Foreigners in Thailand have until Nov 26 to apply for ‘COVID extensions’

[Jonathan Fairfield]

File Photo

 

Foreigners staying in Thailand on so-called 60 day ‘COVID extensions’ can now apply to extend their stay beyond November.

 

On Monday (Sept 20) Immigration released an order to confirm the extension of the grace period given to foreigners stuck in Thailand due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Previously, the deadline for COVID extensions had been September 27, 2021.

 

However, the new order confirms the grace period has been extended to November 26, 2021.

 

This means that were someone to apply for a 60 extension towards the end of November, they would be granted permission to remain in Thailand into next year.

 

The grace period for COVID extensions was launched last year to help foreigners stuck in Thailand and unable to return to their home country.

 

While the vast majority of tourists have since returned home, there are still people who have remained in Thailand since the start of the pandemic. 

 

With many countries continuing to close borders or require anyone entering to show proof of vaccinations, the situation regarding international travel remains problematic for some. 

 

Therefore, the Thai government has announced another extension of the grace period.

 

A COVID-19 extension costs 1,900 baht.

 

Special thanks to Tod Daniels for the tip.

 

 

 

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[DrJack54]

Excellent news

[Lite Beer]

Just another excuse to overstay your time here.

I suppose all these 1,900 Baht add up.

Edited September 21, 2021 by Lite Beer

[DrJack54]

11 minutes ago, Lite Beer said:

Just another excuse to overstay your time here.

I suppose all these 1,900 Baht add up.

The word "overstay" in Thai visa forums means being inn Thailand without a valid permission of stay.

Folk here on covid extensions have valid permit..

[zzaa09]

22 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Excellent news

The covid extensions have been ongoing. 

Reasonably civilised gesture considering the times.

[2 is 1]

42 minutes ago, Lite Beer said:

Just another excuse to overstay your time here.

I suppose all these 1,900 Baht add up.

And what is away from you? Many of those people who get covid extension really cant easy go back own country. In normal time those same people maybe doing visa run's what is not now possible all are anyway leagaly in Thailand!

[KaputtAlreadyNa]

It is real sad sometimes to read comments on this forum. When the Thai government gives Covid 19 extension, there are complaints and if they don't give this Covid 19 extension, there are complaints. It is not easy to please everyone.

Warmest

[lolalol]

A very generous decision by Thai Gov. 

 

[chalawaan]

 A rare bouquet from me as many Antipodeans are locked out of their homelands by entry quotas. I don't think even Thailand's authoritarian Government are that harsh to their own!

 

The virus is real but the paranoia is pathetic for the developed countries that they are, with vaccines and welfare for all.

[yogi yogi]

so if i come nov 1.  and want to stay five months.  my best and easiest bet is to come in on a two month visa.  and then maybe i could get the 30 day extension a week after arriving .  and then on nov 27 even though still time on my visa i could do the 60 day extension .  making 5 months total?? thanks for any insight

[ubonjoe]

5 minutes ago, yogi yogi said:

so if i come nov 1.  and want to stay five months.  my best and easiest bet is to come in on a two month visa.  and then maybe i could get the 30 day extension a week after arriving .  and then on nov 27 even though still time on my visa i could do the 60 day extension .  making 5 months total?? thanks for any insight

The current order for the 60 day extensions ends on November 26th. You would have to apply prior to that day unless they extend it again. If you applied on the 27th the application would not be accepted/

[yogi yogi]

Just now, ubonjoe said:

The current order for the 60 day extensions ends on November 26th. You would have to apply prior to that day unless they extend it again. If you applied on the 27th the application would not be accepted/

but if i arrive on nov 1 on  a two month tourist visa . maybe i could get the 60 day covid extension immediately ,  like nov 7,  that would give me 4 months,  then after that is up i could still try for my one time 30 day extension.??  worth a try , maybe if i went to an immigration office in like thammarat or somewhere they dont have many tourists

[rct99q]

A bit off topic, but curious. I have had a reply in regards to extensions, that it is needed to be done by October 1st as there is a shake up happening within immigration. 

 

Anybody with any knowledge to what Might be happening?

 

Thanks.

[Pib]

Thailand is definitely being generous.  Isn't this around the 6th time (give or take a little) they have extended the COVID extension program....a program that started around mid 2020.

[ubonjoe]

10 minutes ago, rct99q said:

Anybody with any knowledge to what Might be happening?

I assume you were sent something from an agent stating that you need to do them early.

The assumption is that it is due the annual shuffle of officers to different offices and promotions that occurs on September 30th every year so the agent do not know what their costs maybe after the 30th.

[hotchilli]

11 hours ago, Jonathan Fairfield said:

The grace period for COVID extensions was launched last year to help foreigners stuck in Thailand and unable to return to their home country

This year it's so they can remain here spending money?

[moe666]

20 minutes ago, yogi yogi said:

but if i arrive on nov 1 on  a two month tourist visa . maybe i could get the 60 day covid extension immediately ,  like nov 7,  that would give me 4 months,  then after that is up i could still try for my one time 30 day extension.??  worth a try , maybe if i went to an immigration office in like thammarat or somewhere they dont have many tourists

If you have 60 days are so left on your visa they will not extend it

[riverhigh]

Hopefully this so called covid extension will be relegated to the dustbin of history and people can get back to normal life. With vaccines becoming more available (yesterday they anounced that Phizer was available to people 18+ at Central Festival) people allegedly stuck in Thailand can make their way back home. 

[yogi yogi]

Just now, ubonjoe said:

The current order for the 60 day extensions ends on November 26th. You would have to apply prior to that day unless they extend it again. If you applied on the 27th the application would not be accepted/

thanks i guess my only hope is they keep having some sort of options for someone in for a few months.  to get extra time.  you suggested before that if the border run is not available that they will continue the covid extension.   im interested in vietnam as as well,,,,,,,,maybe soon that island in vietnam would open up .  and then i guess without any visa at all  i could come back for a free 30 days.  and have a one time extension of that for 30 days.   scenerio. i come on two month visa and then extend 30 days.  then i fly to that viet island for a month.  now im at 4 months.  and i come back to thailand visa free for another 30 days,  now im at 5 months,  and i can probably get a 30 day extension added on .  now thats six months. bottom line is the thais have full records on computer for every person and thier attempts to stay in kingdom permanently,  so if i have a proven track record of only winter travel (nov to may) for many years they will see that in thier computer and grant me a visa. 

[fondue zoo]

 

 

      Good News Everyone!

Edited September 22, 2021 by fondue zoo

[lanng khao]

Fantastic news I'll be here till next year ..big shout out to the covid extensions....????????

[delgarcon]

11 hours ago, KaputtAlreadyNa said:

It is real sad sometimes to read comments on this forum. When the Thai government gives Covid 19 extension, there are complaints and if they don't give this Covid 19 extension, there are complaints. It is not easy to please everyone.

Warmest

You should be used to the bs, the forum's full of it.

[bobandyson]

49 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

This year it's so they can remain here spending money?

And those on tourist visas or VEs can help boost up TAT's tourist figures.

[raccos21]

That will give people great peace of mind.

[Raymonddiaz]

Does anyone know the number of people who are applying for the Covid extension???? .....X 1900 B = .............

[fdbob]

12 hours ago, zzaa09 said:

The covid extensions have been ongoing. 

Reasonably civilised gesture considering the times.

If only they would make so easy for Thais in Australia 

[jackdd]

1 hour ago, riverhigh said:

Hopefully this so called covid extension will be relegated to the dustbin of history and people can get back to normal life. With vaccines becoming more available (yesterday they anounced that Phizer was available to people 18+ at Central Festival) people allegedly stuck in Thailand can make their way back home. 

Hopefully it just becomes permanent, simply unlimited 60 day extensions. They should just get rid of the under consideration period.

Edited September 22, 2021 by jackdd

[bristolgeoff]

My friend will be getting his next extension then in cnx like many.To be fair  it worked for many who have stayed there since the outbreak.I don,t think it will last much longer now the jabs are being issued

[at15]

1 hour ago, riverhigh said:

Hopefully this so called covid extension will be relegated to the dustbin of history and people can get back to normal life. With vaccines becoming more available (yesterday they anounced that Phizer was available to people 18+ at Central Festival) people allegedly stuck in Thailand can make their way back home. 

nothing to do with vaccines. its about the ongoing travel situation which we are now seeing has no end in sight with very limited openings. We will probably be very deep into 2022 with covid extensions in place.

[bobandyson]

Just now, jackdd said:

They should just get rid of the under consideration period.

They have at CW. I went last Friday and got one stamp for the 60 days. I read that it was the same at MTT. 

Also they did my 90 day report at CW instead of me having to go to MTT.