What options are available for extending a tourist visa in Thailand and switching to a student visa?

Thailand Visa Extension Tourist Visa COVID Extension Student Visa Visa Documents Visa Types Expats in Thailand

Feb 22, 2022

3 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi all, 

Few questions from my side: 

1 - My gf (French national) arrived on a (normal) tourist visa (60 days) and will need to renew her visa before 6 March.  I'm guessing she can only request for an additional 30 days before she would need to leave the country, or are there any other ways for her to extend longer or ask for another type of visa (STV) ? Also where does she need to go for renewing her visa and what documents does she need to provide?

2 - If she would move to a student visa, what are the possibilities other than learning Thai or Muay Thai? Is there a list somewhere or how does that work?  I know she'd prefer yoga over Muay Thai, but don't think that works out?

Thanks!

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A user is seeking advice on how their girlfriend, a French national on a 60-day tourist visa, can extend her stay in Thailand, specifically inquiring about options for extending her visa beyond the initial 60 days and whether she can switch to a student visa for courses like yoga. Responses include that she can apply for a 30-day extension at the immigration office and possibly a COVID extension for an additional 60 days. Suggestions also mention that the student visa allows for various courses, but it's important for her to genuinely attend classes to avoid issues.

Sophie *********

I entered on a TV. Extended for 30 and then extended for 60. Going in to see if I can get another 60 soon...

3 years ago

Thomas ****

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Sophie ********

interesting, keep me posted!

3 years ago

Reply to

Thomas ****

Virgile ************

For the students visa, you can do pretty much everything. Cooking, learning Thai, yoga... But a lot of people abused the system and now they check if people are really doing the courses.

3 years ago

Thomas ****

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Virgile ***********

my gf would follow the courses if it was like cooking or yoga, but how do you know which places take care of requesting the student visa? I have only come across learning thai or muay thai schools

3 years ago

Virgile ************

@Thomas ***

you need to contact them

3 years ago

Reply to

Virgile ************

Stuart *********

Can’t help with part 2.

You’d need to say where you are in thailand so we can advise which office.

She can apply for the 30 day tourist extension once.

If they are still selling the covid extension she could apply for that for an extra 60 days. Many offices will require you to get the regular extension first before applying for a Covid one.

The last date currently for a Covid extension is March 25th. She could apply for a tourist extension now and then on or before the 25th apply for a Covid one. She’d probably lose the remaining days off the tourist extension though.

3 years ago

Thomas ****

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Stuart ********

thanks for this info. We live in Bangkok (sukhumvit), so could you tell us which is the best office to go to?

3 years ago

Thomas ****

ORIGINAL POSTER

Great, thanks again!

3 years ago

Stuart *********

@Thomas ***