What is the validity requirement for a passport when applying for a visa extension in Thailand?

Sep 26, 2023
a year ago
George ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
May i know what is the validity of your passport for the visa renewal in Thailand?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
In Thailand, there is no process referred to as "visa renewal." Instead, one can apply for an extension of stay. There are no specific limitations on passport validity, but the extension cannot exceed the validity of the passport.
Ellie *******
There is no "visa renewal" inside Thailand.

You may mean an application for an extension of stay. Then, there is no limit on the validity of your passport to apply. But an extension will be only until your passport if it's earlier than the extension period.
George ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ellie ******
Yes, I mean for an extension of stay based on teaching. I renew that each year. Some of my friends told me that I can't renew the extension of stay if my passport is valid less than six months.
Ellie *******
@George *****
, you can apply for an extension on your passport valid for less than 6 months, but you only get the extension same as the passport validity. Then you need to apply for a new 1-year extension when you get your new passport. Your annual extension timing will be changed because of that.
George ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ellie ******
Thank you very much for that information. Now, everything is clear. Really appreciated.
Morice *******
@Ellie ******
FYI, I have renewed my visit inside Thailand for the past decade ๐Ÿคก๐Ÿ˜ฑ
Roberto *********
@Morice ******
Cannot renew a visa. Either you get an extension inside Thailand OR you get a NEW visa outside.
Conny *****************
@Morice ******
A visa grants you permission to cross a border. Nothing else. Depending on the visa class (or in some cases the exception from the requirement for a visa), Thailand grants a duration during which you are permitted to stay inside Thailand. This duration is indicated in your passport. Extending the permission to stay doesn't extend your visa.

So, to summarize, if you have a single entry visa and show up at the border, you will end up having permission to stay inside Thailand, but you will no longer have a valid visa.

Hope this helps.
Tod *********
@Morice ******
common misconception and a case of bad terminology, ๐Ÿ˜•

people don't ever renew a VISA not inside or outside the country.

inside the country you apply for an extension, it's issued for a specific time (usually a year) then you go back to the immigration office and apply for a NEW extension all over again,

and

you do that year after year after year, daisy chaining the "extensions of stay" together one after another all tracing back to the original visa that expired long ago
Ellie *******
@Morice ******
, No you haven't. Check your stamps. Those annual stamps should say "EXTENSION OF STAY PERMITTED UP TO xxx (date)" in the first part.
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