How soon can a US visitor extend a 30-day visa exemption upon arrival in Thailand?

Visa Extension Visa Exemption Thailand Immigration 30-Day Visa Exemption Visas for US Citizens Tourist Visa Processing Bangkok Immigration Chiang Mai Immigration

Jun 9, 2024

5 months ago

Anonymous ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

How soon able to extend visa exemption?

Hi all,

US visitor here planning on entering Thailand with a 30 day visa exemption. I'd like to extend the exemption for another 30 days as soon as possible after landing, because I have a 45 day meditation retreat so I want to avoid leaving to do a visa extension run later. (I messed up by not applying for the 60 day tourist visa on time)

I've heard that the Bangkok and Chiang Mai immigration are the most relaxed and can extend visas as early as the day of landing, so you don't have to wait a week before visa expires..

Two questions then:

1) Does that sound right - that it's possible to extend a visa / exemption within a few days of landing?

2) What are the embassies in nearby countries that do the fastest tourist visa processing? (Also considering this option)

Thank you in advance 🙏

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A US visitor entering Thailand with a 30-day visa exemption can extend the exemption by another 30 days, typically at immigration offices in Bangkok or Chiang Mai. Extensions can potentially be done as early as the day after arrival, provided that the hotel has filed the required TM30 form. The cost for extension is 1,900 baht. It's advised to go early to avoid long wait times. For those considering going to embassies in nearby countries for a faster tourist visa, Laos and Cambodia are recommended, but be aware of changing requirements like appointment scheduling, especially in Savannakhet.

Henrik *****

Some Embassies can make 60 day tourist visa in only a few days, outside the highseason.

So try to apply.

If you go making the extension in the first days after arriving to Thailand, you show the Immigration that you are in Thailand on a wrong visa scheme, and that you never intended to comply with the visa excempt conditions

5 months ago

Phil ******

1. Depends on the immi office you attend

2. Laos or Cambodia

5 months ago

Deniz **********

Bkk immigration to extend. And applying for visa easiest, Laos Savannakhet. Appointment required.

5 months ago

Greg ***********

@Deniz *********

you are right . . . . .the appointment requirement for Savannakhet actually is brandishing new! They only started this a few weeks ago. In many FB groups people still mention Savannakhet consulate being a walk-in consulate. Nay- it's definitely over

5 months ago

Reply to

Greg ***********

Kool *******

You can extend it the day after you check into your hotel in Bangkok, as soon as the required TM30 has been electronically filed by the hotel with immigration. Don't use an Airbnb as lots of them don't file them as they are supposed to. It is pretty easy to do in Bangkok when you first get here, as they allow extensions up to 45 days before they expire, as lots of people base out of Bangkok while seeing other parts of the country. That particular section of immigration, for visa exempt extensions, has it's own location at IT Square, at LakSi on the third floor. Get out there early.

5 months ago

Todd *********

BKK is definitely close to 'most relaxed' lol. And neither is CM. But you have time. Your 30 day visa exemption can always be extended by another 30 days for 1900 baht. Go to the nearest immigration office to you when ready to extend. Wait times can be dramatically different depending on how busy the office is.

5 months ago

Eli ******

You can go to immigration at any time with only a passport and 1900 baht and they do it for you on the spot.

5 months ago

Victoria **********

@Eli *****

Depends which immigration office! Unless things have changed, Jomtien (for example) don't like you going early and have sent people, myself included, away and said "come back with seven days left".

5 months ago

Kev **********

@Eli *****

not to mention passport photos and photo copies

5 months ago

Eli ******

@Kev *********

Photos and passport copy are not required. I did it several times.

5 months ago

Kev **********

@Eli *****

oh I’ve always had to have passport photos and photocopies of my passport unless they do it on site ?

I only did it 10 days ago at Nakhon Sawan immigration

5 months ago

Reply to

Kev **********

Ning ******

bkk, it square. about 15 days before the end of 30 days. Bring a book to read, it will take hoursssssssssssssssssssss..... about a whole day if it is monday or friday.....

5 months ago

Greg ***********

@Ning *****

wrong answer, as Bangkok Immigration IT square will grant you an extension up from the first day of your arrival. They are known for doing so

5 months ago

Jim ********

@Ning *****

Or make an appointment and be in and out in 45 minutes

5 months ago

Reply to

Jim ********

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