Do I have a grace period to overstay my visa in Thailand, or should I do a visa run?

June 14, 2018
6 years ago
Vidhya **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi All,

I appreciate the assistance provided by this group. My visa got extended today. Thank you๐Ÿ™๐Ÿฝ.

I would further like to clarify:

Iโ€™m travelling on an Australian passport. I arrived on June 8 and got an extension today upto August 6, it appears.

1. Do I have a 7 day grace period to overstay without a fine after August 6? (Thatโ€™s what I thought the officer said. It was hard to understand him).

2. If no grace period, do I do a visa run before August 6 for another extension? How many days extension would this give me?

3. Any advice about which countries are the hassle free options for a visa run?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A user recently received an extension on their Thai visa and seeks clarity on whether there is a 7-day grace period for overstaying their visa after August 6. Responses indicate that there is no grace period; instead, they must leave before that date. They are advised to perform a visa run to a nearby country like Myanmar to obtain a new entry visa. This entry allows for a 30-day stay, but users should be aware they can only make two such runs in a calendar year.
Peter ********
From the stamp in your passport it appears that you may be based in Chiang Mai? If you are and if you only need a further 30 days from the 6th of August the closest border is Mae Sai - cross the border and pay 500 baht (or USD10) for the visa into Myanmar, they will then retain your passport and give a card with a number on it. Have a walk around the market on the Myanmar side a while, then before you exit Myanmar you present the card with the number on it and collect your passport - you should then receive a 30 day Visa Exempt Entry when you enter Thailand (you can get 2 of these per calendar year - you received one when you initially entered Thailand, this will be your second one). Very easy process!
Tod *********
@Vid***
I agree with
@Dia***
, IF you only require another 30-60 days just bounce out and back in at the Mae Sai - Tachiliek border with burma. That'll get you 30 days and you can extend that by 30 more at the immigration office for 1900baht
Vidhya **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿฝ
Dianne *****
If you only require a short time definitely do the Mae Sai border run, it costs much less than an extension at immigration, it can be done in a day and will give you the additional 30 days as others have mentioned and can be extended for an another 30 days at immigration thus potentially giving you an extra 60 days in Thailand
Peter ********
@Robert ******
- sorry you are right!
Vidhya **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you๐Ÿ™๐Ÿฝ
Robert *******
When you got your first one on the airport by flying into Thailand it does not count forward to the maximum of 2 land border crossings per calendar year.
Vidhya **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you everyone for your prompt responses. I appreciate it๐ŸŒป! ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿฝ
Robert *******
AS the stamps says: must leave the Kingdom within the day specified herein offenders will be prosecuted, so no grace period. What he tried to explain is when you walk in for a new Extension of Stay it will be NOT approved and you get 7 days to leave the country. Best option is to do border run just before or on 6 Aug to get a new Visa Exempt Entry but be aware you can only do this twice a calendar year or visit a Thai Embassy or Consulate nearby and apply for the Single Entry Tourist Visa which gives you 60 days of stay with possible of extension for another 30 days.
Pedr ************
Thank you for that
@T**
! I must admit I've never come across that idea before. My apologies
@Vid***
!
Tod *********
@Pe**
, you did read that they're doing "distance learning" from australia while IN thailand right? There is no approved distance learning program for an ED visa. :/
Pedr ************
If its a bona fide course you should be entitled to one. Try asking your school if they can support you.
Vidhya **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Iโ€™m studying from Australia in Thailand for summer only. Under the circumstances unsure if Iโ€™m eligible.
Pedr ************
If you are studying, why not apply of an Ed visa?
Vidhya **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I donโ€™t intend staying here for long term. Iโ€™m just here to finish off some studies.
Tom ************
@Vidhya *********
no need to show proof of funds, onward ticket or accommodation. It's as easy as showing up with a few passport photo copies and a photo
Vidhya **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tom ***********
Thank you ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿฝ
Tom ************
@Vidhya *********
Vientianne, Laos for a single entry tourist visa...
Vidhya **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Run
Vidhya **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you for the very prompt response ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿฝ.

Any tips on which countries to go to that are hassle-free for a visa Ron?
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