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Why was my visa extension denied at Koh Phangan Immigration, and what options do I have now?
Visa ExtensionKoh Phangan ImmigrationVisa Rules ThailandImmigration AdviceVisa ServicesBorder RunsVisa Status Issue
Dec 24, 2024
a year ago
Patrick ********
ORIGINAL POSTERVisa Extension denied at Koh Phangan Immigration.
UPDATE
We went to samui immigration and got the extension in 10 minutes.
We stayed in Thailand from late October 2023 to mid-April 2024, based on visa exemptions, extensions and two border runs during this period. We re-entered Thailand on November 8th, 2024 at BKK Airport, we were questioned and asked for a return ticket. We showed a return ticket for 60 days later. They further told us that we did a visa run with stamping out and in on same day earlier this year and that we should not do this again. (We did this with a service.) Eventually we got stamped in until January 6th. Now, in Koh Phangan, immigration is refusing to extend our visa due to a remark in the immigration system about the return ticket and that we have acknowledged the visa run. They say we must leave. Has anyone else faced this? Can we try Samui or another immigration office? Any advice appreciated.
UPDATE
We went to samui immigration and got the extension in 10 minutes.
We stayed in Thailand from late October 2023 to mid-April 2024, based on visa exemptions, extensions and two border runs during this period. We re-entered Thailand on November 8th, 2024 at BKK Airport, we were questioned and asked for a return ticket. We showed a return ticket for 60 days later. They further told us that we did a visa run with stamping out and in on same day earlier this year and that we should not do this again. (We did this with a service.) Eventually we got stamped in until January 6th. Now, in Koh Phangan, immigration is refusing to extend our visa due to a remark in the immigration system about the return ticket and that we have acknowledged the visa run. They say we must leave. Has anyone else faced this? Can we try Samui or another immigration office? Any advice appreciated.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user reported a visa extension denial at Koh Phangan Immigration due to their previous visa runs and issues relating to their return ticket. Despite this, they successfully obtained an extension at Samui Immigration. Community members offered various pieces of advice, suggesting proper visa options and warning against relying on visa exemptions or extensions without proper documentation. There were also comments about being flagged in the immigration system and the implications of such a status.
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Patrick ********
ORIGINAL POSTERUPDATE
We went to samui immigration and got the extension in 10 minutes.
We went to samui immigration and got the extension in 10 minutes.
Frozan *******
@Mezhgan ******
Glad you are getting the DTVAnthony ******************
Leave and come back in the new year, The calendar resets on Jan 1 I was told there is a limit of two extensions per year.
Xjwhudkwhry ********
They TOLD you not to do it again, and yet, here you are, trying to cheat the system.Koh Phangan got enough new hippies coming in every day, they don't need you there, at least you could try to respect them and do as told...
Lisa ********************
If your face doesn't fit, you'll have to leave
Braulio *********
Plan to leave
Михайло ********
Get back to visa agent, 8000 thb abd you will cross the border with 0 questions
Bart **************
They are doing what they're supposed to. And what you are supposed to do: go home. What do you think gives you the privilege to stay long term in Thailand on exemptions and extensions?
All immigrations offices should refuse the extension in this circumstance.
All immigrations offices should refuse the extension in this circumstance.
Rene ******
@Bart *************
6 months in, 6 months out wasn't a problem until now...Reply to
Rene ******
Reply
Mark **********
Should’ve have had a METV to stay that long, then it wouldn’t be questioned.
Etincelle **********
@Mark *********
Tbf you'd still be cheating and face the same outcome - it is a tourist visa, not a visa to live in the country which OP is using it for.Mark **********
@Etincelle *********
not true, I just did it for 9 months. It is specifically made for entering Thailand for a 6 month period as much as you want, last entry lasting 90 days. We were praised at the border every time for having the proper visa. 🤣💯We were literally still tourists traveling the country deciding if wanting to live here long term. It was exactly the right visa for the situation.
Etincelle **********
Just wait and see mate.
Mark **********
@Etincelle *********
Already did mate. Travelled in and out from January 12 to mid August on a METV and was told by immigration that I had the "correct tourist visa". 🤣 Then I got my long term visa and haven't left yet. I would only have had trouble if I were abusing the visa exempt entry or doing something wrong. You can't just keep getting METV over and over by the way lol. I wasn't, we were tourist till we decided to stay in June. Two months later we were all set on a long term visa. 🤷♂️ It pays off to do your research because i knew I was coming on an extended trip.Reply to
Mark **********
Reply
Robert *********
Maybe take the hint.
Pertti *************
So what visa you have what you try to extend? Maybe re checking your visa status to legit and talk more then when you have non immigrant o visa or something else than tourist stamps what was your attempt to live here more than 90 day in year🙏 Advising you to apply visa and do not try bend law for you here👌
Nongnuch ********
@Pertti ************
he did never have any visa during the past 15 months. He always used the visa-exempt entry and the extensions of these. Enough is enough at some pointPertti *************
@Nongnuch *******
he will learn and can wait real visa little while🙏🇹🇭❤Reply to
Pertti *************
Reply
Phil ******
@Patrick *******
you've been finally caught out so its time to leave or get a proper visa. Bad luck.Pete ********
Student visa or dtv use an agent can be sorted in a week with out leaving the country
Nongnuch ********
@Pete *******
no way, you have to be physically inside the country, in which you need to apply for the DTV in the e-visa system that is processed by this country's Thai Embassy. You cannot get a DTV processed when you still are inside ThailandPete ********
@Nongnuch *******
you *****
% can You can apply for dtv whilst you’re still in Thailand and once accepted just bounce in and out …… loads of agents offering this service …. Did it myself
Reply to
Pete ********
Reply
Muchlis ********
If you want to stay for long, why you not try to apply for proper visa instead.
Once you got rejected, unlikely you will get the same answer anywhere else.
Once you got rejected, unlikely you will get the same answer anywhere else.
Mike **********
You might as well get a corrupt stamp now for a visa until you leave the country. Then renew passport before your next entry and stay away from visa runs.
Alessandro **********
@Mike *********
renewing passport won't help and people should stop exploiting the system with visa exempts and border runs.Nongnuch ********
@Mike *********
using a new passport doesn't cut any ice. His "flagged" name will appear on the Immigration#s Central Computer at every border he wants to crossJim ********
@Mike *********
Yes that should fix it, as well as plastic surgery to alter his biometrics, and somehow get those fingerprints changed, but I guess that's easier than just getting a proper visa 😆😆😆Graham ******
@Mike *********
and his fingerprints?Reply to
Graham ******
Reply
John **********
They seem to be holding you to what you told immigration. Seems reasonable to be honest.
Myles *******
So you showed immigration a return ticket(maybe fake or temp one) and you didn't think they would note it in the system? You then didn't leave on that date and expect an extension. You are trying to scam the system and they have caught up with you thankfully. Get a proper visa or like they said get out!
David ***********
@Myles ******
that is a good point about fake ticketsMyles *******
@David **********
tbh doesnt matter if fake or not the fact that IO asked as have rarely heard this. Usually its the airline!Reply to
Myles *******
Reply
Kevan ***********
Best agent to use in pattaya. Any help will be good information. In advance thanks for ant help.
Jim ********
You're trying to live in Thailand on free entry stamps - that's not actually what they're designed for. They're designed to save short term tourists the hassle of getting visas. If you want to live in Thailand, why don't just get a proper visa? Leave the country, go to a neighbouring country and apply for DTV, then you'll have no more hassles
Gian *******
Once you use the agency 2 times, you're going to be forever attached to it because every officer will see the 'same day' stamps, they will not be ok about it, so contact the agency and keep doing the border runs with them
Nongnuch ********
@Gian ******
in the current situation, even a border run using this agent won't be of any use. He got flagged in the Immigration's Central Computer System, and this means even an agent cannot make it dissapearReply to
Nongnuch ********
Reply
Gregor **********
you got "flagged" in the central computer system of Immigration, which means if you try a border run after January 6, it will pop up on the computer of every border officer, and you need to have a "plan B" ready in case you will get refused entry. . . Sorry for the bad news but it is what it is. Don't try to extend stays in Thailand solely based on visa-exempt entries and their extensions. Get a proper visa that fits your purpose, like a multi entry tourist visa or a DTV based on "Soft Power"
Paul ***********
Better book your tickets then...
Max ********
Is this because you'll be over 180days in 2024 if you get extension after 60days this trip?
Bart **************
@Max *******
that limit isn't set in stone, but indeed it is because the OP is staying too long in tourism-purposed allowances.Brandon ************
@Max *******
there is no 180 day rule so it's irrelevantMax ********
@Brandon ***********
oh OK I misunderstood a visa comment I was given recently......goes to show lots of info out there by people.........if no 180day rule as I was told why would immigration say no as that would help poster and possibly me also? Please comment helpand i apologise for my irrelivant misunderstanding 🙏John *******
@Max *******
As soon as an Immigration Officer believes you are trying to live here (not on vacation), is when you start having problems. Someone had issue with a one day turnaround at the border and marked it in the system as an issue. At this stage it is going to be harder but would suggest applying for an actual visa at the Thai embassy in a neighboring country and not continued use of exemptionsMax ********
@John ******
I'm always interested in how the system works. Against advice of friends I've always landed last 4 times on 60day E visa through Thai Embassy in London. I've never used agents for my Thai Visa or my girlfriends UK visa as tourists but looking at a longer solution in Thailand 🇹🇭 soon.John *******
@Max *******
The system is a tad fickle. However, it sounds like more issues happen with those on exemptions versus those on an actual visa. The issues individuals have with their exemptions are when the IO suspects you are living in Thailand. Some flags for them can be 1-day border hopping, length of stay adding up, etc. unfortunately, it sounds like this OPer ended up being called out for a visa run and now it is marked in the systemReply to
John *******
Reply
Patrick ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Max *******
we are not over 180 days this yearNongnuch ********
@Patrick *******
well you are attempting to stay almost 8 months on visa-exempt entries and their extensions, within a 1-year period. You are stretching your luckMax ********
@Patrick *******
sorry my man maths. Ot adding upReply to
Max ********
Reply
Graham ******
Not the first post I've seen of a rejected extension at Koh Phangan Immigration, seems they really are getting tough
Stuart ***********
@Graham *****
does that mean he might have a better chance in Samui Graham?Graham ******
@Stuart **********
They both come under Surat Thani Immigration so who knows. I haven't seen anything about Samui rejections though.Reply to
Graham ******
Reply
Greg ******
Is there paperwork with a denial? Just wondering.
Graham ******
@Greg *****
If the application was the last day then the OP would probably have got a "Application denied, 7 days to leave Thailand" stamp in their passport but, with days left to sort out an exit, there would be nothing.John **********
@Graham *****
if they got that stamp nobody can help them. They must leave within the 7 daysJohn *******
@John *********
I assume they didn’t since their current stamp lets them stay for 14ish more daysGraham ******
@John *********
yesReply to
Graham ******
Reply
Ning ******
go back to your visa agent ?
Michael *******
They all look at the same system, so unlikely you will get a different answer anywhere else, find an agent that will facilitate.
Reply to
Michael *******
Reply
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