Can I extend my visa in Thailand without leaving the country every year?

Visa Extension Non-B Visa Thailand Immigration Rules Long-Term Stay in Thailand Visa Types Visa Regulations

Oct 18, 2019

5 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

I was always under the impression that no matter what your visa is, the extension is only good for a year, meaning you MUSt leave the county and get a new one when the year is up. Recently, I have been told that this isn't the case. you can get a new visa or at least extend the extension without having to ever leave if you do not wish to. Is this true? Personally, i enjoy the trips to 🇱🇦.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The common misconception is that any visa in Thailand must be renewed by leaving the country every year. However, based on user experiences, it is possible to extend certain visa types annually without having to exit Thailand. The ability to extend depends on the specific visa category; for instance, holders of a Non-B visa can often obtain a yearly extension as long as they meet the requirements set by Thai immigration. Therefore, it is accurate to state that extensions can be applied for locally without compulsory overseas trips for renewal, provided the visa conditions are fulfilled.

Heather **********

Depends on the visa

5 years ago

Robert *******

Different things, different names, rules regulations and requirements, but all called visa to make it as confusing as possible. Yes, a visa is like an entry ticket and gives you a temporary stay inside Thailand, before this Admitted until ../../.. period ends you can apply for an Extension of temporary Stay at your local Immigration Office, depending on visa type, mostly for 1 year. Before this 1 year of Extended temporary stay ends, you can apply or a new 1 year Extension of temporary Stay. As long as you can meet the requirements you can do this year after year after year. That is the reason why I always advised people over 50 years of age, save money on building your mansion and make the Olympic sized swimming pool a little smaller and make sure you have at least 801.000 Thb on a Thai bank account for your yearly Extension of Stay.

5 years ago

Betty *****

Yes. Visas need to be applied for outside of Thailand, but extensions on that visa will be granted (forever?), as long as you meet the requirements. So you don't have to leave to get a new visa every year unless you want or need to change your visa category.

5 years ago

Peter ********

@Bettina **********

That's not entirely accurate, there are some Visas that can be applied for and issued inside the kingdom

5 years ago

Reply to

Peter ********

Shawna ********

It depends on the visa category but yes, you can get an extension of stay year by year. My non-b visa was granted in 2015 and I never “had” to leave to country and get a new visa. I did travel on breaks or for my job but each year I got a yearly extension.

5 years ago

Sayantika **********

@Shawna *************

same

5 years ago

Reply to

Sayantika **********

John ********

Yes

5 years ago

Reply to

John ********