What is the cheapest way to extend a visa in Thailand and should you use an agent?

@Andreas ********

Some years ago, I applied for a 12 month multiple entry non B visa. On it, it said "visa cannot be extended"

I never needed to extend it but I understood this to mean I can't get an extension of stay but would need to leave the country and get a new visa first.

I've since learned a lot more about immigration and what I now understand is that in fact, I could have extended it, but instead of extending the visa, I would have extended one of the 90 day stamps for a year.

@Andreas ********

@เตเต้ *****

Actually the question is wrong – because a „visa“ cannot be extended and will never get “extended”

Even when the paper pushing stamps stomping officers on Thai Immigration call it “visa extension”, all they do is extending a simple “stay permit”

As a “visa” is meant for use when ENTERING their beautiful country, it becomes invalid the moment you used it, so logically, it cannot be extended any more. A "visa" is for entering, and a "stay permit" is for staying in a country.

What you get stamped into your passport at the border, is an “admitted until” stamp, in simple words: “a stay permit”. It is NOT a “visa”

Now let’s assume that 95% of the people who answered you on Facebook, used the wrong wording as well and believe in “visa extensions” . . . . it sometimes makes you wonder if you can ever receive a thumb solid information in a Facebook Group.

It is like the roll of dice

And before I leave the discussion: Yes you can get your “visa” extended on immigration (sorry for using the wrong expression), just get up from your hocks and shuffle to the next immigration to listen to what they say

@Andreas ********

visa = an endorsement granting a temporary stay.

an extension of stay is literally the extension of that endorsement.

Its all in the 1979 Immigration Act.

@เตเต้ *****

a visa lets you ENTER a country. The length of the allowed stay is dependent on the visa category. After you entered, you are inside the country with a stay permit. This is the little red coloured flag-like stamp that says "admitted until" and a date, in the upper right corner the visa-category you used will be marked. The visa ( actually ALL single entry visa) has become INVALID for another use. Therefore it cannot be extended anymore. Immigration can only extend your stay permit. A stay permit is not a visa. . . . a 90 days Non-Imm-O family or retirement visa becomes invalid for another entry/use after the first entry. You can however get a "1-year Extension of Stay Permit" before the 90 days stay permit expire. Immigration calls it "Visa Extension", however they actually do not "extend a visa". It is clearly stated on the stamp you receive - it says "extension of stay permit" - there is NO mention of any "visa"

@Nigel ********

oops, actually I find 88 offices