What options do we have for extending our stay in Thailand beyond our 30-day visa-exempt entry?

Sep 13, 2022
2 years ago
Christine *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi, my partner and I (both over 60)arrived in Chiang Mai on a 30 visa exempt visit on 2 September. We would very much like to extend our visit until 30 November; i.e. get another visa extension after our first 30day extension. What is the best way to do this? I seem to get a lot of conflicting information.

Applying for a retirement visa is not an option for us.

Thank you for your assistance
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user and their partner are in Thailand on a 30-day visa-exempt entry and wish to extend their stay until November 30. They are seeking options for extending their visa since applying for a retirement visa is not feasible for them. Suggestions include applying for a 30-day tourism extension (one time only), followed by a necessary border run to re-enter Thailand on another visa-exempt entry afterwards. Travelers were advised to visit the immigration office in Central Chiang Mai for a quicker processing experience. Additionally, a Single-Entry Tourist visa could be obtained from a neighboring country's embassy, providing an initial 60 days with an option for a further 30-day extension.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
  • Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
  • For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
  • Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
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Tod *********
Also IF you're in Chiang Mai go to the new immigration office at Central Chiang Mai (2nd floor)

NO one is ever there, people are skating in and out in like 15 minutes with their extensions
Simon *********
Retirement Visas do not necessarily require large bank deposit.. Maybe reconsider.
Joanna *********
@Simon ********
please explain or pm.me as I also read that this was the case?
Keven ****
With an extension, you’ll make it until around November 2 (60 days total). If this was your first visa-exemption stamp this year, you would then need to leave and re-enter the country to get new visa-exemption stamps. There is a limit of two VE stamps per calendar year by land. You could also apply for a Single-Entry Tourist visa at an embassy in a neighbouring country, which would give you 60 days, with the possibility to extend that for another 30 days at immigration, for 1,900฿.
Christine *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Keven ***
thank you. That is what we will do, then. Much appreciated.
Rob ***********
I thought it was 45 days now
Greg *******
@Rob **********
45 day visa doesn't start until October 1st.
Graham ******
@Greg ******
Tourist Visa is still 60 days, visa exempt will be 45 days temporarily
Greg *******
@Graham *****
Yes, from 1st October.
Ellie *******
@Rob **********
, tourism extension stays for 30 days. Exempt entry will be for 45 days when you arrive in Thailand on or after 1 Oct.
Bill **********
@Ellie ******
has that now become absolutely official ie posted in the Royal Gazette?
Ellie *******
Depends on your nationality, but if both of you entered on visa-exempt, you can apply for a 30 days tourism extension only once. So it'd take you to 31 Oct. Then you have to leave Thailand on border-bounce, then enter Thailand on visa-exempt entry again.

Here is general information for tourism extension. It shouldn't be different hugely from the one in Chiang Mai. Check with them and you can apply for it anytime now.
Christine *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ellie ******
thank you. Is there a minimum period to be out of the country, or can we simply goto, e.g.Laos, get the stamps and come back?
Ellie *******
@Christine ****
No minimum time out of Thailand.
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