Extending visa exemption with 30 days, still possible or not

[steveharrisisthelegend]

Hi fellow Thaivisa friends, 

 

I just got back from my home country to Thailand 3 weeks ago. I didn't have time to apply for a visa from my home country, so I'm currently in Thailand on a 30 day visa exemption. 

 

Can I extend it for another 30 days at Bangkok Chaengwatthana immigration? If yes, what do I need besides the usual photographs and money? I understood I need to show a ticket to a flight out of Thailand at least.

 

An extension for the visa exemption would be very convenient right now because I'm applying for an ED visa and it takes 2-3 weeks to setup, but my visa exemption ends in a week, cutting my visa here 1-2 weeks short. So an extra month without having to fly out would  very appreciated indeed.

 

I have a few tourist visas and two visa exemptions on my current passport. I have been on and off Thailand for 7 years but rarely overstayed (once) and just got a new passport end of last year if that matters. 

 

Do you think they'll grant me a tourist visa exemption extension, or would a better plan to be pursue another way of extending my stay here to give me more time until the ED visa is ready? 

 

Thank you very much in advance, you have a very good web site with so many friendly posters willing to go out of their way to help people it really is a beautiful sight to behold :)

[ubonjoe]

The 30 day extension of a 30 day visa exempt is routinely done unless you are from a country that gets their visa exempt entry from a bilateral agreement who cannot get one.

No need for a ticket out of the country.

You will need a completed TM7 form with a 4 X 6 cm photo attached, copies of passport photo page, entry stamp and TM6 departure card.

[thaibeachlovers]

I thought one had to have a ticket out within 30 days to get on a plane to come to Thailand. I know that once in Thailand the Immigration officer doesn't want to see it.

When I was coming to Thailand they always wanted to know about my flight out if they hadn't seen my non imm visa.

[ubonjoe]

2 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

thought one had to have a ticket out within 30 days to get on a plane to come to Thailand. I know that once in Thailand the Immigration officer doesn't want to see it.

He is already here so that is not what he is asking about. He wanted to know about needing a ticket out for the 30 day extension.

Airlines don't always ask for the ticket out.

[thaibeachlovers]

5 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

He is already here so that is not what he is asking about. He wanted to know about needing a ticket out for the 30 day extension.

Airlines don't always ask for the ticket out.

I realise that he is already in Thailand. My airline always asks for a ticket out if they haven't seen the visa, so I was wondering how he was allowed to get on the plane apparently without one.

[steveharrisisthelegend]

4 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

The 30 day extension of a 30 day visa exempt is routinely done unless you are from a country that gets their visa exempt entry from a bilateral agreement who cannot get one.

No need for a ticket out of the country.

You will need a completed TM7 form with a 4 X 6 cm photo attached, copies of passport photo page, entry stamp and TM6 departure card.

Thank you very much for a detailed response Ubonjoe. Would you happen to know which are twas counties that you mentioned in the sentence "unless you are from a country that gets their visa exempt entry from a bilateral agreement who cannot get one."? Thank you very much in advance.

[steveharrisisthelegend]

31 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

I realise that he is already in Thailand. My airline always asks for a ticket out if they haven't seen the visa, so I was wondering how he was allowed to get on the plane apparently without one.

My airline has never asked. Thats good to know though in case I happen to fly here with another airline without a visa. Thank you very much.

 

Edit: the company is Finnair

[ubonjoe]

2 minutes ago, steveharrisisthelegend said:

Thank you very much for a detailed response Ubonjoe. Would you happen to know which are twas counties that you mentioned in the sentence "unless you are from a country that gets their visa exempt entry from a bilateral agreement who cannot get one."? Thank you very much in advance.

I don't think you are from one of the countries.

The list is here: http://www.consular.go.th/main/th/customize/62281-Summary-of-Countries-and-Territories-entitled-for.html

[BEVUP]

28 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

I realise that he is already in Thailand. My airline always asks for a ticket out if they haven't seen the visa, so I was wondering how he was allowed to get on the plane apparently without one.

Because it's up to the airline staff at check in, & even if you had a Visa they could still ask

I'v had a Visa before & they still wanted to see & i've also had no visa & wasn't asked

Also I had a 1 yr flight booked & the girl at check in said you don't have a Visa - My reply = I can go to immigration or change the ticket anytime 

 

[steveharrisisthelegend]

2 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

I don't think you are from one of the countries.

The list is here: http://www.consular.go.th/main/th/customize/62281-Summary-of-Countries-and-Territories-entitled-for.html

My country was indeed listed under the countries for "visa exemption scheme". Thank you very much, I feel very relieved now knowing I don't have to fly out of the country for obtaining one or two weeks more needed to achieve the ed visa. :) 

 

Also just to be sure, are you sure I don't need an onwards ticket out of Thailand for extending the visa exempt as another website claimed that I do? Prone to believe Thaivisa in such matters and naturally I'd much rather not have to book an outwards flight yet but doesn't hurt to ask to be careful :) 

[ubonjoe]

28 minutes ago, steveharrisisthelegend said:

Also just to be sure, are you sure I don't need an onwards ticket out of Thailand for extending the visa exempt as another website claimed that I do?

Certainly not needed. People get them all the time without a ticket.

[steveharrisisthelegend]

On 5/26/2017 at 7:15 PM, ubonjoe said:

Certainly not needed. People get them all the time without a ticket.

Ok.  Thank you very much for your helpful responses, you just made my extension a lot easier! Have a good one :)

[steveharrisisthelegend]

Confirmed do not need a flight out. Went to Chaengwatthana immigration on a Wednesday 10.50 am, out 11.05 am. No one in front of me in the queue, was taken straight in to one of the K booths, paid 1900 baht with the documents that ubonjoe listed above, was told to wait outside and was handed the passport back within 15 minutes. No questions asked at any point despite several precious tourist visas in the passport. Extremely fast and easy process, much more so than extending a tourist or especially ED visa. Highly recommended for anyone on a visa exempt looking for easy 30 days more. 

[steveharrisisthelegend]

Looks like my ED visa documents might not arrive in time before my visa exempt extension expires. Is it possible to extend a visa exempt a second time for another 30 days?

[BritTim]

53 minutes ago, steveharrisisthelegend said:

Looks like my ED visa documents might not arrive in time before my visa exempt extension expires. Is it possible to extend a visa exempt a second time for another 30 days?

No, that is not possible. You can get only a single 30-day extension per tourist entry.

[Ganador]

On 26/05/2017 at 8:15 PM, ubonjoe said:

Certainly not needed. People get them all the time without a ticket.

 

UbonJoe... do tourists on visa exempt status seeking 30day extension at CW have to show proof of lodging TM30? I have seen differing opinions and advice in other TM30 topics?

[ubonjoe]

53 minutes ago, Ganador said:

 

UbonJoe... do tourists on visa exempt status seeking 30day extension at CW have to show proof of lodging TM30? I have seen differing opinions and advice in other TM30 topics?

Chaeng Wattana does not ask for a TM30 form to get the 30 day extension. 

[IMA_FARANG]

Yes, it can be done at CW.

You will need copies of your passport and I.D. page, your entry stamp with date. and a photo.

The photocopies can be done on the first (ground) floor photocopy shop.

You can also get photos made at the same shop.(with a one minute instant camera)

If you want the people there will fill out the form you need.

You will have to sign the form you need with your own signature.

Then go upstairs (2nd floor in CW) get a queue number and wait until your number is called.

Pay the fee (1900 Baht) and wait until the passport with a 30 day extension is returned to you when they again call your queue number.

I've done the process many times.

 

[Ganador]

17 hours ago, IMA_FARANG said:

I've done the process many times.

 

So if a tourist is on a 30 day visa exempt status, at what day during his 30days should he apply at CW for the extension?

 

And does the 30 day extension start from the day the tourist submits his application.... or starting from when the first 30 days is over?

[ubonjoe]

2 minutes ago, Ganador said:

So if a tourist is on a 30 day visa exempt status, at what day during his 30days should he apply at CW for the extension?

And does the 30 day extension start from the day the tourist submits his application.... or starting from when the first 30 days is over?

You can apply a week early and lose no days. The extension will start from the end of the 30 day entry.

[steveharrisisthelegend]

On 6/9/2017 at 8:51 PM, BritTim said:

No, that is not possible. You can get only a single 30-day extension per tourist entry.

Thank you for the response, however it's not a tourist visa entry but visa exempt (I'm not sure if that's what you meant already, but it's a bit tough to tell by your wording). Can someone clarify if a visa exempt entry can be extended more than one time at Changwattana or only once, please?

[BritTim]

5 minutes ago, steveharrisisthelegend said:

Thank you for the response, however it's not a tourist visa entry but visa exempt (I'm not sure if that's what you meant already, but it's a bit tough to tell by your wording). Can someone clarify if a visa exempt entry can be extended more than one time at Changwattana or only once, please?

A visa exempt entry is a tourist entry. Apart from the 30 days versus 60 days allowed, it is exactly equivalent to the tourist entry on a single entry or multiple entry tourist visa, with all the same limitations.

[ubonjoe]

31 minutes ago, steveharrisisthelegend said:

Can someone clarify if a visa exempt entry can be extended more than one time at Changwattana or only once, please?

You can only get one extension per 30 day visa exempt entry.

There is no overall limit on getting them if that is what you are asking.

[steveharrisisthelegend]

On 6/14/2017 at 6:03 PM, ubonjoe said:

You can only get one extension per 30 day visa exempt entry.

There is no overall limit on getting them if that is what you are asking.

Thank you very much for response both ubonjoe and BritTim.

 

I read about a seven day extension, is that different? I understand additional 30 days is impossible but would I be able to extend a visa exempt for another 7 days? Thank you very much in advance. 

[Doiger]

1 hour ago, steveharrisisthelegend said:

Thank you very much for response both ubonjoe and BritTim.

 

I read about a seven day extension, is that different? I understand additional 30 days is impossible but would I be able to extend a visa exempt for another 7 days? Thank you very much in advance. 

There is not a 7 day extension as such, if you apply for another extension your application will be denied and you will get a 7 day stamp in which you will have to leave the country within that time.

I think it would be better doing a visa run than going back to immigration, at least you would get another 30 day visa exempt entry which could be extended again.

that is providing you have not already done 2 visa runs at land borders already this year.

[steveharrisisthelegend]

21 hours ago, Doiger said:

There is not a 7 day extension as such, if you apply for another extension your application will be denied and you will get a 7 day stamp in which you will have to leave the country within that time.

I think it would be better doing a visa run than going back to immigration, at least you would get another 30 day visa exempt entry which could be extended again.

that is providing you have not already done 2 visa runs at land borders already this year.

Thank you for explaining. In normal circumstances I would certainly do a visa run or get a tourist visa from a nearby country. But it's quite an unique situation now in that I'm waiting for papers for my ED visa to come back from Ministry of education, and it's cutting it a bit close to the date of my visa expiration date (1st of July). So even another 7 days would be very convenient.

 

Could you please explain to me what documents do I need for extending my stay with the 7 day stamp? Same ones as the last time when I extended my visa exempt? I assume it won't matter too much if the whole point is to go there to get rejected

[Doiger]

31 minutes ago, steveharrisisthelegend said:

Thank you for explaining. In normal circumstances I would certainly do a visa run or get a tourist visa from a nearby country. But it's quite an unique situation now in that I'm waiting for papers for my ED visa to come back from Ministry of education, and it's cutting it a bit close to the date of my visa expiration date (1st of July). So even another 7 days would be very convenient.

 

Could you please explain to me what documents do I need for extending my stay with the 7 day stamp? Same ones as the last time when I extended my visa exempt? I assume it won't matter too much if the whole point is to go there to get rejected

It will be exactly the same, even though it is rejected it will still cost you 1900 baht, if I was you I would do a visa run.

if your papers are delayed even more then you will have to leave the country anyway.

[Bastos60]

On 6/9/2017 at 2:58 PM, steveharrisisthelegend said:

Looks like my ED visa documents might not arrive in time before my visa exempt extension expires. Is it possible to extend a visa exempt a second time for another 30 days?

No, but you can fly to neighbouring vietnam or cambodia stay a night and fly back and get another visa exempt stamp that again can be extended for another 30 days.

[Bastos60]

1 hour ago, steveharrisisthelegend said:

Thank you for explaining. In normal circumstances I would certainly do a visa run or get a tourist visa from a nearby country. But it's quite an unique situation now in that I'm waiting for papers for my ED visa to come back from Ministry of education, and it's cutting it a bit close to the date of my visa expiration date (1st of July). So even another 7 days would be very convenient.

 

Could you please explain to me what documents do I need for extending my stay with the 7 day stamp? Same ones as the last time when I extended my visa exempt? I assume it won't matter too much if the whole point is to go there to get rejected

That 7 day stamp lets you get your things in order but you will have to leave the country.

If money is so tight, you shouldn't be there at all.

[BritTim]

6 hours ago, steveharrisisthelegend said:

Could you please explain to me what documents do I need for extending my stay with the 7 day stamp? Same ones as the last time when I extended my visa exempt? I assume it won't matter too much if the whole point is to go there to get rejected

For a denied extension, you basically just need your passport, completed form with photo and 1,900 baht. (Maybe, evidence of TM 30 in some offices.) Since you do not qualify for any extension, there is no supporting documentation to support the application.