Is a 30-day extension guaranteed for a 60-day tourist visa or a 30-day visa exemption in Thailand?

Aug 18, 2017
7 years ago
Caleb *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hey guys, just wondering has anyone ever got rejected when applying for a 30 day extension on the 60 tourist visa or the 30 day visa exemption?

Is the 30 day extension guaranteed?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Many users shared their experiences regarding the 30-day extension for a 60-day tourist visa and the 30-day visa exemption in Thailand. It was noted that while extensions are commonly granted, they are not guaranteed. Several commenters recounted instances where applicants were denied a 30-day extension and offered a 7-day extension instead, often with additional fees. In some cases, the denial seemed influenced by the applicant's nationality or previous visa histories. Overall, individuals are advised to expect the possibility of denial and to be properly informed about visa regulations before applying.
Peter *******
In November 2016 we were denied an extension of our SETV at immigratin Krabi we were then sold a 7day extension for 1900bht.

Told "... now you can go back to our home country ..."

This is not a new thing.
Peter *******
Well said
@Rob***
you were there at immigration when we were given the boot

You may well remember our profound confusion
Robert *******
I have always found Krabi Immigration very kind and helpfull.
Tod *********
Sadly, it is an all too well-known (and totally sucky :O ) fact that the southern immigration offices (Division 6) run as if they are a kingdom unto themselves.
Graham *********
no different than doing a border run..
Tod *********
Okay, even I was guilty of dragging this off topic. :O

The O/P asked if anyone has seen someone denied a 30 day extension on a tourist visa or a 30 day visa exempt entry. He did NOT ask what we'd like to see as far as rules here :/

FWIW: here's the signage of the rule about a 30 day extension on a 30 day visa exempt entry stamp..
Graham *********
naughty boy...
Robert *******
something to do that you are not allowed to work without the correct paper works and it still seems people need money to life in a country. So Immigration will not make a system where you just can pop in and tell them how long you like to stay.
Tod *********
@Rob***
, I agree, just letting people say how long they wanna be here would be a bad move.
Robert *******
Extensions are or based on working (with papers) or with financial proof of applicant. If I can stay unlimited by just telling I/O I want stay another 90 days at the time without financial proof things would change not in the good for Thailand.
Tod *********
back in August of 2014 when they went to allowing 30 day extensions on 30 day visa exempt entries the officer told me they were doing over 200 people a day at Chaengwattana alone for them.

That's almost a half a million baht a day at just ONE immigration office.

Extensions on tourist visas and visa exempt entries are a GIANT money maker far more than the yearly extensions.
Graham *********
i would like it to be something like this... 30 days on arrival.....then go to immigration...and ask for 30 60 90..days extension...pay the fee then repeat when needed...would not need to keep doing border runs..
Tod *********
I think we would all like the system implemented uniformly and simplified, but alas that is not the case. ;)
Graham *********
if would be so easy if they made thing easier..in the days of technology...
Ellie *******
Before I was told that I had better go to immigration office in Bangkok to extend my stay instead of Samui immigration if possible, because at Samui, I might not be able to get 30 days (with high possibility), only 7 days. Of course it was the first extension with visa exempt entry, not extension after extension.

Someone told that there were some cases people could get only 7 days instead of 30 days (now seems to be denial and 7days buffer to leave thing) in Samui.

I didn't try Samui at that time. I don't know what's really happening then nor actual person who got like this neither.

At least this was what I was told a few years ago when I was making my plan to extend my stay in south.

Sorry this uncertain information.
Kris **************
Until yesterday, I have never seen anyone getting rejected. I was at immigration in Jomtien, and a young lady in front of me was told to get a proper visa and that they wouldn't extend it. They ended going into an office to continue the conversation in private, as she didn't understand why.
Duncan *******
As much as none of us would like this to be true,
@Ivan ***********
it's the most likely reason.
Ivan ************
@Kr**
I think it was down to her nationality. Last time I extended at Chiang Mai the guy in front of me (who was Asian) was told he could only get 7 days. Not sure what nationality he was. The Philippines is on the list of countries that should be able to get the extension, though.
Duncan *******
@Kris *************
that makes it far more interesting.
Kris **************
@Duncan ******
- it wasn't. It was her first try. But she had tourist visas before, and the immigrations officer told her, that if she wanted to stay in Thailand for a longer period, she needed a proper visa.

I'm pretty sure she was Filippina, maybe the officer concluded that she was working here illegally and wanted her to get the proper visa for it. It seems to be their maun focus at the moment.
Duncan *******
Related - if it was a second 30 day extension attempt, are people really that stupid? :)
Kris **************
Tod Daniels - not surprisingly, a lot of people are idiots. Don't research the rules and complain at immigration. Like the old fart yesterday, that refused to hand over his passport at immigration, unless they gave him a photo copy :)

That really pissed them off :)
Duncan *******
apol
@Tod ********
obviously they can't - Id presumed she had been rejected on the first 30 day extension.
Tod *********
@Duncan ******
surprisingly many people think you can get a couple 30 day extensions on the same entry stamp :O I see them out at Chaengwattana every single time I'm there. They fill out the form, make the copies wait in the queue only to get told they already GOT a 30 day extension and they either need to leave the country when their stamp expires or they can get the stamp for 7 more days for 1900 baht
Kris **************
From what I heard, she had a 30 day vise excempt and she was advised to get a proper visa instead of doing visa runs.

I was 15 minutes behind her, and my passport is filled with visa excempt and extensions :)

I didn't have any problems though. The immigrations officer even explained to me how it worked, even though I have about 10 extension stamps in my passport :D
Duncan *******
I know there isnt
@Tod ********
but why else would they reject it - isnt it ultimately up to the IO?
Tod *********
@Dun***
, there is no limit to the number of 30 day extensions you can apply for, other than you can do it ONCE per entry on either a 30 day visa exempt or a 60 day tourist visa.
Tod *********
The rule is they have to sell you that 'extension denied" 7 day get outta thailand stamp IF they deny you the 30 day extension on a 30 day visa exempt stamp.
Duncan *******
you probably didnt ask but you can only guess she'd done it many times before - usually they dont care less.
Tod *********
I don't know of anyone personally who was rejected when applying for a 30 day extension on a 60 day tourist visa.

However that 30 day extension on a 30 day visa exempt stamp entry is NOT a sure thing and if they decide you can't have one they sell you the "application for extension denied" 7 days to get outta thailand stamp instead for the same 1900baht

Plus you cannot appeal the decision of them denying a 30 day extension on a 30 day visa exempt entry stamp.
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