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Can I extend my visa exemption in Thailand after immigration questioning?
Aug 8, 2023
3 years ago
Anthony *******
ORIGINAL POSTERHi, need assistance.
I have entered Thailand this is the THIRD time on visa exemption since March.
1 land spending 10 days in Laos
1 air arriving from uk to Thailand
1 air arriving from Vietnam for 10 days into Bangkok.
Having two extensions in jomtein. (60 days total)
Upon my second air arrival into Bangkok, immigration take me to the desk and ask why I keep entering Thailand. On the visa exemption. And ask for information
They ask me to fill in write a statement form.. on when I will leave (30 day exemption stamp) will I be able to extend this for the 30 days extra or not?
Because my visa expire 31 august
But my flight I want is 5th September
So I will be over stay by 5 days
Would they grant an extension even though Bangkok airport question me?
I have entered Thailand this is the THIRD time on visa exemption since March.
1 land spending 10 days in Laos
1 air arriving from uk to Thailand
1 air arriving from Vietnam for 10 days into Bangkok.
Having two extensions in jomtein. (60 days total)
Upon my second air arrival into Bangkok, immigration take me to the desk and ask why I keep entering Thailand. On the visa exemption. And ask for information
They ask me to fill in write a statement form.. on when I will leave (30 day exemption stamp) will I be able to extend this for the 30 days extra or not?
Because my visa expire 31 august
But my flight I want is 5th September
So I will be over stay by 5 days
Would they grant an extension even though Bangkok airport question me?
TLDR : Answer Summary
A user is seeking help regarding their repeated entries into Thailand under the visa exemption scheme. After multiple entries, immigration questioned the user about the frequent visits and asked for a statement on their departure plan. The user is concerned about extending their 30-day exemption, which expires on August 31, as they plan to leave on September 5, which would result in a 5-day overstay. Responses from the community indicate that the immigration questioning should not affect the user's chances of receiving an extension, but they advised caution and recommended processing the extension through an agent if necessary.
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Steve *******
The airport immigration and the immigration officers don't talk. Their system is from the 1940's.
The same thing happened to me, but instead of a written statement they wanted to search my wallet for cash (literally only looked at the cash) and then told me to get out of Thailand after 30 days.
That was 3 years ago and I've had no issues at immigration extending my visa exemption stamps or tourist visas.
Do not overstay, go get an extension. If you don't want to deal with immigration just pay an agent no more than 3500 to do it for you.
The same thing happened to me, but instead of a written statement they wanted to search my wallet for cash (literally only looked at the cash) and then told me to get out of Thailand after 30 days.
That was 3 years ago and I've had no issues at immigration extending my visa exemption stamps or tourist visas.
Do not overstay, go get an extension. If you don't want to deal with immigration just pay an agent no more than 3500 to do it for you.
David *****
I think if people worked on their basic math skills we might have less overstays
Terary **********
I have been question at immigration check-points a few times. I don't think there is much significance to it. If they wanted to give you a hard time they would have done so at the airport.
Ken *************
Does it matter? Even if they don't extend it, wouldn't they just give you the 7 day extension denied stamp which would put you past the Sept 5th departure date.
Nigel *********
@Ken ************
good spot.Reply to
Nigel *********
Reply
Michael ********
You know immigration do sometimes look at social media profiles and when yours says you live in Bangkok they may wonder why you are coming in on visa exemption.
And yes i know for a fact this is true i have a friend who is immigration officer and we met up one time and he had 4 lovely young ladies with him, who were all interns and thats all they did was checking facebook and the like
And yes i know for a fact this is true i have a friend who is immigration officer and we met up one time and he had 4 lovely young ladies with him, who were all interns and thats all they did was checking facebook and the like
Paul *******
@Michael *******
Ah yes. True.Paul *******
@Michael *******
LOL. Facebook says you live somewhere even if you select it as a current city that you're passing through. That's hardly enough proof to decide whether someone should be allowed entry into the country or not. Much of the time, it's not possible to even make such checks in advance since Thailand still doesn't have an ESTA pre arrival system so no checks can be made until a visa free traveler arrives at the border.Michael ********
@Paul ******
no you have to edit details yourself to say where you are living.Reply to
Michael ********
Reply
Nigel *********
@Michael *******
it's called open source intelligence. Don't even need a warrant.Anthony *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Michael *******
that is wild 🙃🤔Reply to
Anthony *******
Reply
Paul *********
Yes you can get the extension but I was warned to return to the uk and make the "correct" visa next time
Paul *******
@Paul ********
Thailand's neighbors have pretty much the same these days. Cambodia for instance is almost a carbon copy of Thailand in many ways, except for being smaller, using a different, though related language and less well developed infrastructure (though it's catching up fast). Siem Reap will open a new airport soon, with operations expected to be transferred there in just a few weeks from now. Phnom Penh's new airport should reportedly open sometime next year. There is already a 190km Chinese built expressway from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville. While the only expressway in the country so far, it's longer than the longest expressway in Thailand (Bangkok-Pattaya-Ban Chang, which is only about 160km long). A second expressway from Phnom Penh to the Vietnamese border at Bavet is currently under construction.Phnom Penh itself has international restaurants, a casino, great shopping malls as good as Bangkok, lots of things to do. Cheap drinking and no silly restrictions on when alcohol can be sold.
Fewer restrictions on foreigners working in Cambodia and much easier visas in general.
Paul *******
@Anthony ******
Here's another thought: if you like SE Asia, there are neighboring countries with far easier visa rules. Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam all make it easy to reside long term (in the case of Vietnam, you do need to do regular visa runs, but these are tolerated). However, a new 3 month multiple entry e-visa for Vietnam is about to be introduced mid August so that will make the country far more attentive.Paul *********
@Paul ******
it has made me think about trying those countries you mention but I quite like Thailand it has everything I wantReply to
Paul *********
Reply
Paul *******
@Anthony ******
Here's a thought: change your flight. Problem solved.Bonnie *******
@Paul ********
that is the correct visa. We don't want to stay a long time. We want to come in and out many timesAnthony *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Paul ********
yeah the lady said if I want to stay long term i need the correct visa , and shouted “you extend two time already!”So I wasn’t sure if I could again
But my
Flight to uk is in 35 days and not the 30 and I don’t want the 5 day overstay
Paul *********
@Anthony ******
I laughed when you said shouted because I was shouted at in Bangkok airport too 🤣🤣🤣 you go London you make visa 🤣🤣 the 60 day visa isn't too hard I've emailed the Thai embassy in London be happy to help if you want to dm but I'm no expert on all thisBraulio *********
@Anthony ******
Change the date of the flight???Reply to
Braulio *********
Reply
Bonnie *******
Why do they make it so hard? It's like they don't want people to come
J ******************
@Bonnie ******
try getting someone to enter your own country as an alien and then you might realise Thailand is not that bad after all.Nigel *********
@Bonnie ******
Yea, getting as bad as America innitSteve ********
@Bonnie ******
Probably they want to attract the right people and those who are prepared to be in the country legally.John **********
@Bonnie ******
genuine tourists are welcome but they don't like people trying to live here on a tourist visa. Get the correct visa for your stay and it's not a problem.Lynnette *******
@Bonnie ******
it's not easy for some people entering other countries on holiday. Way harder than getting in to Thailand. Been to UK? USA? Very rigid and even wives of nationals struggle to visit their home country with wives/fiance's/ girlfriends.Anthony *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Bonnie ******
exactly; they change from 45 days to 30, to boost tourism? Yet now cracking down on the tourist visaReply to
Anthony *******
Reply
Brandon ************
What happened to you at the airport won't affect your ability to apply for an extension.
Anthony *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Brandon ***********
I’m hoping not but they made me fill in a statement form and took photos of where I stay, my outbound flight, and my passport, so they are kind of expecting me to leave on 29Brandon ************
@Anthony ******
what you did will affect when you try to enter Thailand again. But mostly they just wanted to scare you. It won't change anything about your extension.Anthony *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Brandon ***********
luckily I won’t be enterting Thailand until next calendar year, but my flight is in 35 days time, and not 30. So I need an extension. But with them questioning me at the airport I was worried they will make sure I leave Thailand on the date I tell them on the statement formBrandon ************
@Anthony ******
nah like I said they were just putting on a show to scare you.Reply to
Brandon ************
Reply
Tonino *****
@Anthony ******
No, don't worry. It happened once to me as well. I extended it for a further 30 days without any issue.Reply to
Tonino *****
Reply
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