Guys, I just called the BKK embassy emergency line and the person there was helpful and told me to send a photo of the Bio Data page (the page with the photo and personal information), and we would get personal letters to take to Immigration. The e-mail address is [email protected]. I don't know if this will work as CW seemed to be demanding notarized letters that were paid for, and all appointments are closed. Lets share some stories here and see if we can get extensions in this difficult time. My understanding so far is that with the standard letter and e-mail conversations with the US Embassy, people were getting rejected and 7 days at best at CW. We really need a minimum of 30 days in order to try to be able to have a chance to legally wait out the travel restrictions and get somewhere safe, and the US is not that now.

I had sent an email a few hours ago and got a reply asking for the biodata page.  My (already extended) visa exemption expires in 4 days, so I'll try using whatever letter they come back to me with.

 

I'll be going to the Trat Immigration office, however.  I'm not sure if that will help or hurt.

Edited March 23, 20206 yr by alw22

Good luck. Let us know what happens : )

Edited March 23, 20206 yr by vermin on arrival
bad grammar

I just sent another request along with picture of my bio data sheet to embassy- see what happens-

Just received a reply from US Embassy, wait for letter can be up to 72 hours.

4 hours ago, vermin on arrival said:

I don't know if this will work as CW seemed to be demanding notarized letters that were paid for, and all appointments are closed.

If that's really what immigration is asking for - and we've only heard that from second hand reports - it would really indicate that they don't know what they're talking about. What will be provided going forward is exactly what immigration says they wanted: a letter FROM the embassy. A paid, notarized letter would simply be a personal statement by a US citizen whose identity had been verified by the embassy. 

2 minutes ago, khunjeff said:

If that's really what immigration is asking for - and we've only heard that from second hand reports - it would really indicate that they don't know what they're talking about. What will be provided going forward is exactly what immigration says they wanted: a letter FROM the embassy. A paid, notarized letter would simply be a personal statement by a US citizen whose identity had been verified by the embassy. 

Unfortunately  it seems they are requesting original documents. Here is a photo another member took form Phuket. I suspect CW in BKK will be doing the same.

 

2 minutes ago, vermin on arrival said:

Unfortunately  it seems they are requesting original documents. Here is a photo another member took form Phuket. I suspect CW in BKK will be doing the same.

 

From what another person posted earlier today, it seems that the embassy IS trying to figure out a way of providing original letters, while taking into account that (a) they want to avoid people coming in person to the embassy building; (b) many of those requesting the letters are in other provinces; and (c) mailing letters to hundreds or thousands of citizens could be impractical, both for the embassy and the recipient. A completely pointless requirement causing severe headaches for both citizens and embassies, to no obvious benefit to anyone - not even to immigration itself, which must interact with hundreds of possibly infected applicants every day... ????

I completely agree, but it seems that Thai immigration is showing little compassion

I emailed them today and received this reply: 

Subject: Re: Visa Extension

 

Thai Immigration requires foreign travelers to request an extension letter from their respective embassies when applying for visa extension related to the COVID-19 virus.  In order to facilitate the preparation of this letter, please reply to this email with: 1. your full name as listed in your passport, 2. your date of birth, and 3. your U.S. passport number.  Due to the volume of requests, please allow up to 72 hours for a copy of your extension letter to be sent to you via email.  Every effort is being made to issue them as soon as possible.  

 

Nothing about a biodata page- I replied with the requested information.This was today (Monday, March 23) so obviously didnt receive my letter yet, but I did receive this reply confirming they received my info : 

Dear Mr. Xxxx

 

Thai Immigration requires foreign travelers to request an extension letter from their respective embassies when applying for visa extension related to the COVID-19 virus.  Thank you for providing your passport and/or relevant information necessary to prepare this letter.  Due to the volume of requests, please allow up to 72 hours for a copy of your extension letter to be sent to you via email.  Every effort is being made to issue them as soon as possible.  

 

Sincerely,

 

American Citizen Service

Edited March 23, 20206 yr by BigJ
Additional info to add

Yes 72 hours is what I got in my reply as well. It will not be an original though through the mail; it will be an e-mailed letter, which does not seem to be acceptable to IO offices atm.

Lets hope for the best as presumably it will have all of our pertinent personal information  thus somewhat "original". 

Removed some troll posts.

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