Is it possible to extend a visa in Thailand and re-enter with a new visa after exiting?

Jan 15, 2024
10 months ago
Hello everyone, I just need to verify something to make sure that I understand well. I applied for a 60-day visa from my home country. Unfortunately it was not processed in the delay that I was expecting, so I finally entered Thailand on a 30-day visa on arrival. The embassy says my request for 60-day visa should be processed in the next few days.

My (revised) plan would be to extend my current visa for another 30 days, then exit Thailand and re-enter with my 60-day visa... Does it seem doable? Even if the dates that I submitted in me initial request obviously will be changed? Your opinion please! TIA
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A user inquired about the possibility of extending their current 30-day visa on arrival in Thailand for an additional 30 days and then exiting the country to re-enter with a 60-day visa they applied for. Multiple responses confirmed that the plan is feasible, but one commenter highlighted potential issues with the processing of the 60-day visa application, especially if it is from the Ottawa embassy due to reported processing delays and possible rejection if the original flight dates have passed.
Frank **********
What does visa will be treated mean?
Marie-Noëlle ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Frank *********
processed (talking about my visa application). I sometimes tend to mix my languages, that was .. French 😁
Todd *********
Yes. Doable
Marie-Noëlle ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Brandon ************
Just a few things to get clear first:

You didn't enter Thailand with visa on arrival. You entered visa exempt, which isn't a visa at all.

If your embassy still issues the visa, your plan will work.

I looked at your profile and I'm assuming you're talking about the Ottawa embassy. We have reports from this embassy that they are VERY slow in processing applications for a visa, and when they finally get to your application they will see the dates you submitted for your flight already passed and then they will deny your application. Ottawa and Paris are the only embassies that we have reports of this happening at (both the slowness and the rejection of applications if the flight date already passed).

I just wanted to make you aware that it's possible your application will be rejected, but if they do approve it then your visa will be valid for 90 days from the day it's issued. Once you have the visa, where and when you enter Thailand no longer matter and you can leave and return and activate your visa as long as it's within 90 days of being issued.

If they reject your application you can do a border bounce without a visa and just do another visa exempt 30 days + 30 day extension.
Marie-Noëlle ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
Yes I meant visa exempt, wrong choice of words ;) Thanks for the info about Ottawa embassy, it is indeed very slow. So finger crossed, I could be lucky, and if not then I will plan a short trip away from Thailand and come back. Thanks for your feedback!
John ********
No problem I recently did the exact same thing
Marie-Noëlle ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *******
Great! Thanks, it looked feasible to me, but I really appreciate the confirmation!
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