American 35-day stay in Thailand

[crabb-man]

For the past 5 years I usually just get the 30-day arrival Visa but this trip I am staying 35 days (Arriving 7/27, Departing 8/31).

 

What should I do here with the most limited hassle:

 

> Can I pay a fee when I arrive at the airport to extend the normal 30-day Visa?

> I read you can just pay a fine of 500baht a day for over stay, but not sure how easy this is to do at the airport when departing.  I do not want to miss my flight home.

> I will be in Pattaya most of the trip so can I stop by the immigration office and pay a fee to get a few more days added on?

 

Just looking for some advice from the folks that have lived this situation in the past.

[benny31]

Hi

Applying for an extension of a Thai  visa on arrival (30 days)
You don't have to wait until the day your visa expires.

Extension of stay.
If the applicant wants to continue touring the country, an extension may be granted for not more than 07 days.
Fee 1,900 baht.

Where:
Office of Immigration Bureau
Located on Soi 5 off Jomtien Beach Road
Keep going for about 400 m. Pattaya Immigration Office is on your right-hand side.


Office hours:
Monday: Friday 0830 AM – 0430 PM
Saturday: 0830 AM – 1200 PM


Requirements:
1. Application Form T.M. 7. (Extension of an alien who enters the Kingdom for not more than 90 days).
2. A copy of passport. (ID page and Visa Stamp page)
3. One passport-size photo.
4. Fee: 1,900 baht.

 

 

TM7.pdf

 

 

 

 

 

BTW; you owe me a Shiner Bock

[PoLish]

i had the same dilema. i booked a trip for 30 days but towards the end of it i decided to extend by a week. you can do it yourself like benny31 said for 1900 or you can just go to Queen Victoria and for 2600 baht they'll will do it for you. Saves you the headache of going there, waiting in line, etc. Queen Vic is on soi 6.

[Oukiva]

this trip I am staying 35 days 

What should I do here with the most limited hassle:

Get a Tourist Visa before you come.

You will get 60 days when entering,

no need to visit immigration during your stay,

and cheaper ($40 ~ 1'200 baht)

[Dr Mindbender Jr]

> I read you can just pay a fine of 500baht a day for over stay, but not sure how easy this is to do at the airport when departing.  I do not want to miss my flight home.

 

You can pay at the airport and you won't miss your flight doing so, right as you're clearing customs getting your passport back the agent will press a button and call someone over and they will tell you to grab your things and walk this way. Its actually past customs a few steps and you pay there, I'm not sure on the exact amount but there is a limit on the amount of days you can overstay. Its not a few days like one or two or even a week but I think once your overstay equals up to about 20,000 baht then you may or may not have problems.

 

I thought about getting the tourist visa before arrival but if I don't it will give me yet another reason to make a side trip to Cambodia and get 30 more days when I fly back into BKK.

[Scumbag]

IMO the best option is to get a tourist visa before departing. If you did arrive without it you can get an extension in Jomtien but you are going to burn the best part of a day doing it. If you are on holiday it is not worth the hassle.

[benny31]

hi

 

Tourist Visa for US citizen

 

With a Tourist Visa, you can stay for 60 days per entry.

 

Requirements:

 

- Your actual Passport
  Passport or Travel Document must not expire within 6 months and contain at least ONE completely empty Visa page

 

- 1 photocopy of Passport
  The page(s) shows your photo, name, date and place or birth and the expiration date of passport

 

- 2 photos
  Passport photo, 2" x 2", color, front-view, taken within 6 months, and write your name and last name on the back of     each photo

 

For non-US citizen, a copy of permanent resident alien card with employment verification or a valid US Visa with employment varification letter

 

Visa Fee : $40

 

CHICAGO

700 North Rush Street 
Chicago, IL 60611-2504
Phone : (312) 664-3129

 

NEW YORK

351 E 52nd St. New York, NY 10022

Tel : (212) 754-1770

 

LOS ANGELES

611 N.Larchmont Blvd., 2nd Floor , Los Angeles , CA 90004

 

 

[charlesd]

I would avoid overstaying and then paying at the airport.  Although it is likely not an issue once you get to the airport for your return trip, the problem is if something happens before then.  Once your Visa expires, you are violating the law in Thailand.  If you get stopped for something else, you could be taken to jail.  The likelihood of this is pretty remote, but it is nonetheless something best avoided if possible.  I would try to ideally get a visa before you arrive in Thailand, or else get a 7-day extension once here.

[Scumbag]

I would avoid overstaying and then paying at the airport.  Although it is likely not an issue once you get to the airport for your return trip, the problem is if something happens before then.  Once your Visa expires, you are violating the law in Thailand.  If you get stopped for something else, you could be taken to jail.  The likelihood of this is pretty remote, but it is nonetheless something best avoided if possible.  I would try to ideally get a visa before you arrive in Thailand, or else get a 7-day extension once here.

The other thing is that if the airline notices that you are staying longer than 30 days and you have no visa they may refuse to let you board the flight. I know that many people have reported that they have never had problems doing this. However, some airlines are more strict than others. Air Asia have asked me about 3 times if I had a visa when I was checking in. The reason is that if you are refused entry the airline is responsible for removing you and they may be hit with a fine.

[padfoot]

You can get a tourist visa before you even leave. It is simple and straight forward. The details are posted above. If you do this you won't have to deal with the issue when in Thailand.

[Hawkeye]

hi

 

Tourist Visa for US citizen

 

With a Tourist Visa, you can stay for 60 days per entry.

 

Requirements:

 

- Your actual Passport

  Passport or Travel Document must not expire within 6 months and contain at least ONE completely empty Visa page

 

- 1 photocopy of Passport

  The page(s) shows your photo, name, date and place or birth and the expiration date of passport

 

- 2 photos

  Passport photo, 2" x 2", color, front-view, taken within 6 months, and write your name and last name on the back of     each photo

 

For non-US citizen, a copy of permanent resident alien card with employment verification or a valid US Visa with employment varification letter

 

Visa Fee : $40

 

CHICAGO

700 North Rush Street 

Chicago, IL 60611-2504

Phone : (312) 664-3129

 

NEW YORK

351 E 52nd St. New York, NY 10022

Tel : (212) 754-1770

 

LOS ANGELES

611 N.Larchmont Blvd., 2nd Floor , Los Angeles , CA 90004

 

Note the OP is from Texas and there is a consulate in downtown Houston (don't know about other cities) and you can do in person or by mail.  Will have to leave passport and return next day or just have them mail back to you with prepaid and addressed envelope.  Quite easy and you can google the site and download form for completion ahead of the visit.  I agree with some others that best to be fully covered before the trip as less potential hassles and waste of time. 

[Skate]

I was wondering if I could go to the Thai embasy in Canada to get the 60 extension.

Easier for me that mail to LA..

[Sexyfarangman]

For the past 5 years I usually just get the 30-day arrival Visa but this trip I am staying 35 days (Arriving 7/27, Departing 8/31).

 

What should I do here with the most limited hassle:

 

> Can I pay a fee when I arrive at the airport to extend the normal 30-day Visa?

> I read you can just pay a fine of 500baht a day for over stay, but not sure how easy this is to do at the airport when departing.  I do not want to miss my flight home.

> I will be in Pattaya most of the trip so can I stop by the immigration office and pay a fee to get a few more days added on?

 

Just looking for some advice from the folks that have lived this situation in the past.

 

Since you are in Texas, you should visit the Thai Consulate's Los Angeles website. You should download the form for a 60 day visa at http://www.thaiconsulatela.org/service_visa_detail.aspx?link_id=33

[Colin back in Pattaya]

Skate, if you are in Canada, no problem getting the visa from the embassy there, or a Royal Thai consulate elsewhere in Canada.

 

The other option is make a side trip to Laos or Cambodia . If you re enter Thailand at a land border, they will give you a 15 day stay. If you fly back to Thailand, you get another 30 day stay.

[benny31]

 

 

Note the OP is from Texas and there is a consulate in downtown Houston (don't know about other cities) and you can do in person or by mail.  Will have to leave passport and return next day or just have them mail back to you with prepaid and addressed envelope.  Quite easy and you can google the site and download form for completion ahead of the visit.  I agree with some others that best to be fully covered before the trip as less potential hassles and waste of time. 

 

 

 

Address Consulate of Thailand in Houston:

 

600 TRAVIS ST., SUITE 2800

77002-3094 HOUSTON

 

(713) 229-8733

[how122255]

Get a Tourist Visa before you come.

You will get 60 days when entering,

no need to visit immigration during your stay,

and cheaper ($40 ~ 1'200 baht)

+1

[thebigh]

LA immigration is not friendly...AVOID.time consuming & costly because you have to send your passport.

your easiest option is to pay an agent to do the 7day extension for 1900thb+. my agent will pickup & deliver.

orn 085 396 3903

[S C]

take a side trip

 

get a 60 day visa

[coodhi]

If you get caught, best option in my opinion is to make a trip to Hat Yai in the south and cross the border into Malaysia, FREE 14 day visa, I worked it out since I made the trip. Bus trip to BKK from Pattaya then from BKK to Hat Yai and Hat Yai to Border 2,300 to 2500, no need to stay over night anywhere, just get back to Hat Yai from Border by local bus 20 bahts, and catch next bus to BKK, or you can visit Malaysia, or Hat Yai. 

Its  your choice, 7 days for 1900 bahts, or 2500 for 14 days, I will  make the trip to Malaysia for free visa extension, the trip is only 12 hours and you can do it  at night. 

The above price includes all your food, the bus ticket includes a food stop and meals, I go First Class or Executive. 

[losworld]

You can pay at the airport and you won't miss your flight doing so, right as you're clearing customs getting your passport back the agent will press a button and call someone over and they will tell you to grab your things and walk this way. Its actually past customs a few steps and you pay there, I'm not sure on the exact amount but there is a limit on the amount of days you can overstay. Its not a few days like one or two or even a week but I think once your overstay equals up to about 20,000 baht then you may or may not have problems.

 

I thought about getting the tourist visa before arrival but if I don't it will give me yet another reason to make a side trip to Cambodia and get 30 more days when I fly back into BKK.

 

Not sure I would do the overstay read about a guy getting refused extended tourist visa because he had a past "overstay".

[Dr Mindbender Jr]

Not sure I would do the overstay read about a guy getting refused extended tourist visa because he had a past "overstay".

Yeah I've read about stories like that too although it's rare but hey it does happen.

[Scumbag]

If you get caught, best option in my opinion is to make a trip to Hat Yai in the south and cross the border into Malaysia, FREE 14 day visa, I worked it out since I made the trip. Bus trip to BKK from Pattaya then from BKK to Hat Yai and Hat Yai to Border 2,300 to 2500, no need to stay over night anywhere, just get back to Hat Yai from Border by local bus 20 bahts, and catch next bus to BKK, or you can visit Malaysia, or Hat Yai. 

Its  your choice, 7 days for 1900 bahts, or 2500 for 14 days, I will  make the trip to Malaysia for free visa extension, the trip is only 12 hours and you can do it  at night. 

The above price includes all your food, the bus ticket includes a food stop and meals, I go First Class or Executive. 

You can achieve the same thing by traveling to Poi Pet. It costs less and takes a lot less time. The return trip can be achieved easily in daylight hours. If you are in Pattaya I don't know why you would travel overland to Malaysia if your only aim is to get a 15 day visa waiver stay.

[key visa thailand]

For the past 5 years I usually just get the 30-day arrival Visa but this trip I am staying 35 days (Arriving 7/27, Departing 8/31).

 

What should I do here with the most limited hassle:

 

> Can I pay a fee when I arrive at the airport to extend the normal 30-day Visa?

> I read you can just pay a fine of 500baht a day for over stay, but not sure how easy this is to do at the airport when departing.  I do not want to miss my flight home.

> I will be in Pattaya most of the trip so can I stop by the immigration office and pay a fee to get a few more days added on?

 

Just looking for some advice from the folks that have lived this situation in the past.

Crabb, there seems alot of advice here for a small job, as Benny and Scummy have said just go to the Immigration on Soi5 Jomtien, pay 1,900 bht and get a 7 day extension, you can go anytime and it will be added to your current visa, nice and simple and also better than getting an overstay mate.

[GorGuy RIP]

..if the airline notices that you are staying longer than 30 days and you have no visa they may refuse to let you board the flight. ... some airlines are more strict than others.

 

Indeed.

 

I have traveled many times, in all that time, I have twice been asked to show my onward or return ticket.

 

My considered opinion, is that it is best to get a 60 day before you leave. Reason being, if going without a visa, and return ticket is greater than 30 days, there is a chance, that they will not let you fly. The other important thing being.... have at least 6 months validity on your passport, from your return date.

[crabb-man]

i had the same dilema. i booked a trip for 30 days but towards the end of it i decided to extend by a week. you can do it yourself like benny31 said for 1900 or you can just go to Queen Victoria and for 2600 baht they'll will do it for you. Saves you the headache of going there, waiting in line, etc. Queen Vic is on soi 6.

Can you tell me more about this Queen Victoria service.  I am more than willing to pay the extra 700bht so I do not have to waste my whole day at the immigration office.  Can you tell me their contact info and website.  Have you done this before?

Hi

 

Applying for an extension of a Thai  visa on arrival (30 days)

You don't have to wait until the day your visa expires.

 

Extension of stay.

If the applicant wants to continue touring the country, an extension may be granted for not more than 07 days.

Fee 1,900 baht.

 

Where:

Office of Immigration Bureau

Located on Soi 5 off Jomtien Beach Road

Keep going for about 400 m. Pattaya Immigration Office is on your right-hand side.

 

 

Office hours:

Monday: Friday 0830 AM – 0430 PM

Saturday: 0830 AM – 1200 PM

 

 

Requirements:

1. Application Form T.M. 7. (Extension of an alien who enters the Kingdom for not more than 90 days).

2. A copy of passport. (ID page and Visa Stamp page)

3. One passport-size photo.

4. Fee: 1,900 baht.

 

 

TM7.pdf

 

 

 

J5.jpg

 

 

BTW; you owe me a Shiner Bock

Huge thanks for the super details.