Answered6 years ago

Will immigration pause in-person visa extensions during the COVID-19 outbreak in Bangkok?

Elite Visa Visa Extension COVID-19 Immigration Policies 2021 Thailand Visa Rules

Jake *******

asked Apr 24, 2021

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I have to do my yearly extension for my elite visa at immigration in Bangkok within the next 3 weeks, but Bangkok just hit 1500 covid cases in a single day and I have concerns about going there, especially for an extended period of time. Is there any chance immigration might pause in person visa extensions during the outbreak? Didn't they do that last year during the first wave? Normally, when you purchase the elite visa you have to go to Bangkok yourself to get the visa sticker affixed to your passport, but last year in April Thailand Elite said that due to the outbreak, immigration allowed them to do it on our behalf. Did immigration allow this for other visa types? How long did this policy last? Also, if I go on Monday, April 26th, how long should I expect to be there if I go at 10am. Thanks!

Answer summary

The user is concerned about going to immigration in Bangkok for their yearly elite visa extension due to a recent spike in COVID-19 cases. They recall that Thailand previously allowed visas to be handled by agents during the first wave of COVID-19 and inquire if similar measures might be implemented again. The conversation includes comments about the elite visa, the possibility of extended processing times, and past instances where agents managed visa processes on behalf of clients.

15 repliesnewest first

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Markus *********

Not sure about the Elite Visa Jake, but I definitely get your Drift...

Phill ******

how old is this ?

Jake *******

Do you think it's possible or likely that immigration will announce something like this nationwide or at least in Bangkok during the outbreak?

5 years ago

Markus *********

@Jake ******

Well, they have done it before...

(usually it was nationwide).

5 years ago

Ben ********

I thought the elite office will take your passport for a week and go to the govt office on your behalf?

6 years ago

Jake *******

@Ben *******

They do this for 90-day reports, not the yearly visa extensions.

6 years ago

Phill ******

there agent in CM posted my passport to bkk in september last year ,4 days and it was back . didnt have to go anywhere.

6 years ago

Jake *******

@Phill *****

Was this for your yearly visa extension or when you first purchased the elite visa?

6 years ago

Phill ******

@Jake ******

,first purchased.

5 years ago

Henry *********

Maybe Elites can get special privileges but for most it's just a question of getting masked-up and following social-distancing.

6 years ago

Bobby ********

Isn't Elite Visa valid five years?

6 years ago

Jake *******

@Bobby *******

It is but you have to extend it every year for some unknown reason.

6 years ago

Bobby ********

Jake Passi. I wasn't aware of that. Have you contacted the Elite office? They might be able to arrange something. For all other visas it's business as usual at immigration, but Elite might get some special perks

6 years ago

Ulrik *********

@Bobby *******

Every time you enter thailand you get 1 year. If you don't leave Thailand during that year, the visa has to be extended.

6 years ago

Jake *******

@Bobby *******

We can request a personal liaison for 2000 baht who can apparently help us avoid general queues, but they just shut down their office for 10 days because one of their employees tested positive for covid so I'm not sure this would be the safer route...

6 years ago