Using a photo older than 6 months ( for visa extension)

[Jack1988]

Just want to know if it is possible to just use a photo 4x6 older than 6 months, for the tourist visa extension TM 7. I am just bored to having to spend 100thb for make a new photo 

[Jingthing]

I would say no problem. How would they know unless you are aging very rapidly?

[dinsdale]

7 minutes ago, Jack1988 said:

Just want to know if it is possible to just use a photo 4x6 older than 6 months, for the tourist visa extension TM 7. I am just bored to having to spend 100thb for make a new photo 

Bt100 for a photo? I just had to get a new lot for Non-B and WP. Bt170 for a dozen. Good for years.

[Jack1988]

24 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

Bt100 for a photo? I just had to get a new lot for Non-B and WP. Bt170 for a dozen. Good for years.

100 thb for 4/5 photos if I am not wrong. I just bored to spend money just for add one photo on the TM 7 paper 

[DrJack54]

1 hour ago, Jack1988 said:

Just want to know if it is possible to just use a photo 4x6 older than 6 months, for the tourist visa extension TM 7

You just entered on SETV and asking about photo for 30 day extension. 

Immigration will not be interested. 

 

Note: anyone needing photo at CW, the stall located L1. Four photos 100b. 

[falangUK]

57 minutes ago, Jack1988 said:

Just want to know if it is possible to just use a photo 4x6 older than 6 months, for the tourist visa extension TM 7. I am just bored to having to spend 100thb for make a new photo 

Mind you, they checked my photo very closely against the one in the passport, so it might be worth getting new ones even if the changes are only minor. They never used to be this strict with photo checks, which is why I’m a bit concerned.

 

I’ve extended several times before and never had an issue, but this time was different. At least in Chiang Mai, they’ve started doing this odd thing where after issuing the extension, they ask you to hold the passport and the extension receipt against your chest while they snap a photo on their mobile.

 

No idea what that’s for, but it’s definitely new. They used to just take a photo with their fixed camera and be done with it. So yeah, probably safest to get a fresh set of photos just in case.

[KhunBENQ]

Once brought same photo as year before to KK immigration.

Officer smiled and asked for a new one next year.

[KhunBENQ]

Photo in passport can be up to 10 years old. Just saying.

[Jingthing]

4 minutes ago, KhunBENQ said:

Photo in passport can be up to 10 years old. Just saying.

Irrelevant. Not for a new passport.

Also technically you're supposed to get a new passport if your appearance has changed dramatically. More like things like major weight gain or loss rather than normal aging. 

[KhunBENQ]

1 minute ago, Jingthing said:

Irrelevant. Not for a new passport.

You didn't get my point.

Why should a 6 month old be a problem why you can travel with a passport almost 10 years old.

[falangUK]

6 minutes ago, KhunBENQ said:

Photo in passport can be up to 10 years old. Just saying.

 

That’s actually a VERY good point!
My passport photo’s about five years old, so if they're checking against that, the whole system’s a bit flawed, isn’t it?
Can’t believe I hadn’t thought of that before, cheers for pointing it out.
 

Now I’m even more baffled about why they’re doing these close checks, not to mention the strange “evidence style” photo holding the passport and receipt 😅
 

[Jingthing]

For the OP, I hadn't considered the situation where they could look at the photo on a previous application and see it's the same and too old. In that case, I would get a new one.

[Jingthing]

1 minute ago, KhunBENQ said:

You didn't get my point.

Why should a 6 month old be a problem why you can travel with a passport almost 10 years old.

It shouldn't be except as stated as they have a rule and if they have a way to check that you "cheated" by looking at a previous application. 

[falangUK]

5 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Irrelevant. Not for a new passport.

Also technically you're supposed to get a new passport if your appearance has changed dramatically. More like things like major weight gain or loss rather than normal aging. 

That’s actually another good point. I think I came across it before but never really took it in properly. Makes sense though. If your appearance has changed significantly, like major weight loss or gain, then a new passport is probably in order.

 

Still, it is strange how closely they are checking now compared to how relaxed they used to be. Something definitely seems to have shifted recently.

[Jingthing]

That reminds me of my very first application for a retirement extension at Jomtien. Yes I looked younger than the required age 50 at the time. The first thing out of the officer's mouth was -- is this a fake passport? OMG. Welcome to Thailand!

[Jack1988]

Thanks for the suggestions. I still have lot of time by the way. In the worst case I might ended up to make new photos and lose 100thb once again 😅

[Jack1988]

I just don't get this point: why you always have to take a new photo if it's older than 6 months? It's not always the same person that is asking for extension? It's just a waste of time and money in my opinion 🥱😕

[Jingthing]

13 minutes ago, Jack1988 said:

I just don't get this point: why you always have to take a new photo if it's older than 6 months? It's not always the same person that is asking for extension? It's just a waste of time and money in my opinion 🥱😕

Rule is rules innit

[falangUK]

16 minutes ago, Jack1988 said:

I just don't get this point: why you always have to take a new photo if it's older than 6 months? It's not always the same person that is asking for extension? It's just a waste of time and money in my opinion 🥱😕

The whole thing really is a waste of time and money. In other countries like Indonesia, you can just apply for visa extensions online. No need to spend hours queuing at immigration.

 

I remember it used to be a bit silly there too. You had to go in person, fill out forms using the correct colour pen, I think it was black, or they’d make you redo the whole thing. And you had to show proof of an outbound flight.

 

So in that sense, Thailand is not the worst, but still, it would be much easier if extensions could be done properly online. I think they do offer an online option now, but it costs 500 baht extra, which makes you wonder if they are deliberately making the normal process as inconvenient as possible to push people into paying more.

 

It really does feel like inconvenience is part of the business model here.

[ukrules]

I buy a load of these and use them until they run out which can be like 5+ years.

 

Haircuts change a bit but that's about it really. Losing or gaining weight can be a bit of a give away as well!

[Mutt Daeng]

Some immigration offices are more "picky" than others.

When I renewed my passport in 2016, I got a dozen photos done.

I've been using those photos from 2016 to renew my 1 year extension every year since then.

[SAFETY FIRST]

16 hours ago, Jack1988 said:

Just want to know if it is possible to just use a photo 4x6 older than 6 months, for the tourist visa extension TM 7. I am just bored to having to spend 100thb for make a new photo 

I'm not sure where my previous comment went

 

I've been using my photos from 2015 for my visa extensions, they're not that fussed, the immigration guy at the photo copier takes B&W photos so the photo quality not that important. 

 

[Lorry]

18 hours ago, KhunBENQ said:

Once brought same photo as year before to KK immigration.

Officer smiled and asked for a new one next year.

Same here.

But I once brought the same as 2 years ago, that was ok.

Alernating may be the way to go.

[mfd101]

I've been using the same 6-piece set of photos for the last 4 years. Still 2 years to go before I need a new set.

[TigerandDog]

On 6/12/2025 at 5:26 PM, falangUK said:

Mind you, they checked my photo very closely against the one in the passport, so it might be worth getting new ones even if the changes are only minor. They never used to be this strict with photo checks, which is why I’m a bit concerned.

 

I’ve extended several times before and never had an issue, but this time was different. At least in Chiang Mai, they’ve started doing this odd thing where after issuing the extension, they ask you to hold the passport and the extension receipt against your chest while they snap a photo on their mobile.

 

No idea what that’s for, but it’s definitely new. They used to just take a photo with their fixed camera and be done with it. So yeah, probably safest to get a fresh set of photos just in case.

just recently did my annual extension at CM and wasn't asked to do that. The only photo they took was the usual one before they give your passport and receipt back to you.

[mikebell]

I cut/pasted a photo into Word & printed a page of them (on photo paper).  I used them for years by dint of always wearing the same shirt in the photo to suggest I'd just had it taken.

[wasabi]

With so many aesthetic clinics around Bangkok; utilizing Botox, lasers, fillers, nips & tucks one can go decades using the same photo!

[cracker1]

No problem. I have used them 3 years old, because like you it's convenient to buy a dozen at a time.

[chuang]

Bored because of 100 baht suggest don't  do extension 

[Peterphuket]

This week I was at the io for proof of residential address, they need 2 passport photos for that and 500 THB, need it for renewal of my driving licence. If I remember correctly, I don't need a passport photo there.