Answered9 years ago

Can I extend my 30-day visa-exempt stay in Thailand for another 30 days?

Visa Exemption Thailand Visa Extension Chiang Mai Immigration U.S. Passport 30-Day Visa Exemption Travel to Laos or Cambodia

Bruce *********

asked Aug 29, 2017

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Hi - I plan to be in Chiang Mai this coming fall, traveling on a U.S. passport.  I understand I can get initial 30 day stay without visa / visa exempt I believe is the term.  Can I then extend this for another 30 days?  If so - what is cost and where can it be done - in Chiang Mai?  Finally, what type of documents, tickets, etc are needed 1) on arrival and 2) when applying for extension.  I will have a departure airline ticket to exit / return to the U.S. before having been in Thailand for a total of 60 days.  My thanks in advance.

Answer summary

Traveling on a U.S. passport, you can initially stay in Thailand for 30 days without a visa under the visa-exempt rule. You can then extend this for an additional 30 days at immigration offices in Chiang Mai, such as at Promenada mall. Required documents for initial entry include a departure airline ticket and potentially proof of sufficient funds (around 10,000 baht for 30 days). When applying for the extension, you may need to provide your local address and incoming flight information.

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Helen **********

@Uri *****

9 years ago

Mike ********

Yes, you would just get stamped out, then stamped back in on another new visa exempt 30 day stamp. Cheaper than buying reentry permit.

As mentioned, if you did this a lot, you might be asked to get an actual SETV/METV next time. Leaving for a week (rather than a day, or hours as many "border run" tourists do) generally makes it less of a problem. You're behaving like a tourist, and not someone living/working in Thailand against the rules.

9 years ago

Bruce *********

A follow up question - if I am in Thailand on a visa exempt status - can I leave the country - say a trip for a week to Laos or Cambodia - can I return? Would I simply get another visa exempt status when I return or would I have to do something else? Thanks again

9 years ago

Paul *********

I believe technically no limit at airports - but if a lot expect an interview - IO may recommend you get a proper visa

9 years ago

Paul *********

Visa exempt entries now limited to 2 land border crossings per year.

9 years ago

Bruce *********

great - so a one time exit and re-enter shouldn't be a problem. Would it just involve getting a new visa exempt or would I be extending the original?

9 years ago

Mike ********

I have entered Thailand 3 times in the past 2 years on a US passport using the 30-day visa exemption. 2 times I extended an additional 30 days at immigration (Bangkok and Chiang Mai) with no problems. In Chiang Mai it is at Promenada mall, and plan on possibly a few hours. There are also agents in town that can make it a breeze.

Immigration at BKK and DMK varied. In all cases they wanted my local address and incoming flight. One I was asked to show onward outbound flight info. One time I was asked to show sufficient funds (I had sufficient USD in my wallet. I think I was dressed like a bum that day 😋).

9 years ago

Mike ********

Current info should be on the Thai embassy site. I believe it's 10k baht for 30 days, 20k for 60.

9 years ago

Bruce *********

Thank you very much - what was "sufficient funds" BTW?

9 years ago