Answereda month ago
Can I enter Thailand on a 30-day visa and extend it locally, or should I get the extension beforehand?
Question.
I'm going to Thailand for 5 weeks (35 days). Will I be allowed into Thailand on a 30 day Visa, then go to the local Immigration Office and extend the 30 day visa, or do I need the extension prior to leaving the UK ? Thanks.
I'm going to Thailand for 5 weeks (35 days). Will I be allowed into Thailand on a 30 day Visa, then go to the local Immigration Office and extend the 30 day visa, or do I need the extension prior to leaving the UK ? Thanks.
Answer summary
The original poster is planning to visit Thailand for 35 days and is wondering if they can enter on a 30-day visa and then extend it locally or if it would be better to get an extension before leaving the UK. Community responses clarify that there is no specific "30-day visa"; instead, travelers typically enter Thailand on a 30-day visa-exempt stamp. It is possible to extend this stamp for an additional 30 days at an immigration office in Thailand. However, many commenters suggest obtaining a 60-day tourist visa in advance to avoid any potential issues, such as proving onward travel. Overall, the general consensus leans towards obtaining a 60-day visa for a smoother experience.
70 repliesnewest first
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Michael **********
A strange question since you had the numbers
Martin ******
OPThank you everyone for the advice.
I am now confident that I can enter Thailand on the 30 day visa and extend it at the shopping mall in Hua Hin. I have tried to obtain a 60 day visa but I simply cannot navigate the website. Reading other texts on here I realise I am not alone. I am 68 years of age and I am basically computer illiterate. Thanks again.
I am now confident that I can enter Thailand on the 30 day visa and extend it at the shopping mall in Hua Hin. I have tried to obtain a 60 day visa but I simply cannot navigate the website. Reading other texts on here I realise I am not alone. I am 68 years of age and I am basically computer illiterate. Thanks again.
Jeffrey **********
Martin Jubb: I regret to write that you have not paid sufficient attention to some of the advice you've been given. There is no "the 30 day visa". I sincerely wish you good luck in getting a 30-day extension of stay.
Amit ********
Just get a 30 day extension you be fine when your there
Richie *******
Yes get your stamp on arrival then go to immigration and extend it 👍
Mark *******
Or just enter on a visa free,valid for 30 days now,extend for another 30 days at immigration; and then discuss you options with them. I'm considering applying for a retirement visa within the first few days of arrival,to give me plenty of time. You can then stay for up to a year. But most report your details every 90 days. Accommodation,funds,etc.
Max ********
Greg Alexander have another look where did John ever say a 60 day visa exempt he said a 30 day visa exempt.or a 60 day visa.
Max ********
Greg Alexander okay all good.
Edwin ********
Get a 60-day Tourist Visa or choose one of the several non-B visa options listed on Thai consulate websites.
Steve *******
Edwin Zehner The OP isn't getting a Non B visa for a 35 days holiday.
Greg ***********
Edwin Zehner Non-B visa? They are issued when you work in Thailand
John ****
Your airline may not let you board
Martin ******
OPJohn So that is a big worry to me. I've tried to get a 60 day visa online but I am basically computer illiterate.
David **********
From the uk
Roy *********
You will get 30 days stamped at Bangkok airport.
Go to immigration the next day and they will put an extra 30days in for you.
I did the same on
Will cost you
2000 baht. 🤠
Go to immigration the next day and they will put an extra 30days in for you.
I did the same on
*****
Sept.Will cost you
2000 baht. 🤠
Roy *********
You lot are just a big Yawn !😴😴😴😴
Tony **************
@Roy ********
.You stayed in Hotel, only asking, because did they give you the TM30 reciept easily that you got to show?
Greg ***********
@Roy ********
actually 1900 Baht. You have been scammed by Immigration 🤣😂🤣 . .if you give them 2 bills 1000 THB, they will always tell that they have no small change 😂Roy *********
Greg Alexander
I don’t know why people on here have to be so precise.
Of course I know it is 1900 bht. However our immigration is a friend and he has given us favours. So no I haven’t been scammed.
I just let Thailand take its course.
If it were 500 bht change that is a different story.
But 100 bht is just over £2.
I don’t know why people on here have to be so precise.
Of course I know it is 1900 bht. However our immigration is a friend and he has given us favours. So no I haven’t been scammed.
I just let Thailand take its course.
If it were 500 bht change that is a different story.
But 100 bht is just over £2.
Jeffrey **********
@Roy ********
: Being "precise" can be extremely important in some situations so it's a good habit to have. It also helps to show that a person giving advice might actually know what they're talking about and helps 'newbies' get off to a good start when receiving advice.
Tyron **********
If you was only going for 35 days, then personally I would just do the free 30 day visa from UK for the sake of having to extend visa at immigration. Leave before the 30 days and fly over to Vietnam, Da Nang is amazing or Hanoi and get a flight back to the UK. Flights work out cheaper booking one way rather than return anyway if you check skyscanner 😉 Its what I did in April and May of this year with incredibly cheap flights.
Jjim ******
Tyron Williams
Steve *******
Tyron Williams Total bullsh*t regarding flights. No way are 2 one way flights from the UK to Thailand and back cheaper than a return flight.
Tyron **********
In my case it was, and ive looked again ready for April and its the same. Last flights from Gatwick to BBK direct was £225, flight from Hanoi to Heathrow was £201. I know fuel has increased now, but if you can get a return for less than £426 please give me details. I was travelling to Vietnam anyway and that flight was £36
Steve *******
Tyron Williams That's not 2 one way flights from the UK to Thailand and back. The OP's only going to Thailand for 35 days. Get a f*cking grip, FFS!
Greg ***********
"go to the local Immigration Office and extend the 30 day visa" . . . . . . . you don't get any non-existing visa extended. . . . you enter without a visa and will get stamped a 30-days stay permit. This 30-days stay permit you can get extended for 30 more days on Immigration for 1900 Baht. The fee for getting a 60-days tourist visa up front is HALF that price
Lynn ***********
A while ago there used to be 60-day visa on arrival program though Thailand faced certain issues that called for it to be shortened back to 30 days. In any case, sure anyone can apply online well before traveling, a visa for a longer stay.
Nongnuch ********
Lynn Bhongsiri there never was a 60-days visa-on-arrival (VOA) program. You got 60-days admitted stay stamped when arriving without a visa. Only people of certain nations need to buy the VOA for 2000 Baht, and it only gives them 15 days admitted stay
Neil ***********
Get the 60 day visa before you come
Lisa *********
Get a temporary onward flight out 48 hours before you fly out & you're covered
Steve *******
Just get the 60 days Tourist visa before you travel. Cheaper and easier. No need for onward travel within 30 days or a trip to Immigration.
Doug ********
Steve Greir ..so obvious...get it in your own country and not have to do anything here in Thailand...some people just baffle me lol
Lisa *********
Doug Powell when you collect funds into a travel card instead of a bank there's a massive problem! I can't show proof of finances even though I have 65,000 Baht in my travel card. Too late now to show 3 months worth of bank statements. Not so obvious to everyone!
Doug ********
Lisa Callard ...not sure What you mean by to late for bank statements ?
Philip ******
Get a 60 day visa online instead.
Charlimo *********
Philip West too much problems and tooo difficult these days
Philip ******
Charlimo Sawadee Takes me 15 minutes and I got it back within a week using the UK thai embassy.
Nongnuch ********
Philip West I guess you confused the topic
Luit *****************
Charlimo Sawadee What kind of problems, and at which embassy?
Nongnuch ********
David Cross true. . . .and so much more true on the Jomtien/Pattaya Immigration, the most corrupt one of the whole of Thailand
David *******
Luit van der Linde too lazy to sit down and slowly work through it. Now with Google and AI you can easily get the solutions to problems. I can tell you from experience it is less hassle and cheaper to get the 60 days eVisa than spend a day at the Immigration centre in Jomtien getting the extension.
Wayne *********
Impossible to extend from UK until you arrive there is nothing to extend.
Andrew *******
As for your question it's upto immigration officials
Stuart ***********
You can extend inside Thailand. Your problem is your airline might not allow you to board the plane, so to be certain get either a cheap ticket somewhere out of Thailand or one of those tickets online that you never use or a 60 day visa online before you come.
Bob *********
Stuart Chiverton why not get a proper tourist visa think you just do it online now quickly
Stuart ***********
Bob Speight can you read my final 9 words?
Andrew *******
Get a 60 day visa online takes less than a week to receive back 🙏
Martin ******
OP@Andrew ******
thank you. I tried on Friday, 3 hrs and couldn't get past page two. My computer are negligible.Andrew *******
Martin Jubb
Wish I could help more my pals all come to me for visas 🙈
Wish I could help more my pals all come to me for visas 🙈
John **********
There's no such thing as a 30 day visa. Your talking about the 30 day visa exempt entry, no visa at all. If you don't have much of a history inside Thailand then it should be no problem to do that but it's less hassle just to get a 60 day visa up front. Not much more expensive when you add the cost of the extension at an immigration office inside Thailand and saves taking a day out of your holiday
Martin ******
OP@John *********
Thank you Sir, I've been visiting Hua Hin for the last few years. I spent three hours on Friday trying to arrange a 60 day visa to no avail, I am 68 years old and computer illiterate. It has been a big worry for me but with all the kind comments I feel confident that I will be allowed in to the country and extend once there.
David *****************
Martin Jubb I leave Tuesday to go to Thailand for two months. I applied for my 60 day visa with my I visa it was easy
Greg ***********
@John *********
you seem to have been smoking or drinking too much, or just having a bad day 🤣. . . . . . . . . There is no 60-days visa-exempt anymore since September 15. You wrote: "but it's less hassle just to get a 60 day visa exempt up front. " . .you mean "get a 60-days tourist visa up front". . . . . .John **********
@Greg **********
ha ha thanks. Sometimes my phone has a mind of it's own
Graham ******
@John *********
"get a 60 day visa exempt up front" oops 555The RTE London cost of a tourist visa is £30 which is less than the 1900B for the extension and no worries about proof of onward travel ;)
David *******
Graham Seal exactly. Just got mine - no real worries about entry into Thailand in 3 weeks
Ant ***********
Yes you can
And
Yes you can
And
Yes you can
Bradley ********
Get a 60 day visa and relax and enjoy. It does not cost that much.
Martin ******
OPBradley Atkins Thank you Sir, but I'm basically computer illiterate. I spent 3hrs on Friday and I couldn't get past page two. It really is a big worry for me.
Bradley ********
Martin Jubb There may be a Visa service near you. If you are not comfortable obtaining a visa online by yourself, you may be able to find one of these little shops that help with passports and visa. They also have good information and can guide you.
They usually are not overly expensive, but you do pay a little more for their time and services.
Or if you know somebody who is computer literate, maybe they can guide you
They usually are not overly expensive, but you do pay a little more for their time and services.
Or if you know somebody who is computer literate, maybe they can guide you
Martin ******
OPBradley Atkins Thank you Sir, I've been to all the Travel Agents in Barnsley and none will arrange a visa. I feel more confident from all the kind comments that I will be able to enter on a 30 day visa and extend once in Hua Hin.
Lars-Göran ************
Bradley Atkins But bloody complicated. Better either do the prolongation in Thailand or fly to Kuala Lumpur for a couple of days.
Luit *****************
Lars-Göran Ingvarsson Why complicated? Photo, passport, flight ticket, proof of accomodation and proof of finances.
All things you need to have anywhen when you travel, so how does that complicate anything?
All things you need to have anywhen when you travel, so how does that complicate anything?
Bradley ********
Luit van der Linde Again, I think another person trying to be sarcastic. 🤔
Lisa *********
Bradley Atkins but they need so many documents it's not worth it, get a temporary flight out before 30 days is up
Luit *****************
Lisa Callard I never experienced they need much documents for a simple tourist visa, what are you talking about?
A simple 60 day tourist visa is cheaper than an in country extension of 30 days.
A simple 60 day tourist visa is cheaper than an in country extension of 30 days.
Lisa *********
Bradley Atkins no I'm not! Flight, acc receipts (have), 3 months of bank statements (don't have) My money is in a travel card & they won't accept screenshots of that
Lisa *********
Luit van der Linde you're required to show 3 months worth of bank statements showing at least 20,000 baht. My money has gone into a travel card, which they won't accept as evidence... so going the visa exempt with extension route
Bradley ********
Luit van der Linde I am assuming she is being sarcastic.
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