Thailand is a world-famous tourist destination in Asia. The permitted length of stay depends on the visa type. Overstaying might lead to severe punishment. Foreigners who wish to stay longer should renew or extend their current Thai visa. This article will explore how to extend Thailand visa and some related issues.
Thailand Entry Options & Stay Duration for Tourists
Thailand grants visa-free entry, visa on arrival, and a pre-approved visa to tourists who enter the country for tourism or leisure activities. These entry options are available to travelers from different countries and feature different lengths of stay, which are categorized into the following types.
Thailand Single-entry Tourist Visa
The visa on arrival is one type of single-entry visa that can be obtained at the immigration checkpoint after arriving. It allows applicants to stay in Thailand for up to 15 days and allows one extension for 7 days. The Thailand visa on arrival is available for the following 31 countries and territories.
| Armenia | El Salvador | Mexico | Serbia |
| Belarus | Ethiopia | Namibia | Seychelles |
| Bhutan | Fiji | Nauru | Taiwan |
| Bolivia | Georgia | Papua New Guinea | Tunisia |
| Bulgaria | India | Paraguay | Uzbekistan |
| China | Kazakhstan | Romania | Vanuatu |
| Costa Rica | Kyrgyzstan | Russia | Venezuela |
| Cyprus | Malta | Saudi Arabia |
Thailand Multiple-entry Tourist Visa
It allows visa holders can travel in and out multiple times within a 6-month period for tourism, sightseeing, or medical services. You can stay for up to 60 days each time and are entitled to extend your stay to an additional 30 days.
Thailand Visa Exemption
Citizens of the following 92 countries and territories can enter Thailand without a visa with a valid passport and stay for up to 60 days. The Thailand Visa Exemption Scheme allows tourists to extend their stay to another 30 days only once.
| Albania | Finland | Lithuania | San Marino |
| Andorra | France | Luxembourg | Saudi Arabia |
| Australia | Georgia | Macao | Singapore |
| Austria | Germany | Malaysia | Slovakia |
| Bahrain | Greece | Maldives | Slovenia |
| Belgium | Guatemala | Malta | South Africa |
| Bhutan | Hong Kong | Mauritius | Spain |
| Brazil | Hungary | Mexico | Sri Lanka |
| Brunei | Iceland | Monaco | Sweden |
| Bulgaria | India | Mongolia | Switzerland |
| Cambodia | Indonesia | Morocco | Taiwan |
| Canada | Ireland | Netherlands | Tonga |
| China | Israel | New Zealand | Trinidad and Tobago |
| Colombia | Italy | Norway | Turkiye |
| Croatia | Jamaica | Oman | Ukraine |
| Cuba | Japan | Panama | United Arab Emirates |
| Cyprus | Jordan | Papua New Guinea | United Kingdom |
| Czechia | Kazakhstan | Peru | United States |
| Denmark | Korea(ROK) | Philippines | Uruguay |
| Dominica | Kosovo | Poland | Uzbekistan |
| Dominican Republic | Kuwait | Portugal | Vietnam |
| Ecuador | Laos | Qatar | |
| Estonia | Latvia | Romania | |
| Fiji | Liechtenstein | Russia |
Penalties for Overstaying in Thailand
Overstaying means foreigners stay longer than they are allowed. Even staying only one day longer is illegal in Thailand. You might face at least one of the following punishments if you are caught overstaying.
- Fines
It is typically 500 Thai Baht (14.36 USD) per day of overstaying and up to 20,000 Baht (574.55 USD). Whether you decide to leave the country or request an extension after the due date of your stay, you have to pay the fines at the airport, immigration office, or other departure points.
- Future Visa Issues
If you are caught overstaying, a red stamp will be put on your passport. It means you have ever violated Thai immigration laws, which might stop you from getting a visa from Thailand again or other countries in the future.
- Detention
The Thai police will randomly check an individual’s identity on the street, at popular tourist attractions, or at entertainment venues. Once they find you are overstaying, they might detain you and send you to the immigration detention center.
- Deportation & Ban
The longer you overstay, the more severe the penalties will be. If you stay beyond the due date extra long, you might be deported from Thailand and be banned from re-entering the country for a specific period, ranging from 1-10 years, except for the heavy fines.
How to Extend a Tourist Visa in Thailand
The visa should be extended a few days before expiration. You don’t need to leave the country and get a new Thailand visa. All you need is to prepare the required documents and apply in person at a nearby immigration office. It is straightforward to renew a tourist visa in Thailand and here are the general steps.
Prepare Necessary Documents
The required documents and information are listed as follows.
- Original copy of a passport valid for at least 6 months. If your passport is expiring soon, please renew it at the local embassy or consulate of your country before extending the visa.
- A photocopy of the bio-data page of the passport and the page with the current visa stamp or entry stamp.
- A recent 4×6 cm passport-style photo. If you don’t have one and don’t know where to take a picture in Thailand, you can use AiPassportPhotos, a professional passport photo maker, to DIY a qualified visa photo for free online.
- A photocopy of TM30 registration or confirmation of accommodation booking.
Find the Nearest Immigration Bureau
The Immigration Bureau is located in the major cities in Thailand. You can find the nearest office through the list below and visit there with the required documents.
| Immigration Bureau | Address | Contact Info |
| Immigration Division (Chaengwattana)- Bangkok | Government Center B, Chaengwattana Road, Laksi, Bangkok | +66 2 287 3101 |
| Immigration Division (Bangkok) | Soi Suan Plu, off South Sathorn Road, Bangkok | +66 2 287 3101 |
| Phuket Immigration Office | 482 Phuket Road, Tambon Talat Yai, Amphoe Mueang Phuket, Phuket | +66 76 212 108 |
| IKoh Samui mmigration Office | Koh Samui District Office, 10/1 Moo 1, Mae Nam, Koh Samui | +66 77 420 372 |
| Chiang Mai Immigration Office | 71 Moo 3, Suthep Road, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai | +66 53 201 755 |
| Pattaya Immigration Office | 75/265 Moo 12, Jomtien Soi 5, Nongprue, Banglamung, Chonburi | +66 38 252 750 |
| Krabi Immigration Office | 2/12 Uttarakit Road, Amphoe Mueang Krabi, Krabi | +66 75 611 195 |
| Phang Nga Immigration Office | 82/1-2 Khok Kloi, Takua Thung District, Phang Nga | +66 76 451 333 |
| Hua Hin Immigration Office | 19 Rai, Phetkasem Road, Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan | +66 32 513 574 |
Fill out the Application Form
To extend a Thai tourist visa, you should obtain the visa extension form TM7 at the Immigration Bureau and fill it out. Alternatively, it is also available online. No matter where you obtain the form, make sure to complete the form honestly and do not miss any field.
Submit Documents and Application Form
You might get a queue number and wait in line. When your name is called, submit the application form along with the supporting documents at the counter. The officer will review your application and verify your identity.
Pay the Visa Extension Fee
It costs 1,900 THB (approx. 54 USD) to get a 30-day extension. It can be paid in cash, MasterCard, Visa card, or other mobile payment methods.
Collect your Passport and the New Visa
It takes about 1-2 weeks to receive a new visa. When the authority informs you of the approval of your application, return to the same bureau and pick up your passport with an extended visa stamp.
How Far in Advance Should I Extend My Thai Tourist Visa?
To avoid overstaying and being punished, it is advised to extend your stay one week before you are supposed to leave the country. You should pay attention to the expiry date of the current visa or entry permit and apply in advance if it will expire on the weekend as the immigration office is not open on weekends and public holidays.
How Many Times Can I Extend My Thai Tourist Visa?
The Thailand visa can be extended or renewed only once for each entry. Travelers can stay for another 30 days with a total length of stay of 90 days. After the due date of the visa extension, you have to leave Thailand or transit to another type of visa to continue staying in the country. No matter which one you choose, make sure to abide by the local immigration regulations.
What Happens If I Fail to Extend My Thai Tourist Visa?
If you fail to extend your Thai tourist visa, you might be allowed to stay in Thailand for a short period after the expiration date. However, you are considered overstaying and it is illegal to stay after the visa has expired, which might lead to fines, restrictions on future trips to Thailand, detention, or even a ban from re-entering the country. Therefore, it is necessary to address any visa issues before expiration and avoid these penalties.
Additional Tips on Extending Visa at Thailand Immigration Office
To successfully extend your visa in Thailand, you should get everything ready and get acquainted with the Immigration Office. Here are some useful tips.
- Gather all necessary documents
They include your passport, visa extension form, recent photographs, and sufficient fees. Missing any of them might hinder your application or even lead to rejection.
- Arrive earlier
The immigration office usually opens at 8:30 am. It is recommended to arrive earlier in order to queue in the front and avoid waiting for too long.
- Get a queue number first
Applicants must get a queue number at the entry booth of the office. When the number is called, it is your turn to apply. Even if you haven’t finished the application form or copied the documents, it is suggested to get the queue number first, so you can skip the queue when everything is ready.
- Dress modestly and respectfully
You don’t need to wear suits, but you should wear decent clothes. It will leave a good impression on the officer and increase the chance of being approved.
- Be honest and polite
You have to explain why you want to stay longer politely and honestly. The officer will appreciate courteous behavior. Once the officers find the wrong information or document, they will reject your application.
- Get complementary documents on the spot
If you haven’t got the TM30 registration, it can be obtained in a room next to the photocopy center of the Chiang Mai office. Please note that you should also get another queue number to deal with TM30. Additionally, you can also print photocopies of supporting documents at the immigration office.
- Follow the officer’s instructions
Be patient in the waiting area. The staff will gather your documents and check whether they are complete. If yes, they will staple the documents and guide you to the visa issuing room to finish the application process.
FAQ
Can I Extend Other Types of Thai Visa?
No. Generally, you can only extend the current visa type from within Thailand.
Can I extend my stay on a visa exemption in Thailand?
Yes. You can request a 30-day Thailand visa exemption extension after staying in Thailand for 60 days without a visa.
Can a non O visa be extended in Thailand?
Yes. Non-immigration O visas, immigration visas issued for retirement, family visits, or volunteering, can be extended for an extra 30 days or one year depending on the visa type and validity.
Can I extend my visa in Thailand online?
Yes. Some visa types can be extended online. Please check the official website of the Thai Immigration Bureau for exact information.
Can I keep extending my tourist visa in Thailand?
No. The tourist visa can be extended only once.
Summary
Overstaying in Thailand might lead to severe penalties. To avoid staying beyond visa validity, it is necessary to extend or renew the Thailand visa a week in advance. The visa extension can be done in person at the Immigration Bureau or on the third-party “e-Extension” system. We hope this passage will help you successfully extend your stay and enjoy your trip in Thailand.
Dolores Xiao