After waiting in line to photocopy this, print out that, fill out this form and wait again and again…Altogether, it took 2 trips, a 1900 Thai baht fee, and around 5-6 hours to sort out the 30-day tourist Visa extension for Thailand at the Chiang Mai Immigration office.
Not the quickest, most straightforward immigration extension of stay situation.
Learn from my mistakes and save time and energy at immigration with this comprehensive guide to the 30-Day Visa Extension Thailand (literally written as I’m waiting in line at the immigration office).
Note: Since I extended at the Chiang Mai branch, there may be slight differences at other immigration offices, but the process and requirements for the Thai tourist visa should be similar.
Also, I will only be talking about the 30-day tourist visa extension. Please refer to the official webpage if you are looking for any other visa extension type.
Initial Visa-Free Thailand Travel
Typically, Thailand will grant you a 30-day visa exemption if you are from 64 countries, including passport holders from the USA, the UK, most of the EU (if not all), and Australia.
View the full list of the countries qualified for visa exemption on the Royal Thai embassy’s official website by clicking here.
Thailand 45 Day Visa Exemption Extension
To kickstart tourism again, between October 1, 2022, and March 31, 2023, Thailand offers 45 days of visa-free travel for citizens from more than 50 countries. This means you can enter Thailand without a visa and remain in the country for up to 45 days when you travel through customs at any land, air, or port border.
However, this 45-day visa extension is temporary. If you’re hoping to travel to Thailand for longer than 30 days, book your trip before the expiration. Otherwise, it goes back to 30 days.
Beyond the Initial Visa Period: Can I extend my tourist visa in Thailand?
If you plan to stay in Thailand longer than the visa period, you must apply for a visa extension before the end of your visa-free period.
Most tourists use these options:
- 30 day extension (Which we will cover below)
- 90 day to one year long-term visa issued to non-immigrant visa holders. Most people choose to sign up for an education visa with a Thai language or Muay Thai school, and they will assist in getting your visa
- Visa run to neighboring countries to reset the visa time
If you are ineligible for a long-term visa stay but it’s your first time extending your stay in Thailand, the 30 Day Visa Extension is the best and cheapest way to go (unless you are close to the Malaysian border).
The 30 Day Tourist Visa Extension
The 30-day tourist visa extension is the most common.
This type of visa can only be extended once and allows you to remain in Thailand for up to 75 days (45 days initial stay + 30 days extended stay). After March 2023, it will go back to 60 days in total.
How Many Times Can I Extend My Tourist Visa in Thailand?
If you have already extended your stay once on your trip and do not have a long-term visa sponsor, your only other option is to leave the country for a short time and return.
This allows you to get another free visa period upon arrival. The most common neighboring countries for visa runs are:
- Laos (40$ Visa Fee)
- Malaysia (usually by flight, but visa-free for most)
- Myanmar (land border currently not open due to political issues)
However, it would be best if you didn’t abuse this opportunity by doing it too often.
How to Apply for a 30 Day Extension
Required Documents: What do I need to extend my visa in Thailand?
Here are the following documents you’ll need:
- TM7 Application Form (available at the Immigration Office)
- Acknowledgment of Penalties for Overstay in Thailand (available at the Immigration Office)
- Acknowledgment of Terms and Conditions for Permit of Temporary Stay in Thailand (available at the Immigration Office)
- TM30 form photocopy of receipt (given in cooperation with your landlord/hotel/hostel owner)
- Copy of your passport front page with personal details
- Copy of your visa arrival stamp
- Picture 4cm x 6cm
- 1,900 baht visa extension fee
Other Documents You Might Not Need (Unless Applicable)
- Visa from the Thai Embassy
- TM6 Departure Card (if you entered at the border)
- TM47 for 1 year visa
- Every extension stamp
Documents You DON’T Need for the 30 Day Extension:
- Proof of onward travel
- Proof of funds
- Vaccination Records
Facilities in the Thai Immigration Office
This may differ depending on the office you go to, but the Chiang Mai facility had an on-site:
- Photocopy service
- Photo taking service
- Coffeeshop
- Volunteer table to check your documents
- TM30 office
- The actual immigration office itself
Immigration Office Hours of Operation
(May be slightly different depending on the branch) The immigration office officially operates from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
However, they take a break for lunch between 12 pm to 1 pm, and all processing will come to a halt during that hour.
Step-By-Step Process Guide to Applying for a 30-Day Thai Visa Extension
The Thai government has improved the visa process over the years. I’ve heard horror stories that, in the past, people used to sleep overnight at immigration offices to make sure they got the task finished.
That said, I spent two full mornings waiting in line after line and got 4 queuing number placards. So you want to get there before the immigration officially opens at 8:30 am. I heard you can get an initial queue number starting as early as 7:30 am.
Step 1: Get your landlord/housemaster/hotel/hostel to Register You for TM30
Obtaining a TM30 needs to happen BEFORE you go to the immigration office.
The standard procedure for registering accommodation guests online is a breeze, and most owners know how to do it. You just need to give them your name, date of birth, home country, and passport number. Then print out the screenshot of the online confirmation.
My landlord was elderly and only spoke Thai, so I actually went to a past hostel I had stayed since it seemed like an easier solution.
Without registering online, you may need a rental contract with specific dates, the landlord’s ID card, or other things as specified by the immigration office to bring with you (see photo below).
Step 2: Wait for the Volunteers to Review your Documents
Go to the Immigration Office, walk through the initial screening process, and grab a number to see one of the volunteers who will review your documents.
It’s important to note that these individuals are not official immigration officers; this is simply another line meant to ensure people don’t wait all this time and pay money just to be rejected.
Step 3: Fill out Forms
While waiting to be seen, fill out the:
- TM 7 Visa Application Form (which requires a 4cm x 6cm photo)
- Acknowledgment of Penalties for Overstay in Thailand
- Acknowledgment of Terms and Conditions for Permit of Temporary Stay in Thailand
Using the photocopy and printing facilities, make sure to have the following:
- TM30 form photocopy of receipt
- Copy of your passport front page with personal details
- Copy of your visa arrival stamp
Step 4: TM30 Form Photocopy of Receipt
The TM30 line can be quite long and slow, so be prepared to wait.
If registered online:
Bring a hardcopy printout of your online registration. Get a queue number, and the TM30 office will fill out a TM30 receipt. You will then need a photocopy of that receipt.
If not registered online:
Bring all the necessary documents, such as the rental contract, the landlord’s ID card and/or other things as specified by the immigration office.
Grab a different (longer) queue number and submit your application to the TM30 office. They will register you, and then you will need a photocopy of the receipt.
Step 5: Queue for Immigration Officer Review
Once you have all your documents in order, the volunteer will double-check to ensure you have all your ducks in a row. They will ask you to sign all your photocopies and add a valid phone number to your TM7 application form.
If everything looks good, then you will get another queuing placard and be ushered into the immigration office….finally.
Step 6: Change Your Number to the Immigration Office Number
You would think the number the volunteer gave you is the number you are waiting to be seen in immigration, but it isn’t.
Go to the information line to be given an actual ticket to wait to be seen by an immigration officer. They will check all your documents again before handing you a 4th queue number.
Step 7: Hand in your Application for Review
Once you have your final queue number, all there is left to do is wait to hand in all your documents and wait for the officer to review them.
They will go through everything with a fine-tooth comb and ask for the 1900 Thai baht payment. They will give you the change later when you pick up your passport.
Step 8: Taking Your Picture
After you have paid, wait for officers to call your name to take a picture of your face.
Step 9: Pick Up Your Passport
It didn’t even take 5 minutes after the picture was taken to get my passport back with the 30-day stamp. That was the quickest part of the process. They will give you the remaining change of your payment at this time as well.
Wrap-Up: 30 Day Visa Extension Thailand:
In conclusion, getting a 30 day visa extension in Thailand is not complicated, but it can be time-consuming. Remember to bring all the required documents to the immigration office, and your application should go through without any problems. With the step-by-step guide laid out above, it’ll be a breeze!
If something goes wrong, or if you need any help, the staff at the immigration office are usually quite helpful. Good luck, and enjoy your extended stay in Thailand. But first, a Thai massage!
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