What is the duration of the visa extension for visiting Thai family?

Nov 3, 2022
2 years ago
Henrik ****
ORIGINAL POSTER
What is the experience about extension on the basis of visit to family?

Some say 90 days at BKK Immigration. Others say 60 days at most other Immigrations.

As far as I can find there is no authoritative rule for it...
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The extension for visiting Thai family is typically 60 days, as supported by community experiences. There is confusion with some claims of a 90-day extension which are inaccurate. This extension can be applied for only once per entry and is dependent on the immigration office, particularly noting that applying on a tourist visa or visa-exempt status may affect the total days remaining.
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Stuart *********
You can apply for this extension once per entry on a valid visa/exempt entry. Perhaps where you saw 90 days was where someone applied for a in country non O based on having a Thai spouse or child.
Henrik ****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
, no, it was actually in the group that Brandon refers to as a way to reestablish the deposit of funds for the Non-O extension, which will not be possible in only 60 days.
Stuart *********
@Henrik ***
Not quite sure what you’re meaning here. If you already have a Non O then you’ll be stamped in for 90 days. You need 2 months prior to an extension to have funds in the account. If applying for an in country Non O then there is no requirement for seasoning funds. Perhaps it’s in reference to Jontiem immigration where they say there is. Except there isn’t.
Henrik ****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
, the discussion was about the situation where you have a Non-O and apply for an annual extension but for some reason, you messed up with the seasoning of funds, and need to reestablish the deposit for 2 months before applying for the Non-O extension.
Stuart *********
@Henrik ***
Ah ok. You can use a “visit Thai family“ extension for that.
Henrik ****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
, that is exactly what I am asking about. If you only get 60 days on "visit Thai family" then it will not really be possible...
Steven ***************
@Henrik ***
. I have personally done this for same reason.. Yearly spouse extension -> 60 day visit family extension -> yearly spouse extension. As said above you can only use it once per visa/extension combo.

If you've left it to the last minute and the 60 days isn't enough to fill the funds gap then you're out of options other than getting a fresh visa from outside Thailand and re entering to buy the extra time. This was all explained to me thoroughly by a senior imm officer at Changwattana face to face.
Henrik ****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steven **************
, yes, I guess most find out when they apply for the extension. Then hopefully you did that leaving time enough using a 60-day family extension.
Steven ***************
@Henrik ***
. Always pays to go at least a few days early for extensions, this is a classic example why. Forgotten or incorrect paperwork can cause same issue, yet alone funds.

My situation was a little different . I was due to return to Australia same time my yearly extension was expiring. Was going to get a new visa in Aust and return on that because of funds, (much lower financial requirement ). 4 days before I was due to fly out my wife was rushed to hospital. I wanted to stay here for her but didn't have the 400k in 2 months. Went to immigration and explained situation. They bent over backwards to help me and said that I can have a 60 day extension. I organized the 400k immediately and when the 60 day ext was due to expire they gave me another yearly spouse extension with no issue. It's all about being prepared for the unexpected. Going early buys you time.
Stuart *********
@Henrik ***
You’ll have been given a certain amount of days on entry depending on your entry method. You can add to that with the visit family extension and that should allow you to clear any seasoning requirements. If you’ve really messed up and left it to the last day on your entry stamp then you’d probably need to do a border bounce first to give yourself enough time.
Brandon ************
There is a rule. There's no such thing as a 90 day visit Thai family extension so you can't get what doesn't exist.

The visit Thai family extension is for 60 days. If you're on tourist visa or visa exempt when you apply, you may lose any days you have left as you are applying for a new category of stay and it will start the day you apply but it will depend on the immigration office.
Stuart *********
@Brandon ***********
Not sure where the “you’ll lose any days left” comes from. Perhaps like many things it could be office dependent. I’ve only ever heard that’s it’s added to your existing “allowed to stay” date. As per the infographic.
Brandon ************
@Stuart ********
they were discussing it in the other group yesterday or the day before 🤔
Stuart *********
@Brandon ***********
ok not seen that one before. Probably office dependent like many things.
Henrik ****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
, yes, that is what the pic says also.
Stuart *********
A “visit Thai family” extension is 60 days. There is no interpretation of those rules.
Henrik ****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
, ok, do you have a link to a govt. page with this?
Brandon ************
@Henrik ***
government page doesn't really matter because immigration offices interpret their own rules and do things how they want
Henrik ****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
, true. Some rules do seem to exist to be followed, but I think you are completely right on this one 🙂 The govt. page list this extension by type but with no indication of the limit.
Stuart *********
@Henrik ***
Not a government one but this is the list of requirements to get that extension in Phuket.
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There are probably official government ones out there. I’m sure Google will point you in the right direction.
Henrik ****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
, thanks, but I have not been able to find it at the official govt. site.
Alistair **********
@Henrik ***
government sites don't even advise how long any of their visa extensions are applicable for. I've never seen a 90 family visa extension before. I have seen many many times (as someone this extension is applicable to) 60 day extension tho.
Henrik ****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Alistair *********
, yes, exactly no official rule for many types of extensions. But then, where do those limits come from?
Alistair **********
@Henrik ***
when you get pretty much everyone on a visa advice page telling you something, it's probably accurate. Especially when it includes mods.
Alistair **********
@Henrik ***
didn't say there aren't rules, just said they aren't listed on the gov websites. They are commonly known however.
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