Will Thailand extend the COVID-19 visa extensions past March 30?

@Benjamin *****

Your report was exactly my experience at Bangkok-MTT. The last time I was there(late Jan), I was told it's the last one, and must depart by end of March. Early Feb, it was announced covid extensions could now be applied for thru 30-Mar. I didn't know whether to feel excited about that, or disappointed, given I was just told I need to depart. So, I gave it a shot and applied for another extension on 17-Mar. Lady gave me the 3rd degree exactly as you described. "What's your plan? When will you leave back to America?" Stood my ground, and just said I'm making plans to. She said OK, I give you 60 days to make your plans and you need to arrange your travel to leave. I think the higher-ups are starting to issue directives to front-line staff that they must start nudging us "covid-refugees" out as we get closer to rounding the corner on this pandemic.

@MarGuyvin **

So you did receive the 30 May extension now? Not sure we are really rounding a corner or heading into depths of third wave. Paris situation today -- 'Hard lockdown starting tomorrow...with a curfew at 6pm for the next month'

@Todd ********

I got the under consideration stamp. Return on 31-Mar to get the final stamp. I'm fairly certain I will get the 30-May stamped in, but it was not without some grilling as Benjamin Hays described. Yes, it's not certain we are rounding the corner...but neither us nor Immigration has a crystal ball.

@MarGuyvin **

those were definitely a pain in the a**. The did mercifully stop doing the 'under consideration' comedy show here in 2021, you just immediately get the 60 day extensions. But yes, have not seen anyone yet say they were denied after receiving the 'under consideration' stamp. Enjoy til end of May at least :)

@Todd ********

yup...at least. :) Immigration wants us out sooner. We want out later. It's the Covid Tango, and we are starting to step on each others' toes! LOL

@MarGuyvin **

true enough! Not really concerned at all. Whenever it ends, there should be a viable option such as border runs.... which would be great. Or if no easy options; agent if absolutely necessary

@Todd ********

I really can't see border runs being allowed anytime soon

@Dar***

I agree. So the 60 day extensions seem likely to continue.

@Todd ********

not too sure on that, I think they'll extend this one but I'm not convinced it will be extended again in May. The basis they're talking about reducing quarantine and looking to remove it by October suggests those extensions will be coming to an end soon.

@Dar***

I can understand... but even if quarantine is shortened, the border won’t open. And until the border opens, the 60 day extensions seem strongly destined to continue. We have been thru this runup to ‘end date’ about 7 times now? What has improved in the Thailand or global pandemic recovery to have the govt reconsider its now 12 month Covid policy? The answer - nothing. Having tourists or expats (as every nation does) during Covid, has yet to become a major issue in any nation.

@Todd ********

quite a lot has changed from last year, including the availability of vaccines worldwide. The govt won't keep the 60 day extension in place just because border runs can't happen. They've arguably been very generous keeping the "unable to travel" stuff in place when there is very little stopping people from travelling right now.

@Dar***

nothing generous at all about it. Simply a recognition of the global situation. Every nation has something similar in place. They really don’t have a choice as the global community would pushback. We are a year into it. The issue has Nothing to do with ‘ability’ to return home. Never has really. Far bigger picture at play than that. And development/arrival of vaccines is also utterly irrelevant until the host nation has achieved immunity. And Thailand will not be there for many months at least

@Todd ********

agree Thailand won't be vaccinated for many months to come. The global community could pushback, would most countries give a toss? Unlikely. I think the govt here has been very generous so far with the extensions, they could very easily have turned round and said "planes are flying to your country, off you go" but they haven't. Not yet anyway. As I said earlier, I expect the covid extension to be extended this time but I'm not convinced it will be extended again in May.

@Dar***

I do believe that when the 60 day extensions do finally end, at least one land border will be open

@Todd ********

we'll have to wait and see on that one but I genuinely think the days of border runs are over for the foreseeable future.

@Dar***

we totally agree with that. I just see that being correlated strongly with people’s ability to ‘stay’ in the country (or any other). Travellers, relationships, remote workers, digital nomads...

The world is no longer about black and white borders. People won’t be forced ‘home’ to a country they don’t live in anymore

@Todd ********

if they can't get a visa to continue their stay then they'd have to leave just like they've always had to, that's not going to change. Remote working as in working from where you want is a long long way off from happening for a whole host of reasons.

@Dar***

I definitely get that this is very much the impression in the expat community here. The whole ‘have to leave’ or ‘u gotta go home’... but we are a year into this. And clearly the enthusiasm of the expat community to kick out all those without a ‘real’ visa, is not shared by the Thai govt. Or any other nation. And it’s worth pondering why that is

@Darren ******

or they haven’t... nor has any other nations. And Thai citizens also remain in many other nations. There is nothing ‘generous’ about this whatsoever. They are just doing what every nation on earth is doing. And u don’t go throwing other nations citizens out of your country unless u are prepared to deal with international repercussions. Thailand is simply doing what every nation is. And will carry on doing the same. Nobody is aiming to ‘kick people out’ during global crisis. It’s just not how international relationships are handled.

@Benj****

wow.

Interesting. My gf did hers this week on Samui. Not a word. And as TM30 system is down, she doesn’t have a current one. But not a word. Got the May 30 stamp

Todd McGowan. A "cheap Charlie" friend of mine in Chiang Mai who's on the married visa but used to bounce in and out every 90 days or get the cheapo visa from Laos, has been on the 60-day gravy run for months. He was told in Chiang Mai last month that it's the last one, and that if he wants to stay he's got the two months to get the 400k into Thailand to get a "proper" visa or he's flying back to the UK. They are not stupid to believe there are no flights. We may underestimate them at times but they know how to use Google. Samui may be different because they need farang money desperately, but other offices the tide is definitely turning.

@Bo***

totally understand and fair enough. But it would take a national policy change to effect that. They can give anyone all the hard time they want, the reality is that the 60 day extension seem very likely to continue this year

I think you're basing your answers on a LOT of speculation

@To**

, :P

@T**

that's a fact for sure. In lieu of clarity, that's all we have. As you can see on these boards. But also on paying attention to situations and developments in other nations.

Todd McGowan. National policy changes happen overnight. The 60-day perk was brought in very quickly, and can be stopped very quickly too. But it won't, there will be a transition, and it will start as soon as the Chinese and Koreans are ready to come back. It'll be soon, most of the big resorts have Chinese ownership. The Big Guns from China will be directing the policy, trust me!

@Bobby *******

they can, but in times of Covid, it seems extremely unlikely. There will undoubtedly be a transition period that will likely be another 60 days following announcement of cessation. But as this country is nowhere near 'opening up', i can't see that happening soon. You are surely right, that big money influencers external to Thailand will have their voice too, but so will the senior command of the Thai Army. Overall, my level of concern for the imminent cessation is zero. And hey a week or two in Seoul, Hainan, KL or Hoi An is always welcome if they open up! Who doesn't love a fun visa run

@Todd ********

did she pay 1,900 THB?

@Benj****

yes, exactly

@Todd ********

here’s what I’m thinking about the advice to give:

*IF a person entered on a tourist visa/ non-o visa*, they *will be* granted a 30 day extension of stay based on tourism (if entered on a tourist visa) or whatever appropriate short-term extension of stay . After that, if the 60 day extension of stay based on unable to travel due to COVID-19 is still being sold, get it until the immigration office starts being difficult. Once they start being difficult, either get a valid, long term extension of stay (i.e. a student) or go home.

For people who entered on a Non-B visa (and is still valid). Ask for a 60 day extension of stay based on unable to travel due to COVID-19, the worse they would do is to say no.

For people on extension of stay based on employment (or whatever). Apply for the 60 day extension of stay based on unable to travel due to COVID-19, but don’t expect to milk it.

For people on visa exempt. Apply for the 60 day extension of stay based on unable to travel due to COVID-19. Milk it as long as possible. It’s difficult or impossible to go from a visa exempt to another visa (exempt non-o based on retirement).

@Benj****

this does seem like a good summary!

Daniel Evans. The Thai tourism industry is predominantly Chinese-owned. They want it back. They're not interested in neighbouring countries or what their policies are.

@Bobby *******

The visas of westerners in China are also being extended during pandemic.

Daniel Evans. It seems October 1st is the reopen date. So I would hazard a guess and say the 60-day extensions are safe until then.

Daniel Evans. Yes I understand. The point I'm making is that it is getting closer to when these extensions will finish and real tourism will return

Todd McGowan. Border runs are a long way off as they still want to maintain control of those coming in. I'll bet you $50 the first mass tourist influx on a five-day quarantine will be China. The Chinese don't need land borders. They'll have direct air routes to all the major tourist spots, hence the Thais priority to vaccinate the tourist centres first. The Chinese are only here for a holiday, they're not interested in staying long term. Those that do have Elite Visas. They've got it all worked out!