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Is it normal for Thai immigration to ask for extension application upon visa expiration rather than the typical 30-day period?

Apr 24, 2025
21 hours ago
Danny **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Just been to Samut Prakan immigration for a 1 year extension. Instead of asking me to come back in 30 days with updated bank book, they’ve asked me to come back on the day my non O 90 day visa expires (about 50 days from now)

I can do this but was thinking of doing a trip in those extra 20 days. Don’t really want to do a re entry to then get another reentry on the extension.

Question is, is this the rule or did they mess it up? Could have sworn it was 30 days from application.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The poster recently visited Samut Prakan immigration for a one-year extension on a NON-O visa. Instead of the usual requirement to return in 30 days with an updated bank book, they were instructed to come back on the expiration date of their 90-day visa, which is in about 50 days. They are unsure if this is standard practice or a mistake, considering they thought the rule was to return after 30 days. Comments from other users suggest that the extension process can vary, and typically runs until the visa expiration date, but additional advice on re-entry permits if traveling is also given.
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Danny **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I’m going to turn off commenting for this thanks to a massive misunderstanding of what a question with supporting reasons means to some. But thank you for the answers to my actual question.
Aurelian ****************
Samut Prakan, for me I got the 1 year extension stamp on the next day after the 90 days (because the last day was a Sunday...) so I think it's normal here
Aurelian ****************
Just to be clear, if you got the 90 days, and you need a one year extension, you need to apply within the last 45 days of the 90 days for the 1 year extension
Bob **********
If you leave you will need a re entry permit otherwise you’ll start over and it will be stamped USED on entry
Danny **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bob *********
come on man, read what I wrote properly.
Tony ********
I think you'll find the under consideration period runs to the 'later of' 30 days or visa expiraration date. I use CW which is 20 days, and in 12 years never received a considerstion date end less than my previous extension date.
Danny **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tony *******
ok thanks!
Graham ******
So it will cost you 1000B for a single re-entry permit before you get your extension inked in, no big deal surely?
Danny **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Graham *****
not what I’m asking though. I’m asking if this is the correct procedure from them as I thought it was 30 days
Michael ********
@Danny *********
That's seems exactly what you asked. As Graham said. 1000 baht. Re-entry. Get extension. Another re-entry. Immigration can put whatever date they like for the under consideration period. Sometimes less then 30, sometimes more.
Danny **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Michael *******
ok just to clear this up I asked if the timeline of being given an under consideration stamp is longer than 30 days normally.

That’s why I said ‘the question is’ and already outlined that I knew the procedure of getting one re-entry and then another. It’s really not a big deal to do it, it was a question about the timeline of under consideration out of personal interest.

That being said, thanks for your answer about them being able to put more than 30. Something I’ll consider next year if I need to.
Michael ********
@Danny *********
No probs, I have had less than, 30 days and more than. But it is usually 30 days. That is the norm. :) They are a law unto themselves....555. I did the same as you; got a Single re-entry, returned before the consideration date and used it. Got the rest of the time stamped in, and got a multi re-entry.
Tod *********
@Danny *********
If that is what the office did, it's "correct procedure" 🙂

AND

If you got an under consideration stamp but want to travel during that time you have to get a re-entry permit (which is valid only for that u/c stamp)

You have to be back in time to go to the immigration office on the date the stamp runs out and get the year inked in

After you get the year you'd buy another re-entry permit so you could travel out/back during the year the extension is valid for
Tod *********
So you got a year extension based on marriage to a thai AND the "under consideration stamp" is dated the same date as your current extension expires now?
Danny **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
not my current extension, as I got a non O (90 days) in country from them after returning from Vietnam on a tourist visa exempt stamp. Meaning I’m not on any extensions. Tried asking why it’s not just 30 days but no luck.
Tod *********
@Danny *********
what extension are you wanting to apply for now? retirement or marriage to a thai?

In Samut Prakan you can apply for a yearly extension when you have 45 days or less left on your current stamp.
Danny **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
marriage. Just checked the date it’s actually 44 days from now (June 7)
Tod *********
@Danny *********
and so you now are on an "under consideration stamp" dated to come back June 7th right?>
Danny **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
yeah that’s right. As mentioned I thought it was 30 days. This isn’t the end of the world but just want to know if something changed, I was never correct, or they did it incorrectly.
Tod *********
@Danny *********
In Bangkok now the under-consideration stamp is only 21 days when you go from an extension to another extension

BUT with that being said

I have seen them date the u/c stamp the day someones initial 90 day Non-O expires if they applied early AND if it's the first extension.
Danny **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
ok thanks!
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