You can extend a Thailand visa exemption once, by 30 days, at any Thai Immigration office. The fee is 1,900 THB, the form is the TM.7, and processing is same-day at most offices. The extension is added to your current expiry date, so applying early costs you nothing. Since 15 September 2026 the exemption itself is 30 days for 60 countries and territories, so a 30-day entry plus the extension comes to about 60 days in total (TAT Newsroom). This guide covers the documents, the process office by office, and the September 2026 rule change that sets how many days you get at the border in the first place.
Understanding the Visa Exemption
Before diving into the extension process, it is important to understand what a visa exemption actually is and how it differs from a tourist visa. For a detailed comparison, see our Tourist Visa vs Visa Exemption guide.
Visa Exemption vs. Tourist Visa
| Feature | Visa Exemption | Tourist Visa (TR) |
|---|---|---|
| How obtained | Automatic stamp at entry | Applied for at embassy/consulate before travel |
| Initial stay | 30 days (60 countries and territories); 15 days (Seychelles, Mauritius) | 60 days |
| Extension available | 30 days | 30 days |
| Maximum stay with extension | About 60 days (30-day tier) | 90 days |
| Cost to extend | 1,900 THB | 1,900 THB |
September 2026 Rule Change: 30 Days, Not 60
Since 15 September 2026, the visa exemption is 30 days for nationals of 60 countries and territories and 15 days for Seychelles and Mauritius. The new lists were published in the Royal Gazette on 31 August 2026 and replaced the 60-day exemption, which ran from 15 July 2024 until 14 September 2026 (TAT Newsroom).
How it got there:
- On May 19, 2026 the Thai Cabinet approved rolling the exemption back from 60 to 30 days (full coverage; TAT Newsroom, May 2026).
- On July 14, 2026 the Cabinet approved a revised framework covering 65 countries and territories (Nation Thailand, July 14, 2026).
- The four Ministry of Interior announcements were published in the Royal Gazette on 31 August 2026 and took effect on 15 September 2026. The final list has 60 countries and territories on 30 days, including all 27 EU states and India.
What this means for the extension: the extension itself has not changed. It is still +30 days for 1,900 THB. With a 30-day entry, that makes 30 + 30 = about 60 days in total. Under the old 60-day scheme it was 60 + 30 = 90 days.
Entered before 15 September 2026? The change is not retroactive. If you were stamped in for 60 days before that date, you keep the stay you were granted. Check the number of days printed on your entry stamp. That stamp, not the news, is what immigration extends.
Key nationalities on the 30-day list: USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, all EU countries, Switzerland, Norway, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, India, Taiwan and more; see the full list on our visa exemption page. South Korea, Hong Kong, Brazil and some others are not on the new lists; they are reported to be covered by separate bilateral agreements, so check the current stay length with the Thai mission. See who keeps and who loses visa-free entry.
Extension at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Extension length | 30 days added to current expiry |
| Fee | 1,900 THB (cash only) |
| Where to apply | Any Thai Immigration office |
| Processing time | Same day (30 minutes – 3 hours) |
| Application window | Up to 30 days before expiry; recommended at least 7 days before |
| How many times | Once per entry |
Required Documents
Gather these before heading to Immigration. All documents should be neat, legible, and accurate.
Mandatory
-
Passport (original) — Must be valid for at least 6 months. Bring photocopies of:
- Bio/photo page
- Page with the visa exemption entry stamp
- All pages with previous Thai stamps (some offices request this)
Note: the paper TM.6 departure card was phased out and replaced by the online Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC), which every foreign visitor completes at tdac.immigration.go.th within 3 days before arrival. You do not need a paper card for the extension; some offices may ask for your TDAC confirmation number, so keep the confirmation email.
-
TM.7 Application Form — The standard extension application. Available at the immigration office, from photocopy shops near the office, or downloadable from the Thai Immigration Bureau website (Forms section).
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Passport photo (4x6 cm) — One recent photo, white background. Glue or staple it to the TM.7 form.
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1,900 THB cash — The non-refundable government fee.
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Proof of address in Thailand — One of the following:
- Hotel booking confirmation (printed)
- Lease or rental agreement
- Letter from your accommodation host
- TM.30 notification receipt
Good to Have
- Extra photocopies — Bring spares of every document. Some offices request unexpected copies.
- Proof of onward travel — A flight booking showing you plan to leave Thailand. Not always requested, but some officers ask.
- Evidence of funds — A bank statement or cash showing you have sufficient money for your stay. Rarely checked for extensions but worth having.
Step-by-Step Process
Step 1: Find Your Nearest Immigration Office
Every Thai province has at least one immigration office. Major locations include:
| City | Office Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bangkok | Chaeng Watthana Government Complex, Building B | Largest and busiest in Thailand |
| Bangkok (temporary) | IT Square Laksi (overflow facility) | Opens during peak seasons |
| Chiang Mai | Promenada Mall, 3rd Floor | Moderate wait times |
| Phuket | Phuket Town, Phuket Rd | Can be busy in high season |
| Pattaya | Soi 5, Jomtien | Relatively efficient |
| Koh Phangan | Thong Sala | Small office, short waits |
| Koh Samui | Nathon area | Walk-in, usually quick |
| Krabi | Krabi Town | Small and fast |
| Hua Hin | Near Bluport Hub | Quiet outside holidays |
| Chiang Rai | City center | Very low wait times |
Step 2: Arrive Early and Take a Queue Number
Offices open at 08:30 and close at 16:30, Monday through Friday. They close on Thai public holidays. Arrive by 08:00 if possible, especially in Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai.
Most offices use a numbered queue system. Take a ticket from the machine or reception desk when you arrive.
Step 3: Fill Out the TM.7 Form
If you have not already completed the form, fill it out in the waiting area. Key fields include:
- Full name (as in passport)
- Nationality
- Passport number
- Current address in Thailand
- Reason for extension (write "tourism" or "travel")
- Requested number of days (write "30 days")
Attach your passport photo to the designated area on the form.
Step 4: Submit Documents at the Counter
When your number is called, present:
- Completed TM.7 form with photo attached
- Passport (original)
- All photocopies
- 1,900 THB
The officer will review your documents, stamp and sign the form, and may ask basic questions about your stay. Common questions include:
- "Where are you staying?"
- "When will you leave Thailand?"
- "What is the purpose of your visit?"
Keep answers simple and honest. This is routine, not an interrogation.
Step 5: Wait for Processing
You will be directed to a waiting area. Processing time depends on the office:
| Office | Typical Wait |
|---|---|
| Bangkok Chaeng Watthana | 1–3 hours |
| Chiang Mai | 45 min – 2 hours |
| Island offices (Samui, Phangan) | 15–45 minutes |
| Small provincial offices | 15–30 minutes |
Step 6: Collect Your Passport
When your name or number is called, collect your passport. Check the new stamp immediately. Verify:
- The new expiry date is correct (30 days from your original expiry)
- Your name and passport number match
- The stamp is clear and legible
If anything is wrong, point it out to the officer before leaving.
How the Extension Date Is Calculated
Your 30-day extension is added to your current expiry date, not the date you apply. This means applying early does not cost you days.
Example 1 — Entered on the 30-day exemption (from 15 September 2026):
- Entry date: October 5
- Original expiry: November 3
- Extension applied: October 28
- New expiry: December 3 (30 days from November 3)
Example 2 — Entered on a 60-day stamp before 15 September 2026:
- Entry date: September 1
- Original expiry: October 30
- Extension applied: October 20
- New expiry: November 29 (30 days from October 30)
What You Cannot Do
- Extend twice. You get one 30-day extension per entry. After that, you must leave Thailand or change your visa type.
- Extend after expiry. If your stamp has already expired, you are overstaying. Go to Immigration immediately to pay the fine (500 THB/day, max 20,000 THB) and depart.
- Work on a visa exemption. Employment of any kind is illegal without a valid work permit, regardless of your immigration status.
- Extend at the airport. Extensions are only processed at immigration offices, not at border checkpoints or airport immigration counters.
After Your Extension Expires
When your extended stay runs out, you have several paths forward:
Option 1: Leave Thailand
The simplest option. Depart by air or land before your new expiry date.
Option 2: Visa Run
Exit Thailand and re-enter to receive a new visa-exemption stamp (30 days for the 60 listed nationalities). This resets your stay period. Popular visa run destinations include Cambodia (Poipet), Laos (Vientiane), and Malaysia (Sadao/Penang).
Since 15 September 2026, entries on the 30-day exemption through land-border checkpoints are capped at twice per calendar year. Nationals of Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and Singapore are exempt from the cap. Immigration officers may also question frequent visa runs. If you have multiple back-to-back entries, you may be denied entry at the discretion of the officer.
Option 3: Apply for a Longer Visa
If you plan to stay in Thailand long-term, consider applying for:
- Tourist Visa (TR) at a Thai embassy abroad — 60 days + 30-day extension
- Non-Immigrant Visa — For education, business, retirement, or marriage
- Thailand Elite Visa — Long-term visa program (5–20 years) with premium fees
- Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) — For digital nomads and remote workers
Common Mistakes to Avoid
-
Not checking your entry stamp. Some travelers still assume they have 60 days. Since 15 September 2026, new visa-exempt entries get 30 days (15 for Seychelles and Mauritius). Always count the days from your stamp.
-
Arriving without photocopies. Some offices have copy machines; many do not. Photocopy shops near immigration offices charge 2–5 THB per page but may have long queues.
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Forgetting the TM.30. While not every office checks, several (especially Bangkok and Chiang Mai) have begun requiring proof that your accommodation has filed TM.30 notification. Ask your hotel or landlord to confirm.
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Applying too late in the day. If you arrive at 15:00 at a busy office, the staff may not accept new applications because processing would extend past closing time.
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Not carrying cash. The 1,900 THB fee must be paid in Thai baht, in cash. No cards, no foreign currency, no transfers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I extend my visa exemption online?
No. As of 2026, all visa-exemption extensions must be done in person at an immigration office.
Do I need to show proof of funds?
It is rarely checked during extension applications. At entry, visa-exempt travelers can be asked, at the officer's discretion, for 20,000 THB per person or 40,000 THB per family in cash or equivalent (Royal Thai Embassy, Washington DC). Carry some cash as a precaution.
Can I leave and re-enter Thailand during my extension?
If you leave Thailand, your extension is void. Upon re-entry, you will receive a fresh visa-exemption stamp and the cycle starts again.
Is the extension guaranteed?
Extensions are granted at the discretion of the immigration officer. In practice, they are almost always approved for tourists with complete documentation. Denials are extremely rare.
What about the 90-day reporting rule?
The 90-day reporting requirement applies to people staying in Thailand for 90 consecutive days or more. A 30-day exemption plus the 30-day extension comes to about 60 days, so it does not apply to a standard visa-exempt stay. It becomes relevant only if you change to a longer visa.
Summary
Extending a visa exemption in Thailand is a routine procedure that grants you an extra 30 days of stay. Prepare your documents in advance, arrive early at your local immigration office, pay 1,900 THB, and you will have your new stamp within hours. Plan ahead for what you will do when the extension expires, whether that is departing Thailand, doing a visa run, or transitioning to a longer-term visa.
Sources
- Thai Immigration Bureau — official extension rules and TM.7 form
- Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) — mandatory online arrival card, official portal
- TAT Newsroom — Thailand introduces new 30-day and 15-day visa exemption rules from 15 September (September 2026)
- TAT Newsroom — Cabinet approves revision of the 60-day visa exemption scheme (May 2026)
- Nation Thailand — Thailand revamps visa rules for 65 countries (July 14, 2026)
