How many extra days does a Thailand tourist visa extension give?

A standard tourist visa extension in Thailand usually provides an additional 30 days of stay, counted from the original last day of stay shown in the passport stamp.

Can a traveller extend a Thailand visa more than once?

In some cases a second or later extension may not be available or may depend on local immigration practice, visa type and the traveller's history. Each situation is assessed individually by immigration officers.

Where are Thailand visa extensions processed?

Visa extensions are normally processed at Thai immigration offices that are responsible for the province where the visitor is staying, such as immigration offices in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket or Pattaya.

Can a Thailand visa be extended at the airport on departure?

Visa extensions are usually not carried out at airport departure counters. Airports focus on entry and exit control, while full extensions are normally handled at local immigration offices.

What happens if someone overstays instead of extending their visa?

Overstaying in Thailand can lead to daily fines, possible bans in serious cases and more detailed questioning on future entries. Applying for a visa extension is a safer option than allowing an overstay.

Is a 30-day visa extension better than doing a visa run?

For many visitors, a 30-day extension at a local immigration office is simpler and less expensive than travelling out of Thailand for a visa run. However, some long-term or complex plans may still require new entries obtained outside the country.

Can a tourist later convert to another visa category after extending?

In some situations a person who extended a tourist stay may later change to another category, such as education, business, work or marriage, if they meet the relevant conditions and immigration accepts the change.

When is the best time to apply for a Thailand visa extension?

Many travellers apply for an extension roughly one week before the last day of stay. Applying at the correct time helps avoid overstay and reduces the risk of having to make new travel plans at short notice.

What documents are commonly required for a 30-day tourist visa extension in Thailand?

Typical documents include a valid passport, photocopies of relevant pages, a completed extension form, a passport-sized photo, local accommodation details and payment of the government extension fee.

How can a visa support service assist with Thailand visa extensions?

A visa support service can read the traveller's current stamp, confirm extension eligibility, recommend the appropriate immigration office, help with forms and document preparation, and advise on timing and alternatives such as visa runs.

Thailand Visa Extension — 30-Day Extension Inside Thailand | VisaTrip

THAILAND • 30-DAY VISA EXTENSION

Thailand Visa Extension — 30-Day Extension Inside Thailand

Extend your stay legally at Immigration instead of rushing out of Thailand.

Many travellers and long-stay visitors can add an extra 30 days to their stay by applying for a visa extension at a Thai Immigration Office. VisaTrip helps you prepare documents, choose the right office and avoid common mistakes so your extension is smooth and stress-free.

Tourist 30-Day Extension Avoid Overstay & Fines Bangkok • Chiang Mai • Phuket • Pattaya Extension vs Visa Run Guidance

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What is a Thailand Visa Extension?

A Thailand Visa Extension is an extra 30 days (in most tourist cases) added by Immigration to the stay period already stamped in your passport. It is usually done at an Immigration Office inside Thailand, not at the airport.

Common for These Visitors

Travellers who entered with tourist visa or visa-exempt/visa-free stay and wish to remain longer.
Visitors who need more time to decide next steps (e.g. convert to Education, Work, Business or Marriage status).
People who want to avoid the stress of overstay or last-minute border runs.

Exact extension rules, fees and eligibility can vary by visa type, nationality and Immigration office. VisaTrip checks your specific stamp and situation before giving advice.

Key Benefits

Extra 30 days inside Thailand in many tourist cases.
More time to plan long-stay options (ED, Work, Business, Marriage, Retirement).
Often cheaper and simpler than flying out and back for a visa run.
Better for travellers who are tired, busy or working remotely from Thailand.

Documents for a 30-Day Tourist Visa Extension

This is the most common extension type — for tourists who entered with visa-exempt, visa-free or tourist visa stay.

1. Passport & Entry Details

Original passport with your current entry stamp or visa.
Photocopies of passport bio page.
Copies of current visa and latest entry stamp.
Departure card / arrival record (if still used at that time).

2. Application & Photos

Completed visa extension application form from Immigration.
Recent passport-sized photograph (as per official size).
Local address in Thailand (hotel, apartment, guesthouse).

3. Supporting Documents

Accommodation booking or rental agreement where you are staying.
Return or onward flight booking (some offices may ask).
Extension fee in cash (standard fee is often around 1,900 THB, may change over time).

For non-tourist categories (education, marriage, work, etc.), extensions may require additional school letters, company letters, marriage documents or financial proof. VisaTrip builds a separate checklist for each case.

Thailand Visa Extension Process — Step by Step

1 Check Your Current Stamp & Last Date

First, we read exactly what is written in your passport: entry type, date, last day of stay. This ensures the extension is requested on time, not too early and not too late.

2 Choose the Right Immigration Office

You normally extend at the Immigration office responsible for your region — for example, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Pattaya, etc. VisaTrip advises which office to use and what times are less crowded.

3 Prepare Forms, Copies & Fees

We help you fill the extension form, prepare passport copies, attach photos and keep the fee ready. A simple, complete file reduces questions and speeds things up at the counter.

4 Visit Immigration & Submit

At Immigration, you take a queue number, submit your documents and pay the fee. Officers may ask brief questions such as how long you plan to stay and where you will stay.

5 Receive 30-Day Extension Stamp

Once approved, Immigration stamps your passport with a new date. That becomes your new last day of stay — which you must respect to avoid overstay.

Visa Extension vs Visa Run — Which Option is Better?

Some travellers are not sure whether to extend inside Thailand or leave and re-enter (visa run). Here is a simple comparison:

Aspect	30-Day Extension at Immigration	Visa Run (Exit & Re-Enter)
Main Idea	Stay inside Thailand and add 30 days at an Immigration office.	Leave Thailand to a neighbouring country and come back with a new entry stamp or visa.
Time & Effort	Usually 1 half-day at Immigration (waiting times vary).	Travel time to border or another country + flights, buses, hotels.
Cost	Government fee + local transport only.	Transport, hotels, possible new visa fee, food and other trip costs.
Risk	As long as documents are correct, lower risk and you stay inside Thailand.	Border rules, airline checks and changing entry policies can create uncertainty.
Best For	Travellers who are happy with one extra 30 days and prefer not to move around too much.	People who need a fresh entry for a different plan or who enjoy extra travel anyway.
Used With	Tourist stays, visa-exempt entries and sometimes as part of planning for later conversions.	More complex strategies, long-term travellers, or when extensions are not available.

VisaTrip can calculate whether a simple extension or a visa run is more practical for you based on days left, budget and future plans.

Common Mistakes with Thailand Visa Extensions

❌ Applying Too Late

Waiting until the last day or after the last day of stay. Overstay fines and stricter questioning can follow.

❌ Confusing “Extension” with “New Visa”

Expecting a 30-day extension to reset all rules or give a completely new visa type.

❌ Missing Documents

Arriving without photocopies, photos, or clear accommodation details, leading to extra trips and delays.

❌ No Long-Term Plan

Extending again and again without a clear idea of whether you will convert to a more stable long-term visa.

A quick WhatsApp check with VisaTrip can usually prevent these simple but costly errors.

Before You Apply for a 30-Day Extension

✅ Check the exact last day of stay in your passport.
✅ Confirm which Immigration office covers your current location.
✅ Keep passport copies, photo and cash fee ready before visiting.
✅ Decide if you might later switch to another visa type (ED, Work, Business, Marriage, Retirement).
✅ Contact VisaTrip for a quick review if you are unsure which path to choose.

Need a 30-Day Thailand Visa Extension?

Send VisaTrip a photo of your passport stamp, your current city and your travel plan. We will guide you to the right Immigration office, prepare your document list and help you avoid overstay or unnecessary visa runs.

Start My Extension with VisaTrip Chat on WhatsApp

Frequently Asked Questions — Thailand Visa Extension

How many extra days do I get with a tourist visa extension?

Most standard tourist visa extensions give an extra 30 days of stay inside Thailand, counted from your current last day of stay, not from the date you visit Immigration.

Can I extend more than once?

In some situations, multiple extensions are not allowed or may be viewed less favourably, especially without a clear reason. It depends on your visa type, Immigration office and travel history.

Where do I extend my visa in Thailand?

You usually extend at the Immigration office responsible for the province where you are staying — for example Bangkok Immigration, Chiang Mai Immigration, Phuket Immigration, Pattaya Immigration and so on.

Can I extend at the airport on departure?

Extensions are typically done at Immigration offices, not at airport departure counters. Airports are usually for entry/exit processing, not for full visa extension applications.

What happens if I overstay instead of extending?

Overstaying can lead to fines per day, possible blacklisting in serious cases and more questions next time you enter Thailand. Extension is safer than risking overstay.

Is a 30-day extension better than a visa run?

For many travellers, a 30-day extension is simpler, cheaper and less risky than leaving Thailand and hoping for a new entry. However, some complex long-stay plans may still require visa runs. It depends on your situation.

Can I convert to another visa after extension?

In some cases, yes. Travellers may later move to Education, Business, Work or Marriage structures, provided they meet requirements and Immigration allows conversion at that time.

How early should I apply for an extension?

Most people apply about one week before their last day of stay. Too early or too late can cause practical issues. VisaTrip checks your dates and suggests the best window.

What should I bring for a 30-day tourist extension?

Commonly: your passport, passport photocopies, current visa/stamp copies, a photo, accommodation details and the extension fee. Some offices may also ask for a return or onward ticket.

How can VisaTrip help with my extension?

VisaTrip can review your stamp, confirm eligibility, help you choose the right office, prepare your forms and copies and guide you on timing so that extension day is as smooth as possible.

Need Fast Visa Help?

Get expert guidance for visa-free entry, extensions and long-stay visas — trusted support via WhatsApp & consultation.

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