Extending a tourist visa... how to do?

[poetryandprose]

I was previously studying in Thailand with ED visa, but now have a double entry tourist visa from Vientiane.

My first 60 days will complete soon, and I understand that I need to go to go to immigration and extend for another 30 days.

I have lots of questions about what is involved... want to have all of my ducks in a row so that it goes smoothly.

How soon in advance of the expiry date can I do this?

What do I need to take in terms of documentation? Copy of lease, or any other supporting documentation? Is photograph required?

I am staying in Bangkok, but hate the trip to Chaeng Wattana. It is imperative to do there? Can I do at any immigration office?

Lad Prao office is close for me, but I know this is for the three neighboring nations. Can I do 30 day extension there?

I have searched the forum for this info, but not finding it. Maybe this post will be useful for more people than me in the future.

Thanks in advance to anyone who has been and done this already and can help me out!

[Mario2008]

You can extend a few weeks early.

you need to provide:

- copy passport

- copy departure card

- passport photo

- fill in a form

- pay 1,900 baht

You can extend at any immigration office, but in BKK that means only Cheang Wattana road.

Keep in mind that your second entry must be made before the visa itself expires!

[Benowa]

can you not do it at Immigration at BKK airport ? You can get re-entry permit there.

[ubonjoe]

can you not do it at Immigration at BKK airport ? You can get re-entry permit there.

A re-entry permit is the only thing you can get at the airport re-entry permit desk.

Extensions have to be done at an immigration office.

[michemiche]

You can extend a few weeks early.

you need to provide:

- copy passport

- copy departure card

- passport photo

- fill in a form

- pay 1,900 baht

You can extend at any immigration office, but in BKK that means only Cheang Wattana road.

Keep in mind that your second entry must be made before the visa itself expires!

"You can extend a few weeks early."....

A few DAYS early, not a few weeks !

[ubonjoe]

You can extend a few weeks early.

you need to provide:

- copy passport

- copy departure card

- passport photo

- fill in a form

- pay 1,900 baht

You can extend at any immigration office, but in BKK that means only Cheang Wattana road.

Keep in mind that your second entry must be made before the visa itself expires!

"You can extend a few weeks early."....

A few DAYS early, not a few weeks !

It can be done a few weeks early. Some offices will let you do it 30 days early.

[flyingdoc]

We are only talking about an issued Tourist Visa here, not a visa exempt, so why the mention of the 30 day extension and 1,900 baht fee?

[Suradit69]

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You can extend a few weeks early.

you need to provide:

- copy passport

- copy departure card

- passport photo

- fill in a form

- pay 1,900 baht

You can extend at any immigration office, but in BKK that means only Cheang Wattana road.

Keep in mind that your second entry must be made before the visa itself expires!

"You can extend a few weeks early."....
A few DAYS early, not a few weeks !

It can be extended a few weeks before the permission to stay ends. The extension is added on to the current permission to stay, so you don't lose any time doing it early. You'll still get the 60 + 30 days whenever it's extended. If you leave it to a few days before expiration and a problem arises, you won't have much time to sort it out.

We are only talking about an issued Tourist Visa here, not a visa exempt, so why the mention of the 30 day extension and 1,900 baht fee?

Yes, a Tourist visa is good for 60 days upon entering the country and an extension granted by immigrations would give an extra 30 days. If it's a double entry tourist visa, the holder can exit the country near the end of the 30 day extension (but before the visa expires), return to Thailand and get a fresh 60 day permission to stay which could also be extended for 30 days. So in the case of the O/P who has a double entry tourist visa, he can manage to get about 60+30+60+30 days ... depending on how he times his exit and re-entry and ensuring the visa doesn't expire before he re-enters.

[Suradit69]

can you not do it at Immigration at BKK airport ? You can get re-entry permit there.

Most people going to the airport would be planning to fly out, which for some of them would necessitate getting a re-entry permit.

Why would you go to the airport and want to extend your stay in Thailand at the same time?

[jamiesilver]

why not just pop fly out for a weekend in Cambodia then back in?

[tompix321]

why not just pop fly out for a weekend in Cambodia then back in?

Because a visa extension at the immigration office is easier, faster, and cheaper?