Do you want to remain in Thailand for a while longer than the validity of your visa? You must get a Thailand Visa Extension. If you desire to stay in Thailand for an extended period, you will most likely need to get many visa extensions unless you are one of the few people who have a multiple-year visa.
In some ways, an extension for a Thailand visa functions similarly to residency permits in other nations. You become qualified for Thailand’s Permanent Residency after living on sequential visa renewals and extensions for three years.
This essay will tell you about Thailand visa extensions, how to apply for them, their required documents, and other details.
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ToggleWho Can Get a Thailand Visa Extension?
As the name implies, anybody who wishes to remain in Thailand for a while longer than the duration of their visa must get a Thailand visa extension. Regarding the type of Thai visa you have and the reason for your trip to Thailand, you may be eligible for:
- A short-term visa extension. In this case, a 30-day Thai visa extension is often granted to tourist visa owners.
- A long-term extension. This extension can last anywhere from 90 days to a year, depending on why you wish to live in Thailand. Non-immigrant visa owners are granted long-term extensions.
Once a Thai embassy issues a Thailand non-immigrant visa for you, it usually is valid for 90 days. Nevertheless, the Non-Immigrant Visa permits you to request a visa extension after you arrive in Thailand, regardless of the reason for your visit. Furthermore, you can stay in Thailand lawfully with the visa extension for up to a year.
You can apply once more to extend your existing visa extension for one more year before it hits the expiration date. For example:
- Work visas in Thailand are essentially Non-immigrant “B” visa extensions tied to employment in Thailand.
- Student visas in Thailand are essentially Non-immigrant “ED” visa extensions tied to pursuing higher studies in Thailand.
- Marriage visas in Thailand are essentially Non-immigrant “O” visa extensions tied to marriage to a Thai citizen.
What are the Documents Needed to Apply for a Thailand Visa Extension?
When applying for a Thailand visa extension, you will need to provide numerous papers to support your application and persuade the Immigration authorities that you are eligible for the extension. Everyone, irrespective of the purpose of travel, must present the following documents:
- Application form for a Temporary visa extension (TM.7)
- A picture
- 4 x 6 centimeters
- Must be taken in the past six months.
- White background
- Taken with a neutral facial expression.
- Taken with a fully visible face.
- Only religious hats or headgear are allowed.
- Your passport that is still valid for another six months. Please remember that the visa extension will be awarded based on the validity of your visa, although it will typically be for no more than one year. A Thai Visa Extension will be valid for the same period if your visa is valid for less than a year.
- Copies of the following passport pages:
- The information page which includes your image, name, expiry/issue date, and so on.
- The page that displays your non-immigrant visa information.
- Any former Thai visa extensions pages.
- The page displaying Thailand’s most recent entry stamp.
- A copy of Card TM.6 (your departure card)
- Any other documentation pertaining to the objective of your trip, such as:
- For employment:
- a photocopy of your work permit
- Documents related to the company, including the registration certificate, stakeholder list, balance sheets, profit and loss statement, tax reports, and so on.
- The address of your working place depicted on a map.
- For international students:
- Authentic an acceptance letter into the Thai educational institution
- Evidence of the necessary financial requirements
- If you have a Thai national who is your family member:
- Evidence of familial ties, for example, a marriage or birth certificate.
- The household’s location depicted on a map.
- Evidence of the requisite financial resources
- Rental agreement
- Thai national identification card
- You may also be required to upload family photographs.
- If you plan to go to Thailand and retire:
- Proof of sufficient financial resources/deposit in a Thai bank
- Proof of monthly earnings
- Evidence of residency
Note: The duplicates of your passport must be signed, which serves as your confirmation that they are authentic copies.
How Can You Apply for a Thailand Visa Extension?
The Thai Immigration Department overseeing the area in Thailand where you will be residing must receive your application for a Thailand Visa Extension.
To extend your temporary stay, you need to apply in writing using TM’s application form. When you apply to the immigration department, you will need to fill out a Form 7″. You can find this form either online or in the offices.
There are often long lines at immigration offices, particularly in the morning, to submit your application. You will also have to wait for the decision after submitting your application.
As well as the Thai Visa Extension fee, you must have your supporting documents and money with you.
Can You Renew Your Thai Visa Extension?
In a word, Yes. Your current Thai Visa Extension can be extended for another 30 days if you meet the requirements for renewal.
How Much Does a Thailand Visa Extension Cost?
There is a fee of 1,900 baht every time you extend your stay in Thailand, regardless of its length.
What to Do When You Get the Thailand Visa Extension?
As soon as you receive your Thai Visa Extension, you must obtain a Re-Entry Permit 90 days after entering Thailand. In addition, you must notify the Immigration authorities of your address.
Getting a Thailand Re-Entry Permit
It is essential that you apply for a re-entry permit before leaving and reentering Thailand without your visa becoming invalid. If you are unable to get a re-entry permit before leaving Thailand, you will be denied re-entry unless you get another visa from a Thailand embassy overseas.
Thailand Re-Entry Permits can be awarded for single or multiple entries.
Submitting the Thailand 90-Day Report
Everyone who stays in Thailand for an extended period must file a 90-Day Report to Thai Immigration officials. This implies that every 90 days of ongoing residency in Thailand, you must travel to your local Thailand Immigration Department office and record your registered residence address, even if it is the same as the last time.
Note: Holders of SMART Visas must record their stay yearly instead of every 90 days.
What is a Ten-Year Thailand Visa Extension?
Thailand visa extensions are not valid for ten years. So instead, owners of a Thailand Retirement Visa “O-X” will be issued a 5-year, multiple-entry visa on the initial application. Then, before the visa hits its expiration, they can request a five-year extension, giving them a total of ten years in Thailand.
Thailand Permanent Residency Eligibility Conditions
After receiving at least three straight Thailand Visa Extensions, you are eligible to get a Thai Permanent Residency. The following are the additional qualifying requirements:
- You must hold a Non-Immigrant Visa Extension when applying for a Residence Permit.
- Your Non-Immigrant Visa must have been granted under one of the following conditions:
- You have made a minimum investment of ten million Thai Baht in Thailand.
- You had a job in Thailand.
- You resided in Thailand because you were related to a Thai national or a Thai Permanent Residency holder, including a spouse, parent, or kid.
- You worked in Thailand as an expert or scholar.
- Any other category deemed acceptable by Immigration officials.
- You successfully complete a Thai language interview.
The Thai Residence Permit has no expiration date. Therefore, you can submit an application for Thai citizenship after living in Thailand with a Residence Permit for at least 5 years.
Let’s Sum Up
Thailand Visa Extensions are required when you intend to stay longer than the validity of your Thailand visa. Like residency permits in other nations, an extension for a Thailand visa works the same way. You may qualify for either a short-term or long-term extension of your Thai visa based on your visa type and the reason for your trip to Thailand. Once a Thailand non-immigrant visa is issued for you, it usually is valid for 90 days.
This article aimed to inform you about getting a visa extension in Thailand, its process, what documents to prepare, etc. If you have any questions regarding Thailand visa extensions, write them in the comment so that we can answer you right away.
- Published by
- Max-B.
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