On Tuesday, November 8, 2022, Pol.Gen.Suwat Chaengyodsuk,
the former Commissioner-General of Royal Thai Police, and Pol.Gen.Dumrongsak Kittiprapas, Commissioner-General of Royal Thai Police, together with Pol.Lt.Gen.Phakphumphiphat Sujjapan, Commissioner of Immigration Bureau, released for the first time in Thailand the system for applying the extension of temporary stay via electronic method or “e-Extension”. This project was initiated by Pol.Gen.Suwat Chaengyodsuk, the former Commissioner-General,
of Royal Thai Police, to develop a system for public services and provide service recipients with technology via a digital system in accordance with the development guidelines for a modern government sector. As a result, the Commissioner-General of Royal Thai Police, Pol.Gen.Dumrongsak Kittiprapas, has continued to carry out this project.
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The Royal Thai Police and the Immigration Bureau’s Service for applying the extension of temporary stay via electronic method (e-Extension) has enhanced and built a new service form provided to foreigners by applying the extension of temporary stay and paying fees via electronic form. Bangkok is the pilot area of applying the extension of stay for foreigners who reside in Bangkok or whose government offices are in the Bangkok area. This project will be served based on the following 12 reasons or necessities for extending stay: 1. Tourism, 2. Public school teachers,
3. Attending a public school, 4. Serving in a government agency, 5. Former Thai, 6. Resident’s families, 7. Press, 8. Trainer and researcher for a government agency, 9. Machine installation and repair, 10. Medical Specialist, 11. Stationed vehicle operator, and 12. Embassy-certified and requested.
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This is due to the fact that for only 12 reasons or necessities mentioned above, over 200,000 foreigners applying for the extension of temporary stay in Thailand each year, and this number is expected to rise. Furthermore, the service is used by a large number of people in the Bangkok area, resulting in a lengthy wait time, typically 1-2 hours.
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If, on the other hand, the foreigners turn to use the service via
“e-Extension” system (Electronics Extension of Temporary Stay in The Kingdom: e-Extension), they can fill out their information at any time via online system on their mobile phones and computers on the website, and then meet an official to verify their identity and receive visa sticker within 3 minutes.
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This project reduces operational steps and time periods, allowing foreigners to schedule an appointment date and receive the visa sticker on their own. It regards as a new dimension of the applying extensions of temporary stay in Thailand.
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The “e-Extension” system has been available for foreigners to test since the 10th of October. Many foreigners were interested in and used the system, which worked well and satisfied service recipients, and it is expected to grow.
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Mr.Kaushik Ghosh, regional head of Australia-Asia of VFS Global, also added that the e-Extension is a platform that supports the system for extensions of temporary stay in the Kingdom in a convenient and smooth manner. This will also enhance the experience of visitors who need to extend their stay in Thailand.
Foreigners can apply for the extension of stay online at Thaiextension.vfsevisa.com. In the first phase, service recipients can obtain a visa sticker from the Immigration Division 1, the Government Complex Chaeng Wattana, Building B, Lak Si District, Bangkok.
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The “e-Extension” system will make it easier for people to apply for the extension of stay while also improving screening from the step of filling out forms, submitting documents, and paying fees electronically. The Immigration Bureau has set a goal of expanding this service to include all immigration offices across the country.
