What concierge-type visa services are available in Phuket for extending a 30-day exemption visa, and how soon can I apply after arrival?

Jul 31, 2021
3 years ago
Jae *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi new member just joined 😃😃

Question: In Phuket, are there any "concierge type" visa services that someone can recommend to help me apply for a 30 day extension of my 45 day exempt visa?

What I mean by concierge type is either the service does the extension for you or sends someone to accompany you through the process. I've seen this type of service available to help foreigners renew their drivers licenses, file legal documents, etc... I don't speak Thai and don't feel comfortable going to the immigration office by myself.

Also, anyone know how soon after I arrive in Phuket am I allowed to apply for the extension?

Thanks to all
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The post asks for recommendations for concierge-type visa services in Phuket to help with applying for a 30-day extension of a 45-day visa exemption. Several comments suggest that it is unnecessary to hire an agency for this process, as it is quite straightforward. They mention the presence of English-speaking volunteers at the immigration office who can assist. The comments also clarify that applicants can apply for the extension at any time within 45 days before their current visa expires.
****
I’m not a fan of IMMIGRATION myself....Thailand needs to clean up that Dept...Always something, some key things you’ll need to know amongst others, even if you’re paying someone.....

1) Cost 1900 Baht

2)TM 7 ( Extension Form Filled Out)

3) TM 30 (Hotel Address)...This one can be a Bitch as Hotels are not filling these out online per Thai Law. Has caused me delays in Changmai & Phang Nga

4) Copies of critical passport pages

5) 2 Passport Photos

If you pay someone they’ll probably ask for this info. just a heads up 🙂🙂🙂🙂
Tod *********
Well, believe me you're not gonna be the FIRST foreigner to go to the immigration office to get a 30 day extension on a visa exempt entry and I'd say dial back your discomfort and paranoia a couple notches, put on your big boy pants, suck it up and just go apply for the 1900baht 30 day extension. ;)
Carl ***********
Go immigration most Thai will understand you anyway, Ive done extension etc by myself no issues
Braulio *********
You children need to get along b
Paul *****************
If you cannot do this easy Things alone then better stay home or ask Mother for helping you.
Yoana ******************
@Paul ****************
And perhaps you should just shut up if you don't have anything valuable to say. Added a photo for you which I normally share with my primary students but it seems you missed it during your childhood.

Jae Huang I will be back on Monday 10th and I will be very happy to assist you to Phuket Town immigration and help you out.
Paul *************
Lazy or mega rich…. One of the 2
Jae *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Paul ************
Thank you for your shortsighted opinion. Just because you've done this before and feel that it's easy does not give you the right to judge someone else's reason to want help doing it - especially when you don't know the reasoning or the whole story behind why I want to.

Why would anyone hire a travel agency if you could do everything yourself? Some people are more comfortable with it.

Why would anyone hire a taxi when you can just drive yourself? Some situations warrant that decision.

I could call someone "lazy or mega rich" for hiring someone to do ANYTHING without knowing why... But then I'd be like you...

Posting your opinion criticizing my choice without considering why I asked this to begin with. It's people like you that make others not want to post their questions on groups or forums because they don't want to give fuel to bored trolls that don't think before they type.
Ted ********
Jae Huang best to ignore these types of people. Do not engage.
Stuart *********
Phuket allows extensions 45 days prior to the due date. There is no disadvantage going early as the 30 days is added to your existing “allowed to stay” stamp.
Stuart *********
There is absolutely no reason to pay an agent to do a 30 day extension off a TR visa or visa exempt. You fill out one form, the TM7 (downloadable online) have one passport photo and 1,900 baht. A copy of your passport data page, a copy of your entry stamp and a copy of your TM6 (the little white card probably stapled into your passport when you arrived). Takes maybe 20 minutes depending on how many people are in the queue before you.
Jae *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
I've been emotionally scarred for life by Thai immigration so I'd rather hire someone to do this for me.
Tod *********
Jae Huang I'd say dial back the "I am a victim, I an emotionally scarred" rhetoric a bit :P :O

Remember what Tallahassee said in Zombieland.
Oliver *************
@Jae ******
Stick to Your Guns Facebook messenger Thai Visa .com Helped me With my first Retired Visa As i Had tried Twice With Phang -Nga Immigration and Couldn't Wouldn't Speak to me in English So i Know what you Mean
Benjamin ******
>I don't speak Thai and don't feel comfortable going to the immigration office by myself.

No, please don't use an agency. It's simple it's easy. ALL the immigration officers MUST meet a basic TOEIC score of 400 points, so they can speak SOME English. If you're in a tourist heavy immigration office (Phuket, Pattaya, Samui, etc), they should have native English speaking volunteers who will help you out.

I *NEVER* heard of ANYONE who entered on a 45 day visa exempt or 60 day tourist visa being rejected for a 30 day extension of stay. It DOES NOT happen. Period.
John ********
@Benjamin *****
they speak english
Sacha ****
@Benjamin *****
I'm in Samui, trust me there are not any English speaking volunteers at all.
Michael ********
@Sacha ***
there is an opportunity for you then
Jae *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Benjamin *****
in Pattaya immigration office, I tried to extend my visa myself the first time and I got yelled at by the lady behind the first counter because I had the "wrong form" or something... Couldn't tell what she was yelling at me, only that she was mad that I wasted her time and pointed me towards a table with a hundred forms, all in Thai. That's the last time I go to the immigration office alone. I've ALWAYS paid an agency to do it for me.
Benjamin ******
Jae Huang I know you're not a member of the group, but you also were *NOT* rejected for a 30 day extension of stay based on tourism. If a person is rejected, they are given a 7 day extension of stay denied stamp. You were just verbally told to submit a different set of forms.
Philip **********
@Jae ******
I know the girl you’re talking about. She has an attitude problem. I stay away from her. I usually just go to the security guard in front of where she sits. Besides, you probably took her away from her cell.
Jae *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Philip *********
thanks that makes me feel better. Phuket may be different. I just don't wanna go through that stress again. Look at it this way. Driving is easy, but sometimes I wanna hire a driver.
Tod *********
Jae Huang that you've always paid an agency doesn't mean that's something you should continue to do.
Michael ********
Jae Huang Phuket is different slthough i havent been for four years, but 1 bit of advice remember to wear respectful clothing no singlets or shorts
Bobby ********
Michael Dawson. I've found that wearing "respectable" clothes (long pants, collared shirt) when dealing with ANY Thai government department makes a world of difference. Somehow the "Bad Boys Go To Pattaya" T-Shirts don't cut the ice!
Michael ********
@Bobby *******
same all over the world in Brazil they wont let you into immigration without trousers shirt and shoes.
Bobby ********
The 30-day extension of a visa exempt is one of the easiest transactions you'll do at an immigration office. You don't need to pay an agent thousands of baht to hold your hand
Lisa ********************
It's so easy. Just turn up at immigration office with your passport. And 1900bt They guide you through the process.
John *********
Agency
Michael ********
Phuket has volunteers at the immigration office in Phuket town made up of expats, they can help guide you through a very simple and easy process. No need to pay anyone to assist
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