Answered8 years ago

Can I extend a Visa on Arrival for an Indian passport in Thailand, or do I need to do a visa run?

Visa on Arrival Visa Extension Thai Immigration Indian Passport Visa Run Mae Sai

Stefanie *****

asked Nov 5, 2018

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Can Visa on Arrival (15 days, Indian passport) be extended at the Immigration Office and if so for how long? If not, is it possible to just go on a visa run to Mae Sai and get another 15 days?

Answer summary

A Visa on Arrival for Indian passport holders cannot be extended beyond the initial 15 days at the Immigration Office. You can get a 7-day extension application stamp for 1900 baht, but it's not a straightforward extension of the full period. Additionally, a visa run to Mae Sai will not allow you to immediately re-enter for another 15 days, as regulations do not permit this for holders of a Visa on Arrival. Obtaining a valid tourist visa before arriving in Thailand is recommended to avoid complications.

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Clifford *********

It seems to me that the overstay principle is very unpopular here and I agree that it is unwise to use it as an a priori plan to stay, mainly due to the risk of getting involved in a legal dispute between the overstay period and leaving Thailand. From what I have read however, the Thai authorities are not that concerned with overstays of short periods of up to at least 40 days and there seems to be little or no negative ramifications (other than the fine and the risk mentioned above) in doing so until 90 days. Is this correct

@Tod ********

8 years ago

Biff *******

The 'overstay principle' is unpopular in most countries. It makes you an illegal immigrant. It's only kind of slightly ok in exceptional circumstances. Like if your flight leaves at 3am and your permission to stay ran out at midnight and you got delayed on your way to the airport or something. It's relatively straightforward to stay legally in a country. That's what everyone should do.

8 years ago

Tod *********

Overstay is ILLEGAL, don't do it, AND remember there is a difference between being on overstay and turning yourself in (showing up at the border, the airport or the immigration office) to pay the overstay fine and getting caught out on something else while on overstay.

My advice is DON'T overstay...

8 years ago

Stefanie *****

Thanks, I thought so but just wanted to clarify again.

8 years ago

Tod *********

You can get a 7 day "extension application denied" stamp for 1900baht at the immigration office on a 15 day visa-on-arrival entry.

You CANNOT bounce out and back in at Mae Sai :/

You need to BUY a tourist visa from your country BEFORE you come here otherwise you're stuck flying out and back in to get another 15 day visa on arrival :( I don't know of any land borders that will let people from countries that buy 15 day visas on arrival bounce out and back in at.

8 years ago

Tod *********

@Stefanie ****

I would contact them and see

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8 years ago

Stefanie *****

@Tod ********

oh dear. Okay thanks for the info, let's see how we're going to solve this problem 🤣

8 years ago

Tod *********

@Stefanie ****

They MIGHT (as in maybe) be able to apply at the thai consulate in Hong Kong for a visa BUT I'd check with them. Unfortunately India is on the list of prohibited countries at most thai consulates in the area. :(

8 years ago

Stefanie *****

@Tod ********

does that mean that my partner who lives in Hong Kong (HK residency but Indian passport) couldn't even apply for a tourist visa in HK even though he's based there?

8 years ago

Tod *********

@Damien ******

India is on the list of countries that goes back to their country to get a visa. They can't use any of the thai consulates in Lao or Malaysia to get a visa.

8 years ago