Embassies in Thailand won’t issue visa extension for stranded citizens

Embassies in Bangkok notified on Tuesday that they won’t be issuing any visa extension papers for their citizens in Thailand once they overstay their amnesty period during coronavirus pandemic expiring on July 31.

Last week the US Embassy to Bangkok asked its citizens in Thailand in a publicized statement to decide whether they want to return or stay back, as they won’t be issuing an extension of stay extension requests. This also applies to most of the foreigners who are requesting extension of stay in country by 30 days.

Thailand Immigration spokesman Phakkhaphong Saiubon clarified on Tuesday that “another round of amnesty extension is unlikely”. He has asked the foreigners whose embassies have denied any visa extension for stay beyond July 31 to return to their respective countries before that, to avoid getting arrested or fined.

U.S. citizens have between now and July 31, 2020 to either return to the US or their country of permanent residence, or to obtain the appropriate visa type for a long-term stay in Thailand. The US Embassy is unable to give advice on individual visa issues. Please refer specific visa questions directly to the immigration.

US Embassy

British Embassy in Bangkok too denied any visa extension issuing to its citizens in country.

Immigration regulations in Thailand had allowed the foreign tourists and travelers who were stranded in the country due to coronavirus to stay under amnesty till July 31. But now these people require letters from their respective embassies if they wish to stay beyond the expiry date of amnesty. Any overstay beyond the date would be fined.

The reason of embassies denying the extension issuance for their citizens is unknown. Phakkaphong denied to comment on the subject and said, “Its up to them and Thailand has nothing to do with it. If a foreign embassy refused to provide the service to its citizens, no one else can. We have done our best to help the foreigners.”

Thailand has shown enough leniency for foreigners. Its been nearly four months already. If you have a letter, you’re good to stay, but if you cant get one, then there’s not much we can do

Thailand Immigration spokesman Phakkhaphong Saiubon