If you have arrived in Thailand with a 30 day visa on arrival at the airport it is possible to extend your visa for another 30 days without leaving the country.
Previously it was only possible to get a 7-day extension on a 30 day tourist visa, but that has now been extended. Thailand is notorious for changing the visa rules several times a year, so check with official sources before planning any extended travels.
If you know you are going to spend more than 30 days in Thailand you can apply for a 60 day visa before you arrive. This can be done at any Thai embassy or consulate and it will save you wasting time once you are in Thailand. The 60 day visa can can also be extended for 30 days, so the following procedure can be applied.
This was my experience on how to extend a 30 day visa in Bangkok.
Getting to the Immigration Division at The Government Complex
[Map of Government Complex location.]
Address: The Government Complex Commemorating His Majesty, B Building, Floor 2 (South Zone) Chaengwattana Road (Soi 7), Laksi, Bangkok 10210
Official Site: https://www.immigration.go.th/index
The closest metro station is at Mo Chit BTS/Chatuchak MRT. It’s not anywhere near the office but I took the BTS to avoid traffic, and then get a taxi from there. Save the official website or map location on your phone so you can show the taxi driver. I didn’t and the driver didn’t know “immigration” so I showed him my passport and pantomimed stamping a page, and he got it.
The taxi took less than 20 minutes and cost 110 THB. On the way back the taxi took the highway which cost 150 THB and took longer, so don’t take the highway option.
If you are a couple or group a taxi would probably be cheaper than metro/taxi combo, but the metro might save some time if the traffic is bad, which is always a gamble when getting a taxi in Bangkok.
If you really want to get there on the cheap you can take a public bus. There is one from Victory Monument (Bus 166) and the South Routes Bus Terminal (Bus 66).
Immigration Division – The Government Complex
The government complex is a massive building that houses several government departments. Inside the building is a giant enclosed courtyard with shops in the foyer.
The immigration Division is easy enough to find as it is the first office on the right as you enter.
What to bring
You will need your passport, which should have your departure card stapled inside, and a passport photo. You will also need a photocopy of your passport, the entrance stamp, and departure card. If you don’t have a passport photo or access to a photocopier you can get that done at the complex. There are a few shops in the basement level so follow the signs.
It cost 4 THB for two photocopies, and passport photos are available for 100 THB.
The visa costs 1900 THB and if you didn’t bring any cash there are banks in the basement shopping area as well.
What to wear
In the Philippines and Vietnam I have encountered government offices that require a dress code (no shorts for example) so I wasn’t sure if that applied here. I wore shorts that go to my knees so I didn’t have a problem, but there was a sign at the office stipulating a dress code. I saw plenty of other people wearing shorts so it didn’t seem to be enforced. Just leave the hot-pants and tank-tops at home if you are going to the office.
Applying for the visa extension
At the office I was handed a visa extension application form. This should be filled out before getting a numbered ticket.
I got my ticket and then went to the waiting room. I brought my laptop and Kindle expecting a long wait but it is a quick and efficient process.
I got my ticket at 9.55, my interview number came up at 10.00 and it was a five minute process. Twenty minutes later my passport was returned with a 30 day extension on my visa on arrival.
Opening hours
The office is open from 8.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday, with the last queue tickets being issued at 3.30pm. It doesn’t say if that means no one is served if you have a ticket and don’t get served by 4.30, but my visa process took 30 minutes so an hour should be ok.
There is also a lunch break between 12 and 1, so take that into account if you are going to be arriving near that time.
If you arrived at lunch or for some reason your visa is going to take a while to process there are cafes and places to eat on the lower floor (where the photocopy shops are).
Hi James, this is really helpful, thanks, but I still need to clarify one thing. Does the 30 day extension get tacked onto the end of your current 30 day visa, or (as one travel agent has warned me) does the 3 day extension count from the date of application? I’m about 11 days into my first 30 days. Should I wait until near the end to be sure that I will get a full 30 + 30 days, or can I get it done now and out of the way with the same result? I hope that question made sense? Cheers and thanks again, Sandy
Whoops… you’ll see I put 3 day where I meant 30 day extension!!!
Hi Sandy,
you will get the 30 days on top of your current 30 days, so it doesn’t matter when you apply. Good luck!
Thanks James! I went yesterday and my experience was exactly as you said, except my taxi journey there was only 105 THB. Returning to the metro station was even a little more than your trip, around 160 THB but I met up a girl from the US and we shared that cost. And yes, my 30 days was tacked onto the end so I’ll be doing this early again in future to have peace of mind. I appreciate your very clear post on this. Cheers, Sandy
Hi James and Sandy,
This information is so helpful! Do you know if this is still possible? I am a little nervous about it as I am coming to Thailand in a couple of weeks expecting that visa on arrival stamp at the airport but hoping to stay for 50 days, but I can’t find any official statements explaining that you can extend your visa on arrival 30 more days or a way to contact via email the immigration office in Bangkok to ask them about it.
Hi Sara, as far as I know nothing has changed. When there is a change in the visa rules the Thailand forums I’m are usually ablaze with comments. Enjoy your trip!
Hi James,
I just want to ask, if you got your last visa (single entry/60 days) from Laos, will it be possible to extend a 30-day visa at Chaengwattana?
Thanks. 🙂
Did you get your 30 days extend after Laos enter 60 days??
Hi James,
Thanks for all this good info. I extended my 30 day holiday visa (the stamp visa issued at Suvarnabhumi Airport) yesterday. I might add a couple of points from my experience:
– This extension is a lot easier than any visa run to Laos but will take most of the day with travel.
– The express process you experienced definitely only exists if you arrive early in the morning. I arrived just after 1pm and with the morning backlog still to clear, there were 43 people in front of me. You do one step to get your application submitted then another step to wait for your passport to be returned with the extension.
– I did the bus transport option to try it out. A bit of an adventure. The 166 stop at Victory Monument is a bit tricky to find, but its close to the exit for Si Rat expressway. There are variations on this route so ask as soon as you get on to make sure it goes to the Govt Complex. Point to the bus route picture above in James blog is easiest.
– My bus went straight onto the Expressway and as soon as it got to Chaeng Wattana Rd it veered off in the wrong direction. I got off at the first stop, and with a little local help got the 150 bus to the Govt Complex area. BIG TIP: get the right 166/66 bus and it will drop you at the door of the Immigration Building! Unfortunately, my 150 left me with a 1km walk, but the Complex grounds are really impressive.
– I don’t think I’ve ever been in a building with a footprint as big as the Building B for Immigration. It houses a dozen or more govt departments and has loads more room for trade fairs and retail shops. In the middle of a busy afternoon session, it took a little more than 2 hrs to get my extension done. Heading back, I got the right 166 bus from outside Gate 1 of Building B. Fare should be something like 12 Baht each way, but it’s not an exact science.
Thanks for the detailed update! Yes that building is huge – it’s like a self-contained city, and not something I was expecting when I walked inside.
Thanks for the info went yesterday to get 30 day visa it took about 4 hours got there about 10 am
Craig , I am assuming you were extending a 30 day Airport Visa correct?
I just called the Thai consulate in Houston and asked if a 30 STAMP from the airport could be extended and they said no. Airport issued visas [visa on arrival] can NOT be extended.
Haven’t been to Thailand yet so all I know is I’m getting inconsistent responses to what seems to be a
riddle.
Ha, I referred to your comment in my comment from today. Don’t worry, you’re good.
I found this info that show a cheaper alternative to taxis
“Getting to the Immigration office in Bangkok by BTS/Bus/Taxi The Immigration Office is located quite far from the Bangkok city centre. You can take the BTS to Mo Chit or the MRT to Chatuchak Park and then take a bus or taxi from there. There are minivans leaving from the Chatuchak Park to Chaeng Wattana. The minivan costs 25 baht and you can recognize them from the following Thai signs: ต10 “จตุจักร-ปากเกร็ด” The taxi from Mo Chit to the Immigration Office takes about 20 minutes and costs about 100 baht. If you take a taxi from the Sukhumvit area it will be around 200 baht. When you arrive at the Cheang Wattana street it is still quite a ride to go inside the complex. The Immigration Office is in the last building, the furthest away from the street, so make sure the taxi brings you there. If you end up at the beginning of the street you can get a motorcycle taxi for around 20 baht.”
I am going to try taking the 25 baht minivan and will post my experience in about a week 🙂
UPDATE as of January 19th 2017 on 30 day visa extension from exempt 30 day US passport holder:
The following link is the 100% correct immigration site you should be at and the last box in the displayed graphic depicts the correct address of: At The Govenment Complex Commemorating His Majesty The King , Chaeng wattana Road. Tel : 0-2141-9889
Anyway, use Grab or an Uber to make the destination easily available to the driver. Just grabbing a street taxi creates the frustration you’ll read about. (download Grab, it’s cheaper and more drivers in Bangkok than Uber).
I did this and was taken directly to the building and followed the HUGE signs to Building B. Once in Building B just ask workers there where Immigration or follow the foreign faces you see) and do/have the following:
1) fill out the form (there, don’t need to have pre-filled before arrival although the link above allows you to DL)
2) have a photo to attach to form
3) have a photocopy of a) visa page and b) bio page of your passport
4) your passport itself of course
5) 1,900 baht
6) your departure card that you received when you entered.
Then just follow the process. I went there at 1pm on a Thursday and was out within an hour with a 30 DAY EXTENSION, no questions asked, this is a well oiled machine. As of today, please note that the stuff about 7 day extensions only exist rather than 30 or I actually saw a guy make a comment that he called the Thai consulate in Houston who told him that they do NOT even offer extensions, is false. The point is, those consulate employees have no idea as they are sitting in their bubble in Houston. Being in Houston, the consulate there is likely due to a high population of Thai immigrants living in Houston, every immigrant community has their city in the states where they end up congregating. As such, probably 90% of what that consulate deals with is strictly for Thai people rather than Americans.
Arrived at 9:52. 40 people ahead of me in queue. I’m going to be here a while. Tried to take train in to get closer as described, but at rush hour, the trains are full and leaving 75% of passengers stranded. Tried Grab, but no drivers ever respond. Finally, went with UberX during surge pricing and was picked up in 3 minutes from train station.
That went faster than expected to process 40 visas. Finished by 12pm. 30 days added to end of my initial 30 day exemption.
Hi Ed, do you need prove that you are leaving the country wothin that time?
Eva, they did not ask me or anyone else while I was there. I did have my return flight info printed out ready to show but they did not ask. Aloha Al 🙂
JANUARY 31st 2017 experience with a Canadian passport though I saw many American and other G8 passport holders there.
As promise I decided to Try the cheap way and take the Minivan #10 as described in my post above… I leave the Khao San area Guesthouse I am at at 6:10 am I walked at a leisurely pace to the canal ferry stop near the golden mount temple walking straight past the deomocracy monument to get there. I took the canal ferry for 9 baht and got off at the Hua Chang bridge stop… I then went under the bridge and turned right to walk towards the Siam malls where I entered the BTS Siam station and paid 42 baht to ride to BTS Mo Chit station. Got there by 6:55 am. Getting off there I went down the steps to the chatuchak park side right where the market is. Look for the white minivans. Most of the #10 have visa written on the side…. or Cheang Wattana… cost 25 baht caught it at 7:16 am and we arrived at 7:27 am and got dropped off at the entrance to Soi 7 which is the biggest Soi I have ever seen it is multi lane with a central plaza that is nice to walk straight down the middle. It is about a 10 minute walk to get to Building B.
I just followed the HUGE signs to Building B. Once in Building B just ask workers there where Immigration or follow the foreign faces you see) it is located on 2nd floor the same floor as the entrance. I needed a photocopy so went down to the 1st floor basement level. The first copy place was charging 30B. Ignore this one. Keep following the outer edge and you will find a photo copy place charging 2B per page. Make sure you have all the copy you need(see below)
do/have the following:
1) fill out the form (there, don’t need to have pre-filled before arrival although the link above allows you to DL)
IF YOU ARE A ROOKIE AND DIDNOT DOWNLOAD FORM MAKE SURE YOU GET APPLICATION FIRST AND FILL OUT BOTH SIDES BEFORE LINING UP FOR YOUR NUMBER. OTHERWISE YOU WILL BE SENT BACK. THE APPILCATION ARE AVAILABLE ON YOUR RIGHT AS YOU ENTER THE IMMIGRATION OFFICE. I SUGGEST BRINGING YOUR OWN PEN AS WELL.
Also if you have a Thai cell number write that on the application below your signature on the back.
2) have a photo to attach to form
3) have a photocopy of a) visa page AND THE DEPARTURE CARD and b) bio page of your passport
4) your passport itself of course
5) 1,900 baht
6) your departure card that you received when you entered.
SO I made the rookie mistake and went to get my number before filling out the application. Even so at 8:30 am I was done and had my visa by 9:17 am. I believe if you downloaded and had the application filled out that if you were there at 8:30 you could be done by 9 am. ( keep in mine that there were at least 100 people ahead of me waiting for the office to open.) having to go back to application desk seemed to have cost me 15 minutes.
Now once you are done…. easiest way is to take a taxi back to Mo chit for 100-150 baht…. UNLESS YOU WANT TO SPEND 250-350 baht and spend 2 hours in heavy traffic do not take a taxi direct to Silom or other areas nearby… better to go to Mo chit and take BTS and then take shorter ride from BTS station nearest you. For me to go back to khao San/Banglamphu area taxied to Mo Chit hopped on BTS for 42B just got off at Siam station and walked the short distance to the canal boat dock at Hua Chang Bridge and 9B later and a nice 10 minute walk back at my Guesthouse …. mission accomplished. Minivan #10 easy to find a deal at 25B took only 25 minutes to get to Soi 7 Cheang Wattana. Thanks to everyone who added info to this page. 4 hours is way nicer than a visa run and cheaper too.. Kop Koon Khrap to the original poster 🙂 aloha Al 🙂
Hi I’m going to have my 60 days visa extended at Cheang Wattana. However I just noticed that my house’s owner didn’t have my living registration. I’m anxious a bit. Any experience?
Is it possible to apply 60 days externsion in Chaengwatthana? i thought it was only 30 days being allowed.
Is it possible to apply 60 days externsion in Chaengwatthana? i thought it was only 30 days being allowed.
hi James, my mom is travelling to thailand to visit my sister for 2 months, departing end November. The agent says a visa before travel is recommended but your posts above give me the confirmation that she can get a 30 day visa upon arrival at the airport – will they still let her through customs then if her ticket says 58 days stay?
The chances are thy won’t look at the return ticket, but if you know you are going to stay for 2 months you might save time by getting the visa instead of having to visit the visa office.
Jet Star is obviously an unethical corrupt airline. Thai customs will let you in the country no matter what your return ticket says. You can also say you are travelling onto Malaysia or Cambodia. You can then go to get your extension in Bangkok unless you want the adventure of a Visa run. I was so happy not to do such a visa run again and 1900 baht plus BTS and Van fees much better than long trips to somewhere I do not want to go…
To Paul the Australia guy…. I recommend you find out the email of the head of Jet Star and make a complaint about their airline falsely charging you extra and making you change your tickets.
If they do not then file another complaint with the government organization governing the airline. Also Airline hate bad publicity so if Australia has any media that investigates people being ripped off contact them to help. We have such a media group in Canada and their stories have force two rip off airlines Westjet and Air Canada to refund or pay for extra cost when they cancel flights in the Caribbean saying airport still close due to hurricanes when in fact all the airports were open. I WILL NEVER BOOK A FLIGHT WITH JET STAR…
Just a quick question. When arriving in Thailand and going through customs, when they ask how long you’re staying for, what do you say if you haven’t got the extension on the visa yet? We plan on doing what you said and going to the immigration division to extend it. If we say we’re traveling south east Asia for 6 weeks does that work? Thank you!
I’ve never been asked how long I’m staying for so I haven’t thought of that. I doubt you’ll get asked but just say 30 days.
Is the application form for 30days available on the website to print out?
BE VERY CAREFUL ABOUT TRAVELLING TO THAILAND WITHOUT A VISA IF YOU WISH TO STAY LONGER THAN 30 DAYS. I recently booked tickets with Jet Star in Australia for a 6 week holiday with my Thai wife and daughter. We are all travelling on Aussie passports. We did not have Visa’s. At the check in Jet Star denied us because we had booked for 6 weeks not 30 days. We explained to them that we were able to land in Thailand get passport stamped 30 days and then we could extend another 30 days at a later date. Jet Star would not listen and the only recourse was to change our flights to 30 days return paying another $1085.00, this charge was just to change flights, rip off arseholes. Totally ruined our holiday, lost money on flights already booked to Chiang Mai, couldn’t change these flights without a charge more than the original flights. Ironically we have a Thai friend living in Australia whom booked flights on Thai Airways and was staying for 6 weeks also flying on Aussie passport and didn’t have any problem at check in. BE WARY, BE VERY WARY.
Jet Star is obviously an unethical corrupt airline. Thai customs will let you in the country no matter what your return ticket says. You can also say you are travelling onto Malaysia or Cambodia. You can then go to get your extension in Bangkok unless you want the adventure of a Visa run. I was so happy not to do such a visa run again and 1900 baht plus BTS and Van fees much better than long trips to somewhere I do not want to go…
To Paul the Australia guy…. I recommend you find out the email of the head of Jet Star and make a complaint about their airline falsely charging you extra and making you change your tickets.
If they do not then file another complaint with the government organization governing the airline. Also Airline hate bad publicity so if Australia has any media that investigates people being ripped off contact them to help. We have such a media group in Canada and their stories have force two rip off airlines Westjet and Air Canada to refund or pay for extra cost when they cancel flights in the Caribbean saying airport still close due to hurricanes when in fact all the airports were open. I WILL NEVER BOOK A FLIGHT WITH JET STAR…
Before challenging the airline I would carefully check the fairly NEW Thai visa rules. Airlines are liable for transporting you back out of a country if you don’t meet the requirements. Many countries now insist on a flight booking out, even though they issue a visa on arrival. They may not check it, but they have the right to do so. Be careful with India and the Philippines for the same reason. I know many people who have not been able to board flights to India, despite having a three or six month valid visa stamp in their passport, without having a confirmed flight out or a hotel booking in a neighbouring country which can be reached overland and which issues a visa on arrival.
1900 bath to extend the 30 days on arrival .No way .They will not get my money for sure . Hundreds of people waiting and they close one hour for lunch break .They want that people spend money in the restaurants downstair .Pub office that close one hour for lunch break .Never seen in my life .
Australia is always like this (australian here). Not just Jetstar. The airports are the most totalitarian scary airports I’ve ever been to – nothing like an Australian airport to make you feel subhuman. I try to stay out of it.
Does Bangkok have any legal offices that will extend you for 30 days and you don’t have to go through the hassles of going to immigration if you are willing to pay a bit more to have it done?
Exactly as written as of Jan 5, 2018.
No questions, no asking about outgoing flights, which is great as I don’t have one. Just handed the papers, stamp, then told to go back to seat and wait 15 min while they get passport prepped. The wait thought was awhile. I was #120, and they reached 119, them rang the lunch break bell. That sucked. All together 2.5 hours.
I extended my 60 days single entry tourist visa for another 30 days. Total 90 days.
Is it possible to get an additional extension for 7 days in Bangkok immigration?
Thanks
Guys, is it possible to print the pdf at the immigration? Though of downloading it, but don’t want to be looking foe another place to print it
Hi, do they ask questions about the intentions of your extended stay similar to what they ask when you originally arrive? Questions like proof of onward travel, where you will be staying and proof of financial abilities to pay for the extra time? Thanks..
Just a follow up if anybody is still reading this. They didn’t require proof of onward travel, just asked about plans for the rest of the trip. Also asked about money to fund the trip, so be prepared to show that. The wait was about 2 hours starting at 9am. It’s better to print out the application and have it filled out already and get passport photo before you go so you don’t waste extra time there while the line gets longer. Took about 15 minutes after our number was called..
make sure to use the address posted in the article. there is another immigration bureau listed on google maps (further south) but as our hotel told us that is the old one. so trust this article and don’t be fooled by google maps.
also took a car via „grab“ straight there and paid about 230Baht from the canal north of Khao San Rd
Aloha, if I go to Laos by car and stay a couple of days upon entering back inti Thailand will I obtain a new visa good for 30 days in Thailand, mahalo(thank you).