60 and 90 Day extensions due to covid ?

[audaciousnomad]

This agency in Chonburi claims to be able to help extend Tourist visas for 60 and 90 days due to Covid.
Anyone know if there is truth to their claim? I haven't found any such extension available on the govt websites. I am aware the standard extension available is 30 days for 1900baht.
https://www.facebook.com/Expatgold/?hc_location=ufi

[ubonjoe]

With a letter from a person's embassy it is possible to get a 30 day extension after the standard 30 day extension.

I assume more than one could be done if a person could get the letter.

[audaciousnomad]

3 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

With a letter from a person's embassy it is possible to get a 30 day extension after the standard 30 day extension.

I assume more than one could be done if a person could get the letter.

Thanks Ubonjoe. My guess then is that for a fee this agency will take care of getting said letter and do the extra extension, thereby saving a person two trips to immigration. It must be one of those "hardship letter" situations. Which this virus does seem to qualify as.

[ubonjoe]

7 minutes ago, audaciousnomad said:

It must be one of those "hardship letter" situations.

Not sure it would be called a hardship letter.

Immigration is apparently using a little used clause of the police order to do the 30 day extensions.

[audaciousnomad]

Thanks!

[aldriglikvid]

I asked them and the price was 25 000 for a 30d extension and 30 000 for a 60d extension (on top of your current extension). 

[RichardColeman]

I imagine if they shut the airports and all flights cancelled and a lock down announced, then there would be some 'free' visa allowance for people unable to leave. Imagine locking up everyone with no valid visa as they could not leave ? 

 

30,000 might be a fair whack for something later given for free - like the Chinese

[ubonjoe]

4 minutes ago, RichardColeman said:

I imagine if they shut the airports and all flights cancelled and a lock down announced, then there would be some 'free' visa allowance for people unable to leave. Imagine locking up everyone with no valid visa as they could not leave ? 

There would be no free visa since they are not issued here in the county.

As I wrote before there is a 30 day extension that can be obtained for a fee of 1900 baht.

[Chazar]

16 minutes ago, RichardColeman said:

Imagine locking up everyone with no valid visa as they could not leave ? 

wouldnt  put it  past them

[Mr Smithy]

33 minutes ago, Nigel Sri Thanonchai said:

That's a total ripoff I can assure you

No one is forced to use these agents

[justin case]

hope immigration has some brains (lol) and heart ... to give people (metoo - lol) a break...

 

[Max69xl]

6 hours ago, audaciousnomad said:

Thanks!

Agents wants you to believe that every document you need is hard to obtain. 

[brianthainess]

18 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

With a letter from a person's embassy it is possible to get a 30 day extension after the standard 30 day extension.

I assume more than one could be done if a person could get the letter.

Would that mean travelling to BKK or is the letter by email?

[ubonjoe]

1 hour ago, brianthainess said:

Would that mean travelling to BKK or is the letter by email?

I would think they would send it by mail. Email would not work with immigration since they would want to see the original letter not a printout of it.

[audaciousnomad]

21 hours ago, aldriglikvid said:

I asked them and the price was 25 000 for a 30d extension and 30 000 for a 60d extension (on top of your current extension). 

25000THB ???  That is extortionary! LOL  I'll take my chances for 30 days and 1900THB.  ????

[Hwood0606]

I’ve already extended for 30 days. Wasn’t difficult, 1/2 day at the immigration office and cost 1900 baht but it appears the 30 days won’t be enough. I spoke to a visa agent today and was told 28000 baht for a 90 day extension. Still cheaper than a visa run but this doesn’t seem legit. Is there any truth to this? Thanks in advance. 

[aldriglikvid]

While at first I was a bit doubtful when my close friend told me he could extend again with 30 days (while being on his 30 days extension already), I saw it first hand today. 

 

The only thing Jomtien Immigration needed to "bypass the rules" was a "visa extension declaration"  

 

I contacted my embassy in bangkok and requested said document and was met with the reply that this is not given for just flight cancelations. 

 

I'll figure my self out of this mess, somehow. 

 

Cambodia och Malaysia is closed for border runs. Can't fly anywhere...

[sunfruitdan]

17 hours ago, Hwood0606 said:

I’ve already extended for 30 days. Wasn’t difficult, 1/2 day at the immigration office and cost 1900 baht but it appears the 30 days won’t be enough. I spoke to a visa agent today and was told 28000 baht for a 90 day extension. Still cheaper than a visa run but this doesn’t seem legit. Is there any truth to this? Thanks in advance. 

What did you have to have to be able to extend for 30 days after your extended 30 days?

[jacko45k]

8 minutes ago, sunfruitdan said:

What did you have to have to be able to extend for 30 days after your extended 30 days?

The way I read it he hasn't had a second 30 day extension but an agent is offering a 90 day one for 28,000 baht. 

[audaciousnomad]

On 3/17/2020 at 3:50 PM, aldriglikvid said:

While at first I was a bit doubtful when my close friend told me he could extend again with 30 days (while being on his 30 days extension already), I saw it first hand today. 

 

The only thing Jomtien Immigration needed to "bypass the rules" was a "visa extension declaration"  

 

I contacted my embassy in bangkok and requested said document and was met with the reply that this is not given for just flight cancelations. 

 

I'll figure my self out of this mess, somehow. 

 

Cambodia och Malaysia is closed for border runs. Can't fly anywhere...

SAME EXPERIENCE FROM A U.S. CITIZEN WHO INQUIRED AT HIS EMBASSY TODAY. HERE'S THE RESPONSE:
 

For ???????? I had requested a letter from USA Embassy in BKK to extend stay by 30 more days, and they said no. They just followed up with this email, thought I'd share.

 

Given the wording, and the changing daily landscape, you can deduce there could be a chance to receive this letter if/when USA decides to close its borders completely... but that's not something we can plan around.

 

"The Royal Thai Police Bureau of Immigration has recently highlighted a provision in Royal Thai Police Order 327/2557, clause 2.28 which states “an Embassy or Consulate General can issue a certified letter requesting a 30-day visa extension for its citizens because of reasons of necessity."

The U.S. Embassy Bangkok and Consulate General Chiang Mai are aware U.S. citizens may choose to remain in Thailand as opposed to returning to the United States or traveling to another country. We cannot issue this letter because there are currently no restrictions being placed on travel to the United States from Thailand.

With regards to visa renewals, visa overstays, etc. our advice remains the same for any visa inquiry; if people overstay, they run the risk of being arrested or deported. Thai visa matters are not the purview of the U.S. government. We advise you contact an attorney if you are concerned with maintaining or extending your visa status.

If a U.S. citizen has been unable to maintain a long-term legal way to remain in Thailand they will need to return to the United States.

U.S. Embassy Bangkok and Consulate General Chiang Mai are advocating with the Royal Thai Government to take the COVID-19 situation under advisement when reviewing visa extension requests. The RTG can make these decisions without USG involvement.

Sincerely,

JC

American Citizen Services

US Embassy, Bangkok"

[mjtusa]

This thread helpful to me. 

I have a USA passport. Arrived Bangkok on March 4. 30 day visitation. Had a booked flight to Hanoi on April 2 and a return flight to the USA on June 25 from HCMC. The April 2 flight now not going to happen.

 

From everything I am reading on this forum I should have no problem getting a 30 day extension. 2 questions:

1. If I apply now with 2 weeks remaining on my 30 day visitation will the 30 day extension start after April 2?

 

2. I no longer have a flight booked out of Thailand. Wanted to wait until Vietnam updates their shutdown on April 15. With no flight out of Thailand will immigration grant the 30 day visa. I doubt that my June 25 departure from HCMC qualifies.

 

Thanks

[mtls2005]

26 minutes ago, mjtusa said:

I have a USA passport. Arrived Bangkok on March 4. 30 day visitation. Had a booked flight to Hanoi on April 2 and a return flight to the USA on June 25 from HCMC. The April 2 flight now not going to happen.

 

I think you will be advised to find a different route home.

 

12 hours ago, audaciousnomad said:

We cannot issue this letter because there are currently no restrictions being placed on travel to the United States from Thailand.

 

I know two people being evacuated today for the U.S. One via DOH, one on Korean Air via ICN. Maybe stop looking for a way to stay, and look for a way to get home.

[mauroest]

for Italian cit.   the 2nd extension up to 30 days, NOT 30 days at once!
No IO gives 30 days 

[trappedinasia]

Hi. Can anybody answer mjtusa's questions?

 

I have the same questions. I came in on a 30-day visa waiver two weeks ago.

 

Does a 30-day extension always start at the end of those 30 days, or the day the extension is granted? 

 

And do they require an outbound flight or anything else to grant the extension?

 

Thanks

[ubonjoe]

21 minutes ago, trappedinasia said:

Does a 30-day extension always start at the end of those 30 days, or the day the extension is granted? 

 

It starts from the end of the 30 days.

21 minutes ago, trappedinasia said:

And do they require an outbound flight or anything else to grant the extension?

No ticket out is needed.

Only a application form  and copies of your passport and 1900 baht for the fee.

[trappedinasia]

Anybody know if immigration has long lines in Phuket these days? 

[aldriglikvid]

20 hours ago, audaciousnomad said:

SAME EXPERIENCE FROM A U.S. CITIZEN WHO INQUIRED AT HIS EMBASSY TODAY. HERE'S THE RESPONSE:
 

For ???????? I had requested a letter from USA Embassy in BKK to extend stay by 30 more days, and they said no. They just followed up with this email, thought I'd share.

 

Given the wording, and the changing daily landscape, you can deduce there could be a chance to receive this letter if/when USA decides to close its borders completely... but that's not something we can plan around.

 

"The Royal Thai Police Bureau of Immigration has recently highlighted a provision in Royal Thai Police Order 327/2557, clause 2.28 which states “an Embassy or Consulate General can issue a certified letter requesting a 30-day visa extension for its citizens because of reasons of necessity."

The U.S. Embassy Bangkok and Consulate General Chiang Mai are aware U.S. citizens may choose to remain in Thailand as opposed to returning to the United States or traveling to another country. We cannot issue this letter because there are currently no restrictions being placed on travel to the United States from Thailand.

With regards to visa renewals, visa overstays, etc. our advice remains the same for any visa inquiry; if people overstay, they run the risk of being arrested or deported. Thai visa matters are not the purview of the U.S. government. We advise you contact an attorney if you are concerned with maintaining or extending your visa status.

If a U.S. citizen has been unable to maintain a long-term legal way to remain in Thailand they will need to return to the United States.

U.S. Embassy Bangkok and Consulate General Chiang Mai are advocating with the Royal Thai Government to take the COVID-19 situation under advisement when reviewing visa extension requests. The RTG can make these decisions without USG involvement.

Sincerely,

JC

American Citizen Services

US Embassy, Bangkok"

Spot on. As you say, things changing by the day. 

As in my previous post my embassy was quite reluctant. Today they are sending mass-emails for their citizens offering said document making an extension available. 

However, as expected - how we are treated at Immigration depends on the mood and on the office. 

 

I hear everything from 7, 30 and 50 days. Several - and I mean several - Swedes are posting that they received 50 days at the immigration office close to Ko Lanta. The posters are not related. Can not confirm or deny. 

Seems as I don't need to worry too much about my border run. What a stress relief. 

[MagnumForce]

Hi folks,

 

Thought I'd post on this thread rather than starting a new one since it's related, but not exactly the same as the op.

 

I'm on a 30-day visa exempt from entering Thailand at Nongkhai, valid until April 4. Can I go to Immigration to extend that for 30 more days, not based on the special clause, just the standard 30-day extension?

 

If so, and assuming that brings me up to early May, can I then extend for 60 days based on marriage?

 

In total, that would give me 90 days, maybe enough time to ride out the worst of this mess. I was going to go to Laos next week to apply for the Non-Imm 'O' multi-entry based on marriage but that appears to be off the table now with no visas on arrival being issued in Laos, and the talk of medical certificates and health insurance etc.

 

Finally, If it's possible to do this, would the initial 30-day extension mean using up my 2 visa exempt entries for the calendar year?

 

As always, I'd be very grateful for useful information.

 

Many thanks,

 

MF

[ubonjoe]

39 minutes ago, MagnumForce said:

If so, and assuming that brings me up to early May, can I then extend for 60 days based on marriage?

Best to ask you local immigration office about the 60 day extension before getting the 30 day extension. Most will do it but some may say no.

39 minutes ago, MagnumForce said:

Finally, If it's possible to do this, would the initial 30-day extension mean using up my 2 visa exempt entries for the calendar year?

No

[MagnumForce]

4 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

Best to ask you local immigration office about the 60 day extension before getting the 30 day extension. Most will do it but some may say no.

Do you mean specifically check with them if they will give the 60 day extension after the 30 day extension, or check in general if they do the 60 day extension at all?

 

Udon Thani is my Immigration office, if that makes any difference...