What documents do I need to extend my 30-day tourist visa in Thailand to a year?

Sep 14, 2023
a year ago
Lee ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi guys, i will be arriving in Thailand shortly on a tourist 30 day visa exemption and will be looking to extend my visit to a year with a visa extension. What documents should I bring to Thailand?.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
To extend your 30-day tourist visa in Thailand to a longer stay, it's important to first apply for a Non-Immigrant visa, as you cannot directly extend a tourist visa exemption into a one-year visa. You usually need to apply for a 90-day Non-Immigrant visa in-country, which requires certain documents and a fee of 2000 baht. Make sure you have at least 15 days left on your tourist visa before applying. After obtaining the 90-day Non-Immigrant visa, wait for 2 months to apply for a year extension at a fee of 1900 baht, ensuring your funds in a bank account are seasoned for the required period.
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Robert *******
Why not apply for the Non Immigrant O visa based on being over 50 years of age (retirement) before travel to Thailand?

You get 90 days of stay, have already the correct visa to open a bank account, it makes live a little easier.
Jonas *************
@Robert ******
what's the requirement of that visa when abroad?
Tod *********
@Jonas ************
go to the embassy you're thinking of applying at and READ the requirements ๐Ÿ˜‰
Tod *********
You have the sequence of how it works out of whack a bit

You can't get a one year extension from a free 30 day visa exempt entry. ๐Ÿ™

You FIRST have to apply for an in country 90 day Non-Immigrant type visa by meeting the requirements for what ever reason you're applying for

At most offices you need a minimum of 15 days left on your current stamp to apply (because the application goes under review for 2 weeks) before you go back to get the Non-Imm visa and the new 90 day stamp inked in. The in country Non-Imm visa is 2000baht

THEN once you get that you wait 2 months until you have 30 days or less left on your 90 day stamp and your funds are seasoned in the bank account for 2 months. You apply for the year extension for 1900baht
James ********
I just deleted a reply suggesting the use of a Thai Visa Agent... we will have NO mention of any use of a Thai Visa Agent on this forum. Period ! This is a forum devoted to those who wish to obtain the Thai Visa yourself.
Chang ****
@James *******
well said
Lee ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
Thank you, as it is my intention to retire to Thailand i shall be applying for all that you have mentioned. My question to you is what documentation, other than my passport and driving licence, do i need to bring with me from Britain to facilitate this process.
Alex ********
which country you from Lee? if you have the ability to apply for a tourist e-visa do that and when it comes through and you're in the country just do a border run when you want to start it
Lee ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I understand you
Alex ********
@Lee **********
To add what Todd said one of the hurdles you're going to have is getting a bank account in thailand that quickly - most wont let you get it on a 30 day exempt but some will on a tourist. (Bangkok bank) is very friendly however you'd need a certificate of residency and to buy their insurance depending where you go before you can open up a bank acc
Lee ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Alex *******
thanks Alex.
Tod *********
@Lee **********
, you need to get here, get a place and then open a bank account and get the 800K baht transferred in as quickly as possible so you don't run out of time on the free 30 day entry stamp you will come in on (although you can get a 30 day extension on that free entry one time for 1900baht to buy you a little more time).

I'd say once you're here, GO to the immigration office in the area where you live and get the hand out listing the requirements for the Non-O 90 day visa.

Then you will know what you need document wise, but you won't need anything from the UK other than your passport.
Lee ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
Thank you so much. I didn't want to arrive in Thailand without all the relevant documentation.
Stephen *********
@Lee **********
getting a Thai bank account is the issue.
Lee ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stephen ********
Thank you Stephen, i understand.
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