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Can I extend my visa in Thailand if my passport has only 5 months validity left?

Mar 17, 2025
9 days ago
Paul *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Can I do a one month Visa extension if I only have 5 months left on my passport?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Yes, it is possible to apply for a one-month Visa extension with only 5 months remaining on your passport, as local Thai Immigration Offices have granted such extensions in the past. However, any extension granted will not exceed the passport's expiration date. It's worth noting that the requirement to have at least six months validity may vary by airline for entry into Thailand.
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Dca *****
Yes, local Thai Immigration Offices have granted an Extension of Stay to passports with less than 6 months validy (expires in less than 6 months)

However, any Extension of Stay granted will NOT be longer than the Expiration Date of the Passport, that is, if an Extension is for longer than the Passport's Expiration, then the Extension will only be granted for up to the Expiration Date of the Passport

The same concept of a Passport Expiring "soon" applies to a Thai Immigration Officer granting Entry into Thailand, but individual airlines may have a different policy and may or may not allow boarding on their individual flight to Thailand, so there are fewer cases for Thai Immigration Officers at Arrival and Entry into Thailand than those already in Thailand requesting an Extension of Stay, because of various individual circumstances and situations have a passport that is about to expire and have not yet renewed their passport before requesting an Extension of Stay at the local Thai Immigration Office....

This is an excerpt from 1 of 2 Thai Immigration "Field Manuals" publicly available for download.

This specific Thai Immigration "Field Manual" is สตม108 / imm108

Note that the legal basis for such a policy is rooted in the Thai Immigration Act 2522 (1979) itself
Tony *********
I was once given a 6-month extension right up until the last day of the expiry of the passport which had 6 months left when I applied for a one-year extension.
Carlos *********
You should be able to, but you will know for sure when you try. Report back, please. Shouldnt be a problem
Nongnuch ********
a quick note: It is not a "visa extension". A visa cannot get extended. A 30-days touristic extension is the extension of the "stay permit"
Michael ************
I got a new passport within 10 days from the US embassy in Bangkok. Just saying.
Noie ******
depending the country sown take months
Matthew *********
@Michael ***********
what was the process, I am running out of pages. Did you do it in person.
Michael ************
@Matthew ********
call and make an appointment. Then go in person when scheduled.
Matthew *********
Frazer ************
MAybe, case by case, no harm in trying
Nongnuch ********
@Frazer ***********
they will give him a 30 days touristic extension, no problem at all
Henry *********
Yes you can.
John ********
They will only give you upto the end of your passport ie if you are saying that your passport has only 5 months left then they will only give you upto the end date
Nongnuch ********
@John *******
which means that they will give him a 30-days touristic extension
Anthony ******************
Best if you renew your passport? It should have 6mths validity on it.
Stuart *********
@Anthony *****************
Not a problem for an extension. Could be if planning to travel elsewhere other than home country.
Anthony ******************
@Stuart ********
Best to renew passport.
Tony *********
@Anthony *****************
it might be but it's not necessary to get a one month extension if you have 6 months left. That's a simple fact.
Joseph *********
No. You are required to have six months remaining.
Bobby *********
@Joseph ********
he just said for one month
Dave ********
@Joseph ********
yes, minimum 6 months required from date of travel
Stuart *********
@Dave *******
Thailand doesn’t have a 6 month needed on passport rule. However your airline will almost certainly won’t let you board if you have less.

It’s not an issue to get an extension. They will only issue an extension up to the validity date of your passport.
Nongnuch ********
@Dave *******
no, 6 months not needed for a 30-days extension. 6 months validity only needed when you want to board a plane to Thailand
Stuart *********
@Joseph ********
No you’re not.
Ralf ********
No, get a new passport.
Stuart *********
@Ralf *******
Not needed.
Ralf ********
Stuart *********
Yes. Not an issue.
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