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What are the best options for a US citizen in Thailand to extend their stay beyond a Visa Exemption?

Visa ExtensionVisa Exemption SchemeSTV VisaThailand ImmigrationVolunteer VisaED VisaVisa Options for ExpatsCovid Extensions
Feb 13, 2021
4 years ago
Sarah ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello! I’m a US citizen and came to Thailand with the Visa Exemption Scheme last month. I’m now trying to stay as long as I can. Does anyone know the cheapest option to stay longer? I heard I can get a 60 day extension, but I’m not sure how. Also, is it possible to get a special tourist visa if I’m already here? Thank you!
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A US citizen currently in Thailand on a Visa Exemption can extend their stay. They can obtain a 30-day extension for about 1900 baht by visiting an immigration office, and it is possible to do this every 60 days. However, they cannot apply for a Special Tourist Visa (STV) while already in the country. Alternatives mentioned include obtaining a Volunteer Visa or enrolling in a Thai language school for an Education (ED) visa, which can allow for a longer stay.
Troy *******
(meanwhile this is my 42nd trip here in 16 years and this time my Scottish wife and I have been here for 13 months of "extensions" to our original 30-day visa exempt stamps.)
4 years ago
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Troy *******
5555555555 imagine that??!! A farang who came to Thailand and never wanted to go home. Pfft! As if that ever happens!!
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*****
*****
imagine that??!! A farang who came to Thailand and never wanted to go home. Pfft! As if that ever happens!!
4 years ago
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Sarah ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you all for your help with this! I just returned from the immigration office in Krabi and was easily able to get a month extension for 2000 baht. They confirmed I can return for a 60 day extension next, so I’m going to see how far I can go with this method and then see what my options are from there. Thanks again!
4 years ago
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Jonas *************
Study thai? Some schools help with ed visa. But you need to study. And go to class.
4 years ago
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Sandra *********************
Go to immigration
4 years ago
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Jim *****************
Volunteer Visa...best option in your case
4 years ago
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Bobby ********
Helena Jin. I understand it depends on the school and course which you are doing, as it is the school who will organise the visa for you
4 years ago
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Bobby ********
Terary Apellido. Yeah! But you save 30,000+ baht, and you're 100% legal! 🤣🤣🤣🤣. Way to go!!
4 years ago
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Helena *****
@Bobby *******
 Bobby, do you know once we got the covid extension can change it to ED visa ?
4 years ago
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Terary **********
Volunteer visa is 15 months. That 15 trips you dont have to make to immigration.
4 years ago
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Bobby ********
Jim Clayton Cravey. 60-day covid extensions far and away the best option. 1900 baht a month =
*****
baht a year. Beats the crap out of a bogus "volunteer" visa bought from an agent! 🤣🤣🤣
4 years ago
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Bobby ********
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Terary **********
I do the volunteer option. I dont know about 'cheaper' It seems less expensive than what I was doing before, going to some other country for a couple of weeks. I am not sure what the cost of other options. Are extensions 1900? And you'll do those every 60 days? 15,000 - 30,000.

They are legal - but questionable. I have no worries about my visa while in-country but I am always nervous crossing borders - which I wont be doing for awhile.
4 years ago
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Terary **********
Did you mean "live here" instead of "leave here"?

Police don't care. Immigration care. And they dont care that much. They care mostly when crossing borders.
4 years ago
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Terary **********
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Love *****************
No need extension because covid 19
4 years ago
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Astrid **********
@Shwe *****************
 not true, one needs to have a valid proof of stay provided by embassy or extended by immigration in Thailand
4 years ago
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Astrid **********
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Love *****************
When did you visit Thailand and how much is US dollars Cost at Thailand ?
4 years ago
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Ryan ********
Sign up at a Thai language school and get an Ed visa. I believe you can stay up to 12montha
4 years ago
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Rich *****
Cheapest option to stay in Thailand is to become a Monk!
4 years ago
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Michael ********
@Rich ****
 True
4 years ago
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Michael ********
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Rogerio ******
Some visa services offer Volunteer visas for up to a year for about 30-40,000 thb.
4 years ago
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Bob **********
@Ryan *******
 yes but once you finished school this is your only option and the key word is rumor they really want to keep everyone here that's spending money here
4 years ago
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Ryan ********
@Bob *********
 that won’t work if the place you are ‘volunteering’ isn’t a beach clean up organization!

There are rumors that immigration officials are now checking on the volunteer visas as there has been an influx of applications for it.

Better not chance it. Plus it’s very expensive whereas taking Thai classes is about half the cost and 100% legal.
4 years ago
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Bobby ********
David Alexander Smith. It is. And there are still dummies out there advising people to "go see an agent" instead of simply saying "visit immigration every two months and pay 1900 baht and stay legal". I mean agents charge 9800 baht to get people their 1900 extension, and stupid expats will pay it! And in the next breath complain about the 20 baht luggage surcharge on taxis from the airport. I just have to have another LOL 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
4 years ago
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David ******************
@Bobby *******
 hysterical
4 years ago
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Bobby ********
Phil Jones. The haters are those that forked out
*****
+ for a bogus volunteer visa before the 60 day covid extensions started at 1900 baht every two months, which equates to
*****
baht a year. And of course the covid extensions are 100% legal!! 🤣🤣🤣
4 years ago
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Bob **********
@Ryan *******
 just take a picture of you cleaning up the beach
4 years ago
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Ryan ********
@Gordon ********
 not when immigration actually goes and checks to make sure you are volunteering!
4 years ago
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Bobby ********
Gordon Herriot. Yeah sure...
4 years ago
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Gordon *********
@Bobby *******
 every one is on the same computer legal or not
4 years ago
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Bobby ********
Rogerio Fung. He might want to do things legally! 🤣
4 years ago
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Bobby ********
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Bobby ********
You can get a 30-day extension in addition to the 45 on the visa exempt entry. Go to immigration and pay 1900 baht
4 years ago
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Michael ********
Cannot get STV visa in country.
4 years ago
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Michael ********
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