thailand
Ask question

What are the best options for extending a 30-day exempt visa in Thailand for Australian and UK passport holders?

30-Day Exempt StampVisa ExtensionTourist VisaBorder CrossingMultiple Entry VisaThailand ImmigrationChiang Mai Living
Nov 12, 2018
6 years ago
Fingal *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hey everyone

My partner and I are living in Chiang Mai at the moment on a 30 day exempt stamp that we automatically got when entering the country through Bangkok International Airport.

We want to stay for at least another 60-90 days if possible, and we were wondering what you would suggest is the best way of going about this? If it's possible :)

We have Australian and UK passports, originally from Australia and our 30 day exempt stamp runs out on 30 November. We plan to head to Europe around February/March 2019, so can book a forwarding flight if needed.

Multiple Entry visa has been mentioned and also border crossing via Laos. Any information would be appreciated. Thanks in advance x
1,598
views
2
likes
62
all likes
31
replies
0
images
5
users
TLDR : Answer Summary
A couple currently in Chiang Mai on a 30-day exempt stamp is seeking advice on how to extend their stay by another 60-90 days. Options mentioned include acquiring a multiple entry visa or executing a border crossing to Laos. Comments from the community suggest that a border bounce at Mae Sai may be a viable option, and there's a query about the possibility of applying for a 60-day tourist visa while still in Thailand.
Fingal *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Is it possible to apply for a 60 day tourist visa while you are in Thailand? or do I need to leave the country?
6 years ago
Like
Reply
Fingal *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
 thank you for your help.
6 years ago
Like
Reply
Tod *********
@Fingal *****
, And let me be the first to welcome you to the group (y) BUT with that being said, we also expect that people will put some effort into their endeavors (after all it a visa IN your passport you're wanting) ;)

I meant no disrespect in my replies to your queries, I am who I am and people have to make the best of it. :)
6 years ago
Like
Reply
Fingal *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
 thanks for the advice. I’m quite capable of using google and I have done to find out about udon and Vientiane. I was asking a question about whether I had to fly into Laos in order to obtain the visa or do a border crossing.

I applied to be part of this group in order to ask questions, and everyone has been very helpful.

For people to learn, we need to ask questions. Better to ask questions of the people that have the experience than to rely on random google searches.

Maybe you could consider using google to find some manners 😉
6 years ago
Like
Reply
Fingal *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert ******
 thanks heaps. Apologies for the small questions.
6 years ago
Like
Reply
Robert *******
From Udon, take the bus or taxi to the border is close by. Than after border taxi or bus to Thai Consulate. You will not be the only one using it
6 years ago
Like
Reply
Tod *********
@Fingal *****
 you have to GO to the thai consulate in Lao to get the tourist visa. Udon is an hour from the Nong Khai border with Lao which is 20km from Vientiane <- the city in Lao where the thai consulate is.

I think it's time you used Google and typed in "visa run to Lao" rather than nickel dime people with question after question :O
6 years ago
Like
Reply
Fingal *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert ******
 although I have just realised that udon Thani is in Thailand. I will have to fly into Laos in order to get a visa won’t I?
6 years ago
Like
Reply
Fingal *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert ******
 Yes I have heard flying to Udon Thani is the cheapest way to do it.
6 years ago
Like
Reply
Robert *******
Bus or fly to Udon, than follow the crowd.
6 years ago
Like
Reply
Fingal *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert ******
 That's where I will go then.
6 years ago
Like
Reply
Robert *******
Depends on where you like to go. The only Thai Consulate in the area that does not need proof of funds, accommodation and onward travel, just copies of passport and Loas visa stamp and 2 passport pictures is Vientiane in Laos.
6 years ago
Like
Reply
Fingal *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert ******
 Will I need to book an onward flight out of Thailand to apply for the 60 day visa or the 30 day extension?
6 years ago
Like
Reply
Fingal *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Awesome! I will aim for the middle of the week, and check on any holidays coming up. Thank you all so much for your help. This group is invaluable ;)
6 years ago
Like
Reply
Robert *******
Depends on holidays and weekends in your planned days, as said you apply day 1 in the morning and pick up next working day in the afternoon.
6 years ago
Like
Reply
Fingal *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Do you think 3-4 days in Laos would be long enough to wait for a visa?
6 years ago
Like
Reply
Fingal *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert ******
 That's great! Thank you so much ;)
6 years ago
Like
Reply
Robert *******
Single Entry Tourist Visa, you get 60 days of stay when you arrive back into Thailand and you can apply for a 30 day extension of stay at local Immigration office.
6 years ago
Like
Reply
Fingal *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
So if I leave the country and go to say Laos and apply at the Thai consulate there, what visa can I apply for? 60 days/30 days/multiple entry?
6 years ago
Like
Reply
Fingal *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert ******
 Yeah I'm loving not having a time restriction :D just wondering for when I have to book somewhere to stay and return flights.
6 years ago
Like
Reply
Robert *******
You're a tourist, you have all the time in the world. But you apply day one in the morning, pick up next working day in the afternoon.
6 years ago
Like
Reply
Fingal *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert ******
 Is it usually a long wait, or just a couple of days?
6 years ago
Like
Reply
Robert *******
You have to leave to neighbor country and apply there at Thai Consulate or Embassy.
6 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Robert *******
Reply
Barry ******
You can probably get away with doing a border bounce at Mae Sai. Then you can extend that to get you to February/March.

As Long as you don’t have lots of back to back stamps they aren’t gonna even blink an eye.
6 years ago
Like
Reply
Barry ******
you have to fly out to switch passports
6 years ago
Like
Reply
Fingal *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
I think I may avoid using two passports, might get me into trouble with the Thai authorities and that's the last thing I want.
6 years ago
Like
Reply
Christopher *********
I based my reply on the assumption they wanted to enter/leave on one passport then enter/leave the next time on the other passport. Of course you must stamp out with the same passport you stamped in with.
6 years ago
Like
Reply
Robert *******
You can not use different passports if you leave enter by border.
6 years ago
Like
Reply
Fingal *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Christopher ********
 I thought that might be the case. Thanks :)
6 years ago
Like
Reply
Christopher *********
My understanding is that Thailand stores your names and DOBs in their database and they will cross reference you and know you're using two passports.
6 years ago
Like
Reply
Fingal *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Do you think it would be okay to use different passports each time? Australian once, then Thailand the next time? :)
6 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Fingal *****
Reply
Thai Visa Advice
... members · 40% approval rate
The Thai Visa Advice group is a specialized Q&A forum for visa-related topics in Thailand, ensuring detailed responses.
Join the Group
Thai Visa Advice
View the Conversation
Thai Visa Advice
What are my options for re-entering Thailand after my tourist visa extension in Bangkok?
35 comments
a year ago
Can I extend my 30-day visa exemption in Thailand and what are my options?
4 comments
a year ago
What are the best options for extending my stay in Thailand after using multiple visa exemptions?
24 comments
a year ago
What are the best visa options for a British couple traveling to Thailand for over 60 days?
28 comments
a year ago
What are the best options for a border bounce from Phuket to obtain a 45-day visa-exempt entry, and can I extend it?
20 comments
2 years ago
What are my options after my 90-day visa in Thailand expires?
13 comments
2 years ago
What are my options for extending my stay in Thailand on a British passport after a 30-day visa exempt entry?
11 comments
2 years ago
What are the best options for extending my stay in Thailand with a Thai partner and conducting a border run?
7 comments
2 years ago
What are the best options for extending my stay in Thailand if I don't want a retirement visa?
4 comments
2 years ago
What is the best visa option for a UK couple planning to stay in Thailand for 3-6 months?
11 comments
2 years ago
Which visa option is better for a long stay in Thailand for UK travelers?
9 comments
2 years ago
What options do we have for extending our stay in Thailand beyond our 30-day visa-exempt entry?
14 comments
2 years ago
What Are the Best Visa Options for Extended Stay in Thailand Given Recent Entry History?
11 comments
5 years ago
What are the best options for extending my visa from Chiang Mai before it expires?
10 comments
5 years ago
What is the best approach to stay 90 days in Thailand with a 30-day Visa exempt entry?
20 comments
5 years ago
What are the best visa options for an expat traveling through Southeast Asia while staying in Thailand?
8 comments
6 years ago
What are my options for obtaining a visa extension in Thailand after a tourist visa?
13 comments
6 years ago
What are my options for extending my stay in Thailand after my 30-day visa ends?
11 comments
6 years ago
What is the process for extending a Thai visa from Chiang Mai, and what are the cheapest border crossing options?
24 comments
6 years ago
What are the visa options for a Burmese partner and an Australian expat in Chiang Mai while waiting for education visas?
6 comments
6 years ago
What options do I have for extending my stay in Thailand given my 30-day visa exempt stamp?
33 comments
7 years ago
What options do I have for extending my stay in Thailand beyond December 10th on a Visa exemption?
16 comments
7 years ago
What are my options for extending my 30-day visa exemption in Thailand?
11 comments
7 years ago
Can I extend my Australian 6 Month Multi-Entry Visa while in Thailand and what are the best border run options?
23 comments
7 years ago
How can I extend my 30-day visa exemption in Thailand for an additional two months?
11 comments
7 years ago
Data protection policyTerms and conditionsDisclaimerPrivacy policyRefund policy
The asq:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.