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Non-Immigrant O Visa Extension: How to Extend Your Stay by 60 Days

If you have a Non Immigrant O Visa (multiple entry), then you’ll need to leave Thailand every 90 days. Unless of course you've done the 1-year extension, with the money in the bank, etc., which allows you to stay.

The rule is every 90 days, from the date stamped in your passport by immigration when you enter the country.

In addition to the entry date stamped in your passport, the stamp also shows the date you need to leave by. So there's no excuse for not knowing/

Note that you can leave the country on the required exit date, but it's advisable to arrange to leave a day or two before, just in case you fall sick or miss a coach or flight.

The good news is: if you have a Non Immigrant O Visa based on marriage, or family in Thailand, you can extend this 3-months (90 days) to 5 months.

In other words, you can get an extra 60-days without having to leave the country.

The cost of this extension is 1,900 Baht.

This is approximately what you’d pay to a visa run company if you were to do a one day border run, but a hell of a lot cheaper than booking a flight and taking a short holiday somewhere.

To get this extension, you’ll need to take a number of documents with you to the immigration office.

Like all immigration-based processes in Thailand, the goal posts occasionally shift in terms of what's required, but having done this fairly recently in Bangkok – based on marriage – I can confirm what is required in the list below.

Non Immigrant O Extension – Documents Required

It's important to note that your wife will need to accompany you to do this extension.

  • Passport (original).
  • Photocopy of passport.
  • Photocopy of visa and arrival card (these should be in your passport).
  • House certificate / copy of lease agreement at the condo you stay in. (Take the original if you have it). If this is your condo lease agreement, it must have your signature and the owner's signature on it. A piece of paper that states your address, the deposit you paid, and the amount you pay each month is not enough. It must be a proper tenancy agreement.
  • A signed copy of the home owner's ID card – if not your wife.
  • Wife’s Tabien Baan (copy is fine). This is the house document for the home where she is officially registered.
  • Wife's ID card (original to be shown, but also have a copy with you). If security tries to take this from your wife at the entrance in exchange for a visitor card, be sure to tell them you need it to show the immigration officer. We ran into this issue once and had to retrieve it.
  • Marriage Certificate (original and copy). Make sure you take the original!

Please note: I wasn’t asked to show it this time, but previously I was asked for a copy of my daughter’s passport and birth certificate, so if you have a child, take those too.

Please note: If you are extending based on having a child and not marriage, you will need your child and the child's mother to accompany you, and the following documents:

  • Child's passport.
  • Child's birth certificate.
  • Wife's ID card.
  • Tabien Baan (copy should be fine). Do your best to get hold of the original, or you might be refused.

Where to Extend Your Non-Immigrant O Visa in Bangkok

If you’re based in Bangkok, you’ll need to go to the government complex at Chaeng Wattana (building B) to do your Non-Immigrant O Visa extension.

This is located about 1 km to the rear of building A, the place where Thais get their passports and foreigns apply for marriage affirmations.

You need entrance number 1.

Walk in and go straight ahead.

You'll see two customer service ladies sitting at a desk on your left-hand side.

As you walk straight, you'll be faced by a huge open floor space in front of you, which is quite a spectacle.

Instead of walking out into the big space, as the wall on your right ends, bear to the right and walk straight (see the image below with the big red arrow)

Soon you'll come face to face with the immigration section.

You'll be looking in through the side window.Walk round to the right and you'll see the door.

Go up to the counter inside and explain that you are there to extend your Non Immigrant O visa for 60 days.

They will give a form. Fill it in quickly and then proceed inside to get yourself a ticket and take a seat.

If you can get away with it, once you have your form, walk through into the second room and get a ticket, then sit down and fill out your form.

This way you will join the queue as quickly as possible and bypass those people still filling in their forms.

bangkok-immigration

Chaeng Wattana Immigration Address

Here's the address in English. Your taxi driver will know where to go if you tell him Chaeng Wattana Immigration. You can always show him the address in Thai using the Google map below.

Remember, though, it's building B you need.

The Government Complex, B Building , Floor 2 (South Zone)

Chaengwattana Road (Soi 7)

Laksi , Bangkok 10210.

If you want to take the BTS or MRT, you can take the BTS to Mo Chit Station and from there a taxi, or take the MRT to Chatuchak Station and from there a taxi to Chaeng Wattana Immigration.

What Not to Do – My 6 Top Tips

1. Don't Be Late – Get There as Early as You Can

The staff break for lunch for an hour at 12pm, which means if you don't have a place in the queue by then you could risk not getting this done in one day.

Do yourself a favor and get to bed early the night before. Get up early and get in there early.

You could be done by 10.30am and have the rest of the day free.

2. Don't Get Angry or Be Rude to Staff

It can be a frustrating experience at times, but keep your cool. Thai officials demand respect, it's what the job is all about – levels.

They will exercise their authority at any sign of rudeness. Be courteous, bite your tongue, and if you're refused an extension of stay don't make a scene.

3. Don't Expect Any Favors

Everything is done by the book. If you are missing a document, you will 9 times out of 10 come away empty handed.

bangkok-immigration-office

4. Speak Clearly and Use Simple English

Speak clearly using basic English the officer is likely to understand. It will really help if you can speak Thai, but if you can't, your wife will be there to step in and help.

5. Don't Go Dressed for the Beach

I know this a tad superficial, and I've nothing against relaxed clothing, but don't turn up in flip flops and a Chang Beer vest.

Put on some jeans and a casual top and make yourself presentable. You will be far better received and more likely to get help should your application have a problem.

6. Sign all Your Photocopies

Lastly, don't forget to sign all your photocopies. You wife needs to sign hers too. Signing photocopies is a bit of a national hobby here – you'll get used to it!

A Final Word On Your Extension

You will get a 60-day stamp from the day you extend. This means that you will need to leave the country after 60 days to then return and reactivate a further 90 days on your visa.

You can only do this extension once during the 1-year validity period of your visa.

I've had comments from others saying they have been able to do it more than once, but the last time I tried I was refused.

By all means try, as some immigration offices may allow this. However, work on the assumption that you can only do this once.

My final tip is to not leave your extension until the last minute. Things can go wrong.

Consider the many public holidays Thailand has when immigration offices are closed.  Factor in potential whether issues during rainy season. Consider that you may be refused due to not having a particular document, or an over-zealous official.

Get it done in a advance of your stamp expiration date.

Got a question? Leave it below.

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  1. sidney leonard says

    Re: One year extension of marriage visa: I understand that the options are a security deposit of ฿400,000 in a Thai bank account that has been present for at least 2 months prior to the visa application, or a monthly income of at least 40,000 THB and a letter from your country’s embassy verifying this income.

    Since the U.S. embassy no longer provides said letter for the ฿40K option, will immigration except a letter of income verification from the State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio showing my monthly benefit of $3,998 along with a year of bank statements from Bank of America where my benefit is deposited monthly, as it has been since 1988? Thank you.
    Reply

    • JamesE says

      If you want to go the income route you'll have to document 12+ months of ฿40K going into your Thai bank account. So, you won't be able to use that for the first extension (unless you started moving money before you got your O visa) but if you can demonstrate the regular deposits you can use it for every extension after that.
      Reply

      • Sidney Leonard says

        This is not a duplicate post, as it is request for additional information regarding my previous post.

        Thank you, James. Since you seem to be very knowledgeable about the annual marriage visa extension requirement, perhaps you would be kind enough to confirm, or clarify, for me my understanding of the following details pertaining to same.

        My Thai wife and I now have a joint savings account at Bangkok Bank, but I understand that, for either option (฿40K or ฿400K), I must open a personal account, which I will do when I visit Bangkok early next year.

        I understand that if I choose the ฿400K option, I must deposit that amount into my personal account at least 2 months prior to applying for the annual extension, and that I can use those funds after the extension approval as long as ฿400K is again deposited into my account prior to future extension applications.

        I understand that if I choose the monthly deposit of ฿40K option, I must deposit that amount each month for at least 12 months prior to my extension application and, I assume, the only proof of complying with this option would be showing my account passbook as proof of said deposits. - Additionally, would an Income Verification letter from the State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio, showing my monthly benefit, be advisable?

        I also assume that there is no requirement to maintain a minimum account balance with the monthly deposit of ฿40K option, but that I will be required to show the required monthly deposit yearly before each extension application.

        I have seen it posted, perhaps by you, James, that my wife can be added as a signatory to my account, which will not jeopardize its status as my personal account, giving her the right of access to my account equal to my mine. And, of course, even without such designation, my wife would be able to make withdrawals using my debit card, right?

        Again, thank you, James. I very much appreciate your taking the time to share your knowledge regarding this matter.
        Reply

        • JamesE says

          Hi Sidney,
          Correct - it must be in an account solely in your name. Correct on the 2-month aging required. Keep in mind that is for the initial application and subsequent extension(s). So, two months before your initial extension and two months before each subsequent extension. Correct on twelve months of deposit history. You will want to show your bank book as well as get a letter from the bank confirming your deposits and balances. Having the income letter doesn't do anything beyond having another piece of paper. But, with any bureaucracy, that's not a bad thing. Also correct on the continuing deposits.

          Not correct - your account has to be under your sole control. Adding an official signatory breaks that rule. You might (haven't checked this out) be able to add her as a beneficiary so that in the event of your death or incapacitation she gets the ability to request documents for immigration or other official correspondence. That is way above my pay-grade so you'd want to check with someone at the bank or an estate attorney. For example, if you gave her a durable power of attorney for financial matters can she manage your bank account and have immigration, and the bank, be cool with it even if you're not quite dead?

          But correct on the ATM. I'd go one step further and make sure she can access your account via the app. That way she can also pay bills, transfer funds as needed, request statements in addition to using the ATM.
          Reply

  2. Rodger Dodger says

    Totally wrong. The Non O "visiting a wife" is for 60 days or 90 days. They can be extended after EACH entry. So, I got a 90 day Non o visit wife, border bounced for 60 days, then repeated with a local and 60 day visit the wife visa. This gave me 7 months and can do more! It can be done all year round.
    Reply

  3. Adrian van Vliet says

    For sidney leonard .
    Just now maybe not but in the near future I'm sure all countries, will have to adhere to the US Fatca Rules, called CSR in the EU ie Where does the money come from will be the question you may have to answer. Since this is spreading rapidly (Internet, computers) I would not take the risk but as usual, UP to You.
    Thailand is about to follow the West as it may be in their interest. When??? Any guess, as Peter knows and a new Income Tax system has already been introduced.
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Sorry to hear about your wife. I hope she makes a full recovery. I had a similar situation when my wife was in hospital having just given birth. I had the doctor's letter but they made me take a form back to my wife to sign, so two trips in the end. Leave yourself a good few days to get it done, just in case of any hassle. Take a copy of her Thai ID card and tabien baan if possible. Sometimes it depends on the immigration branch/officer as to the rules they follow.
      Reply

  5. Adrian van Vliet says

    Hi,
    We are a Dutch couple, live in Chiang Mai for about 5 months and then return to France where we live officially. We therefore choose a Non O Immigrant Single Entry for 70 euros, for a 90 days stay after which one has to do an extension and NO money n the bank! I was quite surprised when I found out, just in time, that the extension period for this type of visa is only 7 days for 1900 baht! We therefore decided to do a visa run to Chiang Khon (Friendship Bridge #4 to Laos, around 300 kms). In Chiang Mai is a Visa Run service available for approx 1900 baht per person with a return the same day (Mini Van, 7 days per week) The visa run at this entry point to Laos is actually quite simple and has been reported several times in the Internet. Up and down the bridge takes approx 2 hours. This visa run can be done twice a year, max. This way one could stay in Thailand for 90 days plus 30 days extension + 29(!) days from the visa run to Laos for a total of 149 days max. One will get a Visa on Arrival stamp when coming back into Thailand.
    Not taking any chances we would like to advise to use one day less than the max allowed and take into account that the Immigration Offices are open 5 days per week and closed on Sat/Sun/Official holidays.
    A Laos visa is required and we advise to get an Electronic visa for about 51 USD, which works fine (3 days only) and avoids money change cost at the Laos Immigration Office side. The bus across the bridge and back is 25 baht each way.

    Particular 'service' at the Immigration in Chiang Mai.
    When one has filled out all papers and glued your pic on the right form, you will have to wait. It is quite possible that your are too late to be helped the same day as the Imm people just close their business at 16:00 hours. If that happens to you, put your papers in the box, with your original number, at the Imm window in the waiting area and come back next day. Next day you will be called before any new applicant and get a number to go into the actual Imm Office.
    Nice gesture or not?

    This is the link to the visa run service in Chiang Mai :
    https://www.chiangmaivisarun.com/chiang-mai-huay-xai-laos-border-run?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA3uGqBhDdARIsAFeJ5r0JP0icPdyXdAWmgZd_HIdgZVZjeHP5Xipf_eeu6KkxxGngbp0v7jEaAoPUEALw_wcB

    Be nice to all immigrant persons and do not get upset about the umpteenth form to fill out, way of life!

    Good luck
    Reply

  7. Jerry says

    Can you also extend a single entry non-O visa for 60 days based on marriage to a Thai? Last year, I got a multiple entry non-O visa based on marriage in Savannakhet, but my understanding is that they now require evidence of 400K baht in the bank.

    Is it possible to just get a single entry non-O and extend 60 days of instead of one year in order to not show the 400,000 baht? And if so, can this process be repeated? Can you get a single entry for 90 days, extend 60 days, and then start the process over again? Thank you.
    Reply

  8. sidney leonard says

    Since my last post here regarding the matter of extending my Non-immigrant O visa based on marriage I have considered all the information I have gleaned from this blog and others and have decided to do the following in obtaining my annual visa extensions, and I would greatly appreciate any comments of confirmation, correction, or additional information regarding same. 1.) As I am sure you know, it is now possible to make an online appointment for visa extensions at the Chaeng Wattana government complex, which I intend to do; I would appreciate knowing the quickest transportation method of getting to the complex from where we will be staying in the CBD of Bangkok, and exactly where to report in the complex for our appointment (I understand that my wife must accompany me). 2.) Also, perhaps you know that it is now possible to apply for a visa extension online (including uploading required documents, etc.); however, after completing the online application, one must then go to the government complex to complete the process. Therefore, I have decided, to go the route of making an appointment and taking with me a completed FORM TM7 with all the other required documents, including my bank passbook showing an overseas ฿400 deposit and bank letter.

    Again, with great appreciation, I am requesting input, particularly from any expats with personal experience with the visa extension based on marriage procedure.
    Reply

  9. sidney leonard says

    Peter, as I do my due diligence in preparation for wife and I moving to Thailand (Bangkok), I particularly want to fully understand the yearly marriage visa extension requirements. I have perused all the comments pertaining to this issue, but still am unsure about the following, so, hopefully, you and/or others, can clarify same for me.

    Regarding the requirement that I have ฿400K in a personal bank account, will there by a concern about where the funds come from? 1.) Can I transfer the required ฿400K from our joint savings account at Bangkok Bank, or must I make the transfer (we use WISE) from our joint account at Bank of America? 2.) Do I need to make both a deposit and withdrawal from my personal account to show activity on the day of my application, or just one of the two transactions? 3.) Lastly, do I need to have the ฿400K in my account 3 months before applying for my first visa extension, or will 2 months suffice even for my first visa extension? If it's 3 months I will need to get a 60 day extension.

    Do I have to obtain documentation of our 30 year marriage from the district office each year as a visa extension requirement (the Kor Ror 22 certifying our marriage in the U.S. is on file at the district office)? If so, how many days before my application can I get the required document, and do I have to get the documentation from the same district office (เขตบางแค) where our Kor Ror 22 was registered?

    The above concerns are similar to previous posts, but are not duplicates as indicated when I attempted to post this post.

    Btw, did you say that all photo copies of documents should be signed?

    Many thanks for all you are doing on behalf of us aspiring expats.
    Reply

    • Mike says

      The first time, it can be that you must have the 400 K in your name only, as far as I understood the Immigration officer.
      But that can be different now.
      You'll only get a few weeks, or two months, then a visit by Immigration if it's really true that you live there, as you said.
      You'll need photographs of your wife and you in the bedroom, in front of the house, with the house number visible.
      It will go to Korat ( Nakhon Ratchathasima) for improvement.

      They'll give you a date when to come back to the Immigration. In that time, please do not touch the 400 K, they will check on that as well.

      Best of luck!
      Reply

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