Any foreign national with a Thai visa who wishes to extend their stay in Thailand beyond the expiration date of their visa or current visa entry is eligible for a Visa Extension. There are various ways to extend your visa, each with its own set of regulations and restrictions based on the type of visa you have. The most common are listed below.
Tourist Visa Extension
A Thai Tourist Visa allows you to stay in Thailand for 60 days (or multiples of 60 days when on a multiple entry visa). Each 60-day admission can be extended for a further 30 days. The process of extending a Thai tourist visa is usually extremely simple. Simply visit a Thai Immigration Office and fill out a TM. 7 visa extension form, along with a charge of 1900 Thai baht.
For this visa extension you will need:
- The original and copy of your passport (identification page and pages with Thai visas and stamps).
- A passport-sized photo (4 x 6 cm)
If you have a multiple entry Tourist Visa and plan on using visa extensions to extend your stay, be aware of the expiration date of your visa since you will not be able to use any remaining entries once it has expired.
Business Visa Extension
A Thai Business Visa that is valid for 90 days can be extended for another year. This can be done at a Thai Immigration Office from within Thailand.
This is for foreign nationals who want to do business or apply for a work permit in Thailand. This visa, and any extensions to it, are not the same as a work permit, and they do not allow you to work in Thailand.
Along with a completed TM. 7 visa extension form and 1,900 Baht visa fee, you will also need to supply the following documents:
- The original and copy of your passport (identification page and pages with Thai visas and stamps).
- A passport-sized photo (4 x 6 cm).
- A company letter stating the following:
- Nature of business.
- Reason for employing the applicant.
- His / her position, salary and education background.
- Number of Thai and foreign employees.
- Copies of work permit or receipt of work permit application.
- Company’s annual balance sheets.
- Juristic person’s Annual Income Tax Declaration Form (Form No.50) for the previous year.
- An official letter that certifies the registration of the juristic person.
- Thai employees Monthly Income Tax Declaration Form (Form No.1) of the latest month.
- The applicant’s Annual Income Tax Declaration Form (Form No.91) of the latest year.
- Business Registration or Business License.
- Value Added Tax Registration.
- List of company shareholders.
- A map showing the location of the Company.
It is important to have company letters printed on official company letterheaded paper. Company letters not on company headed paper may be rejected.
Marriage Visa Extension
A Thai Marriage Visa allows you to enter Thailand for an initial 90 days, and it can be extended annually for 1 year at a time.
You can apply for Thai Marriage Visa extension at a Thai Immigration Office for a fee of 1900 baht. You will also need to supply the following documents:
- Original and copy of your passport (identification page and pages with Thai visas and stamps).
- A copy of your Thai marriage certificate (both versions).
- Your Thai partner’s ID card.
- A copy of your Thai Partner’s Tabian Baan (House Papers).
- Map of the location of your residence in Thailand.
- Several photos showing you and your partner together.
- A copy of your Thai bank book shows you have at least 400,000 Baht in your bank account.
- Or, proof of income showing you earn at least 40,000 Baht per calendar month.
- Or, proof of a combined annual income and money in your bank that totals at least 400,000 Baht per year.
Make sure to bring original copies of any documents with you. The process can take up to three weeks, and you must also obtain a re-entry permit so that your visa remains valid when you leave and return to Thailand.
The process of applying for and extending a Thai Marriage Visa can be complicated, so if this is your first time, you may want to hire a local lawyer to assist you in preparing your documents and application form to ensure everything goes smoothly.
Retirement Visa Extension in Thailand
Thai Retirement Visas are renewable every year for a duration of one year, but applicants must continue to fulfil all of the visa’s requirements.
Documents required include:
- Original and copy of your passport (identification page and pages with Thai visas and stamps).
- A passport-sized photo (4 x 6 cm).
- Proof of security deposit of at least 800,000 baht in a Thai bank.
- Or, proof of monthly income or pension of at least 65,000 baht per month.
- Or, proof of a combined annual income and security deposit, totalling at least 800,000 baht.
The visa fee is 1,900 Baht.
Visa on arrival / Entry Stamp Extension
On arriving at an immigration office, a 30-day entrance stamp/visa can also be extended. The fee is 1,900 Baht, and you can seek a 30-day extension, albeit you may only receive a 7-day extension in some situations, according to the immigration official’s discretion.
COVID UPDATE: Due to the COVID-19 epidemic, any foreigners entering Thailand must first get a Certificate of Entry (COE) from the Thai Embassy or Consulate in their current location. The COE application requires a reservation at an Alternative State Quarantine Hotel (ASQ) for the necessary 14-day quarantine as well as COVID-19 Travel Insurance.
For any assistance in your Thai Visa extension process, write us a mail at [email protected]. We will help you get it in adherence to the applicable Thai laws and regulations, backed up with our knowledge and experience for decades.
