Thailand Visas: How to Extend Your Stay

Thailand is a popular destination for travelers from around the world. Its beautiful beaches, rich culture, and friendly locals make it a place many wish to stay longer. If you find yourself wanting more time in this tropical paradise, you need to understand how to extend your stay legally.

Types of Visas

First, you need to know the type of visa you have. The most common visas are the Tourist Visa, Visa on Arrival, and the Non-Immigrant Visa. Each has different rules and durations. Knowing your visa type is crucial for understanding your extension options.

Tourist Visa

If you hold a Tourist Visa, you can extend your stay by 60 days. You need to visit an immigration office in Thailand to apply for this extension. Make sure to bring your passport, visa, and a passport-sized photo. The fee for the extension is 1,900 THB.
If you want to extend it for longer than 30 days, you can convert the visa to a Non-Immigrant Visa.

Non-immigrant Visa

Non-Immigrant Visa holders have more options for extending their stay.

This is normally a single-entry visa into Thailand that’s valid for 90 days. Depending on the type of Non-Immigrant visa you can also get a work permit and open a bank account.

This visa can be extended to a long-term visa, depending on the type of Non-Immigrant Visa you apply for.

Depending on the purpose of stay, there are various types of Non-Immigrant Visas available from Thai embassies and consulates or at the immigration, some including:

Non-B Business Visa
Non-O Retirement Visa
Non-O Marriage Visa
Non-B Investment Visa
Long-Term Residence Visa

Marriage Visa and Retirement Visa

There is no direct application for these two visa types, but don’t worry. It’s not going to be a complicated process, as long as you meet the special financial requirements for the application. To obtain a Marriage Visa in Thailand, you must simply be married to a Thai national. Otherwise, you need to be 50 years old or older to apply for the Retirement Visa in Thailand.

For the first step, you must obtain a Non-Immigrant Visa. Next, convert the Non-Immigrant Visa to either a Marriage Visa or a Retirement Visa. These are two of the visa types that will allow you to stay in Thailand for a whole year and are renewable without the need to go to the border or leave the Kingdom.

Business Visa

This visa is specially designed for people who want to do business or work legally in Thailand and is known as the Non-Immigrant Business Visa. You can also get a work permit and open a bank account with this visa. 

This visa can be extended every year along with a work permit as long as employment or the business is still intact.

Permanent Resident Visa

To qualify for this visa, you must have stayed in Thailand for 3 consecutive years with 1-year visa extensions. If you have been married to a Thai citizen for 5 years, you must be earning 40,000 THB per month. If you are single, your monthly income must at least be 80,000 THB. You simply present 3 years of personal tax statements proving the above-stated income requirements to qualify for a Permanent Resident Visa in Thailand.

Important Tips

Always check the expiration date on your visa. Overstaying can result in fines and other penalties. It is best to apply for an extension a few days before your visa expires. This will give you enough time to complete the process without stress.

                                       (source : thaiembassy.com)