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What are the visa extension options for a family in Thailand after a 30-day visa exemption?

Visa ExtensionVisa ExemptionThailand ImmigrationVisa RegulationsTravel to CambodiaFamily TravelTravel Advice
June 18, 2023
a year ago
Liz *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
We are a family of five just arrived in Thailand. Once our 30 days is up, we were planning to go to Cambodia for three weeks before returning for another month to Thailand. However, we have decided we would rather cut that down to one week and spend longer in Thailand. This will mean we will need a visa extension on top of the 30 days we get when we come back to thailand from cambodia (in order to time with our departure date home).

My questions are:

1. do we have to apply for the visa extension right near the expiry date of the 30 day visa exemption stamp date or can we do it at any time during the 30 days?

2. Are the only places you you can apply for the extension the Bangkok Laksi office or the 3 Phuket offices? Or are there other locations?

Thanks so much in advance for any guidance šŸ˜Š
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A family arriving in Thailand under the 30-day visa exemption is considering a visa extension after their stay is up. They want to know the timing of applying for the extension and where they can apply. Responses indicate that extensions can typically be applied for within 30 days prior to expiration, but some locations have specific rules requiring applications only in the last week of validity. Immigration offices are available in every province, and the closest one should be used if not in Bangkok. The family is encouraged to go out of Thailand and return to get another 30-day visa exempt entry.
Lisa ********************
a year ago
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Alan *********
Hi Liz, my post was just about the costs of going in and out of Thailand, just wait until youā€™ve done 30 days exempt then go to Cambodia on your return any extension will cost 1,900 baht each and it would be better to go to immigration closer to the end of the 30 day exemption as sometimes when you go early they ask you to come back again nearer to the end of your 30 days
a year ago
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Graham ******
@Alan ********
 Only certain offices e.g. Jomtien & Samui
a year ago
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Graham ******
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Cliff *********
Your FB page is pretty empty.

Presumably you are from a Western country and are Visa Exempt and not trying to live in Thailand.

You will be stamped in as Visa Exempt for 30 days.

Go out to Cambodia and do it again no worries.

Have a nice trip and donā€™t overthink this.
a year ago
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Liz *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Cliff ********
 thanks for the info. Not sure what the comment is about my FB page though or the relevance šŸ§
a year ago
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Liz *******
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Alan *********
Once you leave Thailand your visa will finish, if you renew the 30 day visa before you leave you will have to pay 1,200 baht each-for a re entry visa as well as 1,900 baht each for your 30day extension, just have your 30 days on arrival for free go out the country for a week then get another 30 day on arrival visa when you come back again for free, I have just visited Singapore for 3 days in the last week so this information is current.
a year ago
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Liz *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Alan ********
 this is a bit confusing to meā€¦ we are visa exempt as I mentioned in my post. So I guess this scenario doesnā€™t apply?
a year ago
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Wayne *********
@Liz ******
 You can extend a exempt by 30 days at immigration office cost is 1900baht giving you 60days total on exempt entries. Any questions feel free to dm
a year ago
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Wayne *********
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Wayne *********
@Alan ********
 except they don't get a 30 day visa on arrival. They get a 30 day visa exempt stamp
a year ago
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Wayne *********
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Andy **********
Doesn't it mean you need to get a proper visa before entry to Thailand. You don't get a 30 day via entry. You get 30 days visa free.
a year ago
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Kool *******
When you check into your hotel in Thailand the hotel sends what's called a TM 30 address registration to immigration within 24 hours of your arrival at their hotel. At that point you would use the closest immigration office to your hotel if you are not in Bangkok. In Bangkok you use the Lak Si office.
a year ago
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Paul *******
@Kool ******
 you got me thinking...( and you.ve provided answers for me before)

You say when you check into a hotel, the hotel sends a TM 30 report to immigration. I.m curious about this as I hope to be trying to go through the process of getting an Non O, (not NonOA )and I.m curious about knowing if ALL HOTELS are obligated to send a TM 30 when someone checks in.

Does this apply to travelers who are flying in on the free 30 day exemption? Do the hotels send in a report then as well?

Finally, as I will want to get a Non O, I.ll get most likely a METV online when I.m back in the Usa end of this year. After flying into Thailand with a METV, and checking in a hotel, can I presume the hotel will send in a TM 30 report, and I might be able to use that address to open a bank account? (Or for example, would one need to be checked in a hotel on a Non O, to use a hotel TM 30 report, to open a bank account?

Thanks...you seem to be a very good straight shooter in infošŸ‘
a year ago
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Paul *******
Ok...good info again. Gottcha...

Better to start with an O visa....I can get that from the Thai consulate in Cambodia. However, one

of the previous posts stated that I can most likely get only a Non OA ( needing the insurance, which I.d rather avoid) from the consulate here in Cambodia. I.ll find that out fairly soon.

And yeah, according to other posts, it appears easier to get a bank account outside of Bkk. Some said the did open an account with a tourist visa, but outside of Bkk.

I would get opening a bank account on a Non O or a Non OA would still be possible? Any feedback on if the Non O or OA would make a difference in getting the account?
a year ago
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Kool *******
@Paul ******
 anyplace you stay, whether it is a hotel, or just a friend's home, they must file a TM30 within 24 hours, and no, you can't use this as address verification. You will need a residency certificate from immigration to open a bank account, and in Bangkok they will not issue one until you've done at least one 90 day report, and as a result you'll never do one on a tourist visa, as you have to leave the country after your 60+30 is up. You might find a bank branch that will open one for you without it, but you'll really have to search, and maybe more than just Bangkok. You're best option is to get your type O visa before you enter Thailand, instead of the METR. That gets you a 90 day entry stamp, and much easier to get your bank account, and 2 months of your bt800,000 transferred to it. What bank branches require can change greatly when you've already got a retirement visa, in order to get your one year extension. All the TM30 does is register where you are staying in Thailand at the moment, as a new one must be filed with each move to a new address you make. It's getting much harder to get a bank account on a tourist visa.
a year ago
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Paul *******
@Kool ******
 ment to say: I would bet opening a bank account on a Non O or Non OA, would still be possible?

In other words, does either of those two visas make it easier or more difficult?
a year ago
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Kool *******
@Paul ******
 no difference really.
a year ago
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Paul *******
@Kool ******
 ok...thanks
a year ago
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Paul *******
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Brandon ************
1) That depends on where you are. Most offices allow you to apply when you have 30 days or less left on your stamp, but some (Samui, Jomtien) only allow you to apply during the last week.

2) Every province in Thailand has at least 1 immigration office.
a year ago
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Brandon ************
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