This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.

What are the implications of applying for a visa extension just before it expires in Thailand?

Sep 2, 2025
13 days ago
Jacquii ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi all, so here's my situation...on September 14, which is a Sunday, my visa runs out. If I could get it extended on that day, all would be fine for my exit from Thailand on October 12. However, because it is a Sunday, I either have to get it extended on the Friday, and then be a day or 2 late when leaving the country or be 1 day late for the extension. My thoughts are it would be best to be a day late asking for an extension but would like to know what would happen either way as I don't want it marked on my passport if avoidable.
1,887
views
2
likes
45
all likes
13
replies
0
images
5
users
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is concerned about their visa expiring on a Sunday and is considering the correct timing for applying for an extension. The community clarifies that applying for an extension does not result in lost time since the extension is added to the existing expiration date, and emphasizes the importance of checking the specific rules of the local immigration office regarding when extensions can be applied for.
Anthony ******
What visa do you have ?
Tod *********
Okay let's sort this out before this thread goes sideways with people whose intentions are good but information might not be ๐Ÿ˜ฎ ๐Ÿ™‚

First - doesn't matter when you apply for a 30 day extension on a 60 day free stamp or 60 day tourist visa entry, the 30 days is always added to the expiration date of the existing stamp. This means there is no advantage to burning down the stamp to the end because you don't lose days by applying early.. ๐Ÿ™‚

As far as WHEN you can apply for the extension that is controlled by the immigration office you use (where you're staying in thailand)

Some offices (Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Samut Prakan, and others) allow you to apply when you have 45 days or less left on your stamp

Most other offices allow you to apply when you have 30 days or less left on your stamp

BUT

A few offices (notably; Jomtien & Samui) only allow you to apply when you have 7 days or less left on your stamp. <- I don't know why they're just renegade in that regard

Also just in case people are wondering

IF your current stamp expires on a day the immigration office is closed <- weekends or holidays, and you go the very next day they are open you can get your extension like normal, you will not be fined for overstay (you will get a stamp in your passport that says "overstay xx days fine waived due to closure") and that won't affect you entering or getting a visa, or getting an extension at all..

Best of luck to the O/P, just GO get the extension this or next week sometime and you'll be fine.
Chris *******
Where are you located ? I had a similar situation recently, was facing a one day overstay, went to Yasothon office and applied 30 day extension which officer said was a "good decision" to avoid a bad report on my file for future marriage visa process

1900 baht well invested
Tod *********
@Chris ******
there is no "bad report" on anyone's' entry/stay history because you have a single day overstay,

in fact when you fly out of the country with an overstay of under 24 hours you don't even get fined OR get the overstay stamp, you get a thai language stamp only that says overstay under 24 hour fine waived"

Even a short overstay doesn't affect you getting a visa/extension or entering the country like people imagine it does
Chris *******
@Tod ********
thanks for that update, I was acting on the advice given by my local office
Tod *********
@Chris ******
no problem at all, immigration is right and you shouldn't have an overstay if you can avoid it but I just wanted people to know a short overstay or a single day isn't really going to affect anything they're doing inside the country
Bob **********
Your extension will start when your current stamp runs out so no time lost I would go now and extend it
Tod *********
I think you're confused a bit.

When you apply for a 30-day extension, that time is added to the expiration date of you current stamp

There is no benefit to wait until your stamp runs out to apply for the extension because you don't lose any time applying early.
Jacquii ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
Ah, I didn't realise that I could get it extended before the end date...that makes things much easier. Thank you!!
Jacquii ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Just to clarify, I can get that anytime now?
Tod *********
@Jacquii *****
At Bangkok/Chiang Mai and a couple other offices you can do it when you have 45 days or less left on your current stamp,

Most of the rest of the offices allow you to do it when you have 30 days or less left on your current stamp

BUT

A couple renegade offices (Jomtiem/Samui) only allow you to apply when you have 7 days or less left on your stamp (dunno why they are just wacky that way)
Jacquii ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
brilliant, I really appreciate the info. I'm in Chiang Mai, so it looks like I'm good to go ๐Ÿ™‚
Tod *********
If you're in Chiang Mai
@Jacquii *****
then you're good to go get the extension any time.

You can use the main immigration office by the airport OR you can go to the satellite immigration office in Central Festival Mall

Either one will do 30 day extensions on free stamp/tourist visa entries
Thai Visa Advice
... members ยท 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