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Will STV visas be scrapped in 2022 and what are the alternatives?

STV VisaVisa ExtensionsThailand ImmigrationCOVID-19 Visa PolicyBorder RunsExpat Visa Requirements
Mar 18, 2022
3 years ago
Chris *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Will STV visas be scrapped this year? What’s the alternative or is it back to border runs?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The future of the Special Tourist Visa (STV) remains uncertain, with speculation about potential scrapping this year. While the program has been extended until September 30th, 2022, its renewal and any alternatives rely heavily on individual situations. Currently, border runs seem to be a fallback, although clarity on this remains elusive. For those looking to renew their STV, standard requirements include a passport, renewal fee, health insurance proof, proof of accommodation for the next 90 days, and specific TM30 forms. It's advised to verify local immigration office requirements as they can vary significantly.
Ellie *******
I think OP has enough possible information for now. If you still have any questions regarding the original post, please contact one of the moderators to re-open.
3 years ago
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Ellie *******
Just FYI, the current STV condition has not been changed since the last announcement.

If you want to apply for an extension on STV entry, you need to enter Thailand before 3 July 2022. After that, you can enter on STV until 30 Sep, but not eligible for an STV extension.
3 years ago
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Chris *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ellie ******
 interesting thanks.
3 years ago
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Ellie *******
@Chris ******
I don't have any newer official information than this.

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3 years ago
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Chris *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ellie ******
 really? Some other people commented above saying different
3 years ago
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Chris *******
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Chris *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
For STV renewal what do I need to bring

1. Passport

2. Money for renewal fee

3. Copy of health/covid insurance

4. Proof of accomodation for next 90 days

5. TM30 from accomodation

Anything else?
3 years ago
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Ellie *******
@Chris ******
 this is the (a bit old) 'general' requirements for an extension of STV. You need to contact your local immigration office for a handout of their requirements.

And which pages of your passport you have to make copies of depends on your local immigration offices. Some require only the latest stamps. Some require all stamped pages. Some do all pages including blank pages. YOU are the one who needs to make copies of the necessary documents and sign them all.
3 years ago
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Shaun ********
@Chris ******
 photo copies of passport pages and a photo intact photo copy everything you take
3 years ago
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Chris *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Shaun *******
 copy of every page on the passport? That’s like 50 or so pages
3 years ago
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Shaun ********
@Chris ******
 I did just the information pages and was ok every immigration office is different tho but many have photo copy machines in now if needed
3 years ago
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Chris *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Shaun *******
 will they not take whatever copies they want when I give them my passport?
3 years ago
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Shaun ********
@Chris ******
 no mate you must take your own copies they will not do it four you which immigration are you going to ?
3 years ago
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Chris *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Shaun *******
 laempong I think it’s called in Trat.
3 years ago
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Chris *******
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Shaun ********
I came last April on a stv visa still here on my 2nd COVID extension which takes me to the 2nd of may can but try your luck 🍀
3 years ago
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Shaun ********
@Chris ******
 no mate can get Covid extension if your lucky I’ve heard of many people being refused now tho
3 years ago
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Chris *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Shaun *******
 I thought it was a rule that you had to leave the country when STV visa expired?
3 years ago
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Chris *******
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Tod *********
@Gerald *******
 &
@Chris ******
 remember though when the previous plan was going to run out they said anyone who entered after I think June 30th could only get the 90 days and not get the two 90 day extensions (or something like that)

BUT

then the extended the program so those people were able to get their extensions after all
3 years ago
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Tod *********
@Chris ******
 as I said it's done within 24 hours of you taking up residence where ever you're staying
3 years ago
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Chris *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
 so this could be done weeks before you do your extension?
3 years ago
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Tod *********
@Chris ******
, now let's not make it harder than it is 😮

The hotel you're staying enters the data online, and then does a screen grab of that data entry AFTER they've saved it (as there is no print receipt function online) and they print that image and that is your receipt

looks like this
3 years ago
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Chris *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
 screen grab as in a print out, picture, email? Print out to bring to immigration I presume. Doubt she has a printer though
3 years ago
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Tod *********
@Chris ******
 by "you" I meant who ever is filing the TM30, not necessarily you you 😛
3 years ago
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Tod *********
@Chris ******
 they file online, get the screen grab of the data entry when they registered you
3 years ago
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Chris *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
 im staying at a hotel. My understanding was the proprietor does the filing. That’s what happened in bangkok when I was there
3 years ago
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Tod *********
@Chris ******
 you file a TM30 within 24 hours of taking up residence at your address, as long as thats where you're gonna be staying you don't change it of file another one, just keep the screen grab of the data entry as your proof
3 years ago
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Chris *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
 How does the TM30 work when extending the STV? My understanding is my landlady has to go online and fill it out online and then she prints it and gives it to me to put with the other paperwork?If that’s correct how long before my visa expiry date can I get this done?
3 years ago
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Gerald ********
I came in November and had no problems getting the extension I hope it's the same for next winter
3 years ago
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Gerald ********
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Tod *********
At this time all we know was that the STV program (Special Tourist Visa - the one that lets you stay here 9 months without leaving) was extended until Sept 30th 2022.

last year when the plan was running out they hemmed and hawed about continuing it but ultimately decided to extend it

NO one knows what they'll do this year, and I think it'll be closer to when the current program runs out before they'd announce anything
3 years ago
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Chris *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
@Gerald *******
 comment below suggests you should be able, not sure if he got this from official sources?

Is there any reason as to why they wouldn’t allow this visa indefinitely?
3 years ago
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Brandon ************
@Chris ******
 last year the embassies mostly stopped issueing the visa before the program ended because they was so much uncertainty about if you could extend the visa after the program expired. I'm not sure yet ever actually answered that question before it was made moot by them extending the program.
3 years ago
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Chris *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
 That gives me another option pending the easing of the silly border entry rules.
3 years ago
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Tod *********
@Chris ******
 i know people who had an STV when the program rolled out, used the 9 months, went back to their country and applied for another one without any issues.
3 years ago
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Chris *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Gerald *******
 good to know. Can you apply for it twice do you know?
3 years ago
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Gerald ********
I hope so as once granted you have 3 months to use it so for example I plan to come in October I would apply before the cut off date in september
3 years ago
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Chris *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
 30th of Sept meaning people can still apply up to that date and once granted can enter after that date?
3 years ago
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Chris *******
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Lloyd ********
as for the stv, no one knows. the alternative is totally dependant on your individual situation
3 years ago
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Lloyd ********
The elite visa is a 5-20 year tourist visa
3 years ago
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Lloyd ********
yes possibly, and they seem to have huge financial constraints too
3 years ago
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Chris *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Lloyd *******
 be nice to see them rolling some new stuff out. Got just over 6 months left on my STV so see what happens over that time.
3 years ago
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Cole ***********
@Chris ******
 There is no rollover or extension available for the STV. You must leave after 9 months.
3 years ago
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Chris *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Cole **********
 officially yes
3 years ago
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Cole ***********
@Chris ******
 They did a few covid extensions but they are not going to let you switch visas.
3 years ago
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Chris *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Cole **********
 I’m not expecting to go that way. I give it a small hope that I will have reapplied and granted for a new STV before September expiry date.
3 years ago
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Matthew ********
@Lloyd *******
 no more volunteer visa or education visas?
3 years ago
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Lloyd ********
@Matthew *******
 yes, but they are not tourist visas
3 years ago
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Chris *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Lloyd *******
 can you apply for education and volunteer visas from abroad or is that done domestically while on a tourist visa? It’s always an option but not one I’d prefer.
3 years ago
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Chris *******
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Chris *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Lloyd *******
 Maybe there are other options in the pipeline to boost economic activity now that some sense seems to be prevailing. Digital nomad visas etc?
3 years ago
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Chris *******
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Chris *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Lloyd *******
 ok thanks. what other equivalent option is there for a longer term “tourist”, I don’t know of any?
3 years ago
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Chris *******
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