Foreigners may now enter Thailand for tourism purposes. Foreign tourists may visit Thailand in 3 different ways:
- Visa Exemption – This is a free visa given to foreigners at the airport. It is available to nationalities of countries under the Visa Exemption Scheme.
- Tourist Visa (TR Visa) – This is a visa issued by the Thai Embassy or Consulate prior to traveling to Thailand. This is valid for single entry and it allows the traveler to stay for 60 days starting from the date of arrival.
- Special Tourist Visa (STV) – This is a visa also issued by the Thai Embassy or Consulate before coming to Thailand. This is valid for a single entry. The traveler must enter Thailand before July 3, 2021. The foreign tourist will be allowed to stay for 90 days from the date of arrival.
When a visa exemption, tourist visa, or a special tourist visa is about to expire, foreigners can apply for a visa renewal or visa extension to stay in Thailand before the permit to stay expires. It is recommended to apply for the visa extension within 1 week before the date of expiry of your entry stamp.
How to Apply for Tourist Visa Extension
For the visa extension, the applicant will be granted an extension of the visa up to 1 month from the expiration of the original permission of stay, except for some countries the visa will be extended for just 7 days.
Qualifications for Tourist Visa Extension
- Must have been granted a tourist visa or visa exemption
- Must not be of nationality or type prescribed by the committee monitoring official proceedings of officers of the Immigration Bureau
Documents Required
- Application form TM.7 (application must be made in person)
- Copy of passport, visa sticker from the embassy (Tourist Visa (TR) or the latest arrival stamp for Visa Exemption
- TM30 address notification
- Photo 4 x 6 cm. (not older than 6 months)
- Application fee 1,900 Baht.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The extension for the 45-day visa exemption and the 60-day tourist visa is an additional 30 days. However, the foreigner may also apply for COVID 19 extension and it is valid for 60 days. This visa relief is available until May 29, 2021.
How to Apply for Special Tourist Visa or STV extension
During the COVID-19 pandemic, travelers who want to come to Thailand to travel can apply for the Special Tourist Visa (STV). Travelers can only apply for the STV from the Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate in their country. This visa will allow the foreigner to stay in Thailand for 90 days and can be renewed another two times per 90-day period of stay in Thailand for up to 270 days.
Document Requirements
- An application for extension of temporary stay in the Kingdom (TM.7) with a photo attached.
- Copy of passport, visa sticker from the embassy (Special Tourist Visa (STV)), the latest arrival stamp, TM.6 card (departure card).
- TM30 address notification
- Proof of a place to stay such as a copy of a condominium title deed owned by a foreigner or family member, proof of condominium or house rental, proof of payment for purchasing or leasing a condominium where a foreigner can legally purchase or lease.
Note
- Pay a visa extension fee of 1,900 THB at the immigration office where a foreigner submits an application for visa extension.
- A foreigner will be permitted to extend a visa 2 times, each permission will be granted for not exceeding 90 days.
- A foreigner who enters the Kingdom from 3 July 2021 onwards will not be permitted to extend a visa.
- A foreigner, who is permitted to stay in the Kingdom not more than 30 September 2021 and wishes to extend the length of stay for STV, must submit an application for visa extension before 30 September 2021.
- A Foreigner cannot change the STV into another type of visa within Thailand
Hi,
My girlfriend and I have a tourist visa (single entry) and would like to extent our stay for 30 days. We are currently in bangkok to extent our visa. Which office do we need to go to? Can we walk in or do we have to book a meeting, if so, how do we do this?
Additionally is it possible to fill out the required forms and get a photograph taken at the immigration office?
Hi Thor,
The visa exemption can be extended for another 30 days at your local immigration office. You only need to pay 1900 THB and submit the TM7 form, copy of passport visa, and TM6. If you are currently located in Bangkok, yes, you need to make an appointment with the Thai Immigration office in Muang Thong Thani. If you are located in the provinces, you do not need an appointment, you may visit the immigration at your convenient day and time.
Good day,
I am a Canadian looking to enter Thailand on a Tourist Visa or Thai Multiple Entry Visa. I have already spoken with the Thai Embassy in Canada and she advised me to speak with the Thai Immigration Bureau directly for confirmation of the info I am seeking but I am hoping you would be so kind as to help me with the information I’m looking for.
I would like to stay in Thailand from the summer (July or August) until the end of December. I am reviewing your website here and this is what I have gathered:
-I can stay for up to 60 days on regular Tourist Visa and request to extend it 30 days. Can you confirm this is accurate please?
-Also, since 90 days wouldn’t cover the duration I want to stay in Thailand for, am I permitted to do a visa a run to Laos? If I did, and if it was only for a short time such as a couple hours and re-entered Thailand would I be required to do an ASQ again? The embassy representative in Canada said that I should ask this exact question as she did not know.
-If I am on a Tourist Visa is there a requirement before hand to show my accommodation the whole time like the Special Tourist Visa? Since I plan to travel around it wouldn’t be possible.
This is a lot of questions and I greatly appreciate the assistance you can provide. Thank you for your time and stay safe!
Dear Drew,
Good day.
– Yes you can stay a maximum of 90 days with a regular Tourist Visa.
– Visa runs are not advisable at the moment. We suggest you talk to your Embassy here in Thailand and confirm whether or not they can issue a letter that states a foreigner can stay using the COVID-19 visa extension.
– Yes, you should have at least prepare your accommodation as you might be questioned by immigration.
Thank you.