Can my parents extend their 30-day visa exemption in Thailand and when should they apply?

Dec 26, 2021
3 years ago
Richard ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Merry Christmas. My parents came for a visit to Thailand from Finland with a 30 day visa on arrival. If they'd like to extend the visa, is that possible during this time? If it is, how many days before their visa expires would they need to go to an immigration office to apply? Thank you in advance.

Richard
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Visitors from Finland enter Thailand under a visa-exempt entry for 30 days, not a visa on arrival. They can apply for a 30-day extension at their local immigration office at any time during their stay. It is recommended to go to the office when they have 45 days or less remaining on their current stamp. The extension fee is 1,900 THB, and they should bring necessary documents like passport copies and passport photos.
Benjamin ******
>is that possible during this time?

The next day the immigration office is closed is Friday December 31st and Monday January 3rd 2022.

>If it is, how many days before their visa expires would they need to go to an immigration office to apply?

Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Buriram, Chiang Rai and a couple of others all allow people to apply for extensions when they have 45 days or less left on their current stamp. The other immigration offices are 30 days. However, ask your local immigration office for specific details.

And to answer the question of "what do they need to bring"?

1. Their passport and:

a. a copy of the data ("picture") page

b. a copy of the most recent visa (if you have one)

c. a copy of the most recent stamp

d. a copy of the departure card

2. [Might not be asked at Bangkok immigration] A TM30, filed in the immigration office.

3. The forms (each immigration office may have different forms, and want to use their special forms)

4. 2x passport pictures

5. 1,900 THB.
Richard ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Benjamin *****
Thank you very much๐Ÿ˜ƒ
Tod *********
Finnish people can't get a visa on arrival ๐Ÿ˜ฎ instead they get in on what's called a visa exempt entry <- because they show up without having bought a visa before they came but get in for FREE without one for 30 days ๐Ÿ˜‰

They can go to the immigration office that serves the area where they stay and apply for that 30 day extension any time. It's added to the expiration date they have so they don't lose any time going early. It costs 1900baht for the extension
Florian ******
Is there the 5 day waiting period or is this just for the covid extension?
Tod *********
@Florian *****
there is no '5 day anything' I think you're confused about the "under consideration" stamp that some offices give out when people apply for a 60 day covid extension and that is for 14 days ususally.

The "regular" 30 day extension is issued on the spot.
Florian ******
@Tod ********
in Phuket they tell you to come exactly after 5 days after you applied for the covid stamp.

Do you know how long they do the covid exemption?
Benjamin ******
@Florian *****
>in Phuket they tell you to come exactly after 5 days after you applied for the covid stamp.

If you're using Phuket, and Phuket is telling people it's 5 days, then it's five days. The specific length of time for an "under consideration" stamp depends on the immigration office
Florian ******
thank you both for the answers!!
Benjamin ******
@Florian *****
What "five day waiting period"?
Richard ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
Thank you very much๐Ÿ˜ƒ
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