Answered5 years ago

Why was my TM30 form removed and asked to return to Pattaya Immigration before my visa expiration?

Visa Extension COVID Extension TM30 Form Pattaya Immigration Visa Exemption Thailand Visa Rules

Alex ****

asked Mar 11, 2022

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I arrived on the 30 days visa exemption from Australia and already got my 30 days extension of stay, which expires on 23rd of March. I went to Pattaya Immigration today and tried to submit the paperwork for 60 days COVID extension. After thoroughly checking all my forms, one of the officers removed the TM30 form, gave me a small piece of paperwork and told me to come back on 22 of March. She also wrote on my form “22 March 8:30am” When I told her that my visa expires on 23 of March - she simply said “Don’t worry!” Does anyone know what is going on?

Answer summary

The user successfully submitted visa paperwork for a 60-day COVID extension at Pattaya Immigration but was instructed to return on March 22, just one day before their visa expires. The immigration officer removed their TM30 form and assured them not to worry. Community comments indicate that this procedure is typical and suggests it allows for the extension to start counting from the day of application, potentially saving days lost if applied earlier.

9 repliesnewest first

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James ********

Do exactly as instructed by the immigration officer at Jomtien.

That is the process used by Jomtien.

Jomtien normally prefers any extension of stay be done in the last week prior to stamp expiration date. In this case day before.

5 years ago

Alf ***********

They are doing you a favour.

Because the 60 days start counting when you apply.

This way you will not lose a lot of days

5 years ago

Bryan *******

@Alf **********

does this apply to all Visa extensions? So basically you want to apply maybe a week before your expiration date to not lose many days?

5 years ago

Alf ***********

@Bryan ******

, it applies when you change from one type of extension to another

5 years ago

Alf ***********

@Bryan ******

, 30 days (45 in some offices) and some may want you to come the last week.

You will not lose any days, because you are not changing extensions. You get your first one.

In other words it starts when your entry stamp expires.

5 years ago

Bryan *******

@Alf **********

so how early can you apply for an extension on a tourist Visa before the end of your initial 60 days? Do you lose days as you do when changing from one type of an extension to another? Thanks for the response!

5 years ago

Alex ****

@Alf **********

Nice!

5 years ago

Brandon ************

Pattaya loves making you come back at the last minute. But also they're doing you a little bit of a favor because your 60 day Covid extension will start from the day you apply, so you would lose all those days if you applied today.

5 years ago