To extend a tourist visa in Thailand, holders of a Single-Entry or Multiple-Entry Tourist Visa (TR) can add 30 days to their permission to stay at any Thai Immigration office. The process is straightforward, affordable, and can usually be completed in a single morning. This guide walks you through every detail so there are no surprises.
Overview: Tourist Visa Extension at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Extension length | 30 days from current expiry date |
| Fee | 1,900 THB (cash only) |
| Where | Any Thai Immigration office |
| Processing time | Same day (typically 1–3 hours) |
| Application window | Up to 30 days before your current stamp expires |
| Times allowed | Once per entry |
Who Is Eligible?
You can apply for a 30-day extension if you currently hold a valid Tourist Visa (TR) stamp in your passport. This applies to both:
- Single-Entry Tourist Visa (TR-60): Grants an initial 60-day stay. The extension adds 30 days for a total of 90 days.
- Multiple-Entry Tourist Visa (METV): Each entry grants 60 days. You can extend each entry by 30 days before departing and re-entering.
Important: This extension is different from extending a visa exemption stamp. If you entered Thailand without a visa (visa-exempt entry), see our guide on extending a visa exemption.
Documents You Need
Prepare the following documents before visiting Immigration. Having everything ready prevents delays and return trips.
Required Documents
-
Passport — Valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay. Bring the original plus photocopies of:
- Passport bio page (photo/information page)
- Current Thai visa sticker page
- Most recent entry stamp page
- Departure card (TM.6) — the small card stapled into your passport at arrival
-
TM.7 Application Form — The official extension request form. You can download it online, pick one up at the immigration office, or sometimes find it at nearby photocopy shops. Fill it out in English using blue or black ink.
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One passport-sized photo (4x6 cm) — Taken within the last 6 months. White background. See our photo requirements guide for specifications. Many immigration offices have photo booths nearby (usually 100–200 THB for a set).
-
1,900 THB in cash — This is the official government fee. Most offices do not accept credit cards or bank transfers.
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Proof of accommodation — A photocopy of your hotel booking confirmation, lease agreement, or a letter from your host. Some offices also accept a screenshot from a booking app, but a printed copy is safer.
Optional but Recommended
- TM.30 receipt — Proof that your landlord or hotel has reported your address to Immigration. Hotels do this automatically. If you are renting privately, ask your landlord if they have filed TM.30 notification. Some offices strictly require it; others do not check.
- Photocopies of all documents — Bring two sets. Photocopy shops near immigration offices charge 2–5 THB per page.
Step-by-Step Extension Process
Step 1: Locate Your Nearest Immigration Office
Thailand has immigration offices in every province. The busiest and most well-known is the Bangkok Immigration Bureau at Government Complex, Chaeng Watthana Road, Building B. Other popular offices include:
- Chiang Mai: Promenada Mall, 3rd Floor
- Phuket: Phuket Town, Phuket Rd
- Pattaya: Soi 5, Jomtien Beach Rd
- Koh Samui: Near Nathon Pier
- Hua Hin: Inside the Bluport Mall area
Each office has slightly different wait times and strictness levels. Smaller provincial offices tend to be faster and less crowded.
Step 2: Arrive Early
Immigration offices typically open at 08:30 and close at 16:30, Monday through Friday (closed on Thai public holidays). Arriving between 08:00 and 09:00 is strongly recommended, especially at busy locations like Chaeng Watthana in Bangkok.
Some offices use a queue number system. Take a number as soon as you arrive and wait for it to be called.
Step 3: Submit Your Application
When your number is called (or when you reach the counter), hand over:
- Your completed TM.7 form
- Your passport (original)
- All photocopies
- Your passport photo (glued or stapled to the TM.7 form — some offices have glue sticks available)
- 1,900 THB cash
The officer will review your documents, check your passport, and may ask you a few basic questions:
- Where are you staying?
- What is the purpose of your visit?
- When do you plan to leave Thailand?
Answer honestly and politely. There is no interview — it is a routine check.
Step 4: Wait for Processing
After submission, you will usually be asked to sit in a waiting area. Processing typically takes 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the office and how busy it is. Bangkok Chaeng Watthana can take 2–3 hours on peak days. Smaller offices may finish in 15–30 minutes.
Step 5: Collect Your Passport
Your name or queue number will be called. The officer will return your passport with a new stamp showing your extended stay date. Verify the date is correct before leaving the office.
Your new permitted stay date will be 30 days from your original expiry date — not 30 days from the date you apply. For example:
| Scenario | Original Expiry | Extension Applied | New Expiry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applied early | April 15 | March 25 | May 15 |
| Applied on last day | April 15 | April 15 | May 15 |
This means there is no advantage in waiting until the last day to apply. Applying early gives you the same extended date with less stress.
Costs Breakdown
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Extension fee | 1,900 THB |
| Passport photos (if needed) | 100–200 THB |
| Photocopies | 10–30 THB |
| Total | Approximately 2,000–2,130 THB |
At the current exchange rate (approximately 35 THB per 1 USD), the total cost is roughly $57–$61 USD.
Tips for a Smooth Extension
Dress Appropriately
Immigration is a government office. While there is no formal dress code, wearing respectful clothing (no swimwear, no sleeveless shirts) avoids any unnecessary attention. Some officers have been known to turn away applicants in beachwear, particularly at Koh Samui and Phuket offices.
Bring a Pen
Blue or black ballpoint pen. You may need to fill out additional forms or make corrections.
Do Not Overstay
If your visa has already expired when you arrive at Immigration, you cannot extend it. Instead, you will be processed for overstay, which carries a 500 THB per day fine (up to a maximum of 20,000 THB) and can result in a ban from re-entering Thailand:
| Overstay Duration | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Less than 90 days | Fine only (500 THB/day) |
| 90 days – 1 year | 1-year re-entry ban |
| 1 year – 3 years | 3-year re-entry ban |
| 3 years – 5 years | 5-year re-entry ban |
| Over 5 years | 10-year re-entry ban |
Consider Timing Around Holidays
Thai public holidays (Songkran in April, New Year in December/January, and others) close immigration offices. Plan around these dates to avoid being caught without a valid extension.
Use an Agent (Optional)
At many immigration offices, visa agents operate nearby and offer to handle the process for you for a fee of 500–1,500 THB on top of the government fee. They prepare your paperwork and sometimes have faster processing arrangements. This is a personal choice — the process is entirely manageable on your own.
What Happens After the Extension?
After your 30-day extension expires, you have three options:
- Leave Thailand — Depart before your new expiry date. No further action needed.
- Do a visa run — Exit and re-enter Thailand to start a new visa-exempt period or use another visa. See our visa run guides for details.
- Apply for a different visa — If you want to stay longer term, consider a Non-Immigrant visa (education, business, retirement, etc.) from a Thai embassy or consulate abroad.
You cannot extend a tourist visa extension a second time. The 30-day extension is a one-time allowance per entry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I extend my tourist visa online?
As of 2026, Thailand does not offer online visa extensions. You must visit an immigration office in person.
Can I extend on the same day my visa expires?
Yes. You can apply on the last day of your permitted stay. However, arriving early in the morning is critical to ensure processing is completed before the office closes.
What if my extension is denied?
Denials are rare for tourist visa extensions and usually happen due to incomplete documents or suspected misuse. If denied, you must leave Thailand before your current stamp expires. You can apply for a new visa at a Thai embassy abroad.
Can I work during my tourist visa extension?
No. A tourist visa — extended or not — does not permit any form of employment in Thailand. Working on a tourist visa is illegal and can result in detention, fines, and deportation.
Do I need to leave the country first to get a new tourist visa?
If you want another full 60-day tourist visa after your extension expires, yes — you must apply at a Thai embassy or consulate outside Thailand.
Summary
Extending a tourist visa in Thailand is one of the simplest immigration procedures you will encounter. Arrive early at your local immigration office with the correct documents, pay 1,900 THB, and you will walk out with 30 extra days stamped in your passport. Plan ahead, keep your documents organized, and you will have no issues.
