Can I still extend my 30-day visa exemption in Thailand for an additional 30 days?

Thailand visa exemption 30-day visa extension Thai immigration rules Chiang Mai immigration office visa application process

Dec 16, 2021

3 years ago

Michael ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Planning to come to Thailand with visa exemption (30 day visa on arrival). I did this last year and was able to extend at Chiang Mai immigration office for an additional 30 days for about $1,800thb. Can anyone tell me if this is still an option?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is inquiring about the possibility of extending their 30-day visa exemption (often misunderstood as a visa on arrival) in Thailand, specifically mentioning a past experience in Chiang Mai. Commenters clarify the terminology, stating that the entry is via a visa exempt entry and confirm that it is possible to apply for a 30-day extension at an immigration office for a fee of around 1,900 THB. This allows for a total stay of up to 60 days.

Longy ****

Hi Tod, in my example I was touring, on holiday in Thailand

The Immigration office (Korat) made big trouble regarding 'where I stay' as they could.probably see I was stamped in at HKT. The fat intern at the door that hands out the numbers

Any advice?

3 years ago

Tod *********

@Longy ***

you need to PROVE you're staying in the area served by that immigration office, SO they can ask you for the TM30 receipt that your hotel or land lord was supposed to file when you checked in.

I think it's more you caused yourself the trouble by not having that required TM30 receipt (some times they ask for it and some times they don't). . .

3 years ago

Longy ****

@Tod ********

arhgh, I had all nights tm30 covered & about a weeks worth locally.

I was that paranoid reading the tm30 catch 22 in here. And being caught without previously in Phuket. So much that I would not book or move into a hotel (i'd refuse) until they gave or promised me a tm30. In this case the check-in lass (small hotel owner) just got on her phone, and did it in <5 minutes.

The fat controller at Immi saw my printed tm30 receipts , then rang the hotel owner and still would not give me a number.

I went on, walkes past and sat inside queued regardless saying I came to see an Immi officer, not a volunteer.

Onward to many bureaucratic hurdles which eventuated in my holding a full-blown certificate regarding residency from another small room & officer on the Chok Chai Immi campus.

I think I was supposed to grease the wheels each step of the way

3 years ago

Reply to

Longy ****

Tod *********

Let's get your terminology sorted out and we'll go from there

First there is no such thing as a 30 day visa on arrival. IF you show up here without having bought a visa from a thai consulate before you come and are stamped in for FREE for 30 days you're getting in on what's called a 30 day visa exempt entry 🙂

The good news is, yes you can enter on a 30 day visa exempt entry and then apply for a 30 day extension at the immigration office that serves the area where you stay. The cost of that is 1900baht (and has been for eons).

So you can stay a total of 60 days with a v/e entry and the one 30 day extension you can get at the immigration office

3 years ago

Michael ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tod ********

hahaha ok…that was the longest “YES” I’ve ever seen! 😉

Seriously though thanks for the quick response and I’m sure your clarification on my terminology and pricing will help others. Cheers!

3 years ago

Reply to

Michael ******

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Can I apply for a 30-day extension after arriving on a 60-day visa exemption in Thailand?

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