What are the rules for extending a 45-day visa exemption in Thailand and how long will it last?

Nov 10, 2022
2 years ago
Karine *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello, I arrived in Thailand on a British passport and got a 45-day visa exemption stamp. I would like to extend. If I apply for an extension on day 40 (for example) will the extension start on day 41 or day 46? Is it better to wait until day 44 to apply for the extension? Do you know how many days the extension will be for and how much it will cost? 45 is handwritten in pen next to my visa stamp. Thanks :)
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A British passport holder in Thailand with a 45-day visa exemption can apply for a visa extension for 30 days, regardless of whether they apply on day 40 or day 44. The cost of the extension is 1,900 baht. The 45-day visa exemption has been temporarily increased until March 2023, and the number 45 is hand-written due to the usual stamp being for 30 days. Different immigration offices may have varying guidelines on when you can apply for an extension, with some locations allowing applications up to 10 days before the expiration.
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Steve *******
@Eran ************
Just walk across the border and back, no need to fly anywhere.
Eran *************
Get cheap flight to Malaysia/Singapore and fly back in and get another 45 days
Mma *******
Not what the OP is asking. He is asking about the +30.
Eran *************
@Mma ******
yes but if a person wants to stay longer, why pay to stay 30 days when you can renter and stay 45?
Karine *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Eran ************
Because, among other things, some of us are closer to an immigration office than an international airport with cheap flights. And taking excessive flights is bad for the environment.
Mma *******
@Eran ************
yes ok I see your logic.
Marc ********
I saw an agent in Pattaya offering extention 45 days for 3500b

I wonder if this is a border run
Stuart *********
@Marc *******
almost certainly. There is no extension for 45 days. Period. An agent can’t offer something that doesn’t exist. Probably advertising a border bounce to get another 45 days (visa exempt).
Marc ********
@Stuart ********
Yes that's what I thought. Well the sign says 45 days🤷‍♂️
Stuart *********
@Marc *******
Do you have a picture?
Marc ********
@Stuart ********
I will make one tomorrow
Stuart *********
Marc ********
@Stuart ********
I hope I find it again😄
Stuart *********
@Marc *******
If a Facebook post highly unlikely.
Marc ********
@Stuart ********
No it was on second road. Near the intersection where they have the little Police house.

Where the 10b bus/tuk tuk/pick up truck wait for passengers going Jomtien
Martyn ***********
As Stuart says... But different immigrations have different 'guidelines' on how early you can do it.. I'm told pattaya/Jomtien is 10 days before...
Stuart *********
@Martyn **********
Yes. For ages we’ve heard the same thing. However a few posts this past week seem to suggest that they’ve changed that policy. Whether temporary or not we will have to wait and see.

If anyone has used Jomtien to get an extension recently we’d love to hear from you.
Martyn ***********
@Stuart ********
changed to what mate? I've a buddy over who needs to do it and is nattering.... 🙄
Stuart *********
@Martyn **********
That you can now do an extension (TR/Exempt) up to 30 days out as per most other offices.
Stuart *********
I’m only going off of posts/comments I see here and on other visa forums. No direct experience.
Martyn ***********
@Stuart ********
ok... I've a feeling it will depend on who, when and how they feel.... 555
Stuart *********
@Martyn **********
Quite possibly. Take some donuts to hand around. May not change the outcome but will almost certainly be welcome….
Stuart *********
Extension would be for 30 days. The cost is 1,900 baht. Whether you go on day 20, 30 or 40 is irrelevant. The 30 days will be added to your current “admitted to stay” date.

The 45 in pen is because the usual stamp is for 30 days. Temporarily it’s been changed to 45 days until March ‘23. Rather than replace all the stamps they just hand write 45.
Karine *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
I was hoping for a 45-day extension. Thanks for the information, though.
Stuart *********
@Karine ******
Quite a number of people have erroneously posted as such and confused many. Extensions never changed. Just the number of days initially allowed on entry.

If you want to stay longer you can go a border bounce to another country and come back for a further 45 days (+30 if needed).
Karine *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
OK, thanks.
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