Tourist exempt 30 day expires on 20 April. Need to extend in person correct?

[metempsychotic]

Have been on non immigrant o for thai child which expired on 25 march 2020.

 

I followed the news of border closures (laos in particular) and due to a need to get a visa from the laos consulate on the 19th march as well as doctors letter claiming I was asymptomatic, I was unable to make it across the border in time to submit in the morning of Friday the 20th for pick up the following Monday the 23rd march.

 

I did manage with great difficulty to cross into laos at mukdahan on sunday the 22nd march, border closure had been announced and many laos were rushing across the border home. 

 

Closure of the thai consulate had also been announced, and while thailand did not want to let me out as they said it was closed to foreigners, I managed to talk my way across and I was told I was the only foreigner to be allowed out of thailand into laos that day.

 

As I was trying to cross in and out of laos, foreigners awaiting pick up of their non immigrant o visas were contacted on the sunday and told to collect same day and get out as borders were to shut Monday.

 

I obviously did get in and out, but was forced to come back in on a 30 day exempt status.

 

That visa exempt issued on the 22nd march, expires this coming monday 20 April.

 

So it is my understanding I am ineligible for an automatic extension, but need to apply for an extension to my 30 day visa exempt.

 

Is this correct?

 

If I had made it out on the friday I would have had a multi non o, but due to the need to get fit to travel cert and a laos visa at the consulate, Im pretty happy I managed to renew at all.   

 

Sigh.                  

Edited April 16, 2020 by metempsychotic

[jackdd]

1 minute ago, metempsychotic said:

That visa exempt issued on the 22nd Feb, expires this coming monday 20 April.

Something is wrong with your dates.

A visa exempt gives you 30 days, not 60.

Did you already get a regular 30 day extension?

[metempsychotic]

1 minute ago, jackdd said:

Something is wrong with your dates.

A visa exempt gives you 30 days, not 60.

Did you already get a regular 30 day extension?

Aye 22 march. Corrected in op

[jackdd]

You had permission to stay until at least 26th March, thus you are eligable for the automatic extension: https://immigration.go.th/content/visa_auto_extension

[DrJack54]

You obtained one extension and currently have permission of stay stamp April 20.

Do nothing your ok

[metempsychotic]

5 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

You obtained one extension and currently have permission of stay stamp April 20.

Do nothing your ok

But would it not make sense to extend and avoid further nonsense for another 30 days rather than buying myself only 10 by doing nothing??

 

I suppose the question now is can I even seek the legitimate extension?

Edited April 16, 2020 by metempsychotic

[DrJack54]

3 minutes ago, metempsychotic said:

But would it not make sense to extend and avoid further nonsense for another 30 days rather than buyimg myself only 10 by doing nothing??

You won't need to. The current amnesty will be extended. One guess would be all of May.

Will be announced soon. Maybe in last week of April.. That's just an opinion.

Edited April 16, 2020 by DrJack54

[metempsychotic]

1 minute ago, DrJack54 said:

You won't need to. The current amnesty will be extended. One guess would be all of May.

Will be announced soon. Maybe in last week of April.. That's just an opinion.

I understand it may be extended, but can I be certain by extending myself? Would they perform the paid 30 day extension?

 

Btw thanks for you patience and assistance all.

[DrJack54]

Just now, metempsychotic said:

I understand it may be extended, but can I be certain by extending myself? Would they perform the paid 30 day extension?

 

Btw thanks for you patience and assistance all.

My reading of your thread is that you entered visa exempt. Then must of already obtained ONE 30 day extension. Current permission of stay is to April 20. 

You can't get another extension. Previously could with embassy letter and yes 1900.

That's not being issued now since amnesty was announced. 

[metempsychotic]

4 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

My reading of your thread is that you entered visa exempt. Then must of already obtained ONE 30 day extension. Current permission of stay is to April 20. 

You can't get another extension. Previously could with embassy letter and yes 1900.

That's not being issued now since amnesty was announced. 

Sorry for lack of clarity. I corrected the op, to indicate I entered march 22.

 

This would be the end of my initial visa exempt. My first 30 days.

 

I have not extended, and would be extending now.

 

That would take me to around 19 or 20 may.

Edited April 16, 2020 by metempsychotic

[DrJack54]

Just now, metempsychotic said:

Sorry for lack of clarity. I corrected the op, to indicate I entered march 22.

 

This would be the end of my initial visa exempt. My first 30 days.

 

I have not extended, and would be extending now.

Personally I would wait it out. As it stands you have one extension up your sleeve. Yes you could use that now if you want. 

 

[metempsychotic]

Just now, DrJack54 said:

Personally I would wait it out. As it stands you have one extension up your sleeve. Yes you could use that now if you want. 

 

Okay, I will extend now I think and buy myself the peace of mind I think. Hopefully this begins to shake itself out and I can avail myself of an automatic renew or apply for the non o in the next month or so.

 

If I did ride it out, wouldnt my extension option be invalidated after my april 20 leave by date?

 

Again sorry for the multitude of questions, but I want to play this game to my best advantage, and it seems I will be unable to pull my 30 day extension option out at the end of all this. 

 

I reckon its a use it or lose it situation.

[heajy]

Same as OP, I wanted more certainty than April 30th so went to Muang Thong Thani today trying to extend my original 30 day visa exempt until May 17th.

Very helpful lady there said it can be done but requires some kind of extra consent form, speak to her boss etc 

The vibe they gave me was they were fully expecting the waiver period to go into May so there was no need to do it. Also told me I could come back close to Apr 30 and get my 30 day extension then if there are any surprises and the amnesty is not continued into May. 

 

Even though personally I am more of a 'get it done now' type and went there trying to get some certainty, I ended up taking her suggestion of not taking the extension now and leaving it up until the next govt communication! 

 

I left knowing this leaves me open to being part of a big <deleted>show there in a couple of weeks if everyone needs to get some kind of extension sorted quickly. 

 

In summary:

 

You can pay for the 30 day extension and get it now if you insist. 

 

Immigration don't really want anyone in there. They fully expect the amnesty to continue into May. 

 

People are being told they can use their first 30 day extension after Apr 30 if the situation demands, so not use it or lose it. 

 

As per all replies on here, my information is just my individual interaction with one officer so not saying it is gospel, just sharing to try assist in confusing times! 

 

Cheers 

heajy

Edited April 16, 2020 by heajy
Missed offf words

[DrJack54]

13 minutes ago, metempsychotic said:

Okay, I will extend now I think and buy myself the peace of mind I think. Hopefully this begins to shake itself out and I can avail myself of an automatic renew or apply for the non o in the next month or so.

 

If I did ride it out, wouldnt my extension option be invalidated after my april 20 leave by date?

 

Again sorry for the multitude of questions, but I want to play this game to my best advantage, and it seems I will be unable to pull my 30 day extension option out at the end of all this. 

 

I reckon its a use it or lose it situation.

I'm not sure about your "extension option" being not available later. Yes normally you would need do this prior to April 20. 

However we have amnesty situation.

As I mentioned...many thinking it's a given that the amnesty will be extended. If it's all May then you blow 1900 and trip to imm. Your call

[metempsychotic]

1 minute ago, DrJack54 said:

I'm not sure about your "extension option" being not available later. Yes normally you would need do this prior to April 20. 

However we have amnesty situation.

As I mentioned...many thinking it's a given that the amnesty will be extended. If it's all May then you blow 1900 and trip to imm. Your call

I cant see thai immigration allowing us to bank an extension.

 

2k and a trip to immigration seems like a very small price to pay to be assured I am legit and avoid any uncertainty of overstay or being beholden to the thai government for vague promises of amnesty - assuming I avoid infection but I live in hope things are better there now that there is a separate office for extension.

 

I suppose my best way forward is to attempt a call and if that fails to provide assurance, enquire in person.

 

As I said, I cant see the thai government actually allowing us to bank an extension past the stamped leave by date, though it would be a nice hole card to have should it be possible  

 

 

[metempsychotic]

22 minutes ago, metempsychotic said:

I cant see thai immigration allowing us to bank an extension.

 

2k and a trip to immigration seems like a very small price to pay to be assured I am legit and avoid any uncertainty of overstay or being beholden to the thai government for vague promises of amnesty - assuming I avoid infection but I live in hope things are better there now that there is a separate office for extension.

 

I suppose my best way forward is to attempt a call and if that fails to provide assurance, enquire in person.

 

As I said, I cant see the thai government actually allowing us to bank an extension past the stamped leave by date, though it would be a nice hole card to have should it be possible  

 

 

@DrJack54

 

Sorry for the multiple responses, but i did just contact the 1111 help line and spoke to an individual who claimed to be an immigration officer.

 

They informed me I can retain the extension on my current visa exempt and use it at the end of the the automatic extension period.

 

I posed the question in numerous ways, he stated that I could use the 30 day extension may 1 (though I would go on 30th) if necessary or at a later date if the automatic extension period is extended. 

 

Sadly, given the state of affairs in thailand, I am leery about taking him at his word, as excellent at english and helpful as he was.

 

I will seek secondary confirmation on immigrations other line and perhaps take a trip out there for confimation in person.

 

He was however adamant that I could use the extension in the future once the automatic amnesty period has ended.

 

Hope this is useful to others..... though it still leaves me rather uncertain as to how to proceed.... 

 

@DrJack54