Thailand really is one of the most beautiful countries we’ve ever visited, which is why we have spent ten out of the last 16 months living here. Now, for all you fellow Brits, there’s no need to apply for visas before you arrive as Thailand allows visitors from over 50 countries to visit for a maximum of 30 days with the ‘visa on arrival’ (VOA) scheme, us included. You can check the full list of qualifying countries here.
But if, like us, you want more than 30 days to explore this amazing country then you’ll need to extend your visa. The process is pretty straightforward, but it does involve a visit to a local immigration office. During our time here we have visited three locations; Phuket Town, Patong and Koh Samui, each office is slightly different, but the process is still exactly the same.
So, if you’re looking to extend your time in Thailand keep reading as we share how to prepare before your trip to immigration and what to expect once you arrive.
BEFORE SETTING OFF FOR THE IMMIGRATION OFFICE
1. gather the following:
- Your passport
- A printed copy of your passport photo page (double page) *
- A printed copy of your visa entry stamp *
- 1x passport-sized photograph
- ฿1,900 (cash only)
- A pen
* If you’re staying at a hotel or serviced apartments you can ask the front desk to print copies for you this will save time once you arrive but there are photocopying facilities at all immigration offices however they charge ฿10 per page.
2. Check the opening hours:
The opening hours for each office are different, for example; the office in Patong opens at 10:00 but the offices in Koh Samui open from 08:30. It is also good to note what time they break for lunch and make sure you arrive at least an hour before this if you are planning to visit in the morning.
3. Dress appropriately
You are visiting a government building, please make sure you dress appropriately. You should ensure your shoulders are covered (this applies to men & women), no ‘short shorts’, no swimwear and if possible wear closed-toe shoes or at least some nice sandals (no flip-flops).
ON ARRIVAL
Head straight for the information desk where you’ll need to collect a TM7 application form. Some offices already have these printed and laid out for you in a tray or basket. If not, just ask one of the officers who will provide you with a form.
If you haven’t managed to photocopy your passport pages before arrival you will also need to ask where the photocopying room is. Just let the assistant know that you are completing a visa extension and need some photocopies, they’ll know what you need.
THE FORMS
Information required for the TM7 application form:
- Name
- Date of birth
- Place of birth
- Nationality
- Passport details – number & expiry date (you must have a minimum of six months remaining on your passport)
- The date you arrived in Thailand, how you arrived (i.e. boat, train, plane) & where you landed
- Reason for extension – this is almost always ‘Tourism’
- Your address in Thailand – they need the full address of the hotel or apartments you’re staying in
- Your contact details – phone number & email address
You will also need to sign a document which explains what will happen should you overstay your visa. Our understanding is that this document has been introduced into the process as many tourists have been caught over the past few months overstaying their visas. If you do overstay you will be issued with a fine and banned from reentering the country, the amount and length of time will depend on how many days you overstay.
THE PROCESS
Once you have completed your forms head back to the desk to have your paperwork checked against the information in your passport. You’ll also be asked for your passport-sized photo which will be attached to your forms.
Now, this is where the process differs in each office, the smaller offices will take your photo and payment here and send your passport for processing, whereas the larger offices will give you a number and send you to a different department.
If you’re visiting the Koh Samui offices, you just need to head upstairs and wait for your number to be called, then approach the desk, make payment and hand over all your documentation.
Once all your documentation has been submitted you will be given a small slip of paper with your number printed on it, do not lose this.
Now, you wait…
The waiting time will depend on the number of applications before yours, so it might be 15 minutes, it might be a couple of hours. We’ve experienced both, in Patong, we arrived at 10:45 and had to come back after lunch at 13:00, but in Koh Samui, the process took about 15-20 minutes. The officer will let you know whether you should wait around or come back later.
When your passport is ready they will call out the number printed on your little slip of paper, and you can go and collect your passport which will now include an additional stamp, giving you an extra 30 days of adventure in Thailand.
See, told you it was easy.
We have used this process on a number of occasions to extend our time in Thailand, but please note you can only do this once during each visit. Meaning you can get a maximum of 60 days before you need to leave the country. We’re planning to stay until November/December this year so we will have to do what’s known as a ‘border-bounce’ and I’ll share our experiences with this later in the year.
Whilst you’re here it would be great to connect with you over on Instagram or on Twitter, we love building our little community of fellow travellers and travel lovers, or if you want to follow along on our travel adventures why not subscribe, we aim to post something new every week.
Until next time,
travel eat sleep repeat 
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