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What documents are needed for a visa extension in Thailand, and which immigration office should I visit?

Feb 19, 2025
a year ago
Have to extend or do a border run soon, but would rather do an extension so my questions are to those who extended recently:

* Which office did you go to?

* What are all the documents needed?

The 1900 baht is a lot cheaper than the cost of doing a border run/flying in and out. I don't want to waste a day going to the immigration office and miss a piece of paperwork. I'm sure this is asked a lot but haven't found a concrete answer yet about extending, many people just suggesting a border run. Thank you.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses the need for a visa extension as the user wishes to avoid a border run. They seek answers about which immigration office to visit and the necessary documents for the extension. Responses suggest contacting the local immigration office for specific requirements, emphasizing the importance of having original application paperwork and mentioning a bank balance requirement. There's also a debate about the timing of the extension application, with advice both for doing it early and caution against last-minute applications.
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Stuart *********
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Stuart *********
P.s. if anyone has a better copy of this then please post here. The one in my office is even worse.
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Henrik *****
Only a part of it
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Henrik *****
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Stuart *********
Of the one application for an extension that I’ve seen they decided to fly to Malaysia and back instead.
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Stuart *********
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Calvin ******
I appreciate it may be cheaper and if you meet the requirements to extend it in country, then why do it thru a border run. But, for your sanity and avoiding the hassle of trying to find out what documents etc, I’ll be the first to say it on here…. Just do the border run 😅✌️
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Pedro **********
@Calvin *****
which agency did you choose? In bangkok?
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Calvin ******
@Pedro *********
couldn’t advise for Bangkok I’m sorry
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Calvin ******
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Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Calvin *****
Yeah I actually am making a trip out to Ubon Ratchathani so I think I'm just going to do a overnight border run to Pakse. Visa on Arrival is 2000 baht, so thats the same as the extension. Only a little more for a hotel/transport/food.
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James ********
@Calvin *****
wise advice ✅
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Gee *****
@Calvin *****
to Cambodia? So you have to pay 4000 THB and the price of a Cambo visa as well? It would've been cheaper staying on a tourist visa!
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Calvin ******
@Gee ****
I’m just giving an option, he’s already confused before he’s started. People are different, convenience and cost, come hand in hand.. ✌️
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James ********
@Gee ****
that's an option. Good Luck 🍀
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James ********
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John *******
I believe you need to submit at least a month in advance. Do you still have time?
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Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John ******
March 9th is my expiry stamp
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Stuart *********
@John ******
Where did you read that? For many offices that’s the earliest you can apply. You can apply on the last day if you wish - but not advisable.
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John *******
@Stuart ********
Ok, maybe you can go on the last day, but it looks like it took then 15 days to consider. This poster a few weeks ago received a 15 “under consideration” stamp while they review.
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Stuart *********
@John ******
Perhaps so. Each office will be different but an “under consideration” stamp is sort of like an extension until that date stamp. You won’t be on overstay with that stamp. It’s usually because the office doesn’t have the authority to issue a stamp without approval from their HQ. So they send off the docs and await approval. Not always the case but generally so.
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John *******
@Stuart ********
that was the Bangkok office
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Stuart *********
@John ******
My guess is that that stamp was more of a “we have no clue what we’re doing here” so a delay tactic to try to figure it out. Bangkok and Phuket (probably other offices) have been asked by me and others numerous times in the past months. Up until about two weeks ago it was always “we don’t know yet”.
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Stuart *********
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Chow ******
@John ******
I have extended the day after. Just pay the 500 baht fine
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Chow ******
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David ********
Go to the immigration office near you and ask. How do people know here what every office requires cause for sure they will be different. Mine is due in June and l already asked at my imagination office. They said l can come 45 days before expiry. So you have time to collect documents. They indicated the same docs as when you applied. So it's not difficult.
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Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David *******
Yeah the main immigration office division 1 is about an hour away, and just based on my first experience there for the 90 day report, it was a long day. I tried calling multiple times throughout the day but no answer.
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David ********
Anonymous participant you better go there it's good to develop a good relationship at you local office try to find the one who has best English and stick with them
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David ********
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Wannikea *********
Basically you need all the original application paperwork, 500k in the bank for a month, TM30 filed within the immigration office jurisdiction where you will apply. You can't go immigration office shopping.
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Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Right If I do go the extension route ill end up having to go to the big immigration building here in Bangkok.
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James ********
@Wannikea ********
Correct ✅
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Kristian ******************************
@Wannikea ********
and we agree that this isn’t necessary (applying for extension with all the paperwork) if we just make sure to leave at minimum every 180 days plus make the 90 days reporting, right?
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Wannikea *********
@Kristian *****************************
only someone with masochistic tendencies would do an extension.
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Wannikea *********
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Greg ********
@Wannikea ********
Only thing I would add is some offices have more rigorous residence requirements than others. The Krabi one for example. Best to check with local office.
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Greg ********
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