Unanswered2 years ago

What should I do if immigration requires a certificate for my Non-B visa extension that my embassy doesn't provide?

Non-B Visa Visa Extension Immigration Office Thailand Internship Embassy Procedures Visa Requirements

asked Apr 12, 2025

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Hi, I went to the immigration office in Bangkok to extend my stay for another 30 days to finish my internship. I have a Non-B visa, and they told me I need to bring a "certificate and request for extension of stay from the embassy". I spoke with the embassy, and they said they don't issue that and no one has ever asked them for it. Did anyone encounter this or know what to do?

Summary so far

The user visited the Bangkok immigration office to extend their Non-B visa for 30 days to complete their internship. They were informed that they need a "certificate and request for extension of stay from the embassy," but the embassy stated they do not issue such certificates. According to community comments, it is generally not possible to obtain a short-term extension for internships while in Thailand with a Non-B visa. The advised alternatives include applying for a new visa or exiting and re-entering Thailand for a visa exemption stamp.

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Tod *********

You will not get an extension based on internship issued inside the country from an immigration office, not from a non-B or from a Non-ED <- which is what most interns have here.

There is no way to get a "short term" extension based on internship, not 30 days, not 90 days, nothing.. It's just not available inside the country

You either go get a new visa OR you exit/re-enter on a free stamp entry if you come from one of the 90+ countries and just intern on it until you finish your program

2 years ago

Afik **********

@Tod ********

I see, is it possible to get a new visa while in Thailand, or the only way is to just re-enter on a free stamp entry?

2 years ago

John **********

@Afik *********

either a free stamp or visit a nearby country and apply for a visa through the thai consulate while in that country

2 years ago

Wannikea *********

@Afik *********

you can't get any type of tourist class short term visa inside the country. The paperwork to switch to any other type would be time consuming and onerous, maybe if you had Thai family you could get 60 day visit extension. I can't think of anything else you might qualify for. A quick flight out and back is the easiest if your passport qualifies for visa exempt.

2 years ago

Afik **********

@Tod ********

ok, thank you very much for your help

2 years ago

Tod *********

@Afik *********

a service gets you out and back without issue, that's why you pay a service

2 years ago

Afik **********

@Tod ********

is there a "safer" option between them, or is it just a matter of preference?

2 years ago

Tod *********

@Afik *********

if you go by land use a service, if you're flying it doesn't matter you're not going to fool the immigration officers into thinking you did anything but exit/re-enter to get a new free entry stamp, no matter if you stay out a few days or fly right back.

2 years ago

Bob **********

@Afik *********

in theory yes but some want you to stay two nights and have the 3 proofs 20k baht or equivalent,a flight out within 60 days and accommodation booking

2 years ago

Afik **********

@Tod ********

I see. Does it matter if I just fly to nearby country and take a flight back the same day compared to using a service that takes me to the border?

2 years ago

Tod *********

@Afik *********

If you got that Non-B before you came here it was USED the second you entered the country 🙂

All you're here on is a 90 day entry stamp FROM the visa.

That will cancel when you stamp out of the country

2 years ago

Afik **********

@Tod ********

is it an issue that my visa still has time left before expiring? I have until the 30th of this month, but I want to to it before then. Is that possible, or does it need to expire first?

2 years ago

Tod *********

@Afik *********

as a general rule yes you can exit/re-enter and get a new free entry stamp BUT if you're thinking of doing it by land use a service that takes you to the border and back because they have it set up so you can get out/back in without issue

2 years ago

Afik **********

@Wannikea ********

so I can just fly to nearby country and come back the same day to get the tourist stamp?

2 years ago