Will Thailand continue to offer COVID visa extensions?

Nov 10, 2021
3 years ago
Gene **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I just went and got my covid stamp again today. I've done this for a little over a year now. Does anybody know if they're going to continue to give covid extension? The guys at immigration don't seem to know me yet.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion revolves around the uncertainty of Thailand's COVID-19 visa extensions, with various commenters expressing that the situation is unpredictable and that official announcements typically come just before deadlines. The general consensus is that the necessity for these extensions is diminishing as travel resumes. Comments suggest that while immigration officials may not be certain, alternatives should be considered.
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Darren *******
They will now.
Michael ********
Average of 3000 tourists coming in a day now and likely to rise. Start looking at plan B
Will ************
No idea it's a
*****
bet with a 95% probability you pick the wrong one
Brandon ************
The Covid extension is "unable to travel due to Covid 19" and there's not really anyone who cannot travel anymore.

The purpose of the stamp is pretty much gone, but no one knows what they're going to do. We'll probably find out November 23 or 24.
Frank-Steven ***********
@Brandon ***********
COVID extensions were never about not having any means of transport out. In fact the very application forms they used for those state as one possible reason to apply the generic statement of “pandemic is still ongoing” - which basically is true for everybody and for a long time still. With Stuart on this one.
Stuart *********
@Brandon ***********
There’s hundreds if not thousands of foreigners here that were on valid long term visas that have allowed them to live here for years and years (their wife or family are here and they call Thailand home). Before covid they’d visit Laos once a year, get a year visa, but would have to border bounce every 90 days. No issue. Pop over the border, back 5 minutes later and good for the next 90 days. With borders being closed that option hasn’t been available to them. Saying that the option not to travel to their passport country is no longer valid is irrelevant. Their home is here. Their family are here, their job is here. As a personal opinion I believe the covid extension will remain until land borders are opened and will allow these people to continue their lives, quite legally, living in Thailand. A guess would be 99% of people using the covid extensions are not tourists but long term expats that have no other option because they don’t have the funds for their stay here or some other reason - like they won’t issue a guardian visa in country if you have a child here at school. They’ll extend but won’t issue the initial visa.
Gene **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
I agree with you. For me to go back to my country I have nothing there anymore. No more vested interest in going back to my country. My vested interest is here in Thailand my wife and daughter are here my home is here. So I agree with you sir.
Brandon ************
@Stuart ********
it's about time they reform the system so people with long term visas don't have to play these stupid games. But I suppose you're right.

It seems like even if they do extend, some of the immigration offices are done letting the tourists stay forever.
Stuart *********
@Brandon ***********
I don’t recall the exact date they started the covid extensions, but let’s just say it was September last year. There’s pretty much no tourist that would still be getting that extension 14 months later, except a couple of lucky ones that don’t need to work and can fund themselves for that time. (but then they’d not balk at the price of a Elite visa that would let them stay 5+ years I’d guess). The people still on the covid extension are here because there is no other option to let them stay in their “home”.
James *******
@Stuart ********
Some people were paid by their governments during covid so stayed as long term tourists.
Stuart *********
@James ******
That may be. They’d be part of my “lucky ones” comment.
James *******
@Stuart ********
i got ya honey.
Stuart *********
@James ******
way to long since someone called me that 😀
Stuart *********
No one knows yet. Typically they only announce one or two days before the deadline. Flip a coin. You’ll be right either way around 50%.
Emmanuel *******
@Stuart ********
I am in the same situation but living Thailand soon on the 23rd of December. Do you know if one can apply and get the 2 month extension just before the deadline ?
Gene **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Emmanuel ******
thank you all for your wonderful helpful information. I do appreciate it. I do have a plan B if the covid extension ends. I have gotten to know and immigration guy who's going to help me out.
Stuart *********
@Gene *********
you may have replied to the wrong person, but anyways I’d be sceptical of someone “helping you out”. It happens all the time here with visa agents, and 99.9% of the time (a made up percentage) it’s not an issue, until it becomes one.

Just recently there was a post from someone who’d got a visa from an agent and because that agent is no longer doing that job decided to get a “Covid” extension instead. Nope. Immigration said they’d have to cancel the visa (via the now defunct agent) before they’d allow the extension. Bottom line. They’d have to get a flight out of dodge and work their way back in legitimately.
Gene **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
thank for the tip. I'm 100 percent legal and ligit for my stay here in Thailand I been here over 2 years now had o visa then covid came. Been getting stamps ever since. Thaks tooth I still gave plan b and c if needed. Have a good night.
Stuart *********
@Emmanuel ******
yes. If you apply prior to November 26th you’d get stamped in to on or around 25th January.
Emmanuel *******
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