Is the Thai tourist visa still 30 days, and what is the maximum extension allowed?

Thai tourist visa visa extension visa rules Thailand visa exempt entry immigration regulations expat advice

September 26, 2023

a year ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Is the Thai tourist visa still 30 days and if so, what is the Maximum extension and number of extensions allowed?

Thing is, i have booked a return flight for 29 days but would like to have booked for 59 days.

Can you enter on a tourist visa with a return flight which ‘assumes’ you will be granted a 30 day extension?

I guess I am asking this as the 59 day return flight is like saying I am going to overstay!!

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The Thai tourist visa provided upon entry without a pre-purchased visa is a 30-day visa exempt stamp for qualifying nationalities. If you had purchased a tourist visa beforehand, it would grant you a 60-day stay with the possibility of extending for an additional 30 days. The 30-day visa exempt stamp can be extended only once for another 30 days. Concerns regarding a 59-day return flight are likely related to airline policies rather than immigration, so passengers should verify with their airline about requirements for onward travel.

Russell ********

Had you actually bought a visa in your country, you would have gotten 60 days, with 30 extension possible.

But you went for the free 30 day option, or Visa Exempt' no visa at all

a year ago

Tod *********

you got your wires crossed a bit

Tourist visas were NEVER for 30 days 😮

A tourist visa is something you BUY at a thai consulate before you wing your way here and it gets you stamped in for 60 days when you arrive.

You're talking about the '30 day free entry' (visa exempt) stamp. You get depending on your passport nationality when you show up here without a visa.

You can extend that 30 day entry stamp ONE time for 30 more days. Then you're done.

It's not the thai officers at passport control when you stamp in who are gonna have any problem with your onward travel 59 days from the date you arrive.

It's the air carrier who will give you grief (if anyone will) about it because some carriers have a proof of onward travel within the days you'll get stamped in for" policy when you come to thailand without any visa (entering on a free 30 day visa exempt stamp).

CHECK with your air carrier to see what their policy is. If they say you can fly in with the tickets you have you're fine once you hit the ground here

a year ago

John *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tod ********

many thanks Tod. When I hear ‘rumours off mates’ my first port of call for fact is this forum. 👍🏻

a year ago

John *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Very sketchy mates from the Philippines 😂

a year ago

Bill ********

@John ********