What are the steps to apply for a 30-day extension on a visa-exempt entry in Thailand?

Mar 26, 2023
2 years ago
Roushelle *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Happy Sunday! Advice please!

I arrived on a 45-day visa-exempt and looking to apply for a 30-day extension.

1. Which office do I go to?

1. I have about 28 days left. Should I wait another week to get the extension?

1. Can I apply for an extension in the Hua Hin office, even though I live moved to BKK now?

I have a one-year lease, I really want to learn Thai but the school is full until the end of June. Do I need to bring this lease to get the 30-day extension?

Last year I had the STV so I knew what to bring for my 90 extensions and that was in Hua Hin. A bit lost on the BKK details.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A user is seeking advice on applying for a 30-day extension after entering Thailand on a 45-day visa-exempt status. They inquire about the correct office in Bangkok, the timing for applying for the extension, and if they can extend in a different city from their residency. They also ask about the necessity of providing their lease agreement for the extension. Responses suggest visiting the IT Square Laksi Thai Immigration office in Bangkok, ensuring a TM30 is filed for the current address, and that applications should ideally be made within 14 days of expiry. It is also advised to consider a border run to obtain a new visa exempt entry, especially given the upcoming Thai language school in June.
Kristen *********
We are on exemption in Samui and we were told that we can only extend within 14 days of expiry no sooner.
James ********
@Kristen ********
Each office has its own requirements for the extension of stay. ASK your Thai immigration office for their requirements.

In Bangkok both of the Thai Immigration offices... Including the one that she will use IT Square Laksi Plaza...allow you to apply for extension of stay within 30 days of your ending date.
Kristen *********
@James *******
love all those little differences! Glad your on top of it all!
James ********
@Kristen ********
my Thai Immigration office is Jomtien Immigration office. They will only accept applications for 30 day extensions during the week PRIOR to your current ending date.
James ********
1... As you are now living in Bangkok, you apply for the 30 days extension of stay at the IT SQUARE Laksi Thai Immigration office in Bangkok.

Make sure that a TM30 is on file with Thai Immigration showing your current living address in Bangkok.

As you have been in Thailand this past year on the 9 month STV special tourist visa, and now have recently returned to Thailand Visa EXEMPT, Its likely that the Immigration office will want to see the TM30 filed.

2.. The 30 days are ADDED to your current ending date of your Visa Exempt stamp in your passport. So going now is okay.

Watch out for the Songkran Holiday closings of the Thai Immigration office in April.

3... I have answered your question as to where you need to apply.. it's the IT Square Laksi Plaza Thai Immigration office in Bangkok.

And as an ADDED bit of advice. You indicate that you are to begin Thai language school study in June. That means you will have a gap between the ending date of the ADDED 30 Day extension of stay and the start date of your School.

Time carefully your plan for getting a BORDER BOUNCE to get a new Visa Exempt Entry and its 30 day extension of stay.

As you have a recent history of staying in Thailand using the STV and visa exempt entries with extensions,

DO NOT FLY INTO THAILAND.

Use LAND BORDER BOUNCE entries into Thailand between now and your Ed Visa application which will REQUIRE you to go to a neighbor SE Asia country to obtain.

Suggest you use an experienced border run service company to take you to the Thai border for the Border Bounce and return same day. They know what you need to do and you will get the New Visa Exempt Entry...

Use an experienced border run service company to take you to get the Ed Visa... when you need it.

Suggest you use a Thai Embassy or Consulate in Laos for the Ed Visa.

You will need support documents from your School to the Embassy or Consulate to obtain the Ed Visa.

I wish you success and welcome again to Thailand.

As an aside.

With your creative genius and online marketing skills, you have a future of greatness IMHO.

BEST Wishes for continued success. And I believe that there is an opportunity with Thai retailers to explore while you are here in Thailand.
James ********
Will Macadam when Thai Immigration Officers see the stamps from other Thai Immigration offices, most times they will direct you to the office which ISSUED you the PRIOR stamp.
Roushelle *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@James *******
I honestly have to give you some wifi hugs for the advice, compliment and motivation!! THANK YOU!

I didn't think of the land border crossing vs flying in. If the timing of the ED visa doesn't work out I was considering applying for the 60 TV as I do need to make a trip during the gap time from my extension and school start date.

I am honestly looking into those opportunities.
James ********
@Roushelle ******
watch for the news in coming week... The 45 day visa exempt entry into Thailand has been PROPOSED to be extended thru all of 2023. It's good now thru March 31. From April 1 it's 30 days. Unless extended as PROPOSED.
Roushelle *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@James *******
Got it! Will keep in tune with everything. Oh I sent you a PM!
Steve ********
@James *******
I doubt now it will be extended. There is only five days to go and I think if it were to be extended it would have been announced a while back so people could plan accordingly. When it was introduced there was a lead-in time of about six weeks which gave prospective tourists time to plan their stay.
James ********
Steve Smythe I agree ๐Ÿ’ฏ with you. As parliament is dissolved, it is unlikely that anything will be announced.
James ********
@Roushelle ******
as you are allowed a maximum of 2 LAND BORDER BOUNCE entries into Thailand EACH CALENDAR YEAR

There's no need to get a Thai tourist visa. Just use an experienced border run service company from Bangkok. Tell them your passport nation and recent history of visiting and staying in Thailand. They know what you need to do.
Roushelle *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@James *******
ahh thank you!
Steve ********
Best to make an appointment online, so if it's busy you won't have a long wait
James ********
@Steve *******
thank you for posting this location to the IT Square Laksi Plaza Thai Immigration office
Steve ********
Immigration Office - Short-term VISA

*****************************************
Roushelle *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve *******
thank you!!
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