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Will there be an extension to the amnesty visa in Thailand for expats struggling to leave?
Thailand Visa RulesAmnesty VisaVisa ExtensionImmigrationExpat IssuesFlight CancellationsOverstay RegulationsCOVID-19 Travel Restrictions
Jul 5, 2020
6 years ago
Gregory ******
ORIGINAL POSTERThe big question ...are we gonna have an extension to the amnesty visa for all ? about myself i just got small pension so impossible to buy new ticket.
Etihad already cancelled 4 times my flight ,the last one was due to flight on the 30th of july ...so hot hot....i came on november with just the 30 days visa ...normally ended on 30th march. So what's next ?? deportation ...
Etihad already cancelled 4 times my flight ,the last one was due to flight on the 30th of july ...so hot hot....i came on november with just the 30 days visa ...normally ended on 30th march. So what's next ?? deportation ...
TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses concerns about the potential extension of the amnesty visa in Thailand, especially from individuals facing difficulties due to multiple flight cancellations. The original poster, who arrived on a 30-day visa and sought advice about potential deportation due to overstay fears, received various responses. Comments included speculation about government decisions regarding visa extensions, personal experiences with flight cancellations, and advice on navigating the immigration process during COVID-19. There are differing opinions: some believe an extension is likely due to ongoing international travel challenges, while others argue that many flights have resumed and an extension may not be forthcoming.
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/10/visa-amnesty-extension-unlikely-immigration-spox-says/Billy *******
@Greg *******
A need to clear out foreigners? Doesnt 711 appreciate my zinc jelly business? Reply to
Billy *******
Reply
Gregory ******
ORIGINAL POSTEREverything normal 555
Billy *******
@Kev *****************
Who in their right mind is gonna book a flight by july 31 with half the airlines about ready to go bankrupt? And prices? They cant fill the planes up? Kev **********
@Billy ******
the planes that do go are rammed fullBilly *******
@Kev *****************
Really? What happened to social distancing? Or do they make you wear a plastic garbage bag over your head just because they can? Reply to
Billy *******
Reply
Kev **********
@Billy ******
people desperate to get back and unsure about amnesty Billy *******
@Kev *****************
If we cant stay and the air fare is sky high beyond what the average backpacker teacher can afford, what to do? Go to your embassy with hands held out? I'm tired of getting clipped by these 1 werld odor takeover stunts every 10 years.Kev **********
@Billy ******
I got air fare but should I risk it Billy *******
@Kev *****************
It's a crap shoot. Maybe your destination closes back up? Flight cancels? Who knows? Kev **********
@Billy ******
I know mate Reply to
Kev **********
Reply
Billy *******
Why would they open the borders if other countries are experiencing second waves? Wink wink. They would blame us for not wanting to fly home? They'll let tourists come in? Seems to me we should all stay put if we want to. AND how can Thai immigration handle and process all border visa runners all at once?
Matt *******
@Billy ******
No country allows tourists to just stay in the country for as long as they want to. Thailand was generous enough to give 4 months to stay put. Can you really blame them if they don’t extend it Billy *******
@Matt ******
Well under the circumstances considering you've got riots and a second wave in the US. But how on Earth are they going to process us visa runners wanting to renew our visas, tourist, student, or retiree visa? Can I process my retiree visa now or do I have to wait until the 30th? And will I have to quarantine in Laos and then quarantine back in Thailand? Or can immigration convert me from tourist to retiree without a border run?Matt *******
@Billy ******
What type of visa entry did you have before you went on the amnesty? If it was tourist visa did you apply for a 30 day extension of the 60 day entry from it?I assume you are wanting to apply for a 90 day non immigrant visa (category O) to qualify for a extension of stay based upon retirement.
Here the requirements to do a application for one.
**************************************************************************
*******
/08-edit_NON-O.pdfIt is unknown at this time what what will be required when border crossings to Laos open up.
Reply to
Matt *******
Reply
Scott **********
I think maybe you are going to have to be more forceful with the airline. Others have said they are now flying from BKK. I assume you need a connecting flight to get home. The problem may in fact be with your connecting flight. Back in March my British friend was trying to get to Hull via Amsterdam. He was told it was cancelled. He did the checking work to understand it was the connecting flight that was the problem. He talked KLM into booking a flight to Manchester instead and took a train or two to get home.
Gregory ******
ORIGINAL POSTERexactly my connecting flight isn't cancelled ... on time 555. will call them late night otherwise busy non stop.
Scott **********
@Gregory *****
Good idea. In my case I was dealing with a Taiwan based airline but decided to wait until their Los Angeles call centre opened. I was on hold for about 45 minutes but I was prepared for it to be much longer than that.Reply to
Scott **********
Reply
Gregory ******
ORIGINAL POSTERThank you for choosing to travel with Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates.
Flight EY0401, scheduled to leave Bangkok, Thailand on 30 Jul 2020 20:25, has been cancelled.
Here’s your revised itinerary, showing the flights that have not been impacted.
If this is blank, unfortunately all of the flights within your itinerary have been cancelled at this time.
Confirmation Code: ZXEDTW
Date Departs Arrives Flt # Route Passengers Seat Terminal
Fri, Jul 31 02:25 07:20 EY 57 AUH To BRU Gregorymr Boom TERMINAL 3
We understand how frustrating it is when travel plans change, so we are doing everything we can to help.
With Etihad Credit, we’ll reward you with up to US $400 and up to 5,000 Etihad Guest Miles when you use the value of your flight towards your next break.
Find out more about Etihad Credit > .
For the latest advice and options to change your flight, please visit etihad.com/travelalerts or contact our Contact Centre.
*In some jurisdictions, passengers may be eligible for cash refund, subject to certain conditions. Check if you're eligible.
*The above information does not apply to passengers holding industry discount tickets
*
Flight EY0401, scheduled to leave Bangkok, Thailand on 30 Jul 2020 20:25, has been cancelled.
Here’s your revised itinerary, showing the flights that have not been impacted.
If this is blank, unfortunately all of the flights within your itinerary have been cancelled at this time.
Confirmation Code: ZXEDTW
Date Departs Arrives Flt # Route Passengers Seat Terminal
Fri, Jul 31 02:25 07:20 EY 57 AUH To BRU Gregorymr Boom TERMINAL 3
We understand how frustrating it is when travel plans change, so we are doing everything we can to help.
With Etihad Credit, we’ll reward you with up to US $400 and up to 5,000 Etihad Guest Miles when you use the value of your flight towards your next break.
Find out more about Etihad Credit > .
For the latest advice and options to change your flight, please visit etihad.com/travelalerts or contact our Contact Centre.
*In some jurisdictions, passengers may be eligible for cash refund, subject to certain conditions. Check if you're eligible.
*The above information does not apply to passengers holding industry discount tickets
*
Grant ******
Everything open now flights never stopped to many countries. I don't see why they would extend. Pretty sure they be needing the 1900 bahts by now. Need a good excuse to stay I reckon
Grant ******
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not looking good**********
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7&id=*****
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not looking goodBorja *********
@Grant *****
,international flights in the whole time of this pandemic were never totally closed , right now if u booking and pay for a fllght end of july u have same chances to fly as if u put a coin in the air and fall in the side u want , people who are flying now is after 2-3-4 cancellations , and also after that is the question about if u need to go to a country (not your country) that is closed to foreign as is now thailand, for example indonesia ,as is my case , is not only if thailand is clear about covid 19 (they are not as they still closed to foreigns) ,is also countries around thailand to make a more or less normal situation , and is clear is not the case.... , Grant ******
@Borja ********
Your talking about border runs I don't think Thai immigration will be thinking like that. There have been flights all way through the Pandemic Qatar, Eva, Luthwansa, Swiss to name a few and more opening up, I never said the situation is normal far from it. But if there are options for people to get to the country on there passport I don't see why immigration would have another amnesty. There will be exceptions probably has in your case if you live Indonesia and there not allowing you back, but like I said I think will need a good excuse to stay. There talking about opening up for certain tourists in August will they give them an amnesty too. So if they open up for incoming pretty sure the amnesty will be over and will need a good excuse to stay. Just my theory looking at how immigration is here, let's hope I'm wrong Reply to
Grant ******
Reply
Borja *********
@Grant *****
u don’t see what they would extend??!! , are u blind ????!!!! , amnesty as they said was until 30 july or situation get normal then will be anouncement that can be bfor 30 july if normal situattion, do u think right now international flights, countries around thailand or around the world ,SITUATION IS NORMAL OR EVEN NEARLY ????!!!!!! ...my god!!!!Grant ******
@Borja ********
Just my opinion MY GOD!!!! am I not allowed one anymore last I looked I was living in a free country ish😂😂 Let's see I hope your right I have freinds who be screwed if they don't extend. However just my gut feeling way things are moving, international flights are available internal flights are available things change here daily. Why would they extend again if people can flights Reply to
Grant ******
Reply
Ivan ************
Flights are extremely expensive depending on where exactly it is you want to go. 120,000 and 58 hours to New Zealand for example, and that's if it's not cancelled. It's not that easy for everyone, and it displays a remarkable lack of empathy. I guess you personally are all right, which is what matters.
Grant ******
@Ivan ***********
What's empathy got to do with what I said. I personally don't think the Thai government will extend again, regardless of mine or anyone's situation that's my opinion empathy as nothing to do with it. What is it with Facebook no one can have an opinion anymore without being branded.Reply to
Grant ******
Reply
Leo *********
Etihad started flying from BKK again from this morning!
Kev **********
@Leo ********
definitely didnt Leo *********
@Kev *****************
oh yes it did, EY405 arrived in Abu Dhabi at 4:25 this morning. Just booked our flights back to Blighty today.Gregory ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Leo ********
Thank you for choosing to travel with Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates.Flight EY0401, scheduled to leave Bangkok, Thailand on 30 Jul 2020 20:25, has been cancelled.
Here’s your revised itinerary, showing the flights that have not been impacted.
If this is blank, unfortunately all of the flights within your itinerary have been cancelled at this time.
Confirmation Code: ZXEDTW
Date Departs Arrives Flt # Route Passengers Seat Terminal
Fri, Jul 31 02:25 07:20 EY 57 AUH To BRU Gregorymr Boom TERMINAL 3
We understand how frustrating it is when travel plans change, so we are doing everything we can to help.
With Etihad Credit, we’ll reward you with up to US $400 and up to 5,000 Etihad Guest Miles when you use the value of your flight towards your next break.
Find out more about Etihad Credit > .
For the latest advice and options to change your flight, please visit etihad.com/travelalerts or contact our Contact Centre.
*In some jurisdictions, passengers may be eligible for cash refund, subject to certain conditions. Check if you're eligible.
*The above information does not apply to passengers holding industry discount tickets
*
Kev **********
@Gregory *****
so.they are not flying 🤷♂️Leo *********
@Gregory *****
afaik the only Etihad flight leaving BKK is EY405 at 00:50It's scheduled for departure every day except for tomorrow, this Tuesday and Tuesday the 21st and 28th
Gregory ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Leo ********
so why saying cancelled without alternative options ?? i try to go on their site for checking other departure and found nothing at all !Gregory ******
ORIGINAL POSTERchange their mind ??
Gregory ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Leo ********
so why they send me mail and sms saying that the flight is cancel ?Leo *********
@Gregory *****
I had a flight booked for the 17th from BKK that was cancelled on *****
so I booked the first available flight out for *****
. A couple of days ago I saw on the Etihad site that they were due to start flying again from today so waited for the first departure to make sure.The skies are opening now, many planes in the air again.
Gregory ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Leo ********
did you call etihad bkk for the change ?Leo *********
@Gregory *****
Don't have calling credit on my Thai phone as I only use it for data so called the US number on Skype as it's free. I believe all the customer service numbers will port you through to a centralised call centre in any case. I had no problem getting through this morning but have struggled in the past few weeks, I was able to contact them through FB Messenger then though.Kev **********
@Leo ********
ile have to check ther website but they told me.the 9th Leo *********
@Kev *****************
yeah, would have been nice if they'd let people know. Only happened to find out by chance the other day. Planes are definitely flying, I booked for mid-July earlier today after making sure today's flight had departed.Kev **********
Jefrey *****
Kev **********
@Leo ********
they told me the 9th but I will monitor and get booked Leo *********
Sorry I lie… it landed 40mins early
Reply to
Leo *********
Reply
Todd *********
seems highly likely that amnesty gets extended. If you are on first or second tourist visa, it will be interesting to see iff they allow opportunity for extension once amnesty is lifted. Another year or so of amnesty would be great :)
Andrew *******
Probably give you 3year extension in Bangkok Hilton
Gregory ******
ORIGINAL POSTER555 funny one not 5 years
Reply to
Gregory ******
Reply
Rob ********
Wait and see , 1000 euro a month pretty good , get to any island , get WiFi , chill ,
Gregory ******
ORIGINAL POSTERstaying in buriram rent house for 1500/month
Daniel ********
@Gregory *****
have some pictures of that house?Reply to
Daniel ********
Reply
Mark *******
You be gettin kicked out and puts in the begpacker category
Gregory ******
ORIGINAL POSTERshout me down no ? 555
Mark *******
@Gregory *****
yeah begpacker Reply to
Mark *******
Reply
Brahim ******
Deportation, blacklist and a high kick to the head 🙏🤣🤣
Gregory ******
ORIGINAL POSTERyou can't pay if you don't have the money ...like a visciuos circle
Gregory ******
ORIGINAL POSTERi m here since 1999 so wthsoever 555
Gregory ******
ORIGINAL POSTERat least it's free 555
Bobby ********
@Gregory *****
. Don't be fooled into believing you don't pay for your deportation! Roy ***********
@Gregory *****
Deportation is not free, you have to pay everything yourself. Not the high kick though.🤔Reply to
Roy ***********
Reply
Scott **********
I will be surprised if there is not an extension. There are just not enough borders or flights leaving for the people who are stuck. Please do not consider deportation as an option. I am not an expert but from what I have read somewhere that you have to pay a fee for every night staying in an immigration detention centre. You also have to pay your own flight home and it will not be cheap. I think you need to look to borrow funds from family etc now in case you need it to buy a new flight. You can always give it back if it ends up not necessary.
Ivan ************
All you doomsayers, Thailand is not going to incarcerate thousands of people who can't get a flight home. Amazes me the relish with which you hope this is going to happen but it's not going to happen.
Scott **********
@Ivan ***********
I agree with your view Ivan and started my first post in this thread with a similar statement.Reply to
Scott **********
Reply
Steven ****************
I have seen flights on UK embassy website for as low as
*****
baht. He will only be stuck in detention center if he's picked up. If you did go onto overstay I believe its 500 a day up to a maximum of 20,000 bht, so if struggling to pay an airticket then you need to consider this fine as well. After 90 days overstay you would also get a 1 year banScott **********
@Steven ***************
I agree with your comments. The thing I do not know about is what happens if you cannot pay the fine? I advised a youngster last year who was on max overstay because he did not understand his visa. He did have cash so just paid the fine and took a flight to Vietnam before coming back with no problem.Steven ****************
@Scott *********
simple, you stay in detention center with all the others that can't pay. I understand some people have been in a long time. If you are on overstay and have a ticket out and turn up at the airport they just take the fine and if overstayed over 90 days, you start to get bans so not sure what you meant about a friend being on maximum overstay. You would only be put in detention center I believe if you are picked up on the streets or I guess if you can't pay the overstay fine at the airport.Reply to
Steven ****************
Reply
Roy ***********
@Scott *********
Agreed. If he can not pay for an airline ticket now, he will be stuck in deportation because you have to pay your own ticket.Gregory ******
ORIGINAL POSTERi m alone no help just 1000eur/month
Nick ************
@Gregory *****
my advice us to contact the embassy emergency line and ask for options. I know there were loans available from UK govt not long ago but the application process was not easy. The worst thing to do is nothing and hope the problem goes away.Bobby ********
@Gregory *****
. The Thai authorities don't care if you don't have money for your airfare. It is possible your own government can arrange a loan for a flight to get you home. Reply to
Bobby ********
Reply
David *********
I hope you came on a 90day visa with a 30 day extension that took you to a valid visa date on the 27th of March or after.
If you didn't have that your are on overstay and are going way over the 90days and will be banned for at least a year. Plus fine playable on exit is you goto jail.
If you didn't have that your are on overstay and are going way over the 90days and will be banned for at least a year. Plus fine playable on exit is you goto jail.
Doug **********
Istiaque Chowdhury For me (UK Citizen) the cost is RM 150 (Malaysian Ringget) at the embassy.
The real cost is in hotels and airfare, Taxis, food etc.
The real cost is in hotels and airfare, Taxis, food etc.
Gregory ******
ORIGINAL POSTERvisa ended 30 march but i m on amesty
David *********
@Gregory *****
so from my understanding since you have used your extension with your last entry stamp on January 31st you can't get an extension when the amnisty runs out.I am sure that they will be giving a grace period of 7-14 days(hopefully longer) to make arrangements to get your visa sorted to stay in country or to leave with no penalties or repercussions.
Past that GUESS..... You are really needing the wait and see approach. I know it sucks.
Doug **********
@Gregory *****
I'm in almostj the same situation. Extension ran out in March. I lived in Thailand for almost 2 years doing the 30-Day exemption thing, the Thai immigration caught on to what I was doing and warned me - twice - that I could not live in Thailand on exemptions and would have to get a visa or be turned back the next time. So I started flying down to KL in Malaysia and getting 2 month Tourist visas and buying an additional 30 day extension when that ran out. They seem satisfied with that arrangement and I've had no problems since.
As for extending the Amnesty I doubt if anyone actually KNOWS what they will do, so I am making contingency plans. I suggest you do too. Hope for the best and plan for the worst.
Good luck.
Oliver ********
@Doug *********
so what do you suggest planning ?Doug **********
@Oliver *******
It really depends on your situation , budget, and objectives. Since I started globe hopping nine years ago I have always thought my way through and prepared for 3 situations at minimum. "Plan A" being the preferred objective and method, "Plan B" the fallback plan, "Plan C" the "If all else fails" plan. I usually build in some flexibility into the budget and schedule for each plan. In the current circumstances my "Plan A" is to hope that Malaysia and Thailand agree on a "Travel Bubble" and I can go down to KL to renew my visa. Failing that Plan A-2 is "or any other country". "Plan B" is pay one of the established Visa companies to get me converted to a 3-month non-O visa and go from there. "Plan C" would be move to another country with less constrictive Visa requirements, which has also got the virus under control, until things loosen up back here in Thailand.
Or. We can close our eyes, cross our fingers, hold our breaths, and hope Thailand renews or extends their Amnesty program.
Ivan ************
@Do**
Malaysia is closed until at least September. I suspect with borders closed and no regular air service Thailand will extend people again. But need to just wait and see.*******************************************************************************************************
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54Doug **********
@Ivan ***********
As I said in a reply to someone else, I ALWAYS have a backup plan AND an "if all else fails" plan. Ivan ************
@Do**
sure, just updating you that that specific plan isn't going to work absent an extension from Thailand in the meantime (which I do expect will happen).Oliver ********
@Doug *********
Well my plan was Malaysia aswell and i cant get Any visas non o non b .. So im a little fucked .. But it Would be stupid of the government to send me home i after all spend more than 500.000 bath already Doug **********
@Oliver *******
Unfortunately, Governments are renowned for doing stupid things which go against their stated objectives and interests. But, if you act fast, and can scrape up 18,000 Baht before the end of July you CAN get you current O visa converted to a 3 month non-O using one of the Visa services you see on here. (ThaiVisa claims almost 100% success) Oliver ********
@Doug *********
where you find that to 18.000 bath plz share cuz every 1 Else say is impossible for under 50 years age and they Tell me 65.000 bathDoug **********
@Oliver *******
Hmmm. You may be right. I didn't consider the "under 50" part (I'm 72). Still, it may be worth a shot. Reply to
Doug **********
Reply
Gregory ******
ORIGINAL POSTERwent to cambodia border on th 31 january ,went to vietnamanm from 26nov to 3dec as well
Reply to
Gregory ******
Reply
Matt *******
If you arrived in November with just the 30 day visa (visa exempt) and extended that, then your visa would have expired in January. The amnesty only covers people who have a stamp expiring after 26 March and onward.
Nick ************
@Matt ******
sorry Matt but you are not correct on that one.Matt *******
@Nick ***********
“If you’re in Thailand on a visa that expired AFTER March 26, your permission to stay is now extended until July 31” If your Visa expired before March 26, then you will owe overstay fines for however many days you overstayed until March 26.Daniel ********
@Matt ******
exactly!Nick ************
@Matt ******
in that you are correct. However, in your previous post you said that the Visa would have expired in January if the chap arrived in November. It was quite possible to obtain Visa extensions until the amnesty took over because I did it.Reply to
Nick ************
Reply
Gregory ******
ORIGINAL POSTERwent out in cambodia 31 january
Reply to
Gregory ******
Reply
James **************
There wont be any of that happening, just relax.
Wait for the government to announce what is happening.
Looks like it will be extended.
Dont panic.
Wait for the government to announce what is happening.
Looks like it will be extended.
Dont panic.
Rob ******
I would think even IF the amnesty ends on the 31st of July , will be given 30 day visa to leave in as a min.m . But yes have to wait and see .
Darren *******
@Rob *****
potentially, alternatively you could say the people on the amnesty have had a couple of months to sort themselves out. Have to wait and see as you say.Reply to
Darren *******
Reply
Wendy *******
@James *************
they say will announce soon... when is soon , hahaGreg ********
@Wendy ******
Do you really think foreigners are a priority for th Thai authorities? Give you head a shakeRon ******************
@Wendy ******
30 July 2020 ? Wendy *******
Ron ******************
@Wendy ******
just joking. It will be just after the middle of the month. They are evaluating the situation in 2 week time frames. It will make sense if the make a call 2 weeks before month end. I am not influenced by this but my money would be on a further 30 day amnesty. Greg ********
@Ron *****************
My money is on 30 days too but must make arrangements and leave.Wendy *******
@Ron *****************
thanks. Reply to
Wendy *******
Reply
James **************
@Wendy ******
between the 15th and 20th probablyWendy *******
@James *************
oh... that’s late if there’s no extension and you need to either leave or extend your visa Nick ************
@Wendy ******
if you can extend your Visa why not do it now?Wendy *******
@Nick ***********
I cant extend . I’m on expired non b visa, quit my job back in early March.. I have no visa now James **************
@Wendy ******
yes, Wendy *******
@James *************
I wish they will announce within next week. James **************
@Wendy ******
everything here is slowly slowly.😂Reply to
James **************
Reply
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