When should I apply for a 30-day extension on my visa if it expires before my return from China?

Dec 11, 2018
6 years ago
Kelly ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
My 6 mth multi-entry Visa will expire on Jan 8th. My condo lease will expired on Feb 5th. When is the right time to try and get a 30 day extension on my Visa? Can I do it now, or right before January 8th? Also, I will be leaving Thailand to go work in China for a week. Am I allowed to leave and come back in on the 30 day extension? I plan to be back in the country before the Visa new expiration date.....
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user has a 6-month multi-entry visa expiring on January 8th, and they want to know the best time to apply for a 30-day extension. They will be traveling to China from January 7-12 and are leaving Thailand permanently on February 5th. Comments suggest that applying for the extension can be done any time within 30 days before the expiration date or on the last day itself. It is also noted that the user might consider a re-entry permit for their return to Thailand to maintain their visa validity.
Stuart **********
You dont need to worry your visa validity will expire when you are away and you can just reenter on a 30 day visa exempt stamp if you are only going to be back here until your condo lease is up. You dont need to do anything
Kelly ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I love it when life hands you something easy!๐Ÿ˜Š
Stuart **********
@Kelly *******
yes, you dont need to say anything about your condo. You get an automatic visa exemption stamp of 30 days when returning to Thailand so if you are coming back for less than 30 days you dont have to do or say anything. Just give your passport to immigration when you return to Thailand and they will stamp you in for 30 days
Kelly ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
So your saying I "don't" need to go to immigration and do any paperwork before I leave for China? I would just arrive in Thailand, and tell them I'm moving out of my condo on Feb 5th?
Mark *******
Um... doesn't make sense to get a 30 day extension and purchase a re-entry if you can get a visa exempt when you return. What is your nationality?
Mark *******
Your current stamp or the actual visa?

If the actual visa expires Jan 8 you could do a quick border run before your trip to get you another 60 day stamp. Then you can get a re-entry permit to keep that 60 day stamp alive. You can then extend that 60 day stamp by 30 days at local immigration as well. But, it really depends how long you'll be staying in Thailand.
Kelly ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Great! it sound like a Visa Exemption is the way to go.... My Visa will expire on Jan 8th so the re-entry permit is not a option. Thanks!
Robert ********
Visa - exempt is when you arrive without a visa, but are admitted to stay due to your nationality...Americans receive 30 days. A re-entry permit allows you to leave Thailand and return and your Visa will still be kept alive, even though you temporarily left the country.
Kelly ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
What's a Visa exempt vs a re-entry permit?
Kelly ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I'm American
Robert ********
Be careful with tourist visas when you are living here...safe travels.
Robert *******
You can apply for an Extension of Stay in almost every Immigration Office from 30 days before till the last day of your Admitted to Stay date. The Extension is added to your current stay, so it does not matter if you go 29 days before of on the last day. If you visa is valid until/enter before date Jan 8th, you can not use this visa after this date. If you want to travel and still have a active Admitted to Stay period in your passport you can buy a re-entry permit, if you come back before that stamped date in your passport you will get the same day stamped on entry.
Kelly ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Ok, let me understand this....and here's more background. My Visa expires on Jan 8th. I have to go to China to work Jan 7th -12th. Also, I will be leaving Thailand permanently on Feb 5th because my condo lease is up. So your saying to buy a re-entry permit because I can't extend my Visa 30 days. If I come back into Thailand from China on Jan 12th then I should be ok if I'm leaving Thailand permanently on Feb 4th. Right?
Kelly ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks for the reply..... but the problem is my Visa expires January 8th and my job in China is Jan 7-12th. I need my Visa extended before I leave so I can get back "into" the country.
Jules ********
If you are coming to the end of 6 months you can leave and come back into Thailand before your visa expires. You will then be stamped back in for 60 days which you can then extend for 30 giving you 9 months in Thailand. This is how our UK METV works. Not sure if it is the same for US.
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