How To Extend Your Thai Visa at Bangkok Immigration

By Mark Wiens 146 Comments
There is the gigantic Thai immigration building
There is the gigantic Thai immigration building

Note: The information in this article is for those that are in Thailand on a tourist visa which was applied for outside of Thailand (example: If you got a 2 month Thai tourist visa in Kuala Lumpur and want to extend it), and not for those who have just landed or crossed into the country and received a visa upon arrival.

You’re in Bangkok and your 2 month Thai tourist visa is just about to expire but you want to extend your Thai visa by 30 days to stay longer. What do you do?

The process is actually not too difficult and I think the most painful part is saying goodbye to 1,900 Thai Baht.

Here’s What You Need:

Unlike other inconvenient visa procedure offices around the world, the Thai immigration is remarkably convenient.

You can get all your photocopies done once you’re there for just 1 Baht per page. Just walk to the photocopy center, tell them what you’re applying for and they will make the exact photocopies you need.

Note: You need to have a valid phone number and Thai address to extend your Thai visa – you will be asked!

Steps to Extending Your Thai Visa

The process at Thai immigration normally takes me about 1 hour.

You’ll get 30 more days.

How To Get To Thai Immigration in Bangkok

Located way out on Chaeng Watthana Road and not too far from Bangkok’s Don Mueng Airport, it’s not the most convenient of locations.

Of course, you could easily take a taxi all the way there, but here’s how I get there by local transportation.

Take the BTS Skytrain to Mo Chit Station. Get out towards Chatuchak Weekend Market and get on bus #29 (about 8 Baht) heading north. Get off the bus at IT Square shopping center. From there you have to walk down Chaeng Watthana Road to the west, heading towards Pak Kret, then cross over the street and take bus #356 (9 THB) to Cat Telecom.

At Cat Telecom make a left onto the street, and the easiest thing to do is take a motorcycle for 20 Baht to the entrance of the immigration office.

Address: No. 120 Mu 3 Chaeng Watthana Soi 7 Thung Song Hong, Laksi Bangkok 10210
Hours: Monday – Friday from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm but closed for lunch break form 12 noon – 1 pm. Office closed on weekends and holidays.

If you’re looking for awesome things to do in Bangkok, be sure to check out my guide!

View Migrationology World Map in a larger map

146 comments. I'd love to hear from you!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

  • Michael Bell-Loffredo

    7 months ago

    i landed Aug 6 . only 3 days ago, Did i notice i was giving a 30 day visa. not 60 or 90 days. i never heard about applying for those on line though YouTube. now here i find i can get fined + deported . i have exact 9 day til i expire one agency quoted me 62,000 baht for a NON immigration Retirement O-A visa??? i just fly to another country for 7000 baht see YA

  • 6 RAZÓNES POR LAS CUALES NO DEBERÍAS MANEJAR TU CASO DE LESIONES PERSONALES POR TU CUENTA

    7 months ago

    Generalmente, las personas que se representan a sí mismas brindan demasiada información al proveedor de seguros, dicen cosas incorrectas, presentan documentos incorrectos y/o reciben atención médica deficiente. Cualquier falla en estos cuatro puntos aminoran el valor de tu reclamo, o peor: puede resultar en el rechazo total de tu reclamo.

  • Jgp

    1 year ago

    I’m came from America last January and I need to extend my visa today? Should I go to Chaeng wattana ot IT Square?

  • JR1500

    1 year ago

    The visa extension office for short term visas (tourist) is now located at IT Square Laksi Plaza, 3rd Floor, not at Immigration Office Division 1. Easy to access via the Lak Si BTS station.

  • Htet Htet Aung

    5 years ago

    We are attending training at Bangkok since May 7, 2019. Training is extend to end of Aug’19 or Sep’19.
    Our visa’s period is 3 May 19 to 2 Aug 19. So we have to extension.
    So please help us , the process of extension and fees and what documents have to prove to Thailand immigration.

  • Rohit

    5 years ago

    I m a nepali passport holder and with a tourist visa of 60 days.I want to extend for 30 days.can i do so?

  • Noel Griffin

    5 years ago

    I just went there today by taxi and this Immigration Building is one of TWO IDENTICAL buildings – A and B!! The building you want is B!
    These directions are for those of you who drive/ take a taxi and turn off the highway by Don Mueang Airport: When you turn off the main road onto Soi 7, continue past Building A on your left and follow the signs for about another kilometer and the Building B entrance right next to the Centra by Centara Government Complex Hotel on your right. Once you enter, you will get directions to the immigration section – the other end of the building from this entrance! You can get all your documents and photos done there as well. It is actually pretty efficient – i was in and out in about an hour!!! I also recommend getting there early!!

  • Ish

    5 years ago

    Hi, I’m on 60 days visit visa (Sri Lankan Passport Holder). I have 40 more days under current visa. Can I extend for 30 more days to be total 90 days? or should I first complete 30 days under current visa before applying for extension?

  • Rachel

    6 years ago

    Hey, great info! Do you know if you can get the passport photos taken at immigration as well?

  • Treza

    6 years ago

    I bought Airticket on 31st May but My visa is valid until on 30th May. Should I extend visa for 1 day? Or Should I have to pay fine? Is it problem? Pls advise me.

  • Aadarsh

    6 years ago

    By chance are there any other locations tomget my thai visa expended???

  • Alex

    6 years ago

    I am actually sitting at immigration as I type this and i just wanted to share my trip here.
    Getting Here and What to Bring:
    Passport, 1900 bhat(bring more to be safe), proof of residence, a valid phone number, and some patience. You can obtain the TM-7 application here, and photocopies. Warning about the photocopies downstairs; they will try to give you 2 copies. You need 3. Picture page/signature, Departure/Arrival Card, AND, current Visa. Save the 3 bhat and get it down downstairs to avoid surprises.

    Getting Here:
    I arrived here by catching MRT to Chatuchuk Park Station Exit 2, and took a minivan. The minivans are located on the road as soon as you get off from Chatuchuk Park Exit 2. They are lined up 4 deep, at least today they were, and you want to first one. Be safe and ask which on goes to the Government Center. They cost 25 bhat. From what I know they do not go all the way to the Government Center but stop past CAAT Telecom and IT Park. It is about a 3km walk to the front door or you can catch a motorcycle taxi. I walked 1.5km, got lazy, then caught a motorcycle taxi for 10 bhat to the front door.

    Head on in and look for Division 1 to your right, head in grab you TM-7 from information desk, get your copies downstairs, fill out TM-7, and take it back to info desk, they will give it back, walk past the door, give it to the nice Thai behind the desk, receive your queue card (J2, Number Whatever, Counter 31-33.
    Now you just wait. Don’t fret, watch a movie, get some pretty good food in the court downstairs, or take a nap in 15 minute increments. Soon your time will come. Give the lady whatever they ask for in counters 31-32, pay 1900, then go sit back down again and wait for your same number to be called to counter 33.

    I assume after you visit 33 you are done. Now you have 30 more days. Want more days? Try your hand at Teaching. Just landed a 10 month contract which will put my time here at 16 months. Do not try to teach on a tourist visa. Get with a good school and be a legal teacher.

    This place is actually pretty cool and you could make a day just hanging out. Cheap food, coffee, and people from all over the world.

  • Ryan Herter

    6 years ago

    Print Passport page
    Intro & Latest Thai Visa
    Print TM7 after completing with Adobe Fill&Sign
    Picture 4x6cm
    1900฿
    http://immigrationbangkok.com/thailand-immigration-forms/

    • Ryan Herter

      6 years ago

      Adobe Fill and Sign is a free app
      Pictures are valid for 3 months
      Easier and cleaner to fill the form on your device and print also if you prepare everything prior to arrival at immigration office thing flow much smoother like the waves of the ocean

  • Marie-Nathalie Raymond

    6 years ago

    Thanks Paul, I took 52 like you’ve mentioned. Also to be had, no need to take a motorcycle taxi from cat Telecom since the have FREE transportation all the way to the front door of the building.
    Also, copy is 4baht.

  • Friday

    6 years ago

    Do you need to show your return flight (with a date < 60 days from arrival) when you arrive on a tourist visa? I'd like to book a round-trip 90-day flight, get into the country on a 60-day tourist visa, and extend to 90 while I'm there.

  • Dr. Win Thida Hlaing

    6 years ago

    I am a trainee at Rajavithi hospital ,Bangkok.I have to attend the training for one year. I got 3 month visa till 10th April 2018.And so I want to do my visa extension next week.Are those requirements the same for me ?. Do l need any recommendation from hospital.Is the place of immigration the same.?

  • Rob

    6 years ago

    Fyi, you can only extend the visa after you have been in the country for 30 days.

  • Monique

    6 years ago

    Can I get a 30 day visa extension on a visa exempt on arrival. I’m from the U.S.

    • Matt

      6 years ago

      If you actually read the article…….you would see that you can’t
      FML

    • Joshua

      6 years ago

      FYI, I extended a visa on arrival for another 30 days in January 2018. Canadian passport, same procedure as listed but I was given the extension.

  • jabran samuel

    6 years ago

    dear ogee,
    thanks your kind information for travelers who dont know way to extaend visa in thailand.
    thanks
    jabran samuel
    pakistan

  • paul

    7 years ago

    hey Mark, my friend Phil took notes from this page to go to the immigration by bus, and discovered that bus #52 goes straight from BTS Mo Chit to Cal Telecom.

  • Kylie

    7 years ago

    Hi. Can I get a passport photo taken at the immigration office.

  • Kaya Agnew

    7 years ago

    Hi!
    Very helpful post. Do you know if the same extension process applies for people who enter Thailand with the 30 day visa exemption? Thanks 🙂

    • Matt

      6 years ago

      FIRST LINES OF THE ARTICLE:
      “Note: The information in this article is for those that are in Thailand on a tourist visa which was applied for outside of Thailand (example: If you got a 2 month Thai tourist visa in Kuala Lumpur and want to extend it), and not for those who have just landed or crossed into the country and received a visa upon arrival.”

      OMG

    • Joshua

      6 years ago

      This article seems to be out of date, I was given an extension with a visa exemption.

  • Mr D

    7 years ago

    Hi there,
    Have a question. Help please. I dont have a permanent adress in Bangkok. Just staying in my friend s house. What should I write in Adress Line and will there be some problems during a dialog with an officer??
    Thank you!

  • Ryan

    7 years ago

    hey super info. thx. by the way i took a bus 116 from the same huge building back to Victory Square. it was 18 bhat. might be an alternative to the bus exchange (which was a little tricky)

  • Steve

    7 years ago

    Thanks for the helpful article. I followed your directions to get there, got the 29 bus to the IT Square area, then I caught a taxi from there. No problems.
    I arrived at the immigration office at about 9:30am on a Monday and waited for about 2 hours to be called the first time, then about 15 min the second time. Just as I was given my visa extension everyone was told to leave the area “for security reasons” at 12:30 maybe that happens every day for lunch? Anyway for me it all went smoothly and exactly as you described, but be aware if you need to do this you should pretty much write off the day, as the whole thing took me about 6 hours including the travel time from Bangkok.

    • Steve

      7 years ago

      P.S. The taxi from IT Square to the immigration office cost 55 baht. The taxi from the immigration office to Mo Chit BTS cost 85 baht. So next time I will probably just take a taxi both ways from Mo Chit BTS.

  • Gils

    7 years ago

    My uncle and family came to Phuket for a visit. He got one medical emergency and now he is admitted in Bangkok Hospital in Phuket and not able to travel now. s.. With him now his wife and daughter is there and wanted to extend their Visa as it is expring in this 10th. Please help to know what is the process as they are alone there now.

  • [email protected]

    7 years ago

    Dear Sir,
    My friend (Indian ) got the visa on arrival and she do need to extend stay in Thailand for 7 days. She can extend her visa at the Bangkok Immegration , Chaeng Wattana or not? Please kidnly advise.

    • R

      7 years ago

      Yes.. as with most countries going to thai, the people gets a 30 days tourist visa on arrival. To extend, she can make a visa run to laos or malaysia which will give her 14 days visa extension(very tiring due to the long travelling time). Or just go extend her visa as per what the blog writer wrote

  • Jim L.

    7 years ago

    Hi, I’d like to know when the earliest you can apply for a visa extension, is a month ahead too early?

    • Patricia

      7 years ago

      I did it 40 days ahead and it was fine

  • paul

    7 years ago

    Is the visa extension from the date the visa expires or the date the extension is applied for?
    When is the immigration office closed over Christmas and New Year?

  • Jeff

    7 years ago

    Right on most documents but still…sorry Wrong by Omission! Jomtien Immigration Office Requires Everyone Applying For An Extension of the Ordinary Non-Visa 30 Day Permit to Supply proof of their hotel in a document form. If you do not have it they will not believe that you are in “such and such hotel at such and such address” and want to extend your stay by 30 days!

  • R. L. Williams

    8 years ago

    Thank you. Clear to the point Wrt. Getting to the. Visa office. May be better to pay 100 bht for motorcyle lift to office then

    Bus it back or else as suits.

    Less stress and. Whoopee ????????????????????

    Ps www. Utube. Self liberation. Namkai. Norbu. Rinpoche

    • Mark Wiens

      8 years ago

      Hi R.L. you’re welcome, good luck with everything at immigration.

  • Marvin

    8 years ago

    The extension of 1 month of my two month tourist visa I can use it how much I want in 1 year thankyou.malta

  • Kathy Williams

    8 years ago

    Thank you so much I Have not been in Thailand for 5 years the country change a lot your derection very help full I would lost with out you I was borne here but I stay in USA it very nice to be back home again Thailand is beautiful.

  • Abid Ali

    8 years ago

    Hi Im holding Indian Passport .
    I come here on Tourist visa which is of 90 days but i can stay only 60 days as per law.
    now im running out of my visa by end of this month.
    I like to stay more 15/20 days if possible.
    Please advice me how where and how much will cost too.
    Im Indian and it seems everything not easy for indian .
    Thanks regards

  • gary

    8 years ago

    Excellent ! Thankyou !

  • Nini Gay Corpuz

    8 years ago

    thank you so much for the information. This is very helpful.

  • Michelle Reyes

    8 years ago

    Hello Mark,

    I would like to know if i extended 15days in Cambodia after that 15days can i extend my visa in any immigration in Thailand? Your answer will be helpful.

    Thanks…

  • Wah kuh

    8 years ago

    Thanks for your very helpful information, I have one question for my sister. She is from USA.and she has to do visa extend for I more month. The thing is she is in border of Thailand and Myanmar. Is there any place that she can apply her extend visa in Mae sot city? Please reply me.

    • Mark Wiens

      8 years ago

      Hey Wah, I’m honestly not sure, but I think the closest place is Chiang Mai. Sorry about that, and all the best!

  • Lovelyn

    8 years ago

    Hi! Just a question. I have a double entry visa. My first entry (2 months) is about to expire. I need to do a show up in Cambodia to activate the second entry. Is it ok to request an extension in Chaeng wattana than doing the show up in cambodia? Tnx!

  • Jill Charpia

    8 years ago

    Hi Mark, I am a US citizen looking to at applying to Le Cordon Bleu in either Thailand or Malaysia. Would you have a recommendation based on which country would be the most interesting/affordable? Also do you know the best way to locate housing located near the schools? and Lastly, do you need a car to get around or is it primarily taking taxis? Thank you so much for your thoughts! Jill Charpia

  • rats

    8 years ago

    hello thanks for the useful info. how many passport size photos they require? what other documents to bring ?

  • John

    9 years ago

    We’re currently in Bangkok on a 60 day tourist visa. We travel to Japan in November (one week AFTER our current tourist visa expires.). I am American and my partner is Canadian.

    Two part question: can we get one week extension on our current visa?

    While in Japan, can we apply for a another 60 day visa or are there some rules about applying for consecutive visas?

    We’d like to avoid making visa runs every couple of weeks.

    Thank you for your help!

    • Mark Wiens

      9 years ago

      Hi John, yes you should be able to both extend your visa at immigration no problem. Also, you should be able to apply in Japan on consecutive visas. Usually people only start running into problems with many visa, more like 5 – 10 or so, but usually 2 is fine. Hope you have a great trip!

  • richard

    9 years ago

    Hi
    I am planning to travel to bangkok this july. I’m planning to stay for 1month and 20days. My 1month stay will be covered by the 30days free stay on stamp on arrival right?. How can I extend for my 20 days of stay? I have a return flight at august 20. I heard about 30days extension of stay but I do not have a tourist visa I only have on stamp arrival. I came from dubai and wanted to stay in thailand for 1month and 20days, I have ticket going to Philippines on August 20,2015.

    • Koni

      9 years ago

      Hey Richard !
      If you’re in with a 30 days visa exemption I think you could only extend for 7 days more. The 30 days extension is for tourist visa only… Maybe things have change though, as they often change rules… Maybe Mark will know.
      But why don’t you just get a classic 2 months tourist visa? Easy to obtain and then you’ll enjoy your stay in Thailand without anything else to do and think about.. 🙂

    • chard

      9 years ago

      can i go anytime at any immigration offices for my 30days extension? or is there a specific date i can go within my 30day free stay? i came from dubai and il stay in thailand then go back to philippines.

      “The 30 days extension is for tourist visa only” i only have 30days free on stay when I arrive at the airport not tourist visa,right? am i still able for the 30day extension?hope so.

      Where can i get 2 months tourist visa? Do i need to exit to Laos? or can i get it at bangkok imigration once i arrive?

      Your response is highly appreciated

    • Mark Wiens

      9 years ago

      Hi Chard, if you fly into Thailand on 30 days you can extend I think just by 7 days, I’m not sure of the latest. But if you go outside of Thailand, you can then apply for a 60 day tourist visa, and then once in Bangkok, you can apply for a 30 day extension, making it 3 months altogether.

      To answer your first question, you can go to immigration at any point in your 30 days (or 60 days) and get an extension and it will start once the 30 days is over.

      All the best!

    • Koni

      9 years ago

      Hey Richard! As Mark and I said if you arrived withouth visa you’ll be granted a free 30 days of stay BUT only 7days as an extension so all in a row it will be 37 days for 1900bahts.
      If you apply for a 2 months tourist visa BEFORE departure you will pay about the same but will be in for 60 days without anything to do then. The tourist visa is done in any Thai embassy or consulate in your country of stay. Usually done in a week (5 days)
      That was the rules last year when I was there for 8 months and after a few researches it seems to still be the same in 2015.
      Only In case you’re married to a Thai citizen you could have the 30 days extension without a 2 months tourist visa. If you’re not i’ll go for a tourist visa of 2 months.
      As Mark said tou can extend anytime during your stay. I’ve been doing this within my 10 last days and neer had any troubles. It’s just a half day spent at immigration office in Bangkok withh all the papers ready.

    • Mark Wiens

      9 years ago

      Thanks for the added input Koni!

    • Mark Wiens

      9 years ago

      Thanks Koni!

  • sue

    9 years ago

    hi Mark, thanks for the info and it is very easy to understand. i have a inquiry, i’m currently holding a single entry 60 days visa and will definately extend it to stay a total of 90 days. After 90 days will go to a neighboring country to apply again the 60 days visa then extent again to make it 90 days, so this 2nd time 30 days extension would it be rejected by immigration and how many times am i allow to do this 90 days visa?

    • Mark Wiens

      9 years ago

      Hey Sue, you should be fine. But one idea to reduce the amount of times you apply for a visa is to go somewhere where you can apply for a double entry, that way you get two visas in one application. So far I don’t think there’s any official limit to the amount of visas you can get.

  • Johnathan

    9 years ago

    Hi Mark, is it possible to do the 30 day extension on a multi trip tourist visa, or only on a single?

    • Mark Wiens

      9 years ago

      Hi Jonathan, yes you can extend on a multiple entry visa.

  • jamie

    9 years ago

    My Non B visa will expire Feb 13. Can I extend in Bangkok with a 30 day tourist visa? Let me clear. I don’t want to extend my Non B. I want to convert to tourist 30 day extension. Possible? I won’t be starting my new job for a month or 2.
    Help me with knowledge please.

    • Crista

      9 years ago

      Hi! Any update on this one? I’m planning to do the same and I don’t want to go outisde Bangkok to process my visa.

  • jamie

    9 years ago

    Sorry I mean 30 day not 3.

  • jamie

    9 years ago

    My non b visa will expire in early Feb. Can I get a 30 day extension at Chang wattana for this. I guess this means they will convert my non b to tourist. I want a 3 day tourist extension, not a non b extension. Can I do this?

    • Mark Wiens

      9 years ago

      Hi Jamie, thanks for the comment. I’m personally honestly not sure, I’ve never done this. Maybe anyone else knows?

  • Dave

    9 years ago

    Hi Mark,
    I have recently arrived from Oz and found your website, most informative, simply the best.
    I came on a single entry 90 day tourist visa with the proviso of the 30 day extension.
    Being at Surin I thought it would be great to do a side trip to Angkor Wat. Is there a way of getting a visa for the trip. It would only be for a few days.
    Thanks Dave

    • Nico

      9 years ago

      Hey Dave.
      If your visa is a single one and you would like to travel outside of Thailand for a short period inside your visa period, then a re-entry permit will be needed or your tourist visa will be canceled once you’re leaving Thailand.
      I found these infos, but you better should double-check those to be sure :

      ” A re-entry permit must be obtained at the immigration office designated for your area.
      While it states that in an emergency it can be obtained at the airport no member has yet reported whether or not it is possible.
      When applying for a re-entry permit you will need to submit the following :
      * A completed TM-8 form
      * The correct fee
      * A 2″ photo
      * Photocopy of passport (main page, visa page and latest entry stamp)

      Current fees for re-entry permit are 1,000 Baht for a single re-entry. ”

      Hope it helps.

    • Mark Wiens

      9 years ago

      Great information, thank you for sharing Nico.

  • Jan

    10 years ago

    Hi, I am wondering if I can also make passport photos at Bangkok immigration office. Anyone got any experience? I have been there several times to do my visa extinction but cannot remember if I have seen there any photoshop or photo boot to do passport photos.any help??
    Thanks

    • Mark Wiens

      10 years ago

      Hi Jan, yes you can, downstairs same shop where you can make copies, they will do photos too.

  • Wink

    10 years ago

    Your information is very useful. It reminds me how the process of extending visa be. What I need to go there is very important. By the way, I found out bus no 52 from Mochit passed across the CAT because last 2 weeks ago I went there for 90 day-stay. If your journey starts from MBK, you can use bus 29 to Mochit or IT square shoppcing center. Thanks !

    • Mark Wiens

      10 years ago

      Hey Wink, great to hear from you, thank you for sharing the extra useful info.

  • Manuel

    10 years ago

    Hi Mark,
    I wanted to know if I can renew my Non Immigrant ED visa in advance, like a week before the expiry date.

    Thanks Mark

    • Mark Wiens

      10 years ago

      Hey Manuel, not sure about a ED visa, but I think so.

    • Manuel

      10 years ago

      Thank you Mark for your reply

  • Al

    10 years ago

    Hi Mark

    Great info! Im a yearly traveler to Thailand and will forever be coming back here if not moving to Thailand!
    I wanted to ask if you have any idea concerning extending a 60 day tourist visa within the 6 month passport expiry time frame and can immigration officers when entering Thailand actually shorten your supposed duration of stay?

    Well im asking all this because i need to know if all will be smooth if i travel a few weeks before i hit the “6 months” passport expired validity time frame.

    Thanks alot

    • Mark Wiens

      10 years ago

      Hey Al, hmm I’m honestly not sure about that. However, they often say that you need a passport valid for more than 6 months to enter a country, so it might be a bit risky. If I can find any other details will let you know.

  • Jess

    10 years ago

    Hi!

    I need to go get my 30 day extension soon and was wondering how many days in advance I should get it? If I go to get it, say, a week in advance, will the extension start on the day I get it, or on the day my original tourist visa ends?

    Your advice has been immensely helpful! Thank you!

    • Niko

      10 years ago

      Hey Jess!
      Yes you can apply for your extension whenever you want during your last month available on your tourist visa.
      The extension will start at the end of the stamp date from your visa even if you get there 1 or 2 weeks before that end date. It wont start on the day you get it at the immigration office, dont worry.

    • Mark Wiens

      10 years ago

      Hi Jess, you can really go to extend any day, and the extension will start as soon as your official date of your visa ends. So you can apply a week in advance and the extension will start the day your other visa ends. All the best.

    • Jess

      10 years ago

      Thanks guys!! That may have been an amateur question of me, but I couldn’t find an answer to that detail anywhere. Just got back from Immigration. Easiest process ever and it only took 45 mins in the actual office! It helped to have all this advice beforehand, though, going into it. 🙂 I’m really glad people take the time to share their experiences, because it’s made mine that much smoother! Cheers!

  • Linda

    10 years ago

    Hi there,
    I want to extend my 60 day tourist visa for another 30 days. Does anyone know if this is possible considering the current conditions (martial law, curfew, etc.)?
    Where do I have to go, is the immigration office still closed?

    Thanks for any help!

    • Linda

      10 years ago

      Also, I want to volunteer and the school sais I only need a tourist visa. On the internet I read that I need a working permit, though.
      Do you know anything about that?

    • Koni

      10 years ago

      You are right even for volunteer you should have a work permit to stay legal.. They might be “kikhiat” 😉 (lazy) to do all the paper work i guess. But be aware that with a tourist visa only you may face both fine and deportation…

    • Mark Wiens

      10 years ago

      I’m not fully sure about the requirements for volunteering, but probably the website is correct as they should state the law. Many schools or organization don’t always abide by the laws, but at the same time, it’s not really enforced. All the best.

    • Koni

      10 years ago

      Hi Linda.
      The immigration office at Chaeng Watthana is anounced to reopen on june the 2nd.
      Before that there are still 2 temporary offices at Major Hoolywood suksawak and at Ladphrao. I may advise you to check the forum Thaivisa.com where all these infos are up to date.
      And from what i’ve heard coup and curfews doesn’t change anything you should still be able to extend.

    • Mark Wiens

      10 years ago

      Hi Linda, yes it’s possible still. This immigration office is scheduled to re-open starting on Monday. If you need to go today or tomorrow you can either go to the Ladprao or Suksawat location: http://bangkok.immigration.go.th/intro1.html

  • DK

    10 years ago

    Hello, Iam an Indian. Actually i wanted to ask you that, iam in Bangkok right now and i have 10 days left for my 2 month tourist visa to expire. Can indians have a 30 day extention too?

    • Pulkit

      8 years ago

      Why is this not replied, i want to ask the same question, things and rules are different for Indians.

  • Koni

    10 years ago

    Hey Mark !!
    Just read a few post above that as now married to a thai, you’ve managed to get a 60 days extension of stay?

    I’m in that case, my 60 days tourist visa ends on April 26th and i planned to get a 30 days ext. soon (after songkran)
    when I also read on a forum about that 60 days possibility as married to a thai.

    Would love a feedback on the process :
    Did you use it? Any difficulties ?
    I’d also like to be updated about what documents are needed to obtain this extension.
    I heard same as a classic 30 days (passport and visa stamp copies, a photo + 1900Tb) plus Mariage certif, house book of your wife and her presence with you at the office.
    Am I right ? nothing about financial prooves or outbound flight ticket ?

    Thanks in advance for your help. I should be there on 17th-18th as soon as i know when office reopen after songkran 🙂

    • Mark Wiens

      10 years ago

      Hey Koni, Yes you’re absolutely right – that’s what I’ve been doing since I got married. I keep meaning to update this article with the latest info about being married.

      You need to bring your wife, plus copies of a house contract, her ID, and also copies of your marriage certificate (although to be safe you might actually need your real marriage certificate, because the last time I went, they said they had been getting a lot of fakes and needed the real thing).

      Nope, don’t need to show bank or have any flight.

      60 days really helps! I’ve done it about 5 times already and haven’t had a problem.

      All the best,
      Mark

    • Koni

      10 years ago

      Thanks Mark. I’ll let you know, will be doing this friday or next one after Songkran.
      Thanks and have a great songkran if in Bangkok !
      (And if so i’d be glad to share a beer one day…) Cheers!

    • Mark Wiens

      10 years ago

      You’re welcome, all the best, yah that would be great!

    • Koni

      10 years ago

      So… Mark. It went quite smoothly, and 60 days extension was granted.
      The lady even told me that I could ask 1st for 30 days then to come back for the 60 days, That’s a 90 days extension for a tourist visa if married…
      Wasn’t sure about that and fears that next month another officer would tell me ‘no you already had 30 days’…
      So I just asked for the 60 days as I’ll have to be out of Thailand in june and then will be asking another visa before entrance.
      I’ve been doing all this in the temporary Major Hollywood office on Suksawad road.

      Here was my little feedback 😉

    • Mark Wiens

      10 years ago

      Hey Koni, sorry for the late reply, glad it worked out well. Thanks for leaving your feedback!

  • Robert Davies

    10 years ago

    Hey Mark,

    Great website. I like it a lot. The new Richard Barrow!!

    I have a 3 entry tourist visa and am in Thailand on my third and final entry.
    My current visa expires on the 8th April. Can I apply to have a 30 day extension? If so, when and where should I do it? A few days before it expires? Is it still at the same building you did yours or has it changed?

    The enter before date of my tourist visa is: 26 Feb 2014

    • Mark Wiens

      10 years ago

      Hey Robert, thanks, good to hear from you! Yes, you should be able to extend your visa at this same location. Actually I just asked the staff there, and they said you can apply for the extension before your visa expires, and the 30 day extension will start as soon as your real visa expires. Best of luck!

    • Robert Davies

      10 years ago

      Thanks so much. Where do I get this extension to my visa? I have heard that the office has now switched buildings because of the ‘riots’.

    • Robert Davies

      10 years ago

      I have just extended my tourist visa another 30 days and they used the date from when my visa would have expired (8th April) rather than today (21 March).
      It was a relatively painless experience as well, only took just over an our.
      I had to get it done at Imperial World, Ladprao as the immigration office at Chaeng Wattana is still closed.

      Thanks for your help.

    • Mark Wiens

      10 years ago

      Fantastic Robert, thanks for sharing!

  • m a mannan

    10 years ago

    planning for travel thailand within this week……welcome me n my friend….actually we lover….where to travel…which will be better, please let me know…

  • bossel

    10 years ago

    Hi!

    Thanks for the info. I just have one question.
    For the tourist visa which I got in Guangzhou, China, I had to provide a flight ticket. This is not necessary for the extension here in Bangkok?

    Thanks in advance!

    • Mark Wiens

      10 years ago

      Hey Bossel, no I haven’t needed to supply flight info to extend my visa.

  • Joel

    10 years ago

    Hey Mark, first things first: me and my cousin absolutely love your food videos. Whenever i feel down i just watch your face go into pure.enjoyment mode when you taste something in one of your videos.and.my day’s good again:D.

    Anyway. I’ve got a double entry visa and.im.about to enter thailand fromIndia. Having been.in thailand before, i can already tell i probaly waant to extend this into.another double entry visa when this one runs out (im planning to stay for some time in thailand.and rent a place.). Do you know if this is at all possible??

    Cheers! And keep the videos comming! 😀

    • Mark Wiens

      10 years ago

      Hey Joel, thank you so much for watching my video, I highly appreciate it. Yes, that should be fine. You should have any problem renting a place on a tourist visa, as long as you fork out the money and deposit. Best of luck, and thanks again!

  • albert cabrera

    10 years ago

    Hi,just checking that USA can go to Chaeng Watthana Road” to extend Visa for 30 days,there
    website made it seem to accommodate those living in Bangkok.

  • Frank Murky

    10 years ago

    Train to Laksi station and then a 20 baht mororbike taxi to government center will work also.

    • ed hansen

      9 years ago

      sounds ez. have to find the complete train departure schedule have one in BTS somewhere I recall. mabye mrt/train as asoke ?

  • Moutassem

    10 years ago

    Thank you Mark,
    that is very helpful. I’m planning right now my next trip to thailand with the wish of staying 3 months. So that sounds like the perfect solution: applying for a 2 months visa before travelling, then extending it by 30 days.

    But like Joshy asked do you know if the extension starts the day you apply or at the end of your visa?

    Thank you!

    Moutassem
    a fellow blogger who loves to travel

    • Mark Wiens

      10 years ago

      Hey Moutassem,

      Great to hear from you and that you’re planning on coming to Thailand for a few months. I always thought that the visa extension started on the day you applied for it, but I’m actually not totally sure. I’m going there in a couple of weeks and I’ll ask!

  • Joshy

    11 years ago

    Hi Mark,

    Are you sure that the extension starts from the day you apply. In the thread on “http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/431925-how-to-extend-your-tourist-visa-a-guide/” says the extension will be applied to the end of the expiry date irrespective of when you go?

  • REza

    11 years ago

    Please accept my appreciation , bcoz it was my anxiety . Tomorrow i will go there and i hope as you mentioned already , it be easy …
    could you please tell me , can I change my tourist 2 entry visa into student (ED VISA)?
    how much does it cost?

  • Maya

    11 years ago

    I actually have a non-immigrant visa type F which is valid in 3 months from July – October/2013, I want to extend my visa to the 1 year type. I was wondering how long I would have to wait until i can get my visa back? I have official papers too. A friend of mine said it would take 2 weeks, 3 weeks tops. But some also say it can take up to 4 weeks? Thank you

  • Massoud

    11 years ago

    Please tell me about marriage , rule and regulation in Thailand . thank you Mark

    • Mark Wiens

      11 years ago

      Hey Massound, if you are married to a Thai, you can actually get the family extension, which is valid for 60 days instead of 30.

    • Cameron

      10 years ago

      An immigration officer at Chaeng Wattana told me a few months back that one could get two 60-day extensions of the tourist visa based on marriage – I already have one and would like to get another to have time to replace my British passport (at the cheaper rate that becomes effective on April 7 – but takes four weeks, which means for me the passport comes back after the current visa has expired.)

      Anyone have any insights, experiences?

    • Mark Wiens

      10 years ago

      Hi Cameron, good to hear from you. I’m not totally sure about this one. I recently go married to my Thai wife, and I can extend my tourist visa by 60 days 1 time, but hadn’t heard about 2 times. Hopefully someone here can help!

  • Matthew Karsten

    11 years ago

    Great guide Mark. Just used it today. Took about an hour. Wanted to add a few updates to help anyone else:

    – From Mo Chit BTS station you can jump in a taxi-van to the Government complex for 25 Baht
    – There is a free shuttle bus (red) that will take you from the entrance of the complex to the immigration building, no need to hire a moto taxi.
    – Copy machines and photo printing is available inside the immigration building (bottom floor).
    – I successfully received a 7 day extension on my 15 day overland visa this way

    • Mark Wiens

      11 years ago

      Hey Matthew, thank you very much for the update!

    • ed hansen

      9 years ago

      Thanks. That’s ez enough.
      The fiasco of city bus to Morchit stop is another story to the Bus- BTS station.

  • Happytravels

    11 years ago

    Hi Mark, thanks for the very helpful article. I have a double entry visa (which was obtained when I was in Laos) and am on the first part the visa (the first 60 days). How’s does the visa extension work? Can I go to immigration now and they will tag the 30 extension onto day 60 or do I literally have to go there on 59th day and then request an extension? Thanks in advance for your help.

    • Mark Wiens

      11 years ago

      You have to go there on the last day that your visa expires (or a few days before), and it will be valid immediately as you get it… so no, you can’t get it ahead it ahead of time and save it for when your visa expires.

      All the best!

    • ed hansen

      9 years ago

      how to get my thai retirement visa without waiting 60 days after I got my 90 day O visa from Bkk ?
      I wait why.
      I must have this to get my saudi work visa. Does this new rule make any sense …..or a way to work around it ?

      Anyone in Wattana immigration can help.

      Where is the trains to Laksi or WAttana ? connect from Bkk BTS or MRT ?

  • Guillaume

    11 years ago

    It took me 6 hours last time I did it. It was a monday. Some people told me, it’s better to avoid this day of the week because like to go on monday. Sounds stupid but…

    • Mark Wiens

      11 years ago

      Hmm, sorry it took so long. I’ll avoid monday in the future.

  • Lorne

    11 years ago

    Thanks for the tips. Used your info today and had a hassle free visa extension.

  • robin

    11 years ago

    I love wandering but Bangkok is one of the best country.So thank u for posting information regarding to travel.

  • Vincent

    11 years ago

    Great blog Mark, I like all your articles. How did you manage to stay in Thailand for so long? Are you a PR now? Or are you doing visa run? Hope you don’t mind me asking this.

    • Mark Wiens

      11 years ago

      Hey Vincent, I’ve done quite a few visa runs, and I’m still on a tourist visa. However, I’m now engaged and will get married to a Thai, so things will change in the future. Have you lived, or are you living in Thailand?

  • Michael

    11 years ago

    Thanks for your sharing! How if i was not in Bangkok, i am currently at Phuket for example?

    • Mark Wiens

      11 years ago

      Hey Michael, I’m actually not sure as I’ve never done it from anywhere else in Thailand than Bangkok.

  • jamal

    11 years ago

    I thought theres a new video every wednesdy ???????????????? you have to make it up to us

    • Mark Wiens

      11 years ago

      Hey Jamal, the new video on Wednesday will publish on YouTube, but on this website I’ll publish that same video on Sunday each week! Thank you very much for following!

  • Jean Galea – FitforBlogging.com

    11 years ago

    Very useful, thank you. Will bookmark this as I might need it later. Is the extension given only from Bangkok (I’m in Chiang Mai)?

    • Mark Wiens

      11 years ago

      Hi Jean, thanks, glad you found this useful. I’m really not fully sure of the circumstances in Chiang Mai for renewing a visa, but I know the main place is in Bangkok at the immigration office.

    • Hondo

      10 years ago

      Chiang Mai Immigration is easy to find, as it is located next to the airport. Process is pretty much the same as in BKK.

    • Mark Wiens

      10 years ago

      Great, thanks Hondo!