Tourist Visa Extension Questions

[MrMarquis]

I've got a three entry tourist visa that gives me 60 days per entry, on a New Zealand passport. The 60 days granted for my first entry are just about up and I'm scheduled to leave Thailand on the Wednesday 21st March. However I'd like to rebook my ticket and stay for another month by getting a 30 day extension, without using another of my tourist visa entries.

* If I go to Chaeng Wattana (I'm in Bangkok), is the visa extension granted on the spot? Or do I have to wait for a few days while the application is processed? I was going to go to the immigration office on Monday 19th March - have I left it too late?

* Does the extra 30 days start from the day your visa expires, or the day you apply for the extension?

* Do I have to show proof of an onward ticket to get the extension?

* Will I have to communicate in Thai with the immigration officials? Should I pay a Thai speaker to come with me to do the application?

* Is there any chance that the extension application will be denied, or is it basically automatic? I don't want to go ahead and rebook my flight if there's a chance that the extension will be denied.

Thanks for your answers!

[TerryLH]

* If I go to Chaeng Wattana (I'm in Bangkok), is the visa extension granted on the spot?

Yes, it is.

"I was going to go to the immigration office on Monday 19th March - have I left it too late?"​

"* Does the extra 30 days start from the day your visa expires, or the day you apply for the extension?"

If not a holiday, Monday the 19th will be okay, but because of the weekend might be crowded.

The time is added on at the end of your permission to stay, so no problem going a little early.

"* Do I have to show proof of an onward ticket to get the extension?"

No, you shouldn't have to.

"* Will I have to communicate in Thai with the immigration officials? Should I pay a Thai speaker to come with me to do the application?"

Most immigration officers speak some English. You should be able to handle this on your own.

"* Is there any chance that the extension application will be denied, or is it basically automatic?"

Basically automatic.

[wayned]

1. Go to Chiang Wattana. Fill out a TM 7 form. You will need a 4 x 6 cm picture and copies of the data page, visa page, permission to stay page and your departure card, front and back. Cost 1900 baht.

2, The 30 days will start from the day your "permission to stay" stamped in your passport. 30 days from 21 March.

3. No need to take a Thai speaker, they do it everyday

4. Basically automatic..

[MrMarquis]

Thanks very much for your answers guys.

It looks like I've left it a bit late and it's going to be very expensive rebooking my flight for only a month from now. So, I might end up just doing a land border run to activate the next entry of my tourist visa, rather than getting an extension to my current entry.

This is probably a really dumb question, but could someone please confirm that I can actually activate the next 60 day entry from my tourist visa by re-entering over a land border? ie. that I will get the full 60 days even if I am not entering by air?

[lopburi3]

You will get the normal 60 day tourist visa stay - but be sure to check they do not use the wrong stamp.

[wayned]

you haven't left it to late go to immigration on Monday and extend for 30 days, 1900 baht, no reason for border run! Cheaper than a border run, you have to enter and leave the neighboring country, therefore a visa is required, Malaysia free. Myanmar 500 baht, Cambodia $20 USD, Loos ABOUT $40 depending on nationality.

[QuestionMark]

are there copy shops in walking distance of the office or should I sort out the copies somewhere else beforehand?

Also I have photos but they aren't in the right format - wasn't a problem last time but that was in a different office because of the floodings - likely to be no problem again or should I make new photos?

[lopburi3]

You are asking about Chiang Watanna in Bangkok? There are shops (actually a mall) one floor down where copies can be made. Suspect photos also but normally they are not hard on any size as long as taken within six months.