Can UK citizens extend their 30-day visa exemption in Thailand for three months?

Visa Extension Thailand Immigration 30-Day Exemption UK Citizens in Thailand Visa Rules Accommodation Proof Flight Booking Requirements

Apr 16, 2023

2 years ago

James *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi guys, 

Thanks for accepting me to the group and for such a helpful site. Apologies if this scenario has been dealt with previously…

My husband and I are UK citizens and arrived on the 30 day exemption visa on 5th April. Our circumstances have now changed and we’re now able (visa permitting) to continue travelling in Thailand until July. Therefore we’d ideally like to extend for up to three months. 

We’ve started looking at whether it’s possible to do this on line but we’re not getting very far. The theme of the posts I’ve read on here seem to suggest the immigration office being best but I’d really appreciate any information you’re able to share please on how to navigate this. 

Specifically: 

- can we extend for three months in one go or does it need to be in 30 day chucks (and if only 30 day chunks, are we able to do that more than once) 

- do we need to have our departing flights booked

- do we need to have proof of accommodation for the duration (which would be difficult given our intention to travel around) 

Many thanks in advance 😊

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A UK couple on a 30-day visa exemption wishes to know about extending their stay in Thailand for up to three months. They inquire about the possibility of extending for three months outright or needing to do it in 30-day increments, needing proof of departing flights, and any required accommodation evidence. The community clarified that they can only extend once for 30 days, need to exit and re-enter for a new stamp thereafter, that flight bookings aren’t necessary for the extension, and they do not require proof of accommodation.

Wannikea *********

In addition you only get 2 visa exempt land border crossings per calendar year.

2 years ago

Tod *********

- 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘄𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗴𝗼 𝗼𝗿 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝟯𝟬 𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗰𝗵𝘂𝗰𝗸𝘀 (𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗳 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝟯𝟬 𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗰𝗵𝘂𝗻𝗸𝘀, 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲)

Nope, you can get ONE 30 day extension on your free entry stamp for 1900baht <- it's a one and done sort of thing,

Then you have to exit/re-enter the country to get a NEW free entry stamp (which you can extend one time for 30 days)

- 𝗱𝗼 𝘄𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗲𝗱

Nope, they are not going to ask you for that when you get the 30 day extension at the immigration office that serves the area where you're staying in thailand

- 𝗱𝗼 𝘄𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗳 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝘂𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

Nope, they are not going to ask you for that either when you get the 30 day extension at the immigration office

2 years ago

James *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tod ********

thanks Tod, that’s so helpful - much appreciated 🙏.

We’ll be in Southern Thailand so I think the Patong office will be best for the first extension which we’ll do this week. I understand from reading here that the 30 days is added to the end of our initial 30 days so that’s good, and that we don’t need an appointment.

I don’t suppose you know how easy/difficult it is to exit and re-enter the country on the Malaysia boarder?

2 years ago

Tod *********

the 30 day extension IS indeed added to your current stamp so you won't lose any time applying early

BUT

keep in mind some offices tell you to come for the extension when you have 2 weeks or less left on your stamp.

Dunno about Patong, Blue Tree or the main office in Phuket though sorry 😕

2 years ago

Jasmien *******

Blue Tree office is the fasted and they had no issues giving me the stamp having more than 20 days left👍

2 years ago

James *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Jasmien ******

thank you 🙏

2 years ago

Reply to

James *********

Tod *********