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What are my options for extending my stay in Thailand under the visa exemption scheme?

Thai Visa Exemption Visa Extension Tourist Visa Border Run Travel Requirements

Nov 30, 2022

3 years ago

Sergiusz ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hello,

I'm entering Thailand on the visa exemption scheme, which allows me to stay for 45 days as I understand. I would like to stay for 4 months (until end of March), so I have a few questions about my options:

* Is it possible to extend the 45 day visa exemption? If so, for how many extra days? Is there a procedure / form for that?

* As I understand, another option is to leave to a nearby country for a few days and come back, which I also wouldn't mind (actually, I plan to do that anyway).

* I could also get a proper tourist visa, but that would only give me a single entry for 60 days + 30 days of extension, and cost a lot more (then there's also the multiple entry visa, but this one is even more expensive and is also only 60 days per visit)

I think I'll do the visa exemption scheme and either try to extend it, or leave the country for a few days and come back. What I'm wondering is if I need to have on me a plane ticket for a flight out of the country within 45 days when entering Thailand?

Any other advice will be welcome as well.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

You can extend your 45-day visa exemption by an additional 30 days at a local immigration office, using specific documents (e.g., TM7 form, copies of your passport and entry documents, passport photo, and a fee of 1,900 baht). Alternatively, you may perform a border run to a nearby country and re-enter for another 45 days. It's advisable to have a flight ticket out of Thailand, although checks are not common. Another option is to apply for a tourist visa, but this typically provides a 60-day stay plus a potential extension and comes at a higher cost.

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Vicki ********

Canadian retiree.. entered in November on 45 day exempt ..did have to show my ticket out...it was dated well beyond the 45 days but was not queried about that

3 years ago

John **********

Both visa exempt and tourist visa can be extended one time by 30 days

3 years ago

Alistair **********

Technically you need a ticket out of Thailand within the 45 day period. Immigration aren't likely to check, however your airline might.

3 years ago

Stuart *********

You’ll need this stuff for a exempt visa extension.

Fill out form TM7 (available at the office)

Copy passport data page (signed by you)

Copy of entry stamp (signed by you)

Copy of your visa - either the sticker in your passport or pdf evisa (the former signed by you). * if you had one.

Copy of TM6 departure card (signed by you) *if you were issued one - if you entered by air after July ‘22 you wouldn’t have been given one so leave the space on the form blank.

Passport photo (most offices have facilities on site or nearby)

1,900 baht

Some offices may ask for a TM30, which your hotel or landlord should have filed on your behalf. A screenshot of their filing it online will suffice as evidence you have one.

3 years ago

Sergiusz ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Stuart ********

thank you very much for the detailed answer. Regarding the TM6 departure card - do I understand correctly that, since the form is not needed anymore, I will have to provide immigration with data on neither my intended place of residence nor flight out of the country when entering on visa exemption?

3 years ago

Sergiusz ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hey, thank you again. Just to update, the immigration officer did not ask to see a plane ticket out of Thailand. The guy in line before me in immigration even said that he "doesn't know" when asked how long he intends to stay, and they still let him in.

3 years ago

Stuart *********

@Sergiusz **********

unless you have an extensive history of recent entries, covid extensions or the like then immigration generally won’t care.

3 years ago

Reply to

Stuart *********

Brandon ************

45 day visa exempt can be extended one time for 30 days at your local immigration office. That is 75 days total. Then you can do a border run and get another 45+30 and that should give you your time you need.

3 years ago

Sergiusz ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thank you for your answer.

How much does the extension cost?

How early can I apply for it?

Do they grant the extension automatically, or do they sometimes reject the application?

Do I need to have on me a plane ticket for a flight out of the country within 45 days when entering Thailand? It would just go to waste if I extend the stay to 75 days...

3 years ago

Sergiusz ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hey, thank you again for the detailed answer. Just to update, neither the airline (EVA Air) nor the immigration officer asked to see a plane ticket out of Thailand. The guy in line before me in immigration even said that he "doesn't know" when asked how long he intends to stay, and they still let him in.

3 years ago

Brandon ************

@Sergiusz **********

All extensions are 1900 baht.

You can apply for an extension when you have 30 days left at most offices, and when you have 45 days left at Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

Jomtien you can only apply the week before your stay is up.

Tourist and visa exempt extensions are mostly a formality and you will not be rejected if you have all the paperwork.

Immigration won't ask to see your plane ticket but your airline might not let you board if you don't have proof of travel out of Thailand within 45 days. You will need to ask them their policy.

3 years ago

Reply to

Brandon ************

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Can I get another 30 days in Thailand by leaving the country and re-entering after my initial visa exemption granted on arrival?

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