Popular Post blanes2007 Posted September 16, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted September 16, 2020 Last week I was told that my tourist visa could not be extended for 1 month without the letter. Today, having all the docs for 2 months extension for visiting Thai wife, I came to the immigration office and the same officer told to my wife that I can use my 30 days tourist visa extention. So we headed to ptomenada office and yes - I can get the stamp! The new rule from today as they told to my wife in Thai Puzzled 4 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheryl Posted September 16, 2020 Share Posted September 16, 2020 Was this your first time extending for 30 days? Has always been possible ot get another 30 days on a tourist visa entry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blanes2007 Posted September 16, 2020 Author Share Posted September 16, 2020 1. Yes, the first. 2. I was told it was not possible (chiang mai, last week) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blanes2007 Posted September 16, 2020 Author Share Posted September 16, 2020 My wife is telling me '' Maybe that immigration lady can not speak English very good and she is shy about it, and this is why she tell you no no can not. She not understand you" ???? 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Caldera Posted September 16, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted September 16, 2020 Sounds entirely believable to me. Other offices have sent away people who were still "entitled" to their regular 30-day extension, too, insisting on an embassy letter. If that policy has changed, either everywhere or at least in Chiang Mai, that's welcome news for those affected. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoseThailand Posted September 16, 2020 Share Posted September 16, 2020 I hope they make this possible in Bangkok too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n00dle Posted September 16, 2020 Share Posted September 16, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, Sheryl said: Was this your first time extending for 30 days? Has always been possible ot get another 30 days on a tourist visa entry. Not what I was told today, they asked for the embassy letter. To be clear inentered on a voa and never used my extension. Edited September 16, 2020 by n00dle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BritManToo Posted September 16, 2020 Share Posted September 16, 2020 Was it busy? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fibonaqi Posted September 16, 2020 Share Posted September 16, 2020 That's interesting! I came in on visa exemption just before border closed. I was still well within my original 30 days when they announced the first amnesty in April. Never thought I would be allowed one 30 day extension without embassy letter with the ensuing visa amnesty since April. Does anyone else have any luck doing this in Bangkok - getting a one-time 30 day extension the old way with visa exempt entry? Embassy letter not forthcoming from UK embassy so that option is not open to me. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkshire Tea Posted September 16, 2020 Share Posted September 16, 2020 Are they giving extensions at the Promenada office, or just giving you the information, to then go to main office? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake72 Posted September 16, 2020 Share Posted September 16, 2020 (edited) I was under the impression you could always apply at least once for a 30 days extension no matter what visa. I did it a couple of years ago at CW on a visa exempt stamp as I was between a non B and collecting documents for a non O, but I had to wait for some documents from my home country so it was more convenient to get an extension instead of spending a whole day going to Singapore or Malaysia for a new stamp. Edited September 16, 2020 by Jake72 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post edwardandtubs Posted September 16, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted September 16, 2020 13 minutes ago, Jake72 said: I was under the impression you could always apply at least once for a 30 days extension no matter what visa. I did it a couple of years ago at CW on a visa exempt stamp as I was between a non B and collecting documents for a non O, but I had to wait for some documents from my home country so it was more convenient to get an extension instead of spending a whole day going to Singapore or Malaysia for a new stamp. Most places are not allowing a 30 day extension of a tourist visa right now though because of their interpretation of the amnesty rules. I went from Bangkok to Ubon for mine but would definitely have chosen to go to Chiang Mai if I'd known it was now doing it. Mae Hong Son (including Pai) is another place doing it. Thanks for sharing @blanes2007 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blanes2007 Posted September 16, 2020 Author Share Posted September 16, 2020 2 hours ago, Yorkshire Tea said: Are they giving extensions at the Promenada office, or just giving you the information, to then go to main office? At the Promenada office they confirmed that my Tourist Visa really might be extended and after 2 hrs I got the 30 days stamp till 26th of Oct. There also was the next "innovation": now they ask an applicants to write GPS coordinates of their home 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greggraham Posted September 16, 2020 Share Posted September 16, 2020 How come you didn't just go for the 60 day or a Non-O? & did they say you can apply for something else while on this 30-day extension? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agng Posted September 16, 2020 Share Posted September 16, 2020 just got mine today in Bangkok, they are insisting letters from what I can see, was given until 16 Sept not 26 as I had expected nor as in CM (hence not really 1 month tourist visa either) and I still need to report there in a few weeks again for approval. Its also my first extension... the process took all afternoon, really exhausting and somewhat of a pointless exercise I think, lots of confusion too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post notmyself Posted September 16, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted September 16, 2020 10 hours ago, Caldera said: Sounds entirely believable to me. Other offices have sent away people who were still "entitled" to their regular 30-day extension, too, insisting on an embassy letter. If that policy has changed, either everywhere or at least in Chiang Mai, that's welcome news for those affected. Samui immigration issued a 30 day extension on a TR to a fella I know last week. He entered mid March and the amnesty came into effect before he needed to use the 30 day extension Not sure if it was last Wed or Thur but it was, as usual, from the expiry date rather than the actual date so 26 October it is. He said is was no issue but he didn't ask any questions so that is all the data I have. Erm. Form (TM30 is it called?), 2 photos and 1900. Take note, for what it's worth, that this was on an SETV and not a visa exempt or VOA entry. Another fella who has since returned to the UK was told a month or so back (by immigration) that he should wait until closer to the 26th to use the extension as things may well change. He's gone now so doesn't matter but again this was on the back of an SETV entry that had not been extended. Personal note. Wish everyone well and take care. 2 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sambotte Posted September 16, 2020 Share Posted September 16, 2020 7 hours ago, blanes2007 said: At the Promenada office they confirmed that my Tourist Visa really might be extended and after 2 hrs I got the 30 days stamp till 26th of Oct. There also was the next "innovation": now they ask an applicants to write GPS coordinates of their home Seriously ? And were you on visa or visa exempt ? Looks like good news for me... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notmyself Posted September 16, 2020 Share Posted September 16, 2020 9 minutes ago, Sambotte said: Seriously ? And were you on visa or visa exempt ? Looks like good news for me... For many also. Maybe they are doing a soft shoe shuffle? Get as many people as you can to spend money on some kind of visa (bent or not) then announce an extension just before people become illegal. Financially a good idea. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blanes2007 Posted September 17, 2020 Author Share Posted September 17, 2020 7 hours ago, greggraham said: How come you didn't just go for the 60 day or a Non-O? & did they say you can apply for something else while on this 30-day extension? 60 days will be the next step. I take my time 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blanes2007 Posted September 17, 2020 Author Share Posted September 17, 2020 48 minutes ago, Sambotte said: And were you on visa or visa exempt ? Tourist visa, first extension 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sambotte Posted September 17, 2020 Share Posted September 17, 2020 Thanks. Should be no difference though TV-VOA-VE... If Ubon Joe can confirm if he has time. So it looks like they accept to do the normal extension again in : Ubon Ratcha Samui Chiang Mai (with GPS... ?) Mae Hong Son (including Pai) ? Any new report could help... 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asiacurious Posted September 17, 2020 Share Posted September 17, 2020 7 hours ago, agng said: just got mine today in Bangkok, they are insisting letters from what I can see, was given until 16 Sept not 26 as I had expected nor as in CM (hence not really 1 month tourist visa either) and I still need to report there in a few weeks again for approval. Its also my first extension... the process took all afternoon, really exhausting and somewhat of a pointless exercise I think, lots of confusion too. Wow, thanks for the update. When you say you were given until 16 Sept not 26th, what does that mean? Yesterday was the 16th. What day do you go back? (You said a few weeks, but I'm curious what actual day. Would like to know how much time you would have on the extension - assuming they give it on the day you go back.) So if I'm understanding you correctly, even after the cabinet meeting where no word came out about another automatic extension, they are still giving the temporary stamps and not the full one month extension? And only with the embassy letter? Left hand, meet... uh.... Hello, right hand? Right hand? Helloooooo?! Where the hell did that right hand go? Seems like either they might still expect something new coming from the cabinet, or they're trying to make it so frustrating that people end up leaving by whatever options available (plane, boat, or swimming out to sea). 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blanes2007 Posted September 17, 2020 Author Share Posted September 17, 2020 17 hours ago, BritManToo said: Was it busy? Interestingly that the Airport office (where all non-tourist visas are extended) was quite busy. I would say full of farangs of all ages While there were not much visitors at small Promenada office... Conclusion: not so many tourists or "tourists" (like me) stranded in Thailand (at least in Chiang Mai). Mostly long-stay visa holders left 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubonjoe Posted September 17, 2020 Share Posted September 17, 2020 8 hours ago, agng said: just got mine today in Bangkok, they are insisting letters from what I can see, was given until 16 Sept not 26 as I had expected nor as in CM (hence not really 1 month tourist visa either) and I still need to report there in a few weeks again for approval. Its also my first extension... the process took all afternoon, really exhausting and somewhat of a pointless exercise I think, lots of confusion too. I think the actual extension will start on the 26th when your return to immigration at the end of the under consideration period. The under consideration stamp allows you to stay in the country until you extension is approved. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Peter Denis Posted September 17, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted September 17, 2020 (edited) 18 hours ago, n00dle said: Not what I was told today, they asked for the embassy letter. To be clear inentered on a voa and never used my extension. The 'regular' 30-day extension of stay is ONLY available for those that entered Visa on Arrival, Visa Exempt or on a Tourist Visa, and did not use it yet (only one 'regular' 30 day extension per entry is allowed). Indeed, there have been several reports of those on a VE or TR entry who were entitled to that 'regular' 30-day extension of stay, and were turned away by an unwilling IO. So it is good news that CM now does provide it (as well as Samui and Ubon Ratchathani). >> The OP mentioned that at CM this is the result of a 'policy change' yesterday, so it would be worthwhile to try again if you were previously unsuccesful there. And obviously if your IO is still not willing to provide it, it's just a matter of going to one of the IOs that DO provide them. When on Visa Exempt or Tourist Visa, you don't have a 'fixed residence' in Thailand for Immigration purposes, so you simply check in night before at a Hotel in the province with the more accommodating IO and ask for a print-out of the TM-30 the Hotel made of your stay, and with that TM-30 and the filled in TM-7 form, you visit the IO and apply for that 30-day extension you are entitled to. > The 'regular' 30-days extension of stay will be issued with start date 27 Sept, and provide you with a permission to stay till 25 Oct. In case the IO wants to provide it from date of application, you should object and refer to the nation-wide IO Announcement that ALL extensions of stay applied for will start from 27 Sept. Edited September 17, 2020 by Peter Denis 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edwardandtubs Posted September 17, 2020 Share Posted September 17, 2020 10 hours ago, notmyself said: Samui immigration issued a 30 day extension on a TR to a fella I know last week. He entered mid March and the amnesty came into effect before he needed to use the 30 day extension Not sure if it was last Wed or Thur but it was, as usual, from the expiry date rather than the actual date so 26 October it is. He said is was no issue but he didn't ask any questions so that is all the data I have. Erm. Form (TM30 is it called?), 2 photos and 1900. Take note, for what it's worth, that this was on an SETV and not a visa exempt or VOA entry. Another fella who has since returned to the UK was told a month or so back (by immigration) that he should wait until closer to the 26th to use the extension as things may well change. He's gone now so doesn't matter but again this was on the back of an SETV entry that had not been extended. Personal note. Wish everyone well and take care. Damn! Samui is the perfect option for a combined holiday and visa extension. I wish I'd known this sooner. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dart12 Posted September 17, 2020 Share Posted September 17, 2020 what's the benefit of taking the normale 30 day extension over the Covid 30 day extension? anything? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edwardandtubs Posted September 17, 2020 Share Posted September 17, 2020 5 minutes ago, Dart12 said: what's the benefit of taking the normale 30 day extension over the Covid 30 day extension? anything? You don't need an embassy letter and you get the extension on the same day you apply so it's easier to convert it to a non-immigrant visa later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dart12 Posted September 17, 2020 Share Posted September 17, 2020 3 minutes ago, edwardandtubs said: You don't need an embassy letter and you get the extension on the same day you apply so it's easier to convert it to a non-immigrant visa later. I ask because I have the embassy letter, and it seems maybe prudent to hold onto my 30 day regular extension as long as possible if the embassy and IM are continuing to hand out 30 day covid extensions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Denis Posted September 17, 2020 Share Posted September 17, 2020 (edited) 12 minutes ago, Dart12 said: what's the benefit of taking the normale 30 day extension over the Covid 30 day extension? anything? 5 minutes ago, edwardandtubs said: You don't need an embassy letter and you get the extension on the same day you apply so it's easier to convert it to a non-immigrant visa later. Also, you would not encounter any difficulties later on by IOs refusing to handle your subsequent extension application (e.g. Hat Yay, SriRacha). But of course you could enquire beforehand at your local IO whether the 'special' Embassy letter supported extension, would block you from any later regular extension applications. Edited September 17, 2020 by Peter Denis 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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