60 Day Tourist Visa From Usa Extend In Bkk?

[AskTheCPT]

I received a 60 day double entry category TR Tourist visa from Washing DC embassy when I was in the USA.

I arrived to BKK on April 9, therefore the 60 days expires June 8.

1. Can I extend this visa for another 30 days in the country? Where (BTS)? Which Documents do I need?

2. If I can extend the visa does the next 30 days start at the end of the visa (June 8) or when I goto the embassy?

The reason being I am trying to get an 1 Year ED visa while I take Thai Language course w/out leaving the country and the extra 30 days should be enough to get the 2nd letter to and back from the ministry of education.

[Jingthing]

I believe you cannot change to an ED visa IN Thailand. If this is the case you will most likely want to Penang to get the ED visa:

Walen School

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I change my tourist visa, visa on arrival (VOA), non-B visa or non-O visa into an ED visa through your school in Thailand without going to a Thai consulate or embassy outside Thailand?

* No, it is not possible, you will not be able to change your visa status in Thailand, you will need to obtain the ED visa in another country

http://www.thaiwalen.com/student_visa.php

[ubonjoe]

You can extend it at Suan Plu immigration office. Map: http://www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/en/ba...p?page=location

Passport and copy of photo page, visa, entry/permit to stay stamps and copy of TM6 departure card. TM7 application form and a photo. Download form: http://www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/download/pdf/tm7.pdf

In most cases the willl not do a change of visa status for an ED visa you will most likely have to go to a nearby Thai consulate to get a new visa.

[mahjongguy]

I received a 60 day double entry category TR Tourist visa from Washing DC embassy when I was in the USA.

I arrived to BKK on April 9, therefore the 60 days expires June 8.

If you check your entry stamp, I think it will say you have permission to stay until (midnight of) June 7.

[AskTheCPT]

Thanks for the help. Looks like I'm going to have to take a weekend vacation to Penang.

Is there any (*official gov.) document which states that you cannot change from Tourist to ED visa while in Thailand? To me it really sounds like the process just takes too long to complete as the tourist visa would run out before the ED visa paperwork is mailed back from the Ministry of Education / government????????

[Jingthing]

Is there any (*official gov.) document which states that you cannot change from Tourist to ED visa while in Thailand?

Frankly, it wouldn't make any difference whatsoever if there is or isn't such a document. What are you going to do, wave it in the face of the immigration policeman telling you no can do? The better question is to ask if anyone at the immigration office you plan on using has been granted such a change of visa recently. In any case, Penang isn't so bad, the food is fantastic.

[ubonjoe]

I don't think there is an official document or rule. It is just a policy of immigration not to do it. Some immigration offices will not do any change of visa status.

[AskTheCPT]

I don't think there is an official document or rule. It is just a policy of immigration not to do it. Some immigration offices will not do any change of visa status.

On my language schools document it states the following:

If the applicant's visa has remaining validity of about 6 weeks

Upon coming for enrollment at our school, if the applicant's visa has more than 6 weeks remaining validity, the applicant has no need to goto a Thai Embassy/consulate-general in foreign country but can apply ED visa from immigration at Soi Suanplu.

[Jingthing]

Then you should get further confirmation from your school and ask them your specific questions about your strategy, and info regarding recent successes. I remain skeptical. Also, I wonder if immigration would interpret six weeks remaining by ADDING up an in country extension with a current tourist visa permission to stay. I don't know for sure, but that sounds a bit weird. Its worth a try, let us know. Of course, schools are in the business of selling their courses, they may or may not be fully reliable on immigration matters.

[ubonjoe]

I can only quote what has been posted on this forum many times. Immigration will not do it.

You can get all the documents together and try if you want to.

[Jingthing]

I can only quote what has been posted on this forum many times. Immigration will not do it.

You can get all the documents together and try if you want to.

Agreed, so I will repeat this suggestion to the OP, perhaps a new thread:

The better question is to ask if anyone at the immigration office you plan on using has been granted such a change of visa recently.

[AskTheCPT]

I can only quote what has been posted on this forum many times. Immigration will not do it.

You can get all the documents together and try if you want to.

I was just thinking about everything and going through the headache of testing fate w/ a day @ immigration I think I will be better off heading to Penang and relaxing on the beach for a few days. Does anyone know which airline I can use to get the cheapest flight?

[ubonjoe]

Air Asia

You can use an agent in Penang. That saves you the trips to the consulate,

[AskTheCPT]

Air Asia

You can use an agent in Penang. That saves you the trips to the consulate,

What exactly does a Visa agent do? Can they make both trips to the consulate with my paperwork for me?

Does this work in Bangkok for extending visas as well?

[ubonjoe]

An agent will submit your application and pickup your passport. All you have to do is give them your paperwork and etc.

Even if you use an agent in Bangkok to help with the paperwork you still have to go to immigration yourself.

[AskTheCPT]

I went to immigration and got my 30 day extension. The stamp says I have til July 7th now.

The owner of my language school said that they will send out the copy of the new stamp to the Ministry of Education and when I get it back, I should be able to go back to immigration and change the visa to a 1 year ED visa.

I know this is contrary to all the information on this forum so I plan to take a trip to Penang if it doesn't work.

If it does work I will let everyone know.

[AskTheCPT]

I went to immigration and got my 30 day extension. The stamp says I have til July 7th now.

The owner of my language school said that they will send out the copy of the new stamp to the Ministry of Education and when I get it back, I should be able to go back to immigration and change the visa to a 1 year ED visa.

I know this is contrary to all the information on this forum so I plan to take a trip to Penang if it doesn't work.

If it does work I will let everyone know.

They dropped the news on me a week or so ago that I had to indeed leave the country which I did and got the visa in Kuala Lumpur which I liked for a couple days of tourism but I wouldn't recommend if you're a party animal. I wrote directions for anyone trying to get a Thai visa in KL

Step by Step Instructions for Thai Visa at Embassy in KL

1. Make sure you arrive at the embassy as early as possible. It opens at 9:30am so try to head there around 9:00am so you can get one of the few spot in line in the shade. They will not open early.
   
2. When it is your turn in line, show the guy your passport and he will hand you a form. He hands the same exact form out to everyone, regardless of the type of visa you are applying for.
   
3. As soon as you get your form, IMMEDIATELY head to the right and you will see an open door on the right side of the building in front of you. Enter the door and immediately to the right is a number tag machine. Push the button for visa or passport and get your ticket.
   
4. Fill out the form inside the building or if you have a high number you can walk outside and fill it out on the tables under the fans. On the form there will be a section which says, “Thai guarantor.” Leave this section blank unless you are applying for a work visa.
   
5. If you are there early enough you will get to the counter and be done. It is likely there will be many people in front of you. If your number is dozens of numbers off you can leave and return later. If you exit the embassy and walk to the left there is a 7/11 and a couple restaurants within 5 minute walk. BE CAREFUL: They can skip over around 10 numbers (no-shows) at a time so make sure you’re in the room when your number is within 15-20.
   
6. After you pay the fee 220 ringgits you will get a receipt with the time you are supposed to pick up the passport/visa the next day DO NOT LOSE THIS SHEET or the number tab stapled to it. The sheet will tell you the exact time they will open passport collection the next day.
   
7. Return the next day 20 or so minutes early if possible, there will be no line in front of the embassy but there will be a group of people waiting in the back. If you want to save time stand right in front of the door (same door of room you gave passport the day before). A line will form after you and when the door opens it is first come/first serve and the process of handing out your visa will take no longer than 15-30 minutes unless you were extremely late.
   
8. Congratulations you now have a fresh visa!