How early can I apply for a visa extension during my trip to Thailand?

Question

Hello,
We have a 45 day trip scheduled for later this year - all in Thailand. With the visa-on-arrival changing to 30 days for US citizens, I’m looking for advice. The back end of our trip is all smaller islands (ie, no Thai immigration offices). My specific question is how early in the trip can I apply for an extension to the original 30 days? We will be in Samui 15 days into the trip and in Samui again 23 days into the trip. Does anyone know if Thai Immigration would process the extension at that point? Alternatively, can I apply for the extension immediately after I arrive in Bangkok at the beginning of our trip? Thank you in advance for any help or advice.

Ask Thailand · Answer

The original query concerns how early one can apply for a visa extension during a 45-day trip to Thailand, amid changes to the visa-on-arrival policy for US citizens. Responses advise securing a 60-day tourist visa before traveling to avoid hassles with extensions. For those opting for the visa exemption, it's suggested to apply for an extension in Bangkok when you have 45 days or less left, and only during the last week on Koh Samui. Many suggest that obtaining the tourist visa beforehand is the easier and stress-free option.

Haydn ******* · Answer

Just apply for the 60 day tourist visa online. It saves the hassle of extending once you're here. Just a word of advice though, after you upload the scan of your passport page into the application site, double check the data to make sure the system has read the info correctly or the application will be rejected for your details not matching the passport.

Steven *************** · Answer

OK it is time for everyone to stop planning long trips under the visa exemption program. If you want to stay longer than 30 days, just get a visa and be done with it already.

Steve****** · Answer

As the others said: apply for the single entry tourist visa and you are fine. Enjoy your trip.

Steve ******* · Answer

Just buy a Tourist visa before you leave and you're good for 60 days.

Martin ********* · Answer

The two previous answers are the best advice you'll get, but if you don't want to follow it then you can apply for an extension as soon as you want.

John ********** · Answer

Visa exempt, not visa on arrival. It would be easier just to get a 60 day tourist visa before you travel and not worry about an extension at all

Brandon ************ · Answer

Why do you want to stress about it and spend an entire day waiting in line at an immigration office? Take 10 minutes to apply for a tourist visa online a month before you trip, and you'll get a 60 day entry stamp.

To directly answer your question, you can apply for an extension in Bangkok when you have 45 days or less left.

In Samui, you can only apply during your last week, and sometimes even then they'll send you away after you've waited in line and tell you to come back when you have 1-2 days left.

How early can I apply for a visa extension during my trip to Thailand?

Activity

Related

Resources