Thailand Visa Extension Guide – How to Extend Your Stay Legally

Many Indian travellers reach Thailand on visa-free entry, Tourist Visa or Visa on Arrival, and later decide to stay longer. In this guide, VisaTrip explains who can extend, what documents are required, the step-by-step process at Immigration, and how our team can help you complete your extension smoothly.

1. Who Can Apply for a Thailand Visa Extension?

You can usually apply for an extension if you are:

• On visa-free entry as a tourist and want 30 extra days
• On a Tourist Visa (TR) and want to extend stay by 30 days
• On Visa on Arrival and allowed to extend inside Thailand

The exact rules depend on your current entry stamp and immigration policy. VisaTrip checks your passport and latest stamp before advising the best option.

2. How Many Extra Days Can You Get?

In most cases, tourists receive:

• +30 days extension on top of their current permitted stay
• Extension counted from the expiry date of your current stamp, not from the date you visit Immigration

Example: If your current permission ends on 10th of the month and you get a 30-day extension, your new expiry date becomes 9th of the next month.

3. Documents Required for Visa Extension

Common documents requested at Thai Immigration for a 30-day extension are:

• Original passport with current entry stamp
• Completed extension form (provided at Immigration)
• Passport-size photograph (usually 4×6 cm)
• Photocopy of passport photo page
• Photocopy of entry stamp / visa page
• Proof of accommodation (hotel booking or landlord letter/address)
• Extension fee in Thai Baht

4. Extension Fee at Immigration

The standard fee for a 30-day extension of stay is typically 1,900 THB. This fee is paid directly at the Immigration Office and is usually non-refundable, even if your extension is refused.

5. Where Can You Extend Your Visa in Thailand?

You must visit a Thai Immigration Office to apply for an extension. Popular offices include:

• Bangkok Immigration (Chaeng Wattana)
• Chiang Mai Immigration
• Phuket Immigration
• Pattaya / Chonburi Immigration
• Other provincial Immigration Offices across Thailand

You can usually extend at the office closest to your current stay, not only where you entered Thailand.

6. Step-by-Step Visa Extension Process

Step 1 – Check Your Current Stamp

Before visiting Immigration, check your passport:

• Find the page with the latest entry stamp or visa stamp
• Confirm the “Admitted Until” date – this is your current last day

Step 2 – Prepare Documents

• Fill in the extension application form (or take help at the office)
• Attach a passport photo
• Prepare copies of passport pages & hotel booking
• Keep 1,900 THB cash for extension fee

Step 3 – Visit Immigration Office

• Arrive early to avoid long queues, especially in high season
• Take a queue number from the reception or token machine
• Submit completed form, documents, and passport at the counter

Step 4 – Pay Fee and Wait for Processing

• When your number is called, pay the extension fee
• Officer may ask simple questions: hotel address, travel plan, exit date
• Processing usually takes from 30 minutes to a few hours depending on crowd

Step 5 – Collect Passport with New Stamp

• Check that the new expiry date is correct
• Keep a photo of the new stamp on your phone as backup

7. Overstay Rules & Penalties

Overstaying your permitted stay without extension can lead to fines or blacklisting.

• Typical fine: around 500 THB per day of overstay (up to a maximum)
• Serious or repeated overstay can lead to detention, deportation and future entry ban

8. Can You Convert to Another Visa Type After Extension?

Many travellers first take a 30-day extension and then decide to convert to a long-stay visa if they want to stay more time in Thailand. Common conversions after extension include:

• Tourist / Visa-Free → Education Visa (Non-ED)
• Tourist / Visa-Free → Work / Business Visa (Non-B + Work Permit)
• Tourist / Visa-Free → Retirement or Marriage Visa (if eligible)

These conversions are more complex and require extra documents from schools, companies or Thai partners. VisaTrip can check which options are realistic in your situation.

9. How VisaTrip Helps with Thailand Visa Extension Guide

VisaTrip focuses on assisting Indian and international travellers who are already inside Thailand and want to extend or upgrade their stay. Our team can help you with:

• Checking your passport stamp and advising if extension is possible
• Preparing documents and filling the extension form correctly
• Guiding you to the right Immigration Office (Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, etc.)
• Explaining long-stay options after your extension (Work, ED, Retirement, Business)
• Travel insurance, hotel and flight support when required for visa files

Extending your stay in Thailand is usually straightforward when your documents are complete and you know the correct process. With VisaTrip’s local guidance, you can avoid overstay risk, save time at Immigration, and focus on enjoying your trip while we help with the paperwork.