How to Apply for the 60-Day Covid Extension in Thailand? Koh Phangan Immigration Office

After getting a visa extension of 30 days without any hassle in Koh Samui, we applied for the 60-day Covid extension for the first time, which allows us to stay in Thailand a bit longer.

This extension, called Covid, was originally designed for tourists stranded in Thailand since March 2020. However, the deadline keeps getting pushed back. For now, it can be requested until November 26, 2021, for an extension until January 25, 2022. But Thailand has continued to extend the possibility of applying for this extension since last year, so for now, it’s a fairly safe way to stay in Thailand until the country considers that Covid no longer impacts anyone.

Unlike the 30-day extension, getting the Covid extension is not guaranteed. It depends on the immigration office where you apply, and some offices are stricter than others. Feel free to do a search on Facebook before

As you know, we came to Thailand thanks to a 45-day visa exemption (30 days turned into 45 days “thanks” to the 14-day quarantine).

Upon arrival, we had to fill out the TM6 form, and a stub of this form must be kept with us until we leave Thailand (the “departure card” stub).

We then applied for a 30-day extension (which we told you about here) in Koh Samui. This 30-day extension can only be requested once.

And now, we are applying for an additional 60-day Covid extension in Koh Phangan, which we can extend again and again if Thailand still wants us.

Documents to prepare:

1. photocopy of your passport, then sign on the photocopy
2. photocopy of the TM6 given to you upon arrival, then sign on the photocopy
3. photocopy of the page with your arrival stamp in Thailand & of all extensions you’ve had so far, then sign on the photocopy
4. the completed TM7 form (they’ll give you the TM7 form for free at the reception)
5. the completed STM.2 form (they’ll give you the form for free at the reception)
6. the completed Covid form (they’ll give you the form for free at the reception)
7. a 4x6cm photo taken within the last 6 months (we only have the 3.5cm x 4.5cm format and it was accepted anyway)
8. confirmation of residence (TM30) to be obtained on immigration.go.th
9. 1900 baht

The immigration office in Koh Samui does not require document #8, but the one in Koh Phangan does, so I’ll explain how to get it.

Other immigration offices in Thailand may also require: (1) a letter from your embassy confirming that the current Covid situation prevents you from returning (2) a letter from your embassy confirming that they do not issue the letter mentioned in point 1… In short, check on Google Maps or Facebook to see if your immigration office is picky about documents or not.

Go see the photocopy guy

On site in Koh Phangan, you’ll see a photocopy shop on the ground floor. Every immigration office attracts a photocopy shop, it’s like that 😀 Go straight to this guy because he’ll know what to photocopy. The photocopies cost us 25 baht/person. If you’ve forgotten your photo, he can take your picture and print your photos on the spot.

There will be a rack with all the forms you need, so grab the T7, STM.2, and Covid forms.

Then, go to the reception on the first floor (a man and a woman who ask everyone what they’re here for) and they’ll check your documents with you. They’ll give you a ticket, and as soon as your number is called, get out 1900 baht in cash.

Wait 5 minutes, and they’ll call you to return your passport. For us, it took 20 minutes in total, even faster than in Koh Samui.

FYI, our first visa extension was supposed to end on July 29, we came to apply for the Covid extension on July 16, and it was granted until September 27.

Comments

• normally, the Covid extension takes effect from the day you go to the immigration office (for example, in our case, it should have taken effect on July 16 and ended on September 14), but as you can see, it depends on the immigration office
• in some offices, they don’t give you the Covid extension right away but 14 days of extension. After that, you have to come back with exactly the same documents to get the remaining 45 days (but you’ll only pay once). In general, this applies to the first Covid extension request, but again, it depends on the immigration office
• The Koh Samui office is well known for being relaxed. Koh Phangan just asks for one extra paper, but efficiency and speed are commendable.
• Getting the Covid extension is not automatic, it depends a lot on your attitude. If you’re refused the extension, I believe you have 7 days to leave the country
• Once you’ve exceeded 90 days on Thai soil, you’ll need to do what’s called a “90 day report” at the nearest immigration office, and this must be done every 90 days. I’ll let you ask your immigration office because the list of required documents varies from one office to another. Some offices don’t even ask tourists for the 90 day report.
• I’m just a regular tourist, not the French embassy, so spare me the overly technical questions, I have no idea! I’m just sharing my experience
• Google, Facebook, and your feet (aka going directly to the immigration office) are your friends
• Here are the documents required in Koh Phangan.

How to get the TM30?

Every hotel or Airbnb owner will have access to this interface: immigration.go.th to declare the stay of foreigners at their place. Just take a screenshot of this interface (like the image above).

To do this, ask them to give you a TM30, they’ll know what it is. If the website doesn’t work, tell them to do it from the Android/iOS app. They’ll know which app it is too. Anyway, it’s not your job to figure it out. However, if you’re a property owner yourself, I really don’t know, you should know more than me lol.

If the owner or hotel can’t provide you with this TM30, book another hotel for 1 or 2 days and stay there for 1 or 2 days, and ask them in advance if they can do it for you.

How to fill out the TM7 and STM.2 forms

Here’s an example of TM7 and STM.2 forms filled out with fictitious data. Click on each image to zoom. I couldn’t find the Covid form online, I’ll take a photo of it next time.

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