How soon can I apply for a 30-day extension to my visa exempt entry in Thailand?

Feb 21, 2023
2 years ago
Tamra **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello all,

I am ready to apply for a 30 day extension to my 45-day 'visa exempt' entry.

How soon should I go to apply at the immigration office?

Is there a time frame to do this?

Thank you🙏 kindly.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The best time to apply for a 30-day extension to your 45-day 'visa exempt' entry is when you have 30 days or less remaining on your current stamp. Most immigration offices allow you to apply at this point, adding the extension to your existing expiration date. It's advisable to prepare all necessary forms and visit early in the day, as you may need to return in the afternoon to collect your passport. Some offices, like the one in Jomtien, may have different rules, so it's important to check with your specific location.
James ********
These are the common found requirements for the 30 days extension of stay at Thai immigration office.
Judith ******
I just went two weeks ago the day my visa excemption actually expired. Had to go in the morning (make sure to have all the forms with you), then come back in the late afternoon to pick the passport up again. Procedures might differ in other offices, but I did do it many times already in different places and it never took longer than one day/same day.
Tamra **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you everyone.

I think we are on track now😊
Ellie *******
@Judith *****
, right some offices have their own procedure, so it would help if you also mention which immigration office
Judith ******
@Ellie ******
mine was on Phangan this time, but in allnof the offices I went to (here, Krabi, Tao) it was done in one day, when going there in the morning.
Ellie *******
@Judith *****
thank you

Because most of offices issue tourism extension on the spot and not many tell you to come back later even on the same day
Tamra **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ellie ******
yea.... Samui
Tod *********
you can do it at MOST offices when you have 30 days or less left on your current stamp

No need to wait for your current stamp to run down as they ADD the extension to your current expiration date

AFAIK: only Jomtien office says to come back when you have a week or less left on your stamp, almost all the other offices are when you have 30 days or less
Ellie *******
and I think Samui sometimes (not always) says to come back when you have a couple of weeks or less remaining for tourism extensions.
Tamra **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ellie ******
We are in Samui
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