✅ Updated on 05.11.2025
Visa and Entry Stamp Extensions Work the Same Way
Many nationalities can enter Thailand without a visa under the visa exemption program, while others need to apply for a Thai tourist visa in advance.
Either way, the extension process is the same — whether you’re extending a visa or a 60-day entry stamp. You’ll go to the same immigration office, submit the same documents, and follow the same steps.
Where to Extend Your Visa or Entry Stamp in Thailand
You must extend your Thai visa or entry stamp at the immigration office in the city where you’re currently staying.
Here are the main offices and their locations:
- Bangkok
- Phuket – View location
- Pattaya – View location
- Koh Samui – View location
- Koh Phangan – View location
- Chiang Mai – View location
- Krabi – View location
- Hua Hin – View location
Thailand Visa Extension Cost
The cost to extend your stay in Thailand depends on how you apply:
- In person at an immigration office – ฿1,900
- Online via VFS Global – ฿2,400
As of November 8, 2022, Thailand introduced an online application system for extending both tourist visas and visa exemption stamps. This service, launched in partnership with VFS Global, was designed to reduce long queues at immigration offices.
The higher online fee includes a ฿500 convenience charge by VFS Global.
I decided to test the online process myself — and spoiler alert: I spent just 5 minutes at the immigration office.
Documents Needed for a Thai Visa or Entry Stamp Extension
To extend your tourist visa or 30-day entry stamp in Thailand, you’ll need the following documents:
- Your original passport
- A copy of the main passport page and the page with your latest Thai entry stamp
- A passport photo (4×6 cm, white background)
- TM7 form – the official application for extension of stay (your photo will be attached to this)
- TM30 form – only required for in-person applications; not needed for online submissions
You can prepare your photo and copies in advance or get them done at the immigration office. Here are typical prices:
- Photo — ฿100
- Photocopy per page — ฿3
How to Extend Your Stay in Thailand
Time needed: 2 hours
This step-by-step guide is for travelers who want to extend their Thai tourist visa or entry stamp in person at an immigration office.
- Go to the Immigration Office
Search for “immigration office” on Google Maps and head there early — ideally before 9 AM to avoid the lunch break and long queues.
- Fill Out the TM7 Form
The TM7 form is the official application for extending your stay. It asks for your passport details, contact info, and how you entered Thailand. If you’re unsure how to fill it out, staff at the office can help. Here is a sample of completed form.
- Get a Queue Ticket
Submit your documents and the completed TM7 form at the information counter. They’ll give you a queue number.
- Pay the ฿1,900 Fee
When your number is called, go to the counter, submit your documents, and pay the ฿1,900 fee in cash.
- Receive Your Extension
After payment, you’ll receive your passport back with the new visa extension stamp. Sometimes this happens immediately; other times, you may need to wait a short while.
How to Extend Your Visa or Entry Stamp Online in Thailand
Thailand now offers a convenient online visa extension option, available in select provinces through thaiextension.vfsevisa.com. However, “online” refers to the application process only — you still need to visit the immigration office in person to finalize the extension.
The good news? Once approved, your visit usually takes just 5 minutes, instead of waiting for hours in line.
How Long It Takes
I submitted my application on January 23 at 4:00 PM and received confirmation the next morning — January 24 at 10:00 AM.
When I arrived, I spent just 5 minutes at the office — no waiting in line, thanks to having a scheduled appointment.
⚠️ I recommend applying 2–3 weeks before your stay expires, as appointment slots can fill up quickly.
Provinces Where Online Extensions Are Available
- Bangkok
- Phuket
- Chonburi (Pattaya)
- Chiang Mai
- Surat Thani (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan)
- Nonthaburi
- Pathum Thani
- Samut Prakan
FAQs
If you’re applying in person at the immigration office, you can do it any day after arriving in Thailand. For online applications, you’ll need to wait until there are 30 days or fewer remaining on your current visa or entry stamp.
The extension always starts from the date your current permission to stay ends — not from the day you apply. For example, if you apply on February 20 but your current stamp is valid until March 10, the 30-day extension will begin on March 11 and run until April 9.
You can extend your stay only once per entry. So if you entered Thailand with a 60-day tourist visa or under the 60-day visa exemption, you can extend it for an additional 30 days. After that, many travelers do a visa run — they leave the country and re-enter on a new stamp, then repeat the process. I lived this way for quite a while myself before switching to a DTV visa.
