Answered4 years ago
What options do I have to extend my stay in Thailand beyond my current visa expiration date?
Looking for some advice from you lovely People. We arrived in Thailand on 1st Nov. 45 day visa on arrival. That takes us to 15th Dec. We will be in Chiang Mai from 30th Nov so will extend our visa for another 30 days over there . That takes us to 14th Jan (give or take a day). We plan to stay in Thailand beyond 14th Jan. What are our options at this point to achieve this? Do we simply extend for another 30 days at a Thai visa office or do we have to leave the country and go on one of those Visa runs Im hearing about?
Answer summary
After entering Thailand with a 45-day visa on arrival, which you plan to extend for another 30 days in Chiang Mai, you'll need to consider your options for staying longer than the total of 75 days. You can only extend your initial entry for a maximum of 30 days once. To stay beyond January 14, you'll need to do a border run to obtain a new stamp, where you can either cross into a neighboring country like Malaysia or Cambodia and return, which may give you another 45-day visa. Alternatively, joining a visa run service can facilitate the process for you.
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James *******
I'm lovely.
Alistair **********
You can fly to say Malaysia, then come back same day or however many days you want later and get a new 45 day stamp. Or you can get on a bus with a border run company (google it), they take you to the border in a minivan you cross, stamp out then back in. You can also then extend that 45 day stamp for an extra 30 days again
Nadeem ********
OP@Alistair *********
thanks really useful to hear the different options. What I am clear on now is that at the end of my 45 + 30 day extension period (around 14th Jan), I 100% have to leave the country and come back again to get another 45 days plus 30 days. Can this cycle continue on and on with the tourist visa system? Thailand immigration know it goes on but don’t mind it? I assume I have to take all of my family across the border even on a border run?Alistair **********
@Nadeem *******
you can probably do it once by air, more than that, you will probably get questions asked. You can cross the border by land twice per calendar year. Use a company, they pay a guy at the border so immigration look the other way, so u will get your stamp easily there.If you want to stay long term you will have to look at other options. Others will be better able to advise on that.
Dan ********
@Nadeem *******
you'll have to ask about. Some visa agents, you'll have to be present at immigration yourself, other agents take your passports and documents and it's done as if like magic, but I hear that is becoming less common. You'll have to check again about your family, but I imagine both you and your family would need to be present.. As for visa run / border bounce tour companies, they are small local companies, so you'll have to look for your location. You'll find there is often one situated right at the gates of any immigration office, or very close by.Alistair **********
@Nadeem *******
from Bangkok, it's one of the first ones that comes up. 3,500B one. But any of them should be fine tbh.To get the stamp each person must go to the border. It's about a 10hr day all up with a few stops. Your children won't get fined or banned (check age for this tho), so idk if you need to get an extension or even have them do a border run. I'd get advice from someone with more knowledge on this tho.
Nadeem ********
OP@Alistair *********
are there any border run companies you would recommend before I Google them? Do I have to take my whole family on a border run or can I go on my own with their passports?
Hovvard ******
Go to siem reap and angkor wat before Jan 14. Youll get another 45 days.
Phil ********
Go be a real tourist in Siem Reap Cambodia and see Angkor Wat and return to LOS - memories of beautiful places are priceless.
Stuart *********
You can only get one extension off a visa exempt entry. 45 days + 30 days. Longer you’d need to do a border bounce. Go somewhere and come back.
Nadeem ********
OP@Stuart ********
thanks. I have a wife and 5 children. Do I have to take them all with me to do a “border bounce”? How exactly does a border bounce work? I/we literally cross a border (e.g Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia) and then cross straight back into Thailand same day?Stuart *********
@Nadeem *******
kids under 14 can’t be fined or banned for overstay.Nadeem ********
OP@Stuart ********
understand. Thanks.Stuart *********
@Nadeem *******
you can cross a border, with your kids and come back. They would have to be with you.Nadeem ********
OP@Stuart ********
ok thanks for letting me know that. My kids are 14, 8, 8, 6 and 5? Can you answer my questions about Border Bounce please?Activity
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