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
josephine sabanal says
His father has a 1 yr multiple entry visa. It's a new sticker and not an extension of his previous visa. I just read somewhere that dependent visa extension should be based on the extension of non b visa holder as well.
Your thoughts will be greatly appreciated.
May 26, 2016 at 1:48 pm
TheThailandLife says
May 28, 2016 at 10:56 am
Yaya says
May 24, 2016 at 8:04 pm
TheThailandLife says
May 24, 2016 at 9:28 pm
Tony says
I live in Songhkla in the south of Thailand and have a Thai wife.I have been to the immigration office here and asked about the two months extension and have been told its not possible.Does this mean this can only be done in Bangkok or im missing something? Hope you can be able to help me.
May 15, 2016 at 3:54 pm
TheThailandLife says
May 16, 2016 at 2:32 pm
Vlad says
I've recently got my non-immigrant multi-entry visa based on marriage issued at Savannakhet, and wonder should I back there every 90 days or I can cross the border and back again at any other places besides Savannakhet?
And other thing about which I'm not quite sure is how long minimum time I should spend outside of Thailand before get my next entry stamp ? One hour, a day(s) or I can back immediately?
Thanks,
Vlad
May 13, 2016 at 4:23 pm
Vlad says
May 16, 2016 at 2:57 pm
Vlad says
May 16, 2016 at 3:47 pm
TheThailandLife says
You can go out the country at any border point with an Non Imm O and get 3 months on the way back in. You can turnaround in the same day if you like too; I've done this at Nong Khai before.
May 17, 2016 at 12:28 pm
Vlad says
thank you for your timely reply, and sorry for my blames. That was wrong.
May 20, 2016 at 7:18 pm
John says
1. What type of Visa would I need?
2. Do I have to leave every 90 days and come back? If so, how long before I can come back?
Thanks
Apr 27, 2016 at 4:19 pm
TheThailandLife says
Apr 29, 2016 at 2:10 pm
Hans says
Apr 23, 2016 at 10:54 am
TheThailandLife says
Apr 23, 2016 at 12:55 pm
Ozan says
Apr 24, 2016 at 11:30 pm
TheThailandLife says
Apr 26, 2016 at 8:34 pm
Hans says
Ok. NO ID card was required. However the required my daughter to be there for an extension. She could not come as she is in the hospital with leukemia cancer and is undergoing Chemo and cant be in contact with the outside world due to bacteria risk. The hospital wrote this letter and yet they demanded my daughter to be there! Told them its impossible as she is not allowed to be transported as per letter from the Hospital!
It got into an heated argument as they simply refused to believe the letter from the Hospital.
Than the solution! Make a picture of you and your daughter with today's news paper!
Me: How? My Visa runs out today so I cant go back now and be back here in time.
She: Well, than you pay just the 500 overstay and we sort it out tomorrow.
Me: That's impossible as tomorrow my visa is expired so you cant extend it.
She: Go away! Don't want to talk to you!
So there you have it!!! Immigration Cheang Wattana on Steroids!!!
Will go back to see what happens but most likely 100% my visa extension wont be accepted as I lost out on due date but will be back for a new report tomorrow. Most likely they give me a 7 day tourist visa and kiss your Non-O goodby even the courts ruled I am the sole provider for my daughter and the Hospital writing that my daughter cant be moved due to her illness.
I normally dont explode or get angry but this officer was just so freaking mean!!
Apr 26, 2016 at 9:19 pm
TheThailandLife says
I hope you sort this out tomorrow and can get back to being with your daughter.
Apr 26, 2016 at 9:44 pm
Hans says
For him it was his first time in 10 years of his WP that a picture got refused from behind his desk.
They clearly cracking down on it now!!! But sad to know they pick the wrong people
Apr 26, 2016 at 9:50 pm
Ozan says
my 1 year non-O visa (marriage visa) expire on MAY 29.
1.how i can renew 1 year visa again ?
3.just submit all document i did in last year same?
(marriage paper ,400K in thai bank passbook , photo with wife ,wife ID card with signature and 1900baht visa fee )
3.i should apply before my visa expire before 21days ?right ?
Thanks
Apr 19, 2016 at 11:09 pm
TheThailandLife says
Apr 21, 2016 at 1:45 pm
Ozan says
I already have non-O visa in my passport.i got from Thai embassy in 2014DEC. I already report for 90days last week .They said same documents in last year.I can submit same documents.400K baht in statement .apply 1 year visa again. i can apply 45days before my visa expire
Apr 24, 2016 at 11:28 pm
roy says
Apr 08, 2016 at 6:40 pm
TheThailandLife says
Apr 09, 2016 at 2:51 pm
roy says
1- TM07 30 extension for tourist visa. Attend alone.
2- TM07 To change Visa type to NON O Thai wife as partner, 90 day extension (pick up results 2 weeks later) and return 30 days before end date ( documents Required, Passports, Marriage Certificate Khor lo 2 Khor lor 22, Birth Certificate of children if any, Wife's ID card and her name changing documents, Household Registration and any documents proving who she is, Financial documents, Copies of everything is needed) Wife must attend.
3- TM07 30 days before second TM07 end date to change Visa to a 12 month visa all the same documents again (annoyingly) and Wife must attend again, Return for results.
4- TM47 90 day reporting form.
Hope this helps someone one day.
Apr 12, 2016 at 10:52 pm
Rupam says
1) Do I have to produce any additional documents, other than the one you have mentioned above ?
2) I work in a private company, do I have to submit any documents apart from my work permit ? For eg. Company’s recent business certificate etc.
3) When do I have to go for the Visa extension?
4) Do you know any reliable agent because if it requires multiple visits I doubt that I'll get that many leaves.
Thanks in advance
Apr 07, 2016 at 6:16 pm
TheThailandLife says
Apr 07, 2016 at 8:50 pm
Tempa Gyeltshen says
Mar 27, 2016 at 2:59 pm
TheThailandLife says
Mar 27, 2016 at 3:21 pm