Answered8 years ago
How can I extend my stay in Thailand on a tourist visa after receiving an 'in+out' stamp?
Looking for some advice regarding my visa, hope someone can help! Have been in Thailand since september and wishes to stay until the end of May to be able to complete my diving program. Have the tourist visa at the moment (visa on arrival for 30 days) and have been leaving the country every 2 months, but last time my boyfriend and I entered (by flight in Bangkok) they said we had been here too long and next to our visa stamp we got ”in+out” written. Not 100% sure what this means, have anyone here got the same? Do we have to leave the country for good? We were thinking about going to a thai embassy in either Sri Lanka (Colombo) or Laos (Vientiane) to apply for a tourist visa for one more month. Experiences and thoughts about those two places, is there anything special we need to have in mind before we go? And what are our chances of getting our extra month approved? Any information might help! Thanks 🙂
Answer summary
The user is seeking advice about extending their tourist visa while in Thailand, after receiving an 'in+out' stamp indicating they have stayed too long under their current visa conditions. They are considering visiting the Thai embassy in either Sri Lanka or Laos to apply for a tourist visa extension. Several users share their experiences and advice on the visa application process in those locations, warning about potential difficulties in Sri Lanka but suggesting Laos might be more lenient, provided they secure an online appointment. Discussion also entails the user's eligibility for extensions given their respective passports and past entry experiences. Overall, it highlights the importance of understanding visa nuances and seeking valid extensions to avoid future entry issues.
30 repliesnewest first
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Tod *********
and I think
Thanx all
@Katarina ******
has enough information to figure out where to go to get a tourist visa :) Thanx all
Ron ******************
I would do Singapore you can apply electronically and when approved you fly through and get the visa.
Robert *******
Out of reports on this page I would say avoid Sri Lanka, their list of requirements for a Tourist Visa is way to long and difficult to get all the documents in a few weeks. Vientiane is very laid back to get the Tourist Visa but the appointment system is at the moment a small problem. You can go to Penang or Kuala Lumper as alternative as you already in the south and apply there for the Single Entry Tourist Visa which gives you 60 days on entry and the possibility to extend this with another 30 days. Should be more than enough time to finish what ever dive program you follow.
Saffy *************
@Robert ******
🎯 True I did that in Nov/Dec!Tod *********
keep in mind the thai consulate in Kuala Lumpur also requires an online appointment booking BUT their system does not seem to be as problematic as Vientiane's..
Jeremy ********
If you go to the Laos 🇱🇦 consulate make sure you get an appointment before going
Tod *********
@Katarina ******
IF you're going to the thai consulate in Vientiane to get a tourist visa you HAVE to book an online appointment for the day you're going to go (if there are any openings on that day).Without an appointment confirmation you won't even get past the front gate.
Annie *******
@Katarina ******
and book 3 weeks in advance— otherwise no slots will be available thaivisavientiane.comJeremy ********
@Katarina ******
go through the posts in this group...there are many links for the appointment website and instructions on how to make an appointment
Katarina *******
OP@Jeremy *******
And that is possible to book online?Frank **********
It is important to note that getting a visa is not the same as being allowed in the country on that visa. The immigration officers have discretion to deny you entry if they believe that your pattern of travel to Thailand is not for tourism in their mind. If they told you that you need to apply for a visa, then do that... But if they told you that this is the last time they will let you in, then you can expect that they have you flagged in the system and will not allow you another entry for some random amount of time. That note in your passport means that you will likely get refused entry and have to purchase a ticket on the spot to either the country you just came from or to your home country... Others here probably have more specific and up to date information on the details of where you have to go when denied entry.
You can get a 30 day extension of a visa waiver... If you have an EU passport, you should have no problem with that. You just need to go to the immigration office nearest to you (Google is your buddy) before your visa expires. Also important to note, that you should not overstay even one day. There is a small fine at the airport for everyday you are over, but if you are caught overstaying anywhere other than the airport on the way out, you will have a really bad day.
You can get a 30 day extension of a visa waiver... If you have an EU passport, you should have no problem with that. You just need to go to the immigration office nearest to you (Google is your buddy) before your visa expires. Also important to note, that you should not overstay even one day. There is a small fine at the airport for everyday you are over, but if you are caught overstaying anywhere other than the airport on the way out, you will have a really bad day.
Frank **********
Was not trying to say that there was a black list that they would put anyone on, but that they have made that determination that these two spent too much time in the kingdom or were back to back or whatever, noted it in their passport, and the next IO will see that and their history and make a determination... The way things have been for folks on multiple tourist entries, it would likely be a risk to attempt another back to back entry... The good news is, they can probably get the extension and that should allow them the time to finish their scuba classes.. all’s well that ends well. 🙂
Robert *******
Let them in or not, correct that is the same what we are saying. But you talk about that the Immigration on arrival can put you on a black list for uncertain times. They can NOT.
Frank **********
If the IO that let them in said they spent too much time in Thailand and stamped their passports and made a note with In+Out, or whatever they put in there, it is up to the next IO to make a determination to let them in or not let them in when they return. There is no set amount of time and it is arbitrary based on the next IO they encounter. I’m not sure what you are referencing above, but I’m pretty sure we are saying the same thing.
Robert *******
@Frank *********
Means that the left Thailand and directly came back. Has no influence on getting an Extension of Stay or their next travels to Thailand. When they enter Thailand again, the Immigration Officer will, as they do with everybody, look at the history of staying in Thailand. The officer can allow entry again or send them to the supervisor for questions and final decision.Frank **********
I didn’t say anything about an assessment made on exit. I was referencing the OP where she explicitly stated they made a note on her passport when she last entered.
“but last time my boyfriend and I entered (by flight in Bangkok) they said we had been here too long and next to our visa stamp we got ”in+out” written. Not 100% sure what this means...”
“but last time my boyfriend and I entered (by flight in Bangkok) they said we had been here too long and next to our visa stamp we got ”in+out” written. Not 100% sure what this means...”
Robert *******
You get a normal entry stamp, this part simply does NOT exist: " IO making a specific note on the passport that says “I think this person has had too many entries, but I’m letting them in anyway.”
Robert *******
Your whole story is incorrect. Immigration allows you to enter Thailand or deny Entry to Thailand. There is absolute no way that on exit an Immigration Offices assess the situation and marks your passport with 1 week, 6 months, 5 years or what every period of no entry.
Frank **********
Ok... maybe I don’t see the distinction between what you are saying and what I am saying. The stamp is the IO making a specific note on the passport that says “I think this person has had too many entries, but I’m letting them in anyway.”
The next IO, then makes their own determination. 1 week, 6 months, 5 years... they assess the situation and make a decision. “Probably 6 months” is speculative, but is the rest incorrect? Is there a specific amount of time, or is there something definitive that the stamp states?
The next IO, then makes their own determination. 1 week, 6 months, 5 years... they assess the situation and make a decision. “Probably 6 months” is speculative, but is the rest incorrect? Is there a specific amount of time, or is there something definitive that the stamp states?
Robert *******
Frank Alvarado Totally wrong. All Immigration Officers at checkpoint can do is stamp you inside Thailand or deny you entry. This part is just a made up story: "What they were telling you, and what they will enforce, is that when you leave, you can not come back for an arbitrary amount of time that the next IO deems acceptable. Probably 6 months," Please stop doing this, we try to advice all members with the rules and not with fairy tails.
Frank **********
You have to leave by the date on the stamp. If you get an extension, then you have to leave by the date of the extension. What they were telling you, and what they will enforce, is that when you leave, you can not come back for an arbitrary amount of time that the next IO deems acceptable. Probably 6 months, but it isn't written explicitly in to the law, so it is difficult to advise on.
The best bet is to go to the immigration office and apply before the 30 day visa waiver expires. Apply for the extension. If you get it, then be sure to leave before it expires. Also important to note, you can not have multiple extensions on the same visa/visa waiver. One and done.
The best bet is to go to the immigration office and apply before the 30 day visa waiver expires. Apply for the extension. If you get it, then be sure to leave before it expires. Also important to note, you can not have multiple extensions on the same visa/visa waiver. One and done.
Katarina *******
OP@Tod ********
with the 30 day stamp plus written ”in+out”? It sounded on the immigration lady that we had to leave after 30 days!Tod *********
@Katarina ******
You BOTH can get 30 day extensions on your 30 day visa exempt entry stamps that you are here on. They are 1900baht at the immigration office that serves the area where you stay,Frank **********
Same for Canadian. Most western countries, actually...
Katarina *******
OP@Frank *********
My passport is EU but my boyfriend is canadian, don’t have much knowledge about extensions for that... any ideas? Is it working in a similar way?Frank **********
Visa waiver on an eu passport would be considered eligible for an extension.
Frank **********
Possible is a good word here, but I have not heard of anyone on an eligible visa being denied an extension. Some one else may have that story, but I’ve never seen it in this forum.
Jeremy ********
@Katarina ******
yes anything is possibleKatarina *******
OP@Frank *********
Thank you! So you mean that you think it’s possible to extend our visa for another 30 days even though we got the ”in+out” written in the passport?Jeremy ********
If you qualify with your passport head to Perth Australia and apply for the 6 month METV visa...or get a 60 day SETV visa from any Thai consulate/embassy outside of Thailand
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