What options does my friend have now that her 30-day visa extension in Thailand has been denied?

Visa Extension Visa Exemption TM30 Requirement Immigration Office NON-B Visa 30-Day Visa Exemption Re-entry Visa Work Permit

Jun 29, 2022

2 years ago

Jordan *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Asking for a friend: She is an American here on a 30-day visa exemption as she was working here and will start a new school next month. Her 30 days runs out tomorrow so she went into our local immigration office (Nakhon Sawan) so get the 30 day extension and she got denied. Basically what are her options now, fly out tomorrow and re-enter on a new 30 day visa exemption? Hope for better luck at Bangkok immigration? TIA

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TLDR : Answer Summary

An American expat in Thailand on a 30-day visa exemption was denied an extension at the local immigration office. The options available for her include re-entering Thailand with a new 30-day visa exemption by flying out and coming back, or applying for a NON-B visa to work legally in Thailand, which requires documents from her employer. It's crucial for her to understand the reasons behind the denial to address them before applying again, while also considering that her recent entry into the country may affect her ability to obtain an in-country extension.

Robert *******

And to avoid that this becomes a long story and everybody start to ask the same question.

@Jordan ******

It is totally on you on how you present your story and you are free to share details, this topic is now closed but please send me a PM if you want to add valued information. If not, I wish your friend good luck in obtaining a new visa.

2 years ago

Tod *********

@Jordan ******

this story just doesn't make any sense at all

If she's here on a 30 day visa exempt entry (meaning she arrived within the last month) she should have no issues at all getting a 30 day regular extension on it for 1900baht at the immigration office in the area where she stays.

She might have to prove to them that she's 'registered' as staying there (with a TM30 receipt) but I can't see any reason someone would get denied a 30 day extension on a 30 day visa exempt entry at ANY immigration office in the country.

Sorry, didn't see that the O/P clearly stated the person in question was from the US 😕

There is more to this story than is meeting the eye I believe 🙁

The upside is IF the person in question IS moving to Bangkok this weekend, they can go to the immigration office on Monday (IT Square Laksi Plaza <- which is where visa exempt entry people go) and they should be able to apply for a 30 day regular extension without any issues for 1900baht

2 years ago

Robert *******

Just out curiosity of the moderators: Why is the 30 day Extension of Stay denied?

You might send it by PM if it is personal.

Thanks in advance.

2 years ago

Ellie *******

Depends on what reason she got denied her 30days tourism extension application for her visa-exempt entry. What was the reason? Lack of TM30, or other requirements there? Or she may have an extensive history in Thailand previously?

Anyway, she needs to have at least 15 days or more with her latest stamp as of the application date for her to be able to apply for an in-country visa.

2 years ago

Robert *******

Talk to her employer and get the documents to apply abroad for the Non Immigrant B visa, return with that visa into Thailand, get the work permit and after all this is done start working again.

It is not allowed to work with a 30 day Visa Exempt Scheme inside Thailand.

2 years ago

Jordan *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Robert ******

Her school starts in August so they were going to start the paperwork shortly. She doesn't really have the time/money to go to another country and hangout until then. Nakhon Sawan immigration told her before she could extend her visa exemption and now they've changed their minds and she has to move out this weekend into her new place in Bangkok. Looks like she'll have to fly in and out tomorrow.

2 years ago

Robert *******

@Jordan ******

Not sure what you try to tell me, but financial problems of a foreigner does not give the person special privileges to stay in the Kingdom.

She works illegal, so keep it quit and leave the country to come back with the correct visa.

2 years ago

Jordan *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Robert ******

What part of she isn't work don't you get? Her school starts in August. It is now June. She will not be working until she gets her non-b and work permit. She is just that right now-- a tourist. The issue is that they will not give her the extension to remain as a tourist.

2 years ago

Robert *******

@Jordan ******

Go abroad and come back and use the 30 day Visa Exempt Entry and try again for a 30 day Extension of Stay, OR

visit a Thai Embassy and apply for the Single Entry Tourist Visa, get 60 days on entry apply for a 30 day Extension of Stay.

2 years ago

Paul *********

@Robert ******

under what circumstance would a tourist, in the country under an initial 30 day visa exempt entry, be denied a 30 day extension of stay?

2 years ago

Robert *******

@Paul ********

That is why I asked this question to OP.

2 years ago

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Robert *******

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