaume ********

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