Foreigners in Thailand are stressed as conflicting reports state automatic Covid visa extension may be ending

[webfact]

File photo for reference only

 

Many expats are finding it hard to get the facts regarding the government’s exact stance on the 60 days Covid extensions.

 

According to the Thai Government’s own public relations department’s website, it announced last month that they would extend the current Declaration of an Emergency Situation by an additional two months, beginning December 1, 2021, and ending January 31, 2022.

 

It stated that the government will also add a 60-day extension to the current COVID-19 visa extension scheme, allowing foreign nationals stranded in Thailand to remain in the country on many types of expired visas until January 25, 2022. 

 

They stated that the extension will not be applied automatically, and visa holders are recommended to contact the immigration authorities to ensure the extension will be used.

 

More Rumours

 

As you may have seen online and in the newspapers, Immigration offices have been swamped this week by worried expats and foreigners trying to find out what is going on.

Now, various media in Thailand have added to this confusion this week, by reporting that while there has been no official announcement from Immigration departments, the exact deadline to apply for the 60-day “Covid” visa extension scheme could be pushed back to March 25. 

Covid Visa

The Covid visa extension scheme was introduced at the start of the pandemic and was intended for foreigners who cannot leave Thailand due to canceled flights, border closures, and travel restrictions. 

The scheme has been extended numerous times over the past couple of years, with expats and tourists having to find out at the last minute, and in some cases even after the deadline or by a document leaked on social media.

I think we all understand the reasons why travel was restricted for so long, and to be honest those staying here on a Covid extension visa knew that eventually one day the system would be stopped.
However, for many, what they find extremely hard to take on board is the uncertainty as there is no one official place to find out what is going on.

Vietnam’s immigration terms are even tougher

Several foreigners stranded in Vietnam because of Covid-19 are also distressed at Vietnam's sudden decision to stop automatic visa extension, requiring them to leave within a week.

 

According to VN Express, on Jan 8, Vietnam's Immigration Department said the automatic extension of visas for foreign nationals stranded in the country due to Covid-19 would end on Jan 15 because the country had resumed regular commercial international flights.

But the latest rule has been problematic to many as it came at short notice, especially for people who are stuck here for distinct reasons without money to afford expensive tickets back home.

Immigration Centres spreading Omicron

Here in Thailand, many are likely to be in the queue this week waiting to see what date will be stamped in their passports.

It is confusing, frustrating, and unsafe as to be honest having to queue en masse with the Omicron virus spreading like wildfire it is not a pleasant experience.

To help others, if you are at an immigration centre this week, maybe you can share your own observations and what stamp you eventually had in your passport too?

 

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[userabcd]

No need to be stressed. If they have no need to be in Thailand then its just a simple purchase of a flight ticket back to their home country where they will feel safe and not stressed.

[DrJack54]

Borders Open = Covid extensions End.

Ain't rocket science. 

Borders (land) are not open and hence covid extensions should continue.

As per usual MO, immigration will play funny buggers and cause stress.

[lordblackader]

How is this published today? The extension through to March 25 was published two days ago. It was never automatic, you always had to go an apply for the additional 60 day extension of stay. 

 

The biggest change is that you can now only apply for a COVID extension if your on a visa exempt or tourist visa entry. 

[yogi yogi]

36 minutes ago, userabcd said:

No need to be stressed. If they have no need to be in Thailand then its just a simple purchase of a flight ticket back to their home country where they will feel safe and not stressed.

covid emergency in north america and europe.  safer here. i need covid extension so i will survive this 

[Eff1n2ret]

I think the Kiwis have a good reason for a further extension as Jacinda won't let them in. Anyone else can go home. If, as the article alleges, some haven't got the price of a ticket, that's not a good reason to legitimise their further stay in the country.

[Enoon]

1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

Borders Open = Covid extensions End.

Ain't rocket science. 

Borders (land) are not open and hence covid extensions should continue.

As per usual MO, immigration will play funny buggers and cause stress.

No letter from embassy/closed land borders was all I put for my reasons to stay.

 

I guess that they looked at my "usual" snowbird routine and figured I could not make my "normal" arrangements.

 

60 day extension dated from end of my original TR entry.

 

Thus my final departure date will follow practice of pre-Covid years.

 

 

Edited January 26, 2022 by Enoon

[DrJack54]

7 minutes ago, Enoon said:

No letter from embassy/closed land borders was all I put for my reasons to stay.

Reason enough in my book.

I assume this extension was Jan 25 or earlier.

Think what everyone is looking for are reports from now on.

Will take some time to see how immigration play their cards.

They are known to have several jokers in each deck. 

[DrJack54]

45 minutes ago, lordblackader said:

The biggest change is that you can now only apply for a COVID extension if your on a visa exempt or tourist visa entry.

I suggest thats not completely clear at this time.

If indeed that happens, personally wouldn't think it's unreasonable for anyone that can obtain other extensions such as marriage or retirement from a non O to be refused covid extensions. 

[yogi yogi]

49 minutes ago, lordblackader said:

How is this published today? The extension through to March 25 was published two days ago. It was never automatic, you always had to go an apply for the additional 60 day extension of stay. 

 

The biggest change is that you can now only apply for a COVID extension if your on a visa exempt or tourist visa entry. 

im hearing that u get only one covid extension now.  once u get one thats it

[Enoon]

8 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Reason enough in my book.

I assume this extension was Jan 25 or earlier.

Think what everyone is looking for are reports from now on.

Will take some time to see how immigration play their cards.

They are known to have several jokers in each deck. 

I did it Monday, 24th.

 

Consideration stamp and extension stamp issued at the same time.

 

ie. Consideration stamp was dated 24th instructing me to return on 24th.

 

Underneath that stamp was the extension stamp, dated 24th, extending my stay until 6th April.

 

Original TR expiry was 5th February.

 

My IO ahead of the game?

 

That would be nice for many.

 

We shall have to wait and see.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 26, 2022 by Enoon

[DrJack54]

3 minutes ago, yogi yogi said:

im hearing that u get only one covid extension now.  once u get one thats it

Seriously!!.

Your posting in many threads...

"I'm hearing....."

Anything from covid extensions will be 10 days to now this "once you get one that's it" 

 

Utter rubbish. State fact not rumors..

[DrJack54]

6 minutes ago, Enoon said:

I did it Monday, 24th.

 

Consideration stamp and extension stamp issued at the same time.

 

ie. Consideration stamp was dated 24th instructing me to return on 24th.

 

Underneath that stamp was the extension stamp, dated 24th, extending my stay until 6th April.

 

Original TR expiry was 5th February.

 

 

 

Great you obtained final stamp same time.

Was this at CW? 

Some offices still issuing under consideration stamp with return date. Very inconvenient. 

Also you were given the 60 days from end of current permit.

For some obtaining first covid extension it was being dated from day of application. 

Edited January 26, 2022 by DrJack54

[Karma80]

1 hour ago, Eff1n2ret said:

I think the Kiwis have a good reason for a further extension as Jacinda won't let them in. Anyone else can go home. If, as the article alleges, some haven't got the price of a ticket, that's not a good reason to legitimise their further stay in the country.

The way New Zealand and Australia has carried on, I'm surprised many of outside the country for 2 years have not been granted refugee visas ????.

 

[BangkokReady]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

It stated that the government will also add a 60-day extension to the current COVID-19 visa extension scheme, allowing foreign nationals stranded in Thailand to remain in the country on many types of expired visas until January 25, 2022. 

That was already the end date.  If they have extended it then the new date would be ~60 days after that.

[BangkokReady]

2 hours ago, userabcd said:

No need to be stressed. If they have no need to be in Thailand then its just a simple purchase of a flight ticket back to their home country

I would imagine the people feeling stressed are the ones who need to stay in Thailand.

[kotsak]

14 minutes ago, BangkokReady said:

2 hours ago, userabcd said:

No need to be stressed. If they have no need to be in Thailand then its just a simple purchase of a flight ticket back to their home country

I would imagine the people feeling stressed are the ones who need to stay in Thailand.

Correct, because they haven't visited all the temples and beaches yet. *wink wink nudge nudge*  

[BangkokReady]

1 minute ago, kotsak said:

Correct, because they haven't visited all the temples and beaches yet. *wink wink nudge nudge*  

Or they're waiting for the borders to open.

[Finlaco]

To help others, if you are at an immigration centre this week, maybe you can share your own observations and what stamp you eventually had in your passport too?

 

one post wrt Monday 24th which was before the ending of the previous decree.  No other useful posting.  Didn't take long for this potentially useful OP to ....

[n00dle]

Just now, Finlaco said:

To help others, if you are at an immigration centre this week, maybe you can share your own observations and what stamp you eventually had in your passport too?

 

one post wrt Monday 24th which was before the ending of the previous decree.  No other useful posting.  Didn't take long for this potentially useful OP to ....

This op is harldy potentially useful. In fact it pretty much calls another post announcing the extension in the visa section into queetion and fuels pointless speculation.

[yogi yogi]

2 hours ago, Eff1n2ret said:

I think the Kiwis have a good reason for a further extension as Jacinda won't let them in. Anyone else can go home. If, as the article alleges, some haven't got the price of a ticket, that's not a good reason to legitimise their further stay in the country.

yes kiwis should be able to stay and every one else should go home.. agreed

[kimjohansen]

My friend applied for his COVID visa extension yesterday 25 Jan 2022.  This was his 7th time.  It was business as usual, normal application process & paperwork, photo at the desk and 1,900 Baht.  Two month extension granted. Bring the passport back in in one month for a stamp update good through the last week in March 2022.  Historically, each time they have extended the program in the past, it has usually been two weeks prior to the current program expiration date.

[Old Croc]

This from The Pattaya Mail  (allowed to quote?)

 

"the Thai authorities seem to be saying that the liberal 60 days Covid extensions are coming to an end. It is time for foreigners to move on if they are dependent on this kind of discretion. Although land borders remain closed for tourist traffic and so-called visa runs, the situation as regards regular flights to all continents and most countries is much improved since the pandemic first took root almost two years ago. A new, and likely the last, date for applying is up to and including March 25. But this discretion is limited to “tourists” with an initial visa or permission labeling them as such."

 

Seems reasonable to me, surely no one thought it would be a permanent visa class?  I'm certain a lot of the old border runners have been using this as an alternative.

It's going to be difficult for them if both are unavailable.

[bestie]

Some runners had an Ed , B , O Visa which requires to leave the country every year to get a new visa. No some are not over 50 years old and no some are even not married. 
 

So to throw these people out or stress them out who went one with the Covid Extension because they had no alternative to get a new visa is a little bit … weird

 

It would make more sense if the borders would be open or they would have an alternative like a Covid extension to stay until the borders are ready. 
 

Sure you can make a border run but it really makes no sense and I doubt that many would come back to Thailand with a new visa . seems like this is the new normal. 

[Finlaco]

@kimjohansen which Immigration Office?

[TheScience]

What a laff.

 

The world has 220+/- nations. If you don't like yours find another.

 

Stop crying

[easydoor]

It is very easy: The Covid extension is for people who CANNOT RETURN to they home country. Most people CAN return to it. Get a REAL VISA and you will have NO STRESS at all.

[DrJack54]

2 minutes ago, easydoor said:

The Covid extension is for people who CANNOT RETURN to they home country

Who said. 

[bestie]

13 minutes ago, TheScience said:

What a laff.

 

The world has 220+/- nations. If you don't like yours find another.

 

Stop crying

thank you for this useful comment. 

[malibukid]

i think the covid extension visa should require that one will have to show proof of vaccination.  i meet a lot of anti-vax expats here.

Edited January 26, 2022 by malibukid