How to Stay Longer in Thailand: Visa Extensions and Upgrades

Depending on which Thai visa you used to enter the country, there are certain pathways you can take to remain in Thailand for longer periods. If you want to stay in Thailand beyond the duration of your visa to experience more of the country, you will need to apply for an extension or upgrade to a longer-term visa to avoid risking an overstay.

Continue reading to find out which Thai visas can be extended, which visas are best to upgrade to, and what steps you need to go through to stay in Thailand longer.?

Which Thai Visas Can Be Extended?

If you’re holding a short-term visa or in the country under the Thailand visa exemption scheme, usually you can apply for an extension before it expires. How many days you can extend it for depends on your visa:

• A single-entry and multiple-entry Thai Tourist Visa can be extended for an additional 30 days per entry.?
• A Thai Visa-on-Arrival can be lengthened for up to 7 days in Thailand, but only under certain emergency circumstances.?
• A Thai Non-Immigrant Visa can be extended for up to 90 days or up to 1 year.
• If you’re under visa-exemption status, you can prolong your stay for an extra 30 days.?

It’s important to extend your Thai visa before its expiry date to avoid any penalties. Staying beyond the validity of your visa will lead to an overstay, which can result in penalties such as fines, possible deportation, or even detainment.

How to Extend Your Thai Visa

To continue your stay on your current visa, you must request for an extension at the nearest Thai immigration office. The immigration officer reviewing your application will decide whether to issue the extension; there is no guarantee of success. To apply for a Thai visa extension, you need the following documents:?

• Three completed forms (TM.7, SMT2, and TM30)?
• A valid passport (no less than 6 months validity remaining)
• A recent passport-sized photograph of yourself?
• Proof of address in Thailand (such as confirmation of hotel booking or a rental agreement)
• A recent bank statement (if applicable)
• Any additional documents as requested by the immigration officer (such as an employment contract if you are extending a Non-Immigrant B Visa)

Make sure that you have all these documents prepared before submitting them. Certain mistakes and discrepancies in your application, such as missing documents and incomplete forms, can lead to delays or a possible rejection. If there are no amendments needed, you may be able to receive your extension in a single day.

With everything ready, you will need to complete the following steps:

1. Go in person to the nearest Thai immigration office with all of your documents.
2. Take a number and wait to be called. Use this time to ensure all your forms and documents are fully prepared.
3. When your number is called, submit your documents to the immigration officer and pay the 1,900 baht extension fee in cash.?
4. Pick up your passport with the new visa stamp at the immigration office once the extension has been processed. Typically, you should be able to do this later the same day.

Upgrading to a Long-Term Thai Visa

For lengthy stays in Thailand without the hassle of visa extensions, the best course of action is to secure a long-term visa. Unlike shorter-term visas, long-term visas are renewed on an annual basis or even longer with no extensions needed.?

They are also classified as multiple-entry visas, allowing you to travel to other countries and return to Thailand without constant re-entry permits, providing more convenience and saving you a trip to the immigration office. There are two long-term tourist visas that are simple to qualify for:

Thailand Elite Visa

The Thailand Elite Visa not only lets you settle in Thailand for extended periods by offering a flexible long-term visa, but also a wealth of perks and benefits. To acquire one, you must join the Thailand Privilege program that offers five distinct membership tiers with each one valid from 5 to 20 years.?

Each membership provides a plethora of exclusive luxury perks that make living in Thailand more rewarding and convenient, such as free nights at luxury hotels or access to the Immigration fast lane at international airports. You can upgrade to a Thailand Elite Visa regardless of your current location, so you can get one while you are back home or upgrade to a Thailand Elite Visa in the middle of your trip. With all these benefits and more, the Elite Visa is ideal if you desire the most comfortable and streamlined long-term experience.

Destination Thailand Visa (DTV)

Another easy-to-acquire long-term tourist visa is the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV). The DTV is a recent long-stay tourist visa allowing you to reside for up to 5 years in Thailand and leave and reenter as many times as you want. You can qualify for this visa if you are working remotely for an international company, enrolled in a “soft-power activity,” seeking medical treatment, or are a family member of an existing DTV holder.?

However, you can only remain in Thailand for up to 180 days per entry, with the possibility to extend your stay once for another 180 days, after which time you must leave the country and re-enter. You also cannot upgrade to a DTV unless you are outside Thailand. Despite this, its low entry requirements and affordability make the DTV a prime choice for a more flexible and cost-effective experience.

Should You Do a “Visa Run” to Stay in Thailand Longer?

To prolong their stay in Thailand, many foreigners opt to do what is known as a “visa run.” A visa run is when foreigners travel to other countries for a short period to extend the length of their visa or visa-free stay.

It is not recommended to do border runs to refresh your stay limit, as you can generally only enter Thailand without a visa twice each year. While this limit is not always strictly enforced, it is up to the discretion of the border officer whether or not to grant you entry, and they have full authority to deny you entry. Taking advantage of visa runs may lead to border officers affixing a red stamp to your passport and temporarily ban you from entering the country, which will also make it harder to get a visa to enter Thailand in the future.?

Contact Siam Legal for Professional Assistance

To extend or upgrade your Thai visa, quickly and smoothly, reach out to Siam Legal International for professional assistance. As a full-service law firm and visa consultancy with over 20 years of experience, our Thai visa consultants have the skills and knowledge to help you sort out your immigration issues so you can remain longer in Thailand.

We handle all correspondence with the appropriate authorities and the preparation and submission of your application on your behalf, reducing the busy work and giving you more time to enjoy Thailand with peace of mind.?

Contact Siam Legal today to enjoy a long and comfortable stay in the Land of Smiles without any disruptions.