30-day Extension to Visa Exempt Entry❓

[Skeptic7]

A friend from the USA is returning to Thailand after 3 years, with his Thai wife. He plans to enter Visa Exempt and is wondering if he can then extend for another 30 days❓I said I think so...but would ask. So is this possible on a visa exempt without leaving the country❓If so, what is the procedure❓

[DrJack54]

Yes.

Enter visa exempt and obtain 30 day extension. 

He could also obtain 60 day extension to visit wife.

Very simple process for 30 day extension.

He would require a TM30 along with some basic photocopies of pp and TM7 application with photo and 1900b 

[Skeptic7]

5 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Yes.

Enter visa exempt and obtain 30 day extension. 

He could also obtain 60 day extension to visit wife.

Very simple process for 30 day extension.

He would require a TM30 along with some basic photocopies of pp and TM7 application with photo and 1900b 

Great. Thanks kindly for the info. Does the extension need to be applied for in the last week of his initial 30 days? 

[DrJack54]

5 minutes ago, Skeptic7 said:

Great. Thanks kindly for the info. Does the extension need to be applied for in the last week of his initial 30 days? 

Have you read before this statement "up to the immigration office" 

No consistency in Thailand. 

I would suggest try couple of weeks prior to expiry.

Which immigration office. 

How long does the guy wish to stay. 

[Skeptic7]

37 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Have you read before this statement "up to the immigration office" 

No consistency in Thailand. 

I would suggest try couple of weeks prior to expiry.

Which immigration office. 

How long does the guy wish to stay. 

Yeah, right on...no consistency.

Korat Immigration. Wife has a house there. Only needs the additional 30 days, as they're staying just under 60 days.

[Liquorice]

I'd go 7 days before his 30 days expire.

File a TM30 immediately after arriving.

 

For the 30-day extension;
Completed TM7
Passport.
Copy of TM30 receipt

Copy of passport data page

Copy of entry stamp

Passport photo 4x6cm
Signed Copy of wife's Tabien Baan

Signed Copy of wife's ID card

Fee 1,900 BHT

 

[Pattaya57]

9 minutes ago, Liquorice said:

I'd go 7 days before his 30 days expire.

File a TM30 immediately after arriving.

 

For the 30-day extension;
Completed TM7
Passport.
Copy of TM30 receipt

Copy of passport data page

Copy of entry stamp

Passport photo 4x6cm
Signed Copy of wife's Tabien Baan

Signed Copy of wife's ID card

Fee 1,900 BHT

 

For a 30 day extension of a visa exempt he doesn't need the last 2 items about his wife

[Liquorice]

10 minutes ago, Pattaya57 said:

For a 30 day extension of a visa exempt he doesn't need the last 2 items about his wife

To confirm address as notified per the TM30.

 

I always air on the side of caution.
If they don't want them, they'll give them back.
If they request them, and you don't have them, well ....................

 

[mania]

Why not just get the 60 day tourist visa (extendable for 30 more if needed) before leaving & remove the hassle of going to Immigration in Thailand not to mention the "up to the immigration office" 

Here is the E-visa Link

https://thaievisa.go.th/visa/tourist-visa

 

Here is a better explanation from the Los Angeles Thai Consulate

https://thaiconsulatela.thaiembassy.org/en/publicservice/tourist-visa-visiting-family

 

Lastly it is only $40 / 1466 baht with no visit to Immigration with is worth another 10k baht 🤣

[Skeptic7]

1 hour ago, mania said:

Why not just get the 60 day tourist visa (extendable for 30 more if needed) before leaving & remove the hassle of going to Immigration in Thailand not to mention the "up to the immigration office" 

Here is the E-visa Link

https://thaievisa.go.th/visa/tourist-visa

 

Here is a better explanation from the Los Angeles Thai Consulate

https://thaiconsulatela.thaiembassy.org/en/publicservice/tourist-visa-visiting-family

 

Lastly it is only $40 / 1466 baht with no visit to Immigration with is worth another 10k baht 🤣

Good idea and I suggested this...but after 3 years away and waiting for his wife's Green Card for nearly 2 years, she suddenly got it recently. They were so thrilled and chomping to return that he just booked flights immediately. So answer is...not enough time. Next time he should definitely do this very thing. 👍

[mania]

5 hours ago, Skeptic7 said:

Good idea and I suggested this...but after 3 years away and waiting for his wife's Green Card for nearly 2 years, she suddenly got it recently. They were so thrilled and chomping to return that he just booked flights immediately. So answer is...not enough time. Next time he should definitely do this very thing. 👍

Ah I know that one 😉

Way back in 2007 same happened with my wife & we were so happy to be free to travel we too left right away.

But while your in process of green card you cannot leave or is may be considered abandonment of petition

Good Luck to him hope it all goes easy

[khlongtoey]

some airlines, may not allow you to board without a visa covering your stay. Or at least they may say that. Unless things have changed, though, I know that may be uncommon.

 

Might try to be prepared.

[DrJack54]

2 hours ago, khlongtoey said:

some airlines, may not allow you to board without a visa covering your stay.

What you are referring to is that without a visa some airlines may wish to see onward flight. 

[Skeptic7]

30-Day Extension was a breeze for my American friend at Jomtien. Took about 1 hour.

 

B1900

TM7

TM30 printout (from rental condo)

copy of PP bio page

Copy of entry stamp

Photo with WHITE background (he already had a pic with a pastel background and they rejected it. Had to take a new one outside) 

 

Cheers to @Liquorice and @DrJack54 

[Liquorice]

54 minutes ago, Skeptic7 said:

30-Day Extension was a breeze for my American friend at Jomtien. Took about 1 hour.

He could also apply for a further 60-day extension to visit a Thai spouse on top of the 30-day extension.

[khlongtoey]

actually Jack, in 2023 from a US port, boarding ANA Airlines, I had a 80 day RT ticket, and a TR60 visa, they questioned whether I should be allowed to board.         Maybe that was unusual , just my experience

[DrJack54]

19 minutes ago, khlongtoey said:

actually Jack, in 2023 from a US port, boarding ANA Airlines, I had a 80 day RT ticket, and a TR60 visa, they questioned whether I should be allowed to board.         Maybe that was unusual , just my experience

The airline was out of line.

With a visa for Thailand an onward flight should not be required. 

In any event you were "questioned" I bet you obtained boarding pass. 

[khlongtoey]

they thought , apparently, that the visa days should be greater than the full trip days, was my understanding.

 

sure questioned, wasn't disallowed to board, but then like IO @ CW , sometimes, it might not matter what I think the rules are. Sometimes the rules change.

 

they or may not take my assurances, that they are wrong, and there isn't always time to get it right at the airport.

[khlongtoey]

On 6/13/2024 at 11:26 AM, Skeptic7 said:

30-Day Extension was a breeze for my American friend at Jomtien. Took about 1 hour.

 

B1900

TM7

TM30 printout (from rental condo)

copy of PP bio page

Copy of entry stamp

Photo with WHITE background (he already had a pic with a pastel background and they rejected it. Had to take a new one outside) 

 

Cheers to @Liquorice and @DrJack54 

 

at CW, this week, they want a copy of e-visa also, if one has one, and have them do the document check at the folding table, hardcopy of appointment they didn't look at. appt will come up exactly on time, no earlier.