How many times can a tourist in Thailand extend their visa before needing a visa run?

Feb 22, 2022
3 years ago
Aaron *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hey there! I'm a US citizen who got the 30-day visa on arrival then extended it for another 30 days. How many times can I extend before having to do a visa run? (I'm so sorry if I'm asking a common question... been trying to find the answer for a few hours now without any luck. 😔) Thank you so much!!
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TLDR : Answer Summary
As a US citizen who initially obtained a 30-day visa on arrival and extended it for another 30 days, you can only extend a tourist visa once. However, until March 25, you may have the option to apply for a special COVID extension, which could grant you an additional 60 days. After that, if you wish to stay longer, you'll need to leave the country and perform a visa run to re-enter Thailand, potentially acquiring another 30-day visa on arrival. There are no set limits on air entries, but immigration has discretion to deny entry if they suspect abuse of the visa system.
Ginette *****************
To day chang mai 2 h en everything ok for visa
Davy *******
I just got a 90 day extension after 60 days visa and then i extended that for 30 days at phuket imigration. Now in Pattaya went to imigration there ques horrific so just payed an agent 5,000 got everything done in 1 day. Well worth it if you don't want stand in que all day then told come back tomorrow if you don't have the correct paper work
Dimitris ********
Thank you so much, well noted
Davy *******
Dimitris ********
@David ******
PM me the way
Davy *******
@Dimitris *******
Your locatation?
Dimitris ********
Davy *******
@Dimitris *******
I'm in Pattaya. I used an agency here. But i'm sure their will be an agency in BKK that will do for you. But be careful some will want to charge crazy money i got quoted 8,000 bht found one for 5,000bht so shop around
Dimitris ********
@David ******
90 days after 60 days Visa ??
Davy *******
@Farida ***
Sorry i got mine in Pattaya
Aaron *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
Thank you for being such a fantastic resource! Really appreciate all the information you share. Do you know how many times I can do a visa run (for example, fly out to Manila and then fly back, get another 30-days visa on arrival) per year to renew my visa?
Stuart *********
@Aaron ****
there is no set limit for entries by air. It’s 2 per year by land borders (but they’re closed so moot point).

However entry is granted by the immigration officer you hand your passport to. If they feel that you may be abusing the system they can refuse entry. Not heard many stories these days of such, because of all the hoops you need to jump through to get in, but it can happen.
Native ****************
Hi, I read the other posts and Covid Extensions is the way to go on a 30 Visa Entry... On this special extension, you will get 15 days for 1900 Bahts and then, just need to go back to Immigration to receive the additional 45 days extension at No charge. As mentioned in the other posts, keep up to date on the news for this Special Covid Extension as it may be discontinued at anytime. So be prepared with a plan B just in case. Hope this helps and safe travels. Cheers !
Susie *********
Quick related question- if you have the visa waiver extension until 1st March, can you actually go on the 1st March to try to get the Covid extension? Or do you need to go on the 28th Feb?
Stuart *********
@Susie ********
you can go on the last day of your stamp, but not advisable just in case you need some documents you don’t have. Cutting it fine and if you can’t visit again that day you’ll be on overstay.
Stuart *********
@Native ***************
almost correct. You apply for a Covid extension (generally 60 days). Most offices will give you an “under consideration” stamp from anywhere from 5-14 days to return where they’ll stamp you for the remaining days. You need to return to the same office to “close out” the stamp. There is no extra fee as you’ve already paid for the extension. The last date you can apply for this is March 25th (if they don’t extend). Be aware that if it’s your first covid extension then they’ll almost certainly date it from the day you apply and won’t add it on to your existing stamp, which means you’ll lose any extra days you may have had if you go early.
Native ****************
@Stuart ********
Khob khun maak Ajarn ;o) Appreciate the pointers. Shoke dee na khrap
Aaron *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
Quick update: I called the immigration office this morning in Bangkok and they told me that the covid extension is no longer available except for emergencies with approval by your embassy. So if your family has covid or any other reason you can’t travel, you need to first make an appointment with your embassy and then they need to write a letter, before the office considers it, and then the covid extension will still be a case-by-case approval at the discretion of the officer at the immigration office.
Ryan ***********
@Aaron ****
My agency isn’t cheap but more than likely they can get you however many days or months you want
**********************
Steve *******
You can only extend the visa exempt entry once. You could apply for the 60 day 'covid extention' untill the 25th March.
Jada ***********
@Steve ******
sorry I know it’s not my question but does anyone know how much a “Covid extension” costs??
Steve *******
@Jada **********
Yep as Brandon says, 1900bt.
Brandon ************
Every extension is 1900₿
Jada ***********
Stuart *********
You can only extend once on a tourist visa. However up until March 25th you may apply for a Covid extension which would give you an extra 60 days (usually). Don’t apply too early as they’ll probably date it from the day you apply rather than add it on to your existing stamp.
Aaron *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
Thanks so much! This is really helpful! Is there a special process for this? When I got my 30 days extension, I wrote 60 days but the office corrected it to 30 days instead. Do you know the process to claim the covid extension?
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