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What are the options for extending a tourist visa in Thailand if it expires on a closed Immigration office day?

Thai tourist visa Visa extension Immigration rules Overstay Phuket Visa expiration

May 12, 2018

7 years ago

Claudine ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi. My friend is on a single entry tourist visa that expires on 14 May (Monday). She was planning to extend it for another 30 days at Immigration (Phuket) but just found out they're  closed on Monday. 

My understanding is she won't be able to extend that visa on Tuesday, as it will have already expired, and she's essentially overstayed. As far as I can see, she has no option but leave the country and come back on a 30 day exemption stamp ora new tourist visa.  Can someone can confirm or suggest other options.  Thanks in advance

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A friend is concerned about their single entry tourist visa expiring on a Monday when the Immigration office in Phuket is closed. The general consensus is that if she visits the office the day after its closure, she can still extend her visa without incurring an overstay fine, as long as she doesn't delay applying for too long. Some users also mention that it's safer to apply for an extension before the visa almost runs out to avoid such issues.

Tom ***********

no just go 1 day later and pay 500 bath easy. so in total 2400. (1900) for 30 day i did many times relax

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Tom ***********

ok well here in mahasarakham have a big sign. with all the prices just trying to help

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Tod *********

That is incorrect

:/ One more time, IF your stamp expires on a day the immigration office is closed (weekends or holidays) and you go the next day they're open you do NOT get fined for overstay.

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Claudine ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

👍

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Claudine ********

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Tod *********

Here is someone who had their stamp expire on a holiday and they got an overstay stamp but no fine. then they got their 30 day extension

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Tod *********

you can also tell your friend that there is NO need to wait for her stamp to almost expire before she goes to get an extension. Most offices let people apply for an extension up to 30 days early and you don't lose any time by applying early because they ADD the extension on to your expiration date.

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Christine ***********

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Samai *********

Tod is right !

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Tod *********

, in this instance it won't matter in the least because the person is actually going to be on overstay as their stamp expired on Monday ;) So whether they date it Monday or Tuesday they have no choice, they're out of time

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Christine ***********

first time i saw it last month. So i guess thats why some people wait untill the last day before they extend. Happened here in Hatyai anyway

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Tod *********

I have had people tell me that but I have never ever seen it in the many hundreds of passports I've seen with extensions over the years.

Every one I've seen has had the extension added to the date a current stamp expires. :/

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Christine ***********

Tod Daniels yes that happended to me. I went a day after the holiday and they waived the fee. I just added that if you extent a exempt stamp early they dont always add the 30 days extension on the original date. They sometimes add the 30 days on the day you go to extend it, even if its a week or 2 away from expiring

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Christine ***********

no he went a week before it expired

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Tod *********

I am 100% sure that if your stamp expires on a holiday or weekend and you go the very next day they're open you can get your extension like normal.

They will put a stamp in your passport that says "overstay fine waived due to holiday" but they still give you the extension.

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Tod *********

, If his visa expired on the 7th and he went on the 1st he waited almost an entire MONTH before he went to get an extension didn't he?

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Christine ***********

They didnt just add to the expired date for my brother in law. His visa expired on the 7th. He went to extent it on the 1st and he had to leave the country on the 1st. This was a few months ago. :(

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Claudine ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Oh that's good news, thank you. 🙂

I did suggest she go last week (I was going myself anyway) but she didn't want to.

Thanks for clarifying

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Claudine ********

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Tod *********

Sorry, that is not right. ;)

IF your stamp expires on a day the immigration office is closed (weekends or holidays) AND you go the very next day they're open you can get an extension like normal and will NOT be charged for overstay.

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Tod *********

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