The world is facing an unprecedented situation today. Travel has come to a standstill. Stay home, stay safe is the new mantra.
If you have been staying at home, great! But what if you have been traveling and stranded in a foreign country? Flights are suspended. Borders are closed. And, your visa is about to expire.
I was in this exact situation a month ago.
I researched. I figured out my options. And, I extended my visa.
Today I want to talk about how you can extend your visa if you are stranded in a foreign country due to COVID-19.
Table of Contents
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Available visa extension options due to COVID-19
You may be stranded in a foreign country for one of the below reasons.
- The foreign country is in a lockdown
- International flights in and out of the foreign country are suspended
- Your home country is in a lockdown
- International flights in and out your home country are suspended
- Land borders with the neighboring countries are closed
First of all, do not travel in this situation. Just stay put wherever you are. It’s safe for everyone.
Second, research your options to extend your visa. If you run out of all options, seek help from your embassy to repatriate.
In this article, I will mainly go over the options to extend your visa due to COVID-19. Here are some of the options.
01. Automatic visa extension due to COVID-19
Check if the country where you are currently stranded has announced automatic visa extensions for those stranded in their country. Many countries so far have made such announcements and granting free automatic visa extension due to COVID-19.
Do a quick Google search. Check the foreign affairs websites, immigration portals and news websites.
02. Regular visa extension by yourself
Most countries offer regular visa extensions for a fee. Research if there is such an option and the standard procedure to extend your visa. Check immigration portals and other government websites for eligibility and procedure.
In my experience, Facebook groups have proven very valuable during this pandemic time. There are a lot of discussions on expat and traveler Facebook groups on topics such as visa overstays, visa extensions and repatriation. Lookup and join expat and travel/backpacking Facebook groups.
03. Seek help from your embassy
Contact your embassy to see if they can help. Embassies are offering a guarantee or sponsor letters for those stranded, which can be used to extend your visa for free.
Not all embassies are providing such letters. But there is no harm in asking your embassy.
In the worst case, they will at least help you repatriate to your home country.
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Latest automatic visa extension announcements
To make it easier, I have compiled a list of the top tourist and digital nomad countries, their latest immigration announcements and visa extension procedures for visitors currently stranded due to COVID-19.
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NORTH AMERICA
Canada
Canada does not offer automatic visa extensions for visitors stranded in Canada due to COVID-19. Instead, IRCC recommends applying for a regular stay extension before your current visa expires.
Stay extension can be applied online on the IRCC website. The application fee for extension is $100 CAD.
Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
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United States
United States does not offer automatic stay extensions for nonimmigrant visa (B1, B2 and B1/B2) holders stranded in the US due to COVID-19.
Instead, the US Department of Homeland Security recommends applying for a stay extension prior to the expiration date of your authorized period of admission.
Even if you apply for your stay extension after your authorized period of admission is expired, you may not be charged any visa overstay fee.
ESTA holders can get for a 30-day extension by contacting the USCIS contact center.
Source: US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
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CENTRAL AMERICA
Belize
Belize does not offer automatic visa extensions for visitors currently stranded in Belize due to COVID-19.
Immigration offices are currently closed due to the state of emergency. Visitors stranded in Belize must pay visa overstay penalties when the immigration offices open.
Source: Government of Belize Press Office Facebook page
UPDATE
Belize is now open for tourism. Travelers must present negative PCR test or proof of vaccination. Visa extensions due to COVID are not applicable anymore. Regular visa extensions for fees are still available.
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Guatemala
Guatemala has announced automatic visa extensions until the suspension of travel restrictions for visitors currently stranded in Guatemala due to COVID-19.
If you have entered Guatemala ON or AFTER 5 March 2020, you can continue to stay in Guatemala until the suspension of travel restrictions put in place by Guatemalan immigration office due to COVID-19. You do not have to do anything during this period, your visa is automatically extended. You will not be charged any visa overstay penalties or fines.
If you have entered Guatemala BEFORE 5 March 2020, you must visit the immigration office in Guatemala city to extend your visa. Not doing so will lead to visa overstay penalties.
Source: Institute of Immigration and US Embassy in Guatemala City
UPDATE
Guatemala is now open for tourism. Travelers must present negative PCR test or proof of vaccination. Visa extensions due to COVID are not applicable anymore. Regular visa extensions for fees are still available.
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Costa Rica
Costa Rica has announced automatic visa extension until 01 June 2021 for visitors currently stranded in Costa Rica due to COVID-19.
If you have entered Costa Rica ON or AFTER 17 December 2019, you can continue to stay in Costa Rica till 01 June 2021. You do not have to do anything, your visa is automatically extended. You will not be charged any visa overstay penalties or fines.
Source: General Directorate of Migration and Immigration
UPDATE
Costa Rica is now open for tourism. Automatic visa extensions due to COVID have ended.
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SOUTH AMERICA
Peru
Peru has announced automatic visa extension until the quarantine is lifted for all visitors currently stranded in Peru due to COVID-19.
If you are currently stranded in Peru, your visa is automatically extended till the quarantine is lifted. After that, you will have 45 days to leave Peru. You will not be charged any visa overstay penalties or fines if you leave Peru within 45 days of lifting the quarantine.
This update came from the US Embassy in Lima but it applies to all nationalities currently stranded in Peru.
Source: US Embassy in Lima
UPDATE
Peru is now open for tourism. Travelers must present a negative PCR test and home quarantine for 14 days after arrival. Visa extensions due to COVID are not applicable anymore.
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Ecuador
Ecuador has announced automatic visa extension until the health emergency is suspended for all visitors currently stranded in Ecuador due to COVID-19.
If you are currently stranded in Ecuador and your visa has expired ON or AFTER 19 March 2020, your visa is automatically extended until the health emergency is lifted. After the health emergency is lifted, you will have 30 days to leave Ecuador. You will not be charged any visa overstay penalties during this period.
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ecuador
UPDATE
Ecuador is NOT open for tourism yet. Automatic visa extensions due to COVID are still applicable.
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Chile
Chile does not offer automatic visa extension for visitors currently stranded in Chile due to COVID-19.
Instead, the Consular Services of Chile recommends getting in touch with the Department of Foreigners and Immigration (DEM) for evacuation flights or visa extensions.
The office of the Department of Foreigners and Immigration (DEM) is located on the second floor of the international airport in Santiago.
Source: Consular Services of Chile
UPDATE
Chile is NOT open for tourism yet. Those who are still stranded in Chile must seek assistance from the Department of Foreigners and Immigration (DEM).
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Brazil
Brazil has announced automatic visa extension until the state of emergency is lifted for all visitors currently stranded in Brazil due to COVID-19.
This announcement came from the US Embassy in Brazil, so this MAY NOT apply to all nationalities. Please contact the Brazilian Federal Police for accurate and up to date information for your nationality.
Source: US Embassy and Consulates in Brazil
UPDATE
Brazil is now open for tourism. Travelers must present a negative PCR test on arrival. Automatic visa extensions due to COVID are not applicable anymore.
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EUROPE
United Kingdom
UK is granting free visa extensions until 31 July 2020 for those stranded in the UK due to COVID-19.
If you are currently stranded in the UK and your visa has expired or about to expire, you must submit the form for extension of leave on the UK Home Office website.
Source: UK Home Office
UPDATE
UK is now open for tourism. PCR test and quarantine requirements depend on whether your country is in green, amber or red list. Visa extensions due to COVID are not applicable anymore.
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Schengen and EU countries
European Commission has announced visa extension of an additional 90 days for visitors stranded in the Schengen zone or EU due to COVID-19.
If you are currently stranded in any Schengen or EU country and your 90 days permission to stay is about to expire, you must immediately contact the authorities competent for extending visas.
If the additional 90 days are also about to expire, then you must contact the authorities again to issue you a national long-stay visa or a temporary residence permit until you can safely leave the Schengen zone or EU.
Source: European Commission’s press release and guidance notice
UPDATE
Greece is now open for tourism. Travelers must present a negative PCR test or proof of vaccination. A few other countries are also open for those vaccinated. Visa extensions due to COVID are not applicable anymore.
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MIDDLE EAST
United Arab Emirates
UAE has announced automatic visa extensions until 31 December 2020 for all visitors currently stranded in the UAE due to COVID-19.
If your visa expired in March 2020 or later, your visa is automatically extended till 31 December 2020. You do not have to do anything.
Source: UAE Government official portal
UPDATE
UAE is now open for tourism. Travelers must present a negative PCR test on arrival. Visa extensions due to COVID are not applicable anymore. But you can still extend your UAE visa within the country with the help of a local agent.
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Bahrain
Bahrain has announced automatic visa extension until 21 October 2020 for those currently stranded in Bahrain due to COVID-19.
If your visa is about to expire or already expired, you can continue to stay in Bahrain until 21 October 2020. You do not have to do anything. Your visa is automatically extended. No visa overstay penalties or fines until this date.
Source: Nationality, Passport and Residence Affairs (NPRA) of Bahrain
UPDATE
Bahrain is now open for tourism. Travelers must present proof of vaccination or undergo a COVID test on arrival. Visa extensions due to COVID are not applicable anymore.
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SOUTH EAST ASIA
Thailand
Thailand has announced automatic visa extensions until 26 September 2020 for all visitors currently stranded in Thailand due to COVID-19.
You do not have to do anything, your visa is automatically extended. you can continue to stay in Thailand until 26 September 2020.
You will not be charged any visa overstay penalties or fines.
Source: Thai Immigration Bureau
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Vietnam
Vietnam has announced automatic visa extensions until 30 June 2021 for visitors currently stranded in Vietnam due to COVID-19.
If you have entered Vietnam on visa-exempt, tourist visa, e-Visa or Visa on Arrival ON or AFTER 01 March 2020, your visa is automatically extended until 30 June 2021. You do not have to do anything. You will not be charged any visa overstay penalties or fines during this period.
If you have entered Vietnam on visa-exempt, tourist visa, e-Visa or Visa on Arrival BEFORE 01 March 2020, you must provide proof that you were stranded in Vietnam due to COVID-19 at the time of exiting Vietnam. You must exit Vietnam before 30 June 2021 and present the proof. Otherwise, you will be subject to visa overstay penalties or fines.
Source: Immigration Department of Vietnam
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Cambodia
Cambodia has announced automatic visa extensions until you can safely exit Cambodia for all visitors currently stranded in Cambodia due to COVID-19
If you have entered Cambodia ON or AFTER 01 January 2020, your visa is automatically extended till you can safely leave Cambodia. You do not have to do anything. You will not be charged any visa overstay penalties or fines.
This announcement came from the US embassy in Phnom Penh, but it applies to all nationalities currently stranded in Cambodia.
Source: US embassy in Phnom Penh
UPDATE
Cambodia is now open for tourism. Travelers must present negative PCR test, pay $2,000 deposit and quarantine for 14 days on arrival. Visa extensions due to COVID are not applicable anymore.
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Myanmar
Myanmar is waiving visa overstay penalties and granting visa extensions until you can safely exit Myanmar.
If you are currently standard in Myanmar, you can extend your visa at Myanmar Ministry of Labour, Immigration, and Population with a recommendation letter from your embassy.
You will not be charged any visa overstay penalties or fines if you extend your stay at the Ministry of Labour.
This announcement came from the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Yangon. It MAY NOT APPLY to all nationalities, therefore contact your embassy or Myanmar Ministry of Labour.
Source: Royal Norwegian Embassy in Yangon
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Philippines
The Philippines does not offer automatic visa extension for visitors currently stranded in the Philippines due to COVID-19.
If you are currently standard in the Philippines, you must extend your visa at the Bureau of Immigration. If your permission to stay has already expired, you will be charged with visa overstay fine. Due to Enhanced Community Quranteen (ECQ), you must schedule an online appointment prior to visiting the BI office in person.
Source: Bureau of Immigration
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SOUTH ASIA
India
India is granting free visa extensions until 31 August 2021 for those stranded in India due to COVID-19.
You can extend your visa online at e-FFRO website for free of charge.
Source: Bureau of Immigration
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Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is granting visa extensions until 09 July 2021 for those stranded in Sri Lanka due to COVID-19
You can extended your visa at the Department of Immigration. You must schedule an appointment and appear in-person to extend your visa.
Source: Department of Immigration and Emigration
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FAR EAST ASIA
Japan
Japan has announced automatic visa extension for additional 90 days for visitors stranded in Japan due to COVID-19.
The Immigration Services Agency of Japan is granting an additional 90 days for all visitors to lodge an application for a stay extension. These 90 days will not be counted as illegal stay.
If your visa is about to expire or expired already, you will have 90 days to lodge an application for stay extension or leave Japan. You will not be charged any visa overstay penalties in these 90 days.
Source: Immigration Services Agency of Japan
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South Korea
South Korea does not offer automatic or free visa extensions for visitors currently stranded in South Korea due to COVID-19.
Instead, South Korea Immigration recommends lodging an e-Application for extension of stay prior to your current visa or extension of stay expires. The stay extension application fee is 50,000 KRW.
Source: Hi Korea
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Taiwan
Taiwan has announced automatic visa extension for another 30 days on 10 June 2021. If you have entered Taiwan ON or BEFORE 21 March 2020, your stay is extended until 09 July 2021. You do not have to do anything. Your visa is automatically extended.
Source: Bureau of Consular Affairs of Taiwan
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OCEANIA
Australia
Australia does not offer automatic visa extension due to COVID-19.
Instead, the Department of Home Affairs recommends applying for a bridging visa for all visitors currently stranded in Australia due to COVID-19. You must apply for a bridging visa before your current visa expires.
Source: Department of Home Affairs, Australia
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New Zealand
New Zealand has announced automatic visa extensions until 25 September 2020 for those stranded in New Zealand due to COVID-19
If your visa has expired on or after 02 April 2020, your visa is automatically extended to 25 September 2020.
You must have received an automatic confirmation email. If you haven’t received the email, you must confirm your visa expiration date on the New Zealand Immigration website immediately.
Source: New Zealand Immigration
UPDATE
New Zealand has stopped automatic visa extension of tourist visas. The automatic extension is now available only for working holiday visas and seasonal work visas. Source: New Zealand Immigration
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That’s it folks! Good luck and stay safe!
If you are currently stranded somewhere, please share your experience. What measures you have taken to extend your visa and any other information that might be useful to other readers.
If you need any information or help from my side, leave a comment below.
Shirley says
I’m a Filipino. I had an Australian visa but has expired due to the pandemic and lockdown how can I fix my visa so I can travel to Australia as soon as possible as my husband needs urgent medical treatment in Australia.
Thirumal says
Hi Shirley! You cannot extend your visa from outside the country. You will have to apply for a fresh visa. But Australia is about to make provisions to waive the visa fee for a fresh visa if couldn’t use your earlier visa due to the pandemic. While filling your application form, you must choose “Nil VAC” option for the waiver.
Here is the information from the Australia Ministry of Foreign Affairs –
“Eligible visitor visa applicants will soon be able to apply for a Visitor (subclass 600) visa in the Tourist, Business Visitor, Sponsored Family or Approved Destination Status streams with a nil VAC until 31 December 2022. The provision includes current and previous visitor visa holders who were unable to travel to Australia for initial entry, as well as those who had travelled and departed but were unable to return on a multiple entry visa due to the impact of COVID-19 travel restrictions.”
More information here -> https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/refunds-and-waivers-visa-application-charges