How To Extend Your Stay In Thailand On A Tourist Visa

It is wonderful and refreshing to go on a holiday to Thailand. From the relaxing and breathtakingly beautiful beaches to enjoying the fun-filled day and nighttime activities in bustling cities, there are indeed many ways in which you can enjoy your time in the country. This is why many people like to extend their vacation and stay on for longer when travelling to Thailand. However, a Thai tourist visa is only valid for about 60 days and if you wish to stay beyond that, you will have to get a visa extension. Visa extensions are given for an additional 30 days, so you have to get the extension and carry on with your tour.

The process to extend your Thai tourist visa

1. Visit the Immigration Bureau

First and foremost, you need to visit the immigration bureau. You can find these bureaus in all the large cities of Thailand like Bangkok, Phuket and Pattaya. You can visit the one closest to you and initiate the process. You must do this while your existing visa is still active. Do not wait for it to expire as in that case, you may be deported back to your own country.

2. Carry all the required documents

You will need some documents to get your tourist visa extended in Thailand. These documents are:

• A valid passport

• Your existing visa

• Duly filled in Form TM.7 (the visa extension application form)

• Photograph

• Copy/printout of a confirmed return ticket

• Hotel or other accommodation reservation slip

Once you have these papers in place, you can proceed to submit the application.

3. Pay the required fee

You have to pay a fee when you apply for a tourist visa extension in Thailand. The amount to be paid is THB 1900. You can make the payment directly at the immigration bureau itself and obtain the receipt for it.

4. Apply for the extension

Double-check your application, fill in the form properly, pay the fee, get all the documents and then submit the application. This is the most important step. You have to submit your application at a counter in the immigration bureau and get a receipt for it.

5. Wait for the extension

After you submit the application, the authorities and immigration officers will review your application closely. If everything is found to be suitable and in order, you will get the visa extension. They will stamp your passport and you can stay in the country for 30 additional days from then on.

Important points to remember before you extend the visa

1. Passport validity

In order to apply for, and successfully get your Thai tourist visa extension, you need to have a valid passport. If your passport is about to expire or has already expired, you cannot apply for a tourist visa extension in Thailand.

2. Extend in advance

Do not wait till the last day of your visa validity to extend it. Go a bit in advance, preferably till there is still time for the visa's expiry. If you wait until the last minute, and then for some reason, the extension process is delayed, you will have to go back to your country as you won't even get one grace day in this regard.

3. Offline process

Please note that the visa extension process in Thailand is completely offline. You have to physically visit the immigration bureau and apply for the extension. It cannot be done online, or it cannot be done by an agent on your behalf. If someone tries to tell you this is possible, stay away from them as many tourists are duped by fake agents who promise to get the work done online.

4. Extension may not be guaranteed

Finally, you must remember that a visa extension is never guaranteed. If there is any issue with your documents, or if the immigration officers feel your profile is not suitable, they may deny the extension of the tourist visa. However, this happens rarely, so you do have a very good chance of getting an extension.