Extending Tourist Visa

[RRobert]

Hey all.

What is the best tactic to extend a Tourist Visa? go and do it the last day the Visa is valid for in order to get the most days out of the Visa?

Or can i do it like in the beginning of the same week the Visa expires? and still get a full 90 days worth out of the extension?

The question may be badly formulated but having a hard time coming up with the correct describing words atm. Basically do the 30 day extension start to tick from the day i do the extension or does the 30 day extension start to tick from the expire date of my Visa?

[Sophon]

The extension starts at the end of your current "permitted to stay" period, so you won't lose any time by applying early. You can probably apply anytime within the last month or so, and you certainly won't have any problems applying a week early.

Sophon

[Lite Beer]

As said above. Apply a few days early without losing any time.

[RRobert]

Great news.

Thanks for the help you two.

[orang37]

Sawasdee Khrup,

Thanks to Khun Mario2008, and Khun Lopburi3, for your helpful replies on the recent thread "Replying to Three Fifteen Day Extensions At Mae Sai Allowed ?"

The one question, lingering in my mind, based on reading this thread today, and learning you can, indeed, apply for an extension in advance of the expiration date in the passport is:

Whether "showing up early" in Mae Sai, for example, might somehow contribute to less "tolerance" for multi-extensions ... or even the dreaded "red stamp."

Paranoia ?

thanks, ~o:37;

[lopburi3]

Mai Sai for a border crossing for a 15 day entry has nothing to do with extensions of stay of a tourist visa.

If extending a visa entry you can apply early and the extension starts after the current permitted to stay date. For a border crossing/visa exempt entry it starts on the day you enter. There are no red stamps on border crossings (other than perhaps use of red ink for a normal entry stamp).

[orang37]

Mai Sai for a border crossing for a 15 day entry has nothing to do with extensions of stay of a tourist visa.

If extending a visa entry you can apply early and the extension starts after the current permitted to stay date. For a border crossing/visa exempt entry it starts on the day you enter. There are no red stamps on border crossings (other than perhaps use of red ink for a normal entry stamp).

Sawasdee Khrup, Khun Lopbhuri,

Thanks for making the distinction clear for me re visa extension vs. border crossing.

What I wonder is (current 15 day tourist visa expires October 15): if I go to Chiang Mai immigration today and apply for the one week extension, would that be given starting today or starting from the 15th. Based on what you say here, I now assume that would be starting from today, or the date of application.

One reason we brought this up is that two years ago, on re-entering via Mae Sai, we were told explicitly (and politely) we had to go outside the country, and get another visa and could not use Mae Sai again.

best, ~o:37;

[lopburi3]

There is no 15 day tourist visa so expect you have a 15 day visa exempt entry from a land border crossing.

There is also no official 7 day extension of stay - immigration will often allow 7 days as a disapproved extension of stay application; but may request show of air ticket out to do so. For that I would go on last day as not sure if they would grant earlier without loss of time (although have not seen any reports either way). A normal 30, 60, 90 day or one year extension of stay always starts at the end of current permitted to stay so can be done early with no loss of time.

Mai Sai was giving warning in that case that they would not allow another entry (they would have stopped you leaving if you tried I suspect) but there is no fixed limit so that appears to have been a local decision for them at that time.

[orang37]

... snip ... Mai Sai was giving warning in that case that they would not allow another entry (they would have stopped you leaving if you tried I suspect) but there is no fixed limit so that appears to have been a local decision for them at that time.

Sawasdee Khrup, Khun Lopburi3,

And "there's the rub" for all of us expatriates and expatrianas, isn't it: "local" decision" ... "your mileage may vary" ... "offer may be void in your state" ... karmic roulette ... the person on duty at the window that day is having a "bad hair" day ... or just doesn't like your "face."

Interesting to speculate that if you did make it out to Myanmar, after being warned not to use Mae Sai, whether it would ever be possible for you to be refused admittance, effectively stranding in the lovely armpit of Tachilek in visa limbo.

Thanks again, for your time and replies.

best, ~o:37;

[lopburi3]

To answer the life in no mans land you would be allowed to enter Thailand illegally and arrested and held for deportation from the policy outlined on previous immigration web sites.

[Thaihog]

What paperwork is required to extend a single entry tourist visa for an extra month? Is it just copies of passport, immigration card & photos?

Thanks :jap:

[Mario2008]

What paperwork is required to extend a single entry tourist visa for an extra month? Is it just copies of passport, immigration card & photos?

Thanks :jap:

Don't forget 1,900 baht, but the paperwork you mention is all you need.

[lopburi3]

Plus the TM.7 which you can download or fill out at office.