Does the 30-day extension of one's stay start from 30th of April 2020 (COVID-19-related automated stay extension) or from 30 days after entry to THA?
When extending one's stay after entering Thailand as a French citizen via the visa waiver programme and after benefiting from the COVID-19-related automated stay extension till the 30th of April 2020, does the regular, manual, 1900-THB, non-covid-related 30-day extension start from 30th of April 2020 or from 30 days after entry to Thailand?
The question can be rephrased via the following example:
- Robert arrived in Thailand on March 15 with the visa waiver programme.
- On April 30, 2020, Robert applies for a 30-day extension (regular, manual, 1900-THB, not covid-related extension).
Will Robert be allowed stay in Thailand till ~May 15, 2020 or ~May 30, 2020?
I have crossposted the question at:
and someone else posted the same question on the Facebook public group "Thai visa advice".
Nobody knows.
Best Answer
The Thai government text from your own previous answer provides the answer to this query. The Thai Immigration Bureau's English text says:
Aliens permitted to stay in the Kingdom according to visa category and visa exemption whose permitted length of stay has expired since March 26, 2020 onwards.
The length of stay permit will be automatically extended to April 30, 2020, without the need to file for a visa extension.
Confusion arises because the press (and the Thai government) have referred to this extension as a "30-day extension." The text presented, however, indicates that the extension period is not a "30-day" extension, and is not figured by counting 30-days from another date or occurrence.
Instead, time is added to qualifying persons' entry permission (both visa and non-visa entries) so that they may remain in Thailand until April 30, 2020 without further application for a visa extension.
To remain legally past April 30, 2020, would therefore require a formal visa or non-visa entry extension to be granted by the government. The notice text suggests a visa holder may apply for an exception, but does not address whether a non-visa entrant may secure an extension of their entry permission.
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