Visa Extension Services in Bangkok

7 day visa extension Bangkok

Although the most common visa extension is the 30 day visa extension in Bangkok, it is not available to some passport holders or some visas. The 7 day visa extension is available to almost everyone; however, it is most suited to the following groups:

• Passport holders from one of the following countries: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Iran, Nigeria, Togo or Uganda. The Thai visa extension in Bangkok will ONLY be available if you entered on a Single Entry Tourist Visa or a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa and is effectively a tourist visa extension available in Bangkok
• Anyone who was granted a 15-day Visa on Arrival (usually from a land border) will only be eligible for a 7 day Thai Visa extension, and this is only normally granted for medical reasons
• Those who entered Thailand with a 15 day visa waiver will also only be eligible for a 7 day extension, and again, these visas are only typically issued at land borders

When to get a Tourist Visa extension in Bangkok

If you are in Bangkok and want a tourist visa extension. In that case, you should plan to get the extension around 7 days before as the additional days will be added on your existing stamp rather than from the day you visit the Immigration Department in Bangkok. Extension from border runs are valid from the day you re-enter the country. Of course, visa extensions MUST be applied for BEFORE your visa expires or the extension of stay has elapsed.

Where can I get my Thai Visa extension in Bangkok?

If you wish to go to immigration in Bangkok for a visa extension, you would normally go to Chaeng Wattana. All taxi drivers in the capital will know where the building is and will happily take you, with taxis being plentiful after you have finished. However, for convenience, when you visit Bangkok immigration for a visa extension, you may wish to use and agents such as ourselves who can help you to find your way around and ensure that everything goes to plan. It will give you the added peace of mind an enable you to enjoy the rest of your stay in the country.

 If you are not in Bangkok but require a visa extension, all provinces in Thailand will have at least one immigration department with details available on the Thai Immigration website. All offices are open Monday to Friday but closed on public holidays.

What documents does Immigration in Bangkok require for a tourist visa extension?

For a Bangkok visa extension, you must attend the immigration department in person and bring with you all the required documents. You will need:

• A completed TM.7 – Extension of Temporary Stay form. Make sure that you have the full address of the hotel or place where you will be staying, as this will need to be included on the form
• Your original passport, along with copies of the personal information page, your visa (where applicable), your original entry stamp (and any other stamps from this visit) and a copy of your TM.6 Departure Card. All copies need to be signed
• One recent passport-sized photo taken against a white background – males should be wearing a shirt with a collar such as a polo or tailored shirt
• THB1,900 in cash, which is the extension fee to be handed to the immigration officer

How long does it take to get a tourist visa extension in Bangkok?

Unfortunately, Chaeng Wattana is incredibly busy, but it is very well staffed. However, you should allow 2-3 hours to complete the process and hope that it takes less! The most extended wait is to see the immigration officer for the first time when all your documents will be thoroughly checked. If everything is in order, you will be asked to sit down and called back around 10 minutes later when you will be issued with an extension.

It takes the same amount of time and costs the same regardless of if you are applying for a 3, 13 or 30-day extension, so we would always advise, where possible, to apply for a 30 day visa extension in Bangkok.

Extension of Non-Immigrant Visas

If you wish to extend a Non-Immigrant Visa such as a Thai Retirement Visa (O-A), a Dependent Visa or a Work Visa (B), it will generally be for a further 12 months. Each visa has its criteria regarding extensions, and we will be able to advise and assist you regarding this. Again, there can be quite a lot of red tape involved, so we recommend using an agent to ensure that everything runs smoothly.

What happens if I overstay? 

Overstaying your visa in Thailand is now more of a problem than it was in the past and can prevent you from re-entering the Kingdom. The penalty for a minor oversight, often discovered on departure, is THB500, which may seem small, but you will receive a stamp in your passport, and a note added. While the overstay fine may be negligible on a daily basis, the maximum penalty is THB20,000. You have also broken the law, and should you get arrested, you may face jail time and be prevented from entering the country in future. If you voluntarily go to immigration, the bans are as follows:

• More than 90 days overstay – one year
• More than one year overstay – three years
• More than three years overstay – five years
• More than five years overstay – ten years

If you are arrested, the bans are as follows:

• Less than one year overstay – five years
• More than one year overstay – ten years

Do you need assistance with your visa extension in Bangkok?

If you require help with your Bangkok Tourist Visa Extension and have searched for “visa extension Bangkok” but don’t know who to trust, then at Thai Visa Expert, we can help. We understand that applying can be stressful, but we have an established and trusted professional relationship with Thai Immigration and know what is currently required, thus increasing your chances of your visa extension being granted.