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When is the earliest I can extend a tourist visa in Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai ImmigrationTourist Visa ExtensionThailand Visa RulesMETVVisa ExperiencesImmigration Process
Sep 2, 2017
9 years ago
Louis **********
ORIGINAL POSTERWhat's the EARLIEST Chiang Mai will extend a tourist visa?
Mae Hong Son immigration will extend a tourist visa as early as 29 days before your entry expires, and the extension is from the day that the visa expires, not the day you go to extend.
How about Chiang Mai? When I next enter Thailand, can I head to Chiang Mai Immigration and extend from 60 -> 90 on the very same day I enter?
This is something that has changed at least ten times in the years I have been in Thailand, and varies by office, so I am looking for RECENT EXPERIENCES and CHIANG MAI ONLY.
Searching the thaivisa.com forum I have found people who recently did it 2 WEEKS before expiration in Chiang Mai, but nobody tried earlier than that. I would like to know if I can extend on the same day as arrival in the country.
I have a METV if that makes a difference.
Thanks all.
Mae Hong Son immigration will extend a tourist visa as early as 29 days before your entry expires, and the extension is from the day that the visa expires, not the day you go to extend.
How about Chiang Mai? When I next enter Thailand, can I head to Chiang Mai Immigration and extend from 60 -> 90 on the very same day I enter?
This is something that has changed at least ten times in the years I have been in Thailand, and varies by office, so I am looking for RECENT EXPERIENCES and CHIANG MAI ONLY.
Searching the thaivisa.com forum I have found people who recently did it 2 WEEKS before expiration in Chiang Mai, but nobody tried earlier than that. I would like to know if I can extend on the same day as arrival in the country.
I have a METV if that makes a difference.
Thanks all.
TLDR : Answer Summary
In Chiang Mai, it is generally possible to apply for a tourist visa extension when you have 45 days or less remaining on your visa. However, experiences vary, with some reports indicating extensions can be requested 2 weeks prior to expiration. The extension applies from the expiration date of the visa, not the date of application, and it's essential to note that different immigration offices might have different rules.
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Ron *******
Jomtien want 14 days but can ask for 7 days at busy times.
Tod *********
In Bangkok & Chiang Mai you can apply for an extension when you have 45 days or less left on your current admitted until stamp. Other offices do it at 30 days or less.
Steve *******
Be aware that Immigration may only allow 1 extention per visa. Multi entry or not. No personal experience with Chiang Mai. Better to extend your final entry
Glen *********
@Louis *********
both CNX and BangkokAndrew *******
I haven't read anything in any of the CM groups to say you can't extend more than one of the entries on an METV (and if that were the case, it'd probably have been mentioned at some point). I also extended each entry of a double-entry visa before (like many others), though that's obviously out-of-date info.
Louis **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@็ญ*
Which office did you extend your METV more than once at?Louis **********
ORIGINAL POSTEROk thanks! Your posts here are really helpful!
Tod *********
@Lo***
, I don't know that answer :/ you're gonna probably hafta post in a chiang mai f/b group..Louis **********
ORIGINAL POSTERTod, understood, but for some of us who are not actually living in Chiang Mai there are other factors. Until recently, I could extend in my home town with a 5 minute motorbike ride, vs. a hellish 9-hour trip to Mae Sai. And for those of us with Migraines or other issues, any long trip is like 10x what it is for others. But what we are really curious about is: do you know if Chiang Mai one of those offices that will do >1 extension on an METV? Or does Chiang Mai only allow 1? Very curious! Thanks.
Glen *********
You can get almost 9 months the same when you extend 30 days each arrival, I did on mine...60 + 30, 60 + 30 and 60 + 30 (last arrival must be just before visa expires).
Each to their own, but I prefer to spend 1 hour at immigration to extend rather than many hours travelling in bus to border bounce ๐
Each to their own, but I prefer to spend 1 hour at immigration to extend rather than many hours travelling in bus to border bounce ๐
Tod *********
@Lo***
, the thing is you get no more time in country doing 30 day extensions on the 60 day stamps an METV gets you. All you're doing is just burn downing the time the visa is valid for.
In Chiang Mai you can border-bounce to the Mae Sai - Tachiliek border, stamp out of thailand, stamp in&out of burma (for 500baht or $10USD) and stamp right back into thailand to get another 60 day stamp.
Most people on METV's who get here shortly after the visa is issued can wring almost 9 months of stay out of it by timing their border-bounces and extending the very last 60 day stamp by 30 days.
Glen *********
Interesting I've never heard this...which office denies this?
Louis **********
ORIGINAL POSTERThanks Tod! If you know specific offices where you can and can not extend an METV more than once, can you let me know? How about Chiang Mai?
Tod *********
In theory you are allowed to apply for an extension on EVERY entry of a multi-entry visa
BUT
some offices are only allowing one extension per visa. :/ :(
So depending on where you apply for your extension you're both right.
BUT
some offices are only allowing one extension per visa. :/ :(
So depending on where you apply for your extension you're both right.
Glen *********
Wrong - they extend on each entry, not per visa!
The extension is added to the end of your admitted until date, not from the date you apply.
I'm not sure there is any restriction on the date you can apply for your extension, I believe it can be applied for at anytime after you arrive - someone else can confirm this!
The extension is added to the end of your admitted until date, not from the date you apply.
I'm not sure there is any restriction on the date you can apply for your extension, I believe it can be applied for at anytime after you arrive - someone else can confirm this!
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