When you are in Thailand, maybe you want to start a meditation retreat. Maybe you think you’ve fallen in love. Maybe you just want to sit around and drink beer while watching the waves crash on the seashore.
Maybe you are planning to find a job in Thailand (for which you would need a Thai work permit).
And that’s when you realize you want to get a Thai visa extension or extend your visa-exempt entry.
So a 30-day visa extension works out if you :
- Entered Thailand with a 60-day visa or SETV.
- Came with a 6-month visa or METV to Thailand.
- Entered with a visa waiver for 30 days.
And should you go for it, it’s real easy to go to the nearest immigration office and get it for 1900 THB. In reality, what you obtain is the extension of stay. You don’t get a visa sticker on your passport or anything. You simply get a stamp.
COVID-19 Update on Thai Visa
Stay for 45 Days in stead of 30
If you are from a visa-exempt country and entered Thailand on a visa waiver, you can stay for 45 days instead of the usual 30 days, on each visit.
This is in effect until 30 September 2021.
Special 60-day Covid Extension of Thai Visa
Apart from the 30-day extension, you also would be able to get a special 60-day COVID extension. This is in effect until 26th March 2022. I will update the article if this special extension continues beyond 26th March 2022.
You can apply for the 60-day covid extension where you stay. So for example, if you’re staying in Bangkok (and can prove it) you can apply for a covid extension at the Chaengwattana Immigration office.
You might get a 14-day Under Consideration stamp and then go back to the same immigration office to get the COVID extension. In some cases, it can also be for a month.
The under consideration stamp would have the date you’re supposed to return.
You would need to pay the 1900 baht. When you go back on the date given in that stamp with your passport and the blue/green receipt of payment, they will put the covid extension stamp into your passport.
And yes, you can get more than one Thai visa extension for COVID.And should you need it, you need to ask the immigration office to give it to you before your usual 30 days extension.
Some officials might ask you to go for the regular 30 days Thai visa extension first, and then get the special one, while some would be fine with doing it the other way.
7-day Thai Visa Extension
1. Are you from Sri Lanka,India,Pakistan,Bangladesh, Iran,Nepal,Togo,Nigeria or Uganda? You can get a 7-day Thai visa extension only even if you entered with a SETV or METV.
2. Did you get 15 days visa waiver while entering Thailand? Then you can get a Thai visa extension for 7 days only.
3. Did you enter with a Thai visa on arrival for 15 days? You can get Thai visa on arrival extension for 7 days only for medical reasons.
Table of Contents
When to Get Thai Visa Extension
You must apply for visa extension before your stay permit or visa expires!
I recommend planning to get your extension a week earlier. It is better to not wait until the last minute.
The days are added on to your current stamp, not from the date you apply for an extension. So, you won’t be losing any days.Where to Extend Thailand Tourist Visa
Each province has at least one immigration office. You can find the list of branches on the official website of Thailand Immigration. The office and its outbuildings act as a one-stop shop for the process.
You must visit in person to apply for the extension. The extension gives you an additional 30 days on your current entry.
New Location for Extension on Visa Waivers in Bangkok
There is a new location (because of Covid) for the extension of Visa Waivers. See this link: https://bangkok.immigration.go.th/en/courses/counter-k-limited-at-300-queues-per-day/
Immigration offices are open Monday-Friday and closed on local holidays.
Required Documents for Thai Visa Extension
To extend your stay, you will need:
- TM7 Extension of Temporary Stay form -Must include the complete address of your hotel or apartment
- A copy of your passport ID page
- A copy of your entry stamp or a copy of your visa, if you entered with one.
- A copy of your Thailand departure card or TM.6
- Thai visa extension photo requirements:- 1 passport photo, 4x6cm
- 1,900฿ fee for extension paid in cash
All copies must be signed. There’s always a photocopier and a photo shop on premise or nearby where these can be arranged for a small fee.
Steps of Getting Thai Visa Extension
The whole procedure to extend Thailand visa is straightforward but it can be time-consuming. Expect to spend 1-2 hours at the immigration office. The fastest I’ve completed an extension was in 30 minutes.
Step 1
Grab the TM.7 application form for Thai visa extension. It’s a 2-page form. You can also download TM.7 form here.
Step 2
Complete the form. You will need to fill in your personal information, no. of requested days, reason of extension, address in Thailand etc. Then gather necessary copies and a photo. Attach your photo to the designated area in the form and sign it.
Step 3
Hand over your passport and paperwork to receive a queue number.
When your number is called you’ll approach the indicated desk and your photo will be taken. Pay the 1900 THBs at that time- cash only. You’ll be sent away and approximately 5-10 minutes later you’ll be called by your name.
This is when your passport is handed back to you with an extra stamp permitting an additional 30 days of stay.
Whether you need 3, 13, or all 30 days; the process and the fee remain the same.
Important: Follow The Law
Now some people might be thinking, “Wow! 1900฿, I only need 2 or 3 more days before I fly out. What if I don’t take the time and pay the money for an extension?”
There is an overstay penalty. Every day past your permission to stay is a 500฿ fine. This is usually discovered at departure. People get caught up, forget, change a flight, etc. You will get a stamp in your passport indicating you overstayed and how much you paid.
In the past, if this is an honest mistake and you’ve overstayed a few hours to less than a day, the immigration officials at the airport may waive the fine. How does that happen? Maybe you’ve got a late night or early morning “red-eye” flight.
You arrive at the airport at 23:00 for your 1:30 flight. By the time you check-in and get processed by immigration, it could be after midnight. In this scenario, they are likely to waive the fine.
If you only call it an overstay fine, maybe it doesn’t sound so bad. The truth is you have broken the law. You are illegally staying in Thailand. This is no joke.
The maximum fine is 20,000฿ and you may face jail time. You can even be banned from re-entering Thailand in the future.So, I would recommend you to get a Thai visa extension if you plan to stay longer.
How was your experience extending your Thai visa?
Let me know in the comments if you have any questions about Thai visa extension. If you want to add something that you experienced, do let me know. Please share if you think it’s useful.
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How many times can a visa exempt traveler (flying in) extend? For example, Thailand is currently allowing a 45 day stay for visa exempt travelers. After that 45 days, one has the option to stay 30 more days. Beyond that, can this same tourist continue to extend without needing a border run, or how would that work?
Hi Aaron,
After the first 30 day extension, you would need to make a border run. In some situations, you can get 7 more days, but that’s it really.
Hi again Deb,
Does the exentsion clock begin the day the extension is granted or received?
I have understood that with 15 days remaining, the extension would begin at the end of those 15 days to start the 30 anew (for a total of 45 days remaining). Is this true?
Hi Aaron,
The regular extension is added to the expiration date of your current stamp so that you wouldn’t lose any days. I you look at the extension pic in the article, you can see the date granted was 27 Mar but the date on the extension is 15 May. So it is a 30 day extension that means, it would actually be counted from 15th April.
Hello,
Is the limit to only one time 30 days extension for exempt holders still in place? Or can I extend twice 30 days now?
In case of a border run, which one is the most convenient at the moment?
Hi,
You can extend for 30 days only once if you have a SETV. Not happening with exemption these days. The best option is to get a visa.
I’m here in Thailand on a 30 day visa exemption from Australia and my girlfriend’s arrival from the Philippines has been delayed for a month until the 19th Jan. What are my best options? My visa exemption expires on 20th Jan. Also, can “visa agents” in Thailand be trusted? I’ve found some places in Bangkok that come and collect your passport and get your extension for you. Are they to be trusted?
Personally, unless I know its a Gov official, NEVER hand over your passport to anyone. Not for a deposit hold, and certainly not for them to run off to do something for you. Go to immigration office yourself and hand them your passport.
Is it possible to extend into the STV if you came in on a 45 visa exemption?
Great article, really easy to follow.
Hi Tom,
Yes, you can extend for 30 more days after the 45 days of visa exemption.
Hi Deb, is there an official website where inmigration show this information? I am not able to find it.
Just landed on your site looking for quick info, but it seems you provide consistent support. So great, thank you so much.
Hi Toño,
Unfortunately, the document that contained info was in Thai and the link to that document is not working right now. But you can still refer to the US embassy update on this: https://th.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/covid-19-information/. Go to Entry and Exit requirements. US embassy updates the info frequently.
And thank you for your kind words.
Where did you get the information that you can extend a visa exemption for 45 days (rather than 30)? – I can find this nowhere other than your website
Hi Roy,
Thank you for pointing it out. The 45 days applies to stay and not extension. I have rectified it. You can look at the info on 45 days stay on the website of the Thai embassy in the US.
Is the COVID extension policy still in effect (60 day extension) ? I came to Thailand on exemption visa from US (45 days) but like to use the COVID 19 extension to get additional 60 days, is that possible? Thanks
Hi Gilbert,
Yes, the 60-day extension for the COVID program is now valid until May 29th. So if your stamp runs out before May 29th, you can apply for a 60-day extension. Although I must mention that in some immigration offices, they would ask you to apply for the 30 days extension first. In some, they would allow you to take the 60-days COVID extension straightaway.
If i applied for the 60 days extension after the 45 days visa exemption, is that mean that i need to apply for a new insurance also for another 60days?
Thanks, Rolando Ngabidj for thevisaproject.com
Hi Deb,
Why is it that people from the countries you listed have to extend only for 7 days despite the fact that the normal is 30-days.?
In case if the covid 19 extension is extended after 29th may, is everyone eligible to get that? I am Nigerian planning to come with SETV for tourism.
I also learnt that there is this special tourist visa (STV) which gives permission to stay up to 90-days with possible extension of another 90-days if the traveler enter thailand before 01 July, 2021. As a Nigerian, am I eligible to apply for the STV?
Thank you for your nice article
Hi Ameer,
Unfortunately, that’s how it is. The rules are different for different nationalities.
I would say yes, everyone would be eligible for the COVID extension.
And Nigerians are not eligible to apply Thai STV as of now.
Hi, I like to stay a year or two if when I go meet girl and maybe stay while K1 visa is processing am US retired military 20 years and disabled rated veteran not that, that matters some countries off retire plan.
When i have a flight date on my departure card and i get my visa extention. Do they issue a new departure card with a new flight date or will i still keep the old card and just change my flight? Will there be a problem when my flight date is not the same like the one on my departure card?
Hi Tom,
You can keep the old card and simply change the flight. No issues.
there is no 45 day extension , your terminology is also completely incorrect (arrive on a waiver then extend your visa , also there are NO BORDER runs , land borders are closed)
I would disagree with you. Do you have any sources to back it up?
You can look at the info on 45 days extension on the website of the Thai embassy in the US.
Sorry about my earlier comment Darren. I actually meant 45 days stay, not a 45-day extension. The article has been rectified.
Hi Deb.I need your help some information I have a stamp visa and it has been renewed covid visa and it will expire on 25th August after this what can I do next? Can I still extend the time? Or do I have to run of boarders and exit to neighbouring countries?I need your advice Appreciated
Hi Za,
If you have only had the COVID extension, then you will still be eligible for the normal extension without making a border run.
Hi am from Tanzania , Am asking my Visa Expires 11 August, I came with 60 days Tourist Visa, is it possible to extend 45 days or is just 30 only?
Hi Mussa,
You will be able to extend for 30 days since you came with a visa.
Hi Deb,
Thanks for your article. 2 Questions:
– How can one do a border run when it seems most (if not all) nearby borders are closed?
– After extending a tourist visa for 30 days, can it be extended again for another 30 days, and then another after that?
Thank you
Hi Patrick,
Yes, most borders are closed. But why do you need to make one now, considering the fact that you can get the COVID extension?
– You can get only one 30-day extension (which is 45 now if you entered visa-exempt) but more than one COVID extension as long as they are giving them out. In a pre-Covid world, you could get only one 30-day extension and make border runs.
Hi Deb,
If I enter Thailand with the visa exemption program (no visa), I can extend it twice for a total of 90 days I believe. My question is how do I stay in the country longer? I want to stay for nine months, but the STV is proving painfully annoying to get. Can I enter Thailand on the visa exemption program and then apply for a new visa in-country? Or is there a way I can renew with the COVID extension over and over again? Probably not right?
Hoping you can shed some light on this.
Thanks!
Hi Oliver,
I understand your frustration over the STV. If you plan to stay longer, you can enter as visa-exempt, then get the COVID extensions as long as they are in place and then get regular extensions. So that way, you get 75 days for sure(45 days when you enter and 30 when you extend). And you can get more than one COVID extension. People have received multiple COVID extensions. With every COVID extension you get, you add 60 days.
Dear Deb, your site is the most informative one that I have browsed about Thailand visa. I have a question I wish you could help. I came in Thailand with a visa exempt entry ( US passport holder). Could I apply for a tourist visa inside Thailand? Appreciate very much your reply. Thanks again.
Hi GZ,
Thank you for your kind words. Since you have entered visa-exempt, you can get the extensions(regular and Covid) while you are inside Thailand. But in order to get a tourist visa like SETV/METV, you would need to go to a Thai embassy. You can’t get it inside Thailand.
Thanks deb for your reply. Understand now. Really appreciate your help.
How long do you think the 60-Day Covid-19 Extensions might be available to people?
The latest I’ve found online is “probably until late September”, but who knows? Not me!
I’m NOT trying to “trap” you into making a promise about the future, that you of course have no power over. You’re not in charge of Thai immigration law, and I’m not trying to “trick” you into pretending that you are.
But still, I’m very curious as to what you’re EXPECTING will happen, especially in the context of this “Covid Delta strain” situation that Thailand (and many other countries) appears to definitely be in today (middle July 2021).
(I’m not in Thailand yet, but thinking about coming, as a regular nobody-special USA tourist, through the 14-day ASQ quarantine thing, and hopefully for as much stay-time as I can get.)
Thank you!
Hi Rocco,
My gut feeling is that it would probably be in place until the end of this year and definitely until the end of September. Things are evolving with the Delta strain.
I sometimes wonder if there is anyone in charge of Thai immigration laws. Maybe many of us do. 🙂
Hi for covid – 19 extension visa can apply online or should go at the Thai immigration in person as the cases right now is a lot!
Hi Joan,
In some of the immigration offices, they are already accepting limited applicants. And in some places, they are asking you to contact them before coming down. But there is no online application process till now.
How far in advance of your visa expiration date can you apply for the 60 day covid extension?
Hi Tony,
While different immigration offices interpret things differently, the consensus is that if you are getting the COVID extension for the first time, it would start the day you apply. So if you apply too soon, you would lose a few days. But I guess you should apply at least a week before.
From the second time onwards, the 60 days would be added to your existing extension of stay.
Which office in Bangkok deals with 30 day extension to the 45 day visa? and I assume I can download the forms so I can fill out my paperwork before I go to save time?
The immigration office in Bangkok. You can find the exact address from the link in Where to extend section. Yes, you can download the form.
I read all comments and answers.
US Passport holder still in America.
36yrs old.
Wanna stay in Thailand for 6 months.
Should I go Visa Exempt and do the standard extension and Covid extension
OR
Apply for a Visa here in Los Angeles and then go for extensions in Thailand. If Yes to Visa what other visas are good options besides the 60 days tourist visa ? Thx a lot.
Hi Weekii,
The first option is pretty popular these days. Even if you manage to get one COVID extension, you can get 135 days, like 4 and half months. And maybe you could get more than one COVID extension which means definitely more than 6 months.
Hi Deb,
Sorry to bother you again. I called the Thai embassy here in Los Angeles and I was told by the person on the phone If I go to Thailand without any tourist visa just my US Visa exempt passport the immigration office in Thailand can’t give me the standard extension since I have no visa to extend. What do you think ?
Hi Weekii,
If they have stopped giving them out, in that case, you could come with a SETV or METV.
Hi Deb,
Questions about the 60 days Covid extension:
1) My immigration office is Jomtien Pattaya. They gave me a TM 7 and few other docs to fill in, but no TM 30. Is it normal? Do I need to fill in a TM 30 online?
2) My current tourist visa ends on september 15th. My lease agreement from my condo ends on september 13th. I may move from my condo. Is it a problem ? I will fill the documents for the 60 days covid extension this week and put my current address on them. But if I move, that would mean that technically, I wouldn’t be living at the address I notified to immigration after september 13th. Is it then safer to stay at my current place?
Thank you so much
Hi Aurélien,
1. It is totally normal. TM30 is a requirement for the 90 days report.
2. It would definitely be a safer option to continue in your current place. But it is possible to do what you are saying, especially when it is in the same province. People have done it.
Hi Deb,
Thank you so much for this piece, very informative!
Is there any news about the grant of Covid extension beyond September 27th? Can we expect that it would be forthcoming?
Thank you!
Hi Karen,
We can definitely expect it. 🙂
Will update the article the moment I know.
Hi Deb,
Great website, thx a lot for all the info!
I have a few questions if you don’t mind.
At the moment the visa waiver of 45 days is planned to come back to 30 days at the end of the month, do you think it will be prolonged seeing the current situation? And if yes, when should we expect an official announcement?
I’ve read that foreigners entering Thailand under the visa exemption category must provide at the port of entry proof of onward travel to leave Thailand within 30 days of the arrival date (or 45 if prolonged). Now, I’m planning to extend my stay once there but can I buy a ticket with a return date that already includes my extended stay (so after 60 or 75 days)? May I tell them I intend to extend my stay of another 30 days and this is the reason of the return date or they are not flexible on this?
Thx a lot!
Hi Masha,
It might get prolonged. We never know what kind of surprises the pandemic has for us. Hard to guess.
I believe you should always have an onward ticket in Asia. And yes, people have been in trouble for this in Thailand. You don’t need to buy one really. You can rent one easily, for as low as 10-15$. And I would recommend buying it within 30 days of your arrival date. Much safer.
Here is my article on the onward ticket: https://thevisaproject.com/blog/tips/10-ways-for-onward-travel-proof/
And the website if you want to jump there directly: https://thevisaproject.com/recommends/visa-reservation/
Hi Deb, the info on this website is so helpful and you have put in a lot of effort to reply people who really want to get back to Thailand. Thank you so much. I would like to confirm that a Singapore passport visa exemption (45days) can be issued with an extension of 30days. Because I called up the Thai embassy in Singapore and the person told me that visa exemption cannot be extended.
How true is this? Thanks!
Hi Del,
Thank you for your kind words.
I have been recently hearing the same from a few sources. However, there is no confirmed report whether they have stopped giving these 30-day extensions to everyone forever or to some nationalities. So I think a SETV would be a better idea for getting an extension. I would add a note in the article on this.
Hi Deb, i have question about the exemption visa, i will go Thailand in october with exemption visa, it will be only for 30 days in october😓. Do you know if it will be possible to extend for 30 more days in immigration there? With all the new things with covid i m not sure 😅.
Thank you very much 🙏
Hi Jo,
I doubt it. Have been hearing reports that it is not a thing anymore, although we don’t know if it is for all the nationalities. So a visa would be better if you want the 30-day extension.
This isn’t supposed to be negative but I felt there was a little bit of incorrect information here advising others…. whenever I have had the 30 day extension at immigration, the date never runs on from your sate of expiry but commences from the day you attend.
ie…. If you attend the immigration office 7 days before your visa expires then you lose the 7 days, as the commence date is from the date you attend. So I usually go there 2 days before the visa end date, as generally unless there’s been changes, I am aware of what I need to take, being my pport, copy of pport page, copy of visa page showing the TM6, both copies signed and a pport sized photo with 1900 Baht.
Visa runs ‘did’ give an additional 60 days upon entering back in to Thailand NOT 7 days as previously mentioned on this thread by somebody.
Anyway just wanted to put this out there to avoid misinformation to others etc. 🙂👍
I have a 60 day tourist visa and yesterday went to get an extension and rather than a 30 day, I was given a ‘Covid’ 60 day extension.
Hope this info might be of interest to some peeps… Have an awesome day!
This is definitely also what I was told today. As soon as you get that extension, you lose the remaining days that you would originally have had!
I was today at the temporary center , counter K, to renew my visa waiver (=visa exemption, w 30) and I requested 30 days more. The 30 days they stamped started from when the visa waiver will end. Smooth procedure, now (as of 20 nov. 2021) they are also open on Saturdays and I was there just after lunch break (1 pm), no queue at all.
Here the link https://bangkok.immigration.go.th/en/ตม-1-เปิดจุดให้บริการเพิ-2/
Super friendly!I read on google maps some bad reviews and was prepared for the worse but my experience was perfect. As a reason I just put I wanted to do more traveling in Thailand.
Hi, i’ll be going to bangkok by Visa exemption this November and I’m wondering if i could apply for a visa extension of 60 days once i arrive in bangkok?
Hi Val,
I don’t think so. I would recommend you to come with a visa.
Hi Deb,
After dealing with a Thai based travel agency while planning my visit this site and comment section has been very helpful.
It seems you ard advising against the visa exempt and instead go with a TR visa which can then be extended for a total of 90 days.
I am interested in staying longer and possibly applying for an Education visa. Can I apply for an Education visa if I arrive on a TR visa? I am looking to travel from Mexico City early November with a US passport.
Or, what would you recommend if I want to stay for 6-12 months?
Thank you for any suggestions.
Hi Tom,
I would recommend coming on a tourist visa and then extending it in Thailand. If you can get one Covid extension and a regular one, that will give you more or less 6 months. To Convert the tourist visa to an education visa, you need to make a visa run. Probably get an ed visa before coming down?
I was contacting phuket language school with this question and they said because of the pandemic situation, I can
convert tourists visa to ED visas without leaving the country.
Thanks for updating Martin. Hope everything goes well.
Hi Deb,
If I arrive on a TR visa and extend for a total of 90 days can I apply for a longer term visa? I am thinking about an Education or other long term visa if possible.
My plan is to arrive in BKK in early November from Mexico City on my US passport.
Any rumors about border immigration offices opening for ‘visa runs’ in the near future?
Thank you for any suggestions or recommrndations.
No such rumors yet. Thai immigration loves surprising people. 🙂
Hi Darren. Great article. Thank you very much. I am fully vaccinated against covid-19 British citizen currently in Turkey on a visit for a month. I would like to travel from Istanbul to Bangkok early November 2021. The PM of Thailand announced that there will be no quarantine from fully vaccinated visitors from low risk countries. I am not clear whether I need to quarantine or not? With the visa exempt program am I allowed to stay 30 or 45 days? Can I apply for visa extension on arrival? Many thanks for your help
Hi there
I am fully vaccinated against covid-19 British citizen currently in Turkey on a visit for a month. I would like to travel from Istanbul to Bangkok early November 2021. The PM of Thailand announced that there will be no quarantine from fully vaccinated visitors from low risk countries. I am not clear whether I need to quarantine or not? With the visa exempt program am I allowed to stay 30 or 45 days? Can I apply for visa extension on arrival? Many thanks for your help
Hi Dr Saleh,
You have not mentioned your nationality. Can not really say unless I know that.
I have a return ticket to Thailand departing Spain 15 Dec 21 returning 9 March 22.
I am a UK citizen resident in Spain.
I want to enter Thailand on a Visa Exempt for 30 days and then change to one or two 30 days tourist visas or one of 60.
Can you advise me of easiest options.
Thanks David
Hi David,
I would recommend getting a single entry or multiple entry visa and not coming as visa-exempt if you want to stay longer.
Hi Deb
First of all, your site is off tremendous value. Thank you so much for that.
My question is about the return flight, the flight number we need to show on the TM6. Do I show the return flight # I currently have, (that departure date was based on my first 30 days), when applying for an extension or do I need to change my onward flight first, based on expecting another 30 days?
The answer to this question is very important to me, as it is costly to actually change the plane ticket before I really know when my actual departure date will be after applying for the extension.
Thanks in advance
Hi Christian,
Thank you for your kind words. I believe here is the answer you are looking for: https://thevisaproject.com/experience/thailand/thai-visa-extension/#comment-1647
Thanks and yeah, I saw that, yet not totally sure on how to proceed. Basically, I should leave my current real return ticket back to Toronto (am Canadian), based on the first 30 days, alone for now, and get a cheap onward ticket that shows me leaving after 30 or 60 days of extension?
I hope to get this Covid extension, so I just go for 60 days and see what happens? Would that be the way to go, even if they give me only 30 days extension?
They will give you 30 days even if you get the Covid extension. You can get a cheap ticket or rent one. Ideally, the date on the ticket should be before your visa ends, not the extension.
Hi Deb,
Great article! Thank you for providing so much information on the Visa process for Thailand.
My partner and I (both British Nationals) have been on a working holiday visa in New Zealand (not official residents) for the past 20 months and are planning on flying to Thailand at the end of November.
We’re currently stuck between two visa options:-
1) Is it possible to arrive in Thailand for 30 days on a Visa-exempt entry, and then apply for the 30 day extension once in the country. We already have both flights booked in and out of Thailand (for the duration of the 60 days), and were planning on renting a ticket as proof of our outward journey for the 30 day exemption. Do you know if this extension is still available?
2) Our other option is the Single Entry 60 day Tourist Visa (SETV). Do you have any insight into processing times and how easy it is to apply for? We are finding some difficulties in choosing correct documentation- despite being out of the UK for 20 months, we are still citizens and official residents there, whilst our most up to date documentation e.g. bank statements, are from NZ.
What are your thoughts on our options?
Many thanks in advance, keep up the awesome work!
Hi James,
Thank you for the kind words.
I would highly recommend option number 2. You can apply for the SETV in NZ. It is pretty fast. Here is the info: https://wellington.thaiembassy.org/th/publicservice/17614-applying-for-a-visa. Do check out the doc checklist.
This is what you would need for sure: a valid letter
of recommendation from your educational institute or employer with the application.
Hi Deb
Your highlighted section “Many expats have recently reported …” scared the hell out of me, as that was about to destroy my plans. I googled and googled, but couldn’t find anything to support that. I think you should remove that, unless you got details of why that happened to those. It is needlessly very worrisome!
And here is why:
Am Canadian and arrived Phuket Oct.14 with the Visa Waiver and got a stamp for Nov.12 (29 days only for some reason).
I was there today in Bangkok, Nov.08, and got a new stamp for Dec.12. I talked to the handful of people there, while waiting, but none had any worries of getting the extension.
By the way. The link for the Immigration Devision 1 in Bangkok you are showing is only good for real visas. There is a new location (because of Covid) for extension of Visa Waivers, where I was today. See this link: https://bangkok.immigration.go.th/en/courses/counter-k-limited-at-300-queues-per-day/
Question: If the 60 day Covid Extension stays as it is until November 26, then I must go there before that (in about 16 to 18 days from now), right? Haha, basically just answered my own question, but it is always good to hear you confirming that.
Thanks a lot
Hi Christian,
Thank you very much for the update. I guess that the Thai embassies in various countries are being ambiguous about the whole thing. I will update the article with your comment.
Coming to your question, you can surely apply for the COVID extension before 26 Nov. Usually people go a week before the extension expires. I guess the COVID extension thing will continue after this, but who knows!!
Thanks a lot for your information, just wanted to share my recent experience that may help answering recent comments. I have a French passport so i guess my experience may apply to EU citizens at least.
I entered Thailand on the 26th of September with a 45 days visa exemption using the Koh Samui sandbox program (back then you could get 45 days, but quarantine was 7 days strict + 7 days relax , with possibility to visit the island)
I then moved to Phuket and on the 4th of November (4 days before my visa exemption last day), I went to the main immigration office and applied for a Covid extension (TM7 + 2 other forms+1 document from hotel where I stay – TM-30 I think) The process is a described except that I was told to come back 1 week later to get my final stamp. I went back on the 11th and got a 60 days extension.
At least for Phuket (there were dozens of foreigners inside and outside the immigration office), I think it’s very easy to get an extension, from exemption or actual visa. Just block a day to do the first part (took me 5 hours).
Good luck!
thai embassy london has lost my application forms.say not time to do again.i come thailand for 45 days from 29 november.can i fly in for 30 days then get 15 days extra at thai immigration.thank you and hope to hear from you soon.
Based on the two stories (comments) before yours, your question has already been answered 🙂
Hi everyone,
I would like to share my personal experience with immigration regarding the ”Special 60-Day Covid Extension on a Thai Visa”. [Apologies if some of these things have already been mentioned by others.]
The first thing that immigration told me that this is NOT an extension of an existing visa – in my case a student visa – but an entirely new visa, i.e. the ”Covid visa”. Since you cannot hold two visas simultaneously, the first thing I had to do was to cancel my student visa.
I assume this is relevant knowledge for those with a student and work visa….
I am not going to get into detail about the documents I needed to cancel my student visa, because this is a whole different story. But many of the documents overlapped with those required for my Covid visa.
Anyways, for the Covid visa I was asked to show:
-TM7 form
-passport
-copy of passport pages: main/first page, visa page, first + last entry page. (Hence, I just copied every single page of my passport that had anything Thai on it. Immigration liked that.)
-TM6 (arrival/departure card)
-copy of TM6
-rental contract that is no less than the 60 days that you are applying for. For example, if Immigration sees that your rental contract is about to end in a couple of days or weeks, they will most likely not give you the Covid visa for 60 days. Some may not give you a Covid visa at all.
-copy of rental contract
-copy of tabien baan of your landlord
-copy of Thai ID of your landlord
-1 photo
[I always suggest to make double or even triple coloured copies of all your documents before going to Immigration, because you never know…]
I don’t know how this is for those of you who live far away from Bangkok, but since I am based next door in Nakhon Pathom, I was informed that my Covid visa application would be sent to Chaeng Watthana in Bangkok. Huge bummer, because the people working there are something else, as I’m sure some of you may have already experienced.
I wish all of you the best of luck and success in getting the chance to stay in Thailand a bit longer.
Bless you all and stay safe!
J
Thank you, J very much for sharing the details for people with student/work visas.
Hi,
Me and my partner are on different visas (60 day tourist visa and 30 day visa exempt) can both be extended one time prior to the covid extensions.
Basically we both are a bit ill and will miss the covid deadline for extending, so will extend at the beginning of the month – both our first time to be extended and only want a one time 30 day extension and just wondering if thats possible?
Thanks
Hi Natalia,
Yes, it is possible.
Hi Deb
As mentioned earlier, I got my 30 day extension on my 30 day Visa Waiver at the new location north of Immigration Division 1.
Reading the comment from J on November 19, would you happen to know at which location the Covid Visa extension, which I want to get this week before that special expires, is available?
If I understood J’s comment right, the new location seems to be just for the 30 day extension on Visa waivers, correct?
As always, your reply means a lot. Thanks in a advance
Chris
Hi Christian,
Great to know. Yes, J is right about that. All the best.
Actually, we misunderstood J’s comment or it is different for other Visas than Visa Waivers. I went to Immigration Division 1 today, only to be send once again to Counter K in the new location.
Got the 60 day Covid Visa extension – so happy.
Would have not been possible without your website here, which is so very helpful.
Hi Christian, I am also looking to get a 30 day extension on my 30 day visa waiver. Could you help me please, did they ask you to show proof of accommodation for the 30 extended days? Like a hotel booking or rental contract?
Also could you share the immigration office location please?
Thank you,
George
Hi George. Very sorry for super late reply. Since I got all my extensions, I had no reason to check this site and just happen to see your questions now.
Please look at my earlier comment, where you can see the link for the new location for Visa Waiver extensions.
And they do not need a proof of your hotel booking. I just made sure that I do have a reservation (not yet paid for) with my hotel to cover the extended time, just in case they check (I don’t know if they do or not).
The only documents you need are listed at the top of this webpage.
Hi there I have booked up for 6th December and will be coming on 30 day visa when I arrive. My return flight is 27th January 22 days after my 30 days are up. Can I go straight to a visa shop and get an extension to that date? Amd also is it better to wait 1 week befour I want to extend or can I go and extend it the day after I arrive thanks very much.
Hi Tom,
I think you are coming with a visa-exempt entry. You would need to apply for the extension a few days before your exit date, ideally a week.
You don’t need to wait to apply for the 30 day extension. I’ve always done it early whenever it was convenient.
HI, all good Info thank you and all understood, I will be going for 1 month from 1 Dec and hope to get a 60 day extension.
I have one question I have bought a return ticket for 1 month it is a changeable ticket (paid extra) will the Authorities accept that I will I have to show a defined date as proof ? thank’s in advance for any answer.
Hi Roy,
They would accept it I believe.
Hi Deb
If anyone is in Krabi Town , I just extended my stay today and it was the easiest and quickest extension I have done in thailand I was in and out within 15 minutes.
Hi Kyle,
I arrived on 17th Nov on 30 days visa exemption (UK passport). I wish to extend my visa for 30 days- when I came under Test & Go scheme they asked for insurance, hotel laccomodation and what not. Do I have to provide these for extension also?
-Sonny
Hello. I have EU passport and I’ve arrived with VISA exepmtion for 30 days. For extension, apart from passport pic, passport copy and TM30 form, do I need something else?
thanks!
Hi, yes I also am wondering the same as Ray. Do they ask you to show proof of accommodation for the 30/60 extended days? Like a hotel booking or rental contract? Also could you share the immigration office location please?
Thank you,
George
Hi, I entered Thailand from Germany on October 1st with a 60 day Tourist Visa and extended it for 30 days to december 30th. I will exit Thailand to Cambodia on December 11. On January 11. I want to go back to Thailand again, without a Visa. How long will I be allowed to stay? 30 days again or less, since I already spent so much time in Thailand in the year 2021.
Thx
Hi Peter,
Yes you should get 30 days again.
Hi Deb
Thanks for all the info. My understanding is that the Covid extension application has been extended until 25 Jan 2022. I entered with visa exemption on 21 Nov. Can I extend first for 30 days (til 21 Jan), then apply for the 60 days (so taking me up until roughly 21 March)?
Thanks!
Hi Denise,
Yes, it has been extended. You surely can do that.
Hi Deb – Thank you so much for your article and for addressing all of the comments, it is truly very helpful.
I am a US citizen and am planning to get a SETV. I am leaving in January and ideally would like to stay in Thailand for 4 months (120 days). It sounds like the SETV grants a stay for 60 days and then I can go to an immigration office for a 30 day extension but I am wondering the best option, if possible, to get another 30 days. Any insight would be greatly appreciated!
Hi Olivia,
Thanks for your kind words. If you manage to get a COVID extension, you would surely get more than 4 months with the SETV. But since that is not totally sure, you would need to do a border run.
Hi,
I extended my visa from Chiang mai immigration today. The office is close to the airport. The process was simple but few things I would want to mention:
– Make sure you have the photos with you. Photocopies can be done there for 1 THB each. You will also need your TM6 form which you got from immigration
when you arrived.
– The process should take an hour. But only if you arrive before 10:30 or after 2. If you arrive around 11, then you may have to wait like me as they break for lunch around 1. So if you are late you might well come around 2 when all morning applications have been processed.
Fee is 1900 THB. You will get 30 days extension. I arrived from UK on 17th November and got 30 days visa on arrival. That is now extended till 15th Jan.
Documents needed:
– Copy of passport, TM6 slip, Visa. One photo required.
Forms are available there so you need to fill three forms, not one. Ask for all three forms.
I will be arriving December 15th from the USA. Am I limited to 30 days or 45 days? If it is 30 days then where can I get an extention near Sukhumvit? Thanks in advance.
Hi
If arrival thailand 30 days visa exemption ,can extend one time.
how about change to another visa? e.g working visa or student visa
this is possible?
Hi Guys,
I will arrive to Thailand on the 18th of December on a single-entry tourist visa. The longest I am allowed to stay is 60, so I will leave on the 9th of February. Am i allowed to extend my visa once in Thailand? And can I extend it like during the first two weeks of my stay? Or should I wait to last days?
Thank you
Hi Daniel,
You can do it a week or two before the visa expires. The days are added to your current stamp, not from the date you apply for an extension. So, you won’t be losing any days. If you go during the first 2 weeks of your stay, it is possible that they’ll ask you to come back later. But you can give it a try.
I’m planning on getting a 60 day tourist visa and to convert it to an ed visa. But technically you just pay to extend the 60 day 30 days, then after 90 days is up you can currently extend again and again for 60 days each time due to covid for the year? Am I correct?
Hi David,
Yes, you are correct.
Hi,
Where and how do you apply for a COVID extension? Also, how long is the extension?
Thanks.
Do children who are 12 and under need to apply to get the 30 day and the 60 day extension? Or are the automatically ok if the parents only?
Good evening, we just got our visa on arrival (visa exemption) 30-day stamp extended for another 30 days. Easy peasy process in Bangkok, in and out in an hour with the right documents (thank you so much for all your information!!!). Do you know if it is still possible to get another extension after this one or if it’s wise to try it? Should we rather try the COVID extension? We were planning on going to Singapore or Malaysia after this but with the current situation we may be stuck here a while and are not sure what the best way is to stay in the country. Change the visa? (here with the whole family and 2 little kids, so not sure if a change in visa makes sense?).
Hi Anna,
You would need to try and get the COVID extension, as you have already received the normal extension. No need to change the visa which might not even be possible. 🙂
I arrived on December 18th on a visa waiver, so up to Jan 17th. I’d like to stay as long as possible – I’m wondering if I should get the normal extension or a Covid extension. If I get the normal one, that should see me through to Feb 16th or so, but the covid extension might be over by then.
I wonder if I have to get the normal one first, or if I can get the covid one first, can I get the normal one later. I’m also wondering if I get the normal, could I get the covid one right away? I’m in Chiang Mai, but I could travel if it helps to get a longer stay.
Hi Deb,
Thanks for all the great information on your website, very grateful to have a resource like this. I came here on the 30 day visa waiver. Just been to immigration and extended for 30 days.
Can you tell me how many times, I can keep extending by 30 days?
Thanks
Grant
Hi Grant,
The 30-day extension is one time only. The COVID extension can be done more than once.
Does it matter what you put as answer in “Reason for extension” section? Would “tourism” suffice for example?
Yes, it would.
I just was told that I need to reapply for my Thai Visa (I am an American citizen, flying from America). I will not receive my Visa in time, my flight leaves for Thailand in less than 14 days and it takes 15 business days to process the visa. I will be in Thailand for 42 days total. Is there a way to still travel to Thailand without a visa? Can I get an extension while I’m there? Will they ask to see my departing flight information? Can I just show them my flight information going to Thailand (one-way) and then extend when I get there?
My reply is yes to all of your questions, with one caveat. Do buy an onward ticket or rent it here
Thanks for the article.
I came in on a TV and will extend for 30 days soon.
I’d like to stay longer but don’t want to fly out and back in as I’d have to do the asq again.
Any suggestions as to which other visa I could apply for withinThailand?
Hi Sophie,
You can go for the COVID extension if it is still there. If not, you would need to fly out and come back. While applying for visas inside Thailand is not impossible, the rules vary in different places. I have heard cases where people did it using agents, but you never know.
Hi, if I enter Thailand on a 30 day tourist visa and I want to extend it.. would you know what kind of airline ticket I should purchase because I really don’t know when I want to return to the uk..should I purchase an open return ticket..I hope you can answer my question because I am confused..thank you
Hi John,
It is way better and cheaper to rent one, and this is the one I recommend: https://thevisaproject.com/recommends/visa-reservation/
Hi.
I came on a 30 days visa exemption. I went for the 30 days extension. Now, to stay longer I need to get the Covid extension.
I think that a document called TM30 is necessary. I asked my hotel in Patong to provide it but they were clueless.
Do you now where I can find it ?
Thank you.
Hi Jay,
They don’t usually ask for it. However, the hotel has the responsibility to get it for you, although you can do it as well. This can be done online or by visiting the local immigration office.
Hello. I am a Dutch citizen and a resident in Singapore. I am currently in quarantine in Bangkok because of testing positive for covid. My visa will expire on 16 January but I will still be in quarantine then so am not able to leave my hotel and go to immigration. What should I do?
If everything goes well, I will leave quarantine on 18 January. My new flight back to Singapore is on 25 January.
Hi Thijs,
Ideally, you should get an extension. See if you can get the help of an agent to do so. In the worst case, you would need to pay some overstay fine when you leave.
Hi there,
I came to Thailand and got the 14 days visa on Arrival.
I wanted to know whether I could extend the visa to stay for one more week, since we will be in Hotel Quarantine for 7 days and have only 7 days to enjoy.
Please let me know if they is an option to extend.
Thank you.
Hi Laxmi,
Yes, you are allowed to extend it. However, you can get the extension for 7 days only for medical reasons. So it is not that straightforward.
Hi, so I have just extended my second one , First 30 and now 60, I still want be here for longer 😎, do you know if its possible or I need to a visa run now ? And How does that work
Hi Isse,
Yes, it is totally possible to get more than one COVID extension. The process is very much the same as your first one.
Hi Deb Pati,
Getting more than one Covid Visa extension is great for everyone, however we currently don’t know if the Thai government will extend this offer again beyond 25 January, right?
I haven’t heard anything so far – not even rumours, which is a bit weird…
Hi Isse, where did you apply ? in BKK ? (MuongThong Thani) – Thanks. Marco
Hi,
I am in Thailand with a 30 days on arrival visa and I have the mandatory medical insurance for this period. If i make now a visa extension do i also have to get a new medical insurance covering the remaining time?
Thanks for your help
Hi Patrick,
No need for a new insurance.
Hello, I’m a French citizen, came in Thailand with a 30 days exemption stamp on 21/11, extended once, my new stamp goes until 30/01.
I would like to do the covid extension. Do I need to wait until the 25/01 or can I go before? Thanks
I wanted to know if you have heard of this. I went to immigration office for a 30 day visa extension and was told by the officer that I could not apply before I have been in the country for 45 days.
Never heard of this, William.
I have a situation where I have entered Thailand on a 60 day visa and I have already gone for a 30 day extension my question is can I get another 30 day extension or is it possible for me to apply for a married visa while I am in Thailand.
Hi Larry,
You can get a COVID extension for 60 days.