audaciousnomad

A volunteer visa is Non-Immigrant. Non-Immigrant visa holders can no longer apply for covid extension.

Yes, the difficulty with it is that many of the Thai consulates in neighboring countries were not issuing METV (Malaysia, Myanmar, etc.). Furthermore, it was getting more and more difficult to arrive in Bangkok on flights (i.e. the scrutiny of number of times arriving in a year, showing 20K baht cash, and other non-sense).

Yes indeed! I wish they would do something like pay 6000 for 6 months(and do a online 90-day report mid-way) once covid is over. The old system where you had to extend after 30 days, then run to a border at the end of that, then cycle it all over again was so much hassle.

If the translation is accurate....yes it is indeed a teamkill. They are putting the writing on the wall that they expect most of us to be gone by the end of March. No one will pay 1900THB for a 10-day extension.

*** URGENT *** Even if you think you have time to apply, don't wait. APPLY FOR 60-DAY Covid Ext. TODAY. A reliable forum on FB posted a finer translation of the document. It is NOT an extension of the covid program. It is a NEW program which defines NEW ways of handling those who are extending under Immigration order Article 5. Apparently, anyone else who will apply for an "UNABLE TO TRAVEL" extension after 25-Jan will ONLY BE GIVEN 10 DAYS PER APPLICATION. <== Heads-up @yogi yogi Text from the FB post follows.... "This announcement is a complete new way of letting people stay who are unable to travel due to Covid. It is not an extension of the ending maximum 60 day program. So far we understand: People entered Thailand with a visa on arrival can NOT apply for an Extension of Stay based on unable to travel due to covid. People entered Thailand with a Non Immigrant Visa can NOT apply for an Extension of Stay based on unable to travel due to covid and must apply according the normal requirements for their stay and reason why the visa is issued. People entered Thailand on a Tourist Visa must apply first for the normal 30 day Extension of Stay based on Tourism, after that they can apply for an Extension of Stay for no more than 10 days each time. There is an extra warning: 2. Increasing strictness in considering permission to stay in the Kingdom to prevent aliens from using them as an opportunity to circumvent the reasons for applying to stay in the Kingdom without meeting the objectives of the immigration law. In this regard, the relevant laws, regulations, orders and guidelines shall be complied with. The agency inspects the notification of residence under section 38 of the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 and checks to prevent illegal work without permission" Hope @ubonjoe can offer any additional inputs from his own reliable translators.

Let us know how your extension goes. I am curious to know if on Ko Tao they are demanding things like departure flight bookings, etc. Or is it an easy process?

If I had to take a guess, they are trying to "reset" the covid extensions so that those who prior to pandemic were consistently requalifying properly for their Non-Immigrant visas (O, A, Retirement, etc.) will go back to to doing that. Ostensibly this will make it so by the time they end the covid program, there will be not too many people still on it aside from tourists who would eventually have planned to exit the country anyway.

Mr. Barrow also posted something about Visa On Arrival will not be able to use them as well. I hope those who are on Visa Exempt and TR are still okay.

Sorry I did not look first for an existing topic...please delete my post if necessary. Khob khun krup!

Yes...you should apply already.

Going into Cambodia sounds simple enough. I think returning is where all the hoop-jumping begins....T-pass, Insurance, Test&Pray, MudBox, etc. ????

https://coconuts.co/bangkok/lifestyle/sexpat-blogger-stickboy-abruptly-pulls-out-of-bangkok/

Yeah, but it is kind of annoying to read your repeated post that this program won't be forever. Um...of course we know that. It's a 'covid' extension. Which means when covid is considered by them to be no longer a valid argument for continuing to be here, they will end the program. Thanks for the reminder...I think we all know it is not a 'forever' thing!

Those guys in Hua Hin are clueless. No other office in the entire Kingdom is asking for those since early 2021.

You're all set. A few other forms will be given to you at the office to complete. No big deal, just complete and sign them there. Let us know how it goes!

There is no qualification needed. MTT is the satellite location which is effectively a branch of Govt Complex at CW. You have to return to MTT if you want to apply for the 60-day covid extension. Go before 25-Jan.

There are 3 possible formats of the TM30. The most convenient would be the 2nd one in this image. It is a screen capture from the browser online web registration that your landlord would have logged into when entering you in their system. Ask them for this screen capture, or the one from their mobile phone app.

Wow....some serious "visa extension scalping". Over 500% the normal fee to get an extension!

Same deal at MTT. They have a "Dragon Lady" scolding all the farangs who are extending their covid extensions.

Same. Or I might go to another province. But if the covid program truly ends on 25Jan...then we'll have to find some other visa or leave.

Thanks @BritTim. I know of one other person in the forum who received the same threat by the same IO in Bangkok(MTT). Well, I guess if they don't extend the program on 25-Jan it's a moot point anyway since us who were here on these extensions will have to find some other alternatives.

What is this "New" covid extension form ?

Obviously. Even if it wasn't in the system, it's all there plain to see with the stamps in my passport. I'm not concerned about that. I'm just thinking different human may mean different response in March. Hopefully I don't get a human similar to YOU.

Each day past the current stamp is 500. If he's leaving this weekend, this flight would need to be 4 days from today for it to be worth the hassle of going to immigration. Extension fee is 1900. 4 days additional overstay is 2000. Don't bother...just pay up at the airport on departure.