Bangkok is a bustling metropolis that attracts millions of tourists from around the world every year. However, there comes a time when you may need to extend your visa in Bangkok to stay longer in Thailand. In this blog post, we will provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to extend your visa in Bangkok.
Step 1: Determine Your Visa Type
The first step in extending your visa in Bangkok is to determine your visa type. The type of visa you have will determine the procedure and requirements for extending your stay in Thailand. There are many types of visas available for Thailand, including tourist visas, business visas, and education visas.
In this blog post we’ll be focusing mainly on extending the tourist visa (also known as the Visa-on-arrival / Visa-exempt), however the procedure for other visa’s are similar.
Step 2: Check the Expiration Date of Your Visa
Once you have determined your visa type, you will need to check the expiration date of your visa. It is essential to extend your visa before it expires; otherwise, you may be subject to fines, deportation, or other penalties. (see photo of overstay penalties below)
Step 3: Gather Required Documents
To extend your visa in Bangkok, you will need to gather the required documents.
These documents typically include:
1.) your passport,
2.) a copy of the front page of your passport + the entry stamp into Thailand page,
3.) completed visa extension forms (which is supplied at the immigration office),
4.) a recent passport-size (4 x 6) photo, and
5.) 1900 Thai bahts in Cash (no other types of payments accepted).
To get a passport photo taken, go to the immigration office and there will be a few shops around it that can take your photo for 100 baht. They usually supply 4 prints for that price.
To get photocopies of your passport, you can do it at the same time you’re getting your passport photos taken, they offer this service at 2 baht per copy making it 4 baht total.
Step 4: Visit the Immigration Bureau
Once you have gathered all the required documents, you will need to visit the Immigration Bureau in Bangkok. The Immigration Bureau for visa extensions is located at IT Square Laksi on the 3rd floor. You can take a taxi or use public transportation (red line train) to reach the Immigration Bureau. We prefer just booking a grab motorbike to the office, it’s the easiest and hassle-free.
Google maps directions: https://goo.gl/maps/uhH6deejfhH4qNaP9
Visa Extension address: 333/100 ม.4 อาคารหลักสี่พลาซ่า (ห้อง A28), ถ.แจ้งวัฒนะ, แขวงทุ่งสองห้อง, Talat Bang Khen, Lak Si, Bangkok 10210
Some things to note:
- The office closes at 12-1pm for a staff lunch break
- There is a maximum of 300 people a day that they will service, once it is reached the office will close.
- Arrive early as possible
Step 5: Submit Your Documents and Pay Fees
When you arrive at the Immigration Bureau, you will need to submit your documents and pay the visa extension fee of 1900 Thai bahts (for tourist visa extension of 30 days). The fee for extending your visa in Bangkok varies depending on the type of visa you have and the length of your stay.
Step 6: Wait for Your Visa to Be Processed
After submitting your documents and paying the fee, you will need to wait for your visa to be processed. This usually takes about 15-30 mins or more (depending on how busy it is.)
Step 7: Collect Your Passport
When your visa extension is approved, your visa extension will be stamped in your passport, and you will be allowed to stay in Thailand for the extended period.
Extending your visa in Bangkok is a straightforward process as long as you follow the necessary steps and provide all the required documents. By doing so, you can enjoy your stay in Thailand for a more extended period without any legal issues.
