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How to Extend Your Thailand Tourist Visa: Step-by-Step Guide (2025)

October 12, 2025 • Updated October 12, 2025

Can You Extend a Thai Tourist Visa?

Yes! Thailand allows most tourists to extend their visa-free stay or tourist visa by 30 days. This is one of the easiest visa extensions in Southeast Asia - no agent required, and it only takes a few hours.

Here's what you need to know:

  • One-time extension: You can extend once per entry
  • Cost: 1,900 THB (~$55)
  • Duration: 30 additional days
  • Processing time: Same day (2-4 hours)
  • Where: Any immigration office in Thailand

Who Can Extend?

Most nationalities can extend, including:

  • Visa-free entries (30 days on arrival)
  • Tourist visas (60 days)
  • Visa on arrival (15 days - but rare)

Important: You can only extend once per entry. If you entered visa-free and already extended once, you'll need to do a visa run to extend again.

Documents You Need

Immigration is strict about having complete documents. Here's the full checklist:

Required Documents:

  1. Passport: Valid for at least 6 months
  2. TM.7 form: Application for extension (provided at immigration)
  3. TM.6 departure card: The white card stapled in your passport when you entered
  4. 1 passport photo: 4x6 cm (they usually have photo booths at immigration)
  5. Photocopies:
    • Passport photo page
    • Thailand entry stamp page
    • TM.6 departure card
  6. Cash: 1,900 THB exact (they don't give change)

Optional (Helpful):

  • Proof of accommodation: Hotel booking or rental contract
  • Onward flight: Ticket out of Thailand (rarely asked)

Pro tip: Most immigration offices have copy shops nearby charging 5-10 THB per page. Get there early to make copies.

Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Choose Your Immigration Office

You can extend at any Thai immigration office. Popular locations for tourists:

Bangkok:

  • Chaeng Wattana Immigration Bureau (main office) - Government Complex, Laksi
    Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm (except holidays)
    Least crowded: Tuesday-Thursday mornings
  • Muang Thong Thani (temporary location check current status)
    Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm

Chiang Mai:

  • Chiang Mai Immigration Office - Airport Plaza, 3rd floor
    Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm
    Tip: Arrive before 9am to avoid long waits

Phuket:

  • Phuket Immigration Office - Phuket Town
    Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm

Pattaya:

  • Jomtien Immigration Office - Soi 5, Jomtien
    Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:00pm

Koh Samui:

  • Samui Immigration Office - Bo Phut
    Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm

Step 2: Arrive Early

Immigration offices get crowded, especially during high season (November-March). Arrival times:

  • Best: 8:00-9:00am (before opening)
  • OK: 9:00-11:00am
  • Avoid: After 2:00pm (they may not accept new applications)

Step 3: Fill Out the TM.7 Form

Pick up a TM.7 form at the immigration office. Fill it out completely:

  • Personal information (name, nationality, passport number)
  • Current address in Thailand
  • Reason for extension: Write "Tourism"
  • Signature and date

Don't worry: Immigration staff usually check your form and tell you if something's wrong. Be polite and patient.

Step 4: Get a Queue Number

At most offices, you take a queue number from a ticket machine. Keep your ticket - they'll call your number on a screen.

Step 5: Submit Documents

When called, go to the counter and submit:

  • Passport
  • Completed TM.7 form
  • Photocopies
  • Photo
  • 1,900 THB cash

The officer will review your documents, stamp your passport, and return it to you.

Step 6: Wait for Processing

Processing time: Usually 1-3 hours, depending on how busy the office is. You'll get another queue number. Wait in the area - they'll call you when ready.

Step 7: Collect Your Passport

When called again, collect your passport with the new stamp. Double-check the date is correct before leaving!

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Arriving too late: Get there before 2pm or they may not accept you
  • Missing TM.6 card: If you lost it, get a replacement at immigration first
  • Wrong photo size: Must be 4x6 cm (there are booths at most offices)
  • Not enough cash: Bring exact change - 1,900 THB
  • Overstaying before extending: Extend before your current visa expires!

What If You're Denied?

Denial is rare if you have all documents, but it can happen if:

  • You've extended multiple times in the past year (red flag)
  • You've overstayed before
  • Missing required documents

If denied: You'll need to leave Thailand and re-enter, or consider a visa run.

Alternatives to Extension

1. Visa Run

Leave Thailand and re-enter to get a fresh 30-day stamp. Popular visa run destinations:

  • From Bangkok: Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Vientiane, Siem Reap
  • From Chiang Mai: Mae Sai border (Myanmar), Vientiane
  • From Phuket/Krabi: Penang, Langkawi

Cost: $50-200 depending on destination.

2. Tourist Visa (60 Days)

Apply at a Thai embassy abroad for a proper 60-day tourist visa (extendable once for 30 more days = 90 days total).

3. Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa

If you plan to stay long-term, consider Thailand's LTR visa:

  • Duration: 10 years
  • Income requirement: $80,000/year or $40,000 + investments
  • Cost: ~10,000 THB

Cost Breakdown

  • Extension fee: 1,900 THB (~$55)
  • Passport photo: 100-200 THB (~$3-6)
  • Photocopies: 20-50 THB (~$0.50-1.50)
  • Transportation: 50-500 THB depending on location
  • Total: ~2,100-2,700 THB (~$60-75)

Pro Tips

  • Dress respectfully: No shorts, tank tops, or flip-flops (they may turn you away)
  • Be polite: Thai immigration officers appreciate respect and patience
  • Use an agent if stuck: Agents charge 3,000-5,000 THB but handle everything
  • Check holidays: Immigration is closed on Thai public holidays
  • Keep receipts: Save your extension receipt as backup proof

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I extend multiple times?
A: No, only once per entry. After that, you need to leave and re-enter.

Q: Can I apply for extension on my last day?
A: Technically yes, but risky. Apply at least 3-7 days before expiry.

Q: Do I need to show funds?
A: Rarely asked, but having 20,000 THB cash is officially required.

Q: Can I work on a tourist visa extension?
A: No. Tourist visas don't permit work in Thailand. Consider LTR or proper work visa.

Q: What if I lost my TM.6 card?
A: Get a replacement at immigration before applying for extension (free).

Bottom Line

Extending your Thai tourist visa is straightforward if you're prepared. Bring all required documents, arrive early, dress appropriately, and be patient. The 1,900 THB fee gets you 30 more days in paradise - totally worth it for most travelers. If you plan to stay longer than 90 days total, consider doing a visa run or applying for a proper tourist visa at a Thai embassy.

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