We have some great news for our Chinese, Indian, Russian, Taiwanese, and Kazakh readers. You now have more time to stay, explore, and have fun in Thailand. By extending the visa, Thailand aims to promote tourism and boost the economy.
Chinese
From today until February 2024, citizens of China can enjoy a visa exemption, allowing travelers to visit Thailand for up to 30 days without a visa.
You can extend your stay beyond the initial 30-day exemption period by requesting an extension from the Thai immigration officer.
However, the officer will decide whether to grant or deny the extension. The only available extension for the exemption period is an additional 7 to 30 days.
Before the COVID-19 outbreak, the Chinese played an important role in Thailand’s successful tourism industry. In 2019 alone, Thailand welcomed a record-breaking 39 million travelers, with 11 million of those arrivals from China.
Kazakh
From now until February 2024, citizens of Kazakhstan will enjoy a visa exemption, allowing travelers from both countries to visit Thailand for up to 30 days without a visa.
Russian
For Russian travelers, there is the opportunity to stay in Thailand for up to 90 days, starting now until the end of April 2024.
While tourism is still getting back on its feet, Russians have played a major role in Thailand’s tourist industry this year. From the start of 2023 until August, Thailand welcomed over 900,000 Russians.
However, it’s important to note that this number is still considerably lower compared to the pre-pandemic period when around 1.5 million Russians traveled to the Land of Smiles.
Indian
Starting from November 10, 2023, until May 10, 2024, Indian citizens can visit Thailand for tourism without needing a visa, and they can stay for up to 30 days.
Taiwanese
Taiwanese citizens can enjoy a visa-free visit to Thailand for tourism, allowing them to stay for up to 30 days. This special offer is available from November 10, 2023, to May 10, 2024.
Visa-free Travel to Thailand Requirements
You might be curious about the requirements for temporary visa-free travel to Thailand. You should have the following prepared before coming to Thailand:
- Passport
- Ticket for a return flight
- Proof of funds
- Proof of hotel booking
Simply hand the documents to the immigration officer when requested at the airport. Once officials grant permission, you can enter Thailand as a visa-exempt visitor.
Applying for an Extension
Where to Apply
If you’re traveling in Thailand and want to extend your visit, you should go to the Immigration Bureau in the city you’re in.
There are Immigration Bureau offices in many of Thailand’s big cities, such as Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket. To start the process of extending your visa, it’s necessary to visit one of these offices in person.
How to Apply
The application process for extending a tourist visa in Thailand involves several key steps:
- Identify Your Visa Type and Desired Extension Duration: First, know what type of visa you have and decide how much longer you need to stay. Tourist visas are usually extendable for another 30 days.
- Fill Out Necessary Forms: You can get the forms you need at the Immigration Bureau or download them from their website. Make sure to fill them in correctly to avoid any hold-ups in processing.
- Hand in Your Application: Take your filled-out forms to the Immigration Bureau office. Don’t forget to bring all the needed documents, like your passport and a photo that’s the same size as a passport photo.
- Wait for the Application to be Processed: Processing your application can take anywhere from 7 to 10 days, but sometimes it might take as long as 2 weeks.
- Pick Up Your Extended Visa: When your extension is approved, go back to the Immigration Bureau to get your passport with the updated visa. Check the new expiry date to make sure it’s correct.
How Much is to Pay
The cost to extend a tourist visa in Thailand is 1,900 THB, which is about $60 USD. This amount covers a 30-day extension and should be paid when you submit your application at the Immigration Bureau. Having the exact cash amount can help make the process quicker and easier.
Contact Siam Legal
Siam Legal International is a full-service law firm in Thailand with its head office located in Bangkok.
It is also recommended to acquire health insurance in Thailand too. Being insured takes a lot off your mind while traveling and also lets you save money on the go. As a result, we recommend applying for insurance at AXA, a leading insurance provider in Thailand.
If you’re looking to extend your visa and want professional help, Siam Legal provides a full range of services to guide you through the process easily. Get in touch with Siam Legal for expert guidance and assistance in prolonging your stay in Thailand.
Received 29 day visa on arrival at airport. Wish to travel in Thailand between now December 18 and March 21. Was granted only a 30 day visa upon arrival. How can I extend this visa to 90 days so we can spend our time and money visiting your country rather than having to leave every 29 days. Please advise.
Hello, Dolly Catherwood.
Unfortunately, a visa on arrival cannot be changed for a 90 day visa. To stay a month more, you can either do a border run twice, with each entry lasting 15 days, or exit the country and re-enter it for another 30-day stamp.