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.
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.
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.
More Tips for a Better Life in Thailand
Send Money to Thailand:
Use Transferwise. It is fast, cheap, and gives you the market exchange rate. Me and the majority of my readers are using it.
Get Good Health Insurance:
Start with a quick quote from Cigna. Then compare my other recommendations here.
Improve Your Thai Skills:
Learning Thai makes life here easier and more fun. I use Thaipod101. It is free to get started & easy to use.
Protect Your Online Privacy:
A VPN protects you against hackers and government snooping. I always use one. You should too. Read why here.
Last Updated on
sidney leonard says
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?
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.
Dec 27, 2022 at 1:23 am
JamesE says
Nov 09, 2022 at 7:17 am
sidney leonard says
1.) In applying for a non-immigrant O e-visa am I correct in understanding that a one-way ticket with single entry option will be acceptable? Someone who has provided a video about applying for an e-visa is not sure if I may need to show either a round trip ticket or another one-way ticket to show that I will be leaving the country before my visa expires. Further, I understand that, with opting for single entry, if I must for some reason return temporarily to the US, I can get a re-entry permit (TM8) allowing me to return to Thailand without having to apply for another non-immigrant O visa. Is this correct?
2.) Regarding the financial requirement for a visa extension (Thai Marriage Visa): Just to confirm from previous comments in this blog, I understand that I can meet the financial requirement by opening a personal account in my name and transferring into that account, at least 2 months before applying for said visa extension, ฿400K from the joint saving account that my wife and I previously opened at Bangkok Bank and into which we have transferred over the last 3 years, via WISE, >฿M, without having to show that the ฿400K came from overseas (USA). Is this correct?
3.) I believe we have all the required documents (i.e., marriage registration [Kor Ror 22], my wife's national ID card, Tabien Baan [ทะเบียนบ้าน] which certifies my wife's residency, etc, but I am unsure whether our intention to rent, indefinitely, in Bangkok, rather than residing at said residence, which is owned by my wife's sister, will be a problem with immigration. Any information regarding this matter will be greatly appreciated.
This blog has, indeed, been extremely helpful as I do my due diligence in preparation for our move to LOS. Thank you so much, all contributors.
Oct 20, 2022 at 5:41 am
TheThailandLife says
Oct 22, 2022 at 4:08 pm
sidney leonard says
First, please allow me to state the status of our preparation for our move to Thailand.
In April 2017, my wife, a Thai national (with dual citizenship), and I, a US citizen, after residing for many years in the US, came to Thailand with the intention of staying permanently, but due to a family hardship it was necessary for us to return to the US. However, before we knew about having to leave, we filed, at the Bangkok district office, and the US embassy, the required paperwork needed regarding our marriage and to open a joint savings account at the Bangkok Bank, in which we now a balance of >฿1.2M. Therefore, I believe we have fulfilled all the requirements for us to move to Thailand (i.e., marriage registration, my wife's national ID card, Tabien Baan, etc. So, at moving time, I will apply for a Non-immigrant O visa at the Los Angeles Thai consulate with the intention of then applying, annually, in Bangkok for a one-year visa extension based on marriage.
However, after carefully reading the following, from the Immigration Bureau website, pertaining to the financial requirements for obtaining the visa extension in question, I have questions pertaining to same.
“In the case of marriage to a Thai woman, the alien husband must earn an average annual income of no less than Baht 40,000 per month, or must have no less than Baht 400,000 in a bank account in Thailand for the past two months to cover expenses for one year.” Question: Must the income be from employment in Thailand, or does my US retirement income qualify?
“The applicant must attach a funds deposit certificate issued by a bank in Thailand and a copy of a bankbook, or attach documents proving that the parents or alien husband earns an average monthly income of no less than Baht 40,000 throughout the year, such as any particular individual income tax return together with payment receipt, evidence of receiving retirement pension...” Question: If my US monthly retirement income, >฿140K, qualifies, I assume the ฿400K requirement does not apply to me, and that an income verification letter provided by the state teachers retirement system of Ohio (STRS) will suffice as the required document attachment. Or, is my interpretation incorrect? If so, I would greatly appreciate correction, perhaps from someone who has informed knowledge of the requirements in question, or, ideally, from someone who shares my immigrant status and has personally experienced the required procedures for obtaining the visa in question.
Oct 03, 2022 at 2:09 am
Gary farmer says
Oct 03, 2022 at 3:53 pm
Mike says
But most Immigration offices are fine when it's only two months sitting there.
The income doesn't have to be from a job/etc. in Thailand. Be aware that some offices have the own law and ask for document X, while another one might want to see document Y.
You won't get 12 months, the first time. If you apply for a Non_O based on marriage (working is possible on that type), they will give you around two months, then they give you another appointment where you have to show photos of your wife in front of the house, house number visible.
Another photo in the house, one in your bedroom with your wife.
The two months is to check if the money is still on the said bank account after a particular period OT time. Let's say, you apply for such a Non-O in Sisaket, they will send the application to Korat, or Nakhon Ratchasima.
When you come back at the time they gave you an "allowness of stay" (under consideration), but it's then pretty clear. You might have to have a bank statement from the same day saying that you have the cash on your account number XYC.
Have copies of each passport page ready, even when they don't need or want kit. Most immigration want kit. Then the original marriage certificate and two photographs.
It's always better to take your wife with you, even when it should/could work without her.
Then you fill out the TM 47 (I think, it's called so) and you'll receive the rest to one full year. When you go there again after a year (anyway, don't forget you need to show your face every 90 days, but most places accept online)
You'll apply for an "extension of stay, even when they say visa. It's an extension. Another possibility would be to go to Sawannakhet/ Laos ( Mukdahan- friendship bridge border crossing), or Vientiane where you get a Non- O based on marriage for 5 K. But you must stay overnight and pick your visa up the next afternoon. Original marriage certificate needed!
Therefor you need to be there early morning, they only accept a certain number of applicants.
But then you must leave the country every 90 days, and can "stretch it to 15 months. I found that it's a kind of stress if you don't live close to the Laotian, or Cambodian border. Best of luck from Sisaket.
Oct 04, 2022 at 1:07 am
Mark Gall says
Oct 04, 2022 at 3:01 am
Dave Allgaier says
Aug 25, 2022 at 12:34 am
Alisa says
Feb 15, 2022 at 2:53 pm
TheThailandLife says
Feb 15, 2022 at 5:52 pm
Alisa says
Feb 15, 2022 at 6:35 pm
TheThailandLife says
Feb 15, 2022 at 6:43 pm
Michael B. says
Feb 11, 2022 at 4:17 pm
Michal B. says
https://bangkok.immigration.go.th/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/รายการเอกสารเยี่ยมคู่สมรสบุตรไทย-THEN.pdf
Documentation needed includes: Copy of passport first page with photo and copy last stamp, first visa, last visa, departure card (TM 6), evidence of report address, evidence of report 90 days.
1) What is this “evidence of report address”?
Also needed:
. “Marriage Certificate from abroad must be certified by the Embassy and the Department of Consular Affairs in Thailand”
. 2) Can someone explain this to me? Certified by the U.S. Embassy (I’m a U.S. citizen)?
. (All I have is a copy of my marriage certificate from 1994 and no way to get an original.)
Feb 09, 2022 at 5:39 pm
TheThailandLife says
Feb 09, 2022 at 6:57 pm
Brian says
I have a quick question, please if you could advise me:-
I ve recently re newed (extended) my Non O - Retirement visa. In stead of the full 12 months I only got stamped up to 29 June 2022. As that's when my passport expires.
So will I have the remaining 2-3 months granted and entered in my new passport when I get it?
Thank you kindly.
Aug 09, 2021 at 11:24 am
Theodore Jerome Saed lll says
Jan 25, 2021 at 7:07 am