Extending Visas

[ukfamily]

Having spent last winter with my family, all six months of it, travelling around India, we had hoped to repeat the wonderful experience in the Kindom of Thailand.

For a United Kingdom family, such as we are it appears that the maximum that we could stay is for three months (or 90 days to be exact). That's a shame as my 11 year old boy would greatly benefit from the cultural and educational experience of such a beautiful country, as we all would. Has anyone had experience of extending their visa, to at least 5 months, and can they advise the best way to go about it?

[lannarebirth]

Having spent last winter with my family, all six months of it, travelling around India, we had hoped to repeat the wonderful experience in the Kindom of Thailand.

For a United Kingdom family, such as we are it appears that the maximum that we could stay is for three months (or 90 days to be exact). That's a shame as my 11 year old boy would greatly benefit from the cultural and educational experience of such a beautiful country, as we all would. Has anyone had experience of extending their visa, to at least 5 months, and can they advise the best way to go about it?

You can't extend your visa, but you can request more than one. After each visa expires a run to the border and back is required.

edit: actually you can extend the visa locally for 30 days but it's expensive and for the time you gain, seldom worth doing.

[Crossy]

If you're in the UK you can get multi non-o class visas. Even though this only allows 90 days per stay you simply need to do a border hop to get another 90 days. Visas for 'visiting friends' are readily available from Hull consulate.

Alternatively double entry Tourist Visas will give you 2 x 60 day stays that can both be extended by 30 days at immigration = nearly 6 months with just one border hop.

Moving to the visas forum.

[MJo]

Get double entry tourist visa. Gives you 180 days max with one border run and two visits to immigration.

[thaiphoon]

I would go for 12 month multiple-entry Non-O visa on basis of visiting friends, as it gives you more flexibility than a tourist visa if travelling in region and no trips to immigration for extensions or re-entry permits. Apply at Royal Thai Consulate in Hull as suggested. You will need to complete application form (can download from web) and send in with fee, passport and photo. Post by special delivery and enclose a pre-paid special delivery envelope for return of your passport. You should get this back with a couple of days.

On entering Thailand you will get a 90 day permission to stay. You must leave the country within 90 days (but you would have do to that with tourist visa and 30 day extension anyway). You can travel out of the country when you want to and each time you will receive a new 90 day permission to stay whilst your visa is valid. There is no limit on the number of times you can travel in/out of the country during the period of your visa, whereas a tourist visa is restricted to a specific number of entries unless you obtain re-entry permit.

www.thaiconsul-uk.com

[ukfamily]

I would go for 12 month multiple-entry Non-O visa on basis of visiting friends, as it gives you more flexibility than a tourist visa if travelling in region and no trips to immigration for extensions or re-entry permits. Apply at Royal Thai Consulate in Hull as suggested. You will need to complete application form (can download from web) and send in with fee, passport and photo. Post by special delivery and enclose a pre-paid special delivery envelope for return of your passport. You should get this back with a couple of days.

On entering Thailand you will get a 90 day permission to stay. You must leave the country within 90 days (but you would have do to that with tourist visa and 30 day extension anyway). You can travel out of the country when you want to and each time you will receive a new 90 day permission to stay whilst your visa is valid. There is no limit on the number of times you can travel in/out of the country during the period of your visa, whereas a tourist visa is restricted to a specific number of entries unless you obtain re-entry permit.

www.thaiconsul-uk.com

Not having friends in Thailand I don't see how I could apply for the 12 month multiple entry, though this would of course save alot of hassle. My self and my family will therefore have to resort to a trip to Laos to extend the visa. However, in terms of the flight to Thailand....if officially you can't get a visa greater than the minimum in one go do you have to restrict your flight as well? Or book a flight for 6 months and hope that you will be granted another visa on your return from Laos?

[thaiphoon]

You do not have to provide details of friends you may be "visiting". Apply at Hull consulate and you will not have a problem.

[lopburi3]

As long as you have a visa there is no requirement for onward flights of any kind. As for 'visiting friends' that is very loose - expect you will make friends during your stay - you do not need to name them.

[Lite Beer]

As said a double entry Tourist Visa or a Multi Non Imm O Visa.

[PoorSucker]

Not having friends in Thailand

We can be your friends.