Answered5 years ago

Do I need to apply for a 30-day visa extension 2 days before expiry in Thailand?

Visa Extension Thailand Visa Waiver TM30 Form Immigration Rules Visa Regulations

Gino *********

asked Mar 18, 2022

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My 30 days visa waiver ends 28th of this month so I am applying for 30 day extension. Little confused as the immigration official said it had to be done 2 days before expiry of the 30 days I was given on entry. The date on my departure form. Is this correct ? He also said I needed a RM30 or TM30 from hotel. Is this all correct ?

Answer summary

You can apply for a 30-day extension on the same day your visa waiver expires; it is not required to do it two days prior. Additionally, you will need a TM30 form from your hotel to apply for the extension.

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Garrett ***********

No, you can apply for an extension the same day you arrived if you wanted too. Extensions are added to the end of your current stay, so it doesn't matter when you apply for it.

Yes, you'll need a TM30 to apply for an extension. Ask your hotel to print a screenshot of their online TM30 submission.

5 years ago

Gino *********

@Garrett **********

the guy was adamant that I return two days before end of current stay? What could that be about ?

5 years ago

Justin *********

@Gino ********

I think there was an announcement last year about not coming in for extensions/renewals until shortly before your expiration date, so they could keep the number of people physically coming in lower during the height of the pandemic. So maybe the person you interacted with is still operating as if that's a thing? (Personally, I didn't run into the issue in Chiang Mai in December.) Or maybe they're expecting a surge of covid-related extensions over the next week, and trying to make everyone else take a back seat?

5 years ago

Justin *********

@Klaus ********

ah, interesting. Thanks for that info!

5 years ago

Klaus *********

@Justin ********

It's a special rule of Pattaya immigration office. They have never accepted visa extensions earlier than 2 days before expiration.

5 years ago

Gino *********

This was a little side office where I picked up the form and had a photo taken to a main door where lots of people were waiting. Do I just stand in queue at the main door to hand in my application and pay the 1900 baht ?

5 years ago

Garrett ***********

@Gi**

He was wrong. He might have misunderstood that you were applying for the "covid unable to travel extension." Where was the official at? The airport?

5 years ago

Klaus *********

@Gino ********

Immigration office in Pattaya is the only office in Thailand where they don't accept applications for extension earlier than a couple of days before the visa expires.

Either do what they told you or move somewhere else and use a different immigration office for the extension.

5 years ago

Garrett ***********

Gino If he was photocopying passports then he wasn't an immigration officer. Just say ok and go wait in line anyway.

5 years ago

Gino *********

He even photocopied my passport

5 years ago

Gino *********

@Garrett **********

he was at the Pattaya immigration office - and he saw my application form that was for the 30 day extension.

5 years ago