For many passport holders, a 30 day tourist visa is given upon arrival into the country. If you would like to stay for a longer duration, it is possible to extend this one time for a fee. Here is a detailed post of the process I went through in Chiang Mai, and how to extend your 30 day visa in Thailand.
Chiang Mai
I think it is safe to assume that most places in Thailand are going to require the same documentation and use the same or very similar process to extend your visa. The process must be done in person and at an immigration office.
Here in Chiang Mai, there are two offices, one near the airport and the other across town past the Old City. This post will be my experience at the office near the airport.
Required Documents
Prior to your arrival at the immigration office, everyone wishing to extend their visitors visa for another 30 days will be required to present the following items:
Your passport; a copy of the information page of your passport; a copy of the page inside the passport that shows the stamp upon arrival into Thailand; a passport photo and a copy of your TM30.
I used a camera store called Photo Bug in Chiang Mai who made me 4 passport photos for 100 baht ($3.75 CAD) and the necessary copies of my passport for 10 baht ($0.40 cents). They were super friendly and I received excellent service.
Every single tourist in Thailand must be registered with the Thai government upon their first nights stay. This form that is submitted by the Airbnb host, hotel or what have you, is called a TM30. A visitor simply has to request a copy of this form from your host or hotel reception. Easy peasy.
Chiang Mai Immigration Office
The official hours of the office are 8:30-4:30 with a one-hour break for lunch. After prior research, I decided to head over at 7:15am, and this is why. If you wait until 8:30 or later, you will potentially be at this or most other offices for three hours minimum. In an attempt to mitigate this even a little, I decided I would go early. Here is how it went.
Arrival
Upon arrival, you pass through a screening point. The staff at the cubical will give you your first number. Mine was ‘9’. So, the 9th person to pass through the gate that morning.
Document Preparation Area
Next you head over to your left where the Document Preparation area is. Here you will find all of the forms you are required to fill out and present at the next desk. There are multiple types of visas which require different forms. But for most visitors, the three forms on the top shelf are the ones you will need.
They are: STM2 Form; acknowledgement of overstay form and TM7 form. Gather these, go to a table and start filling them in. The TM7 is double sided and the most detailed to complete. You will glue your passport photo onto the back (glue stick provided). The other two are simple in comparison. Questions are straight forward and easy. (These photo’s aren’t great but will give you an idea of what the forms look like).
Volunteer helpers are present to assist with this step, however they do not arrive until 8:30. All documents, every page must be signed by you, even the copies of your passport.
Opening
Prior to the office opening time of 8:30, the immigration officers gather at the front of the building and perform some exercises. These are interesting to watch and include getting their finger nails checked! At 8am, the national anthem is sung and the Thai flag is raised.
At 8:30, the three little windows open and all present await their first number being called. By now, I kid you not, there were easily more than 200 people here all trying to extend or get a visa! 😯😶
I was number ‘9’ and I was called up at 8:40. I handed over my documents, they were checked for completeness, and stapled together with another number, this one being ‘25’.
Immigration Office
From the outside, now you will walk into the actual immigration building. Once inside find a seat if you can, here you will wait possibly hours. Bring a book. 😂
At the far left, is the window number 10, where the tourists visas are processed. It is loud inside, with the constant announcing over speaker, of numbers called for the various counters.
First
At 9:16 I was called up to the counter #10 for the first time. I handed over my documents and the 1,900 baht ($72 CAD) for the application fee. Then directed to sit back down.
Second
At 9:39 I was called up to the counter for the second time. This was to get my photograph taken. Your name is called out, not over a speaker, so you have so pay attention to some degree while you are whiling away the time. 😂 After the quick photo, I was asked to sit back down again.
Third
Third and last time at the counter is to be presented with your visa, passport, change (if any) and receipt. For me, this was at 9:52am. Yay! I am approved to stay inside this beautiful country for another 30 days. Happy dance. 💃
All in all I was there for just over 2.5 hours. Thank goodness I arrived early and much of that time was spent outside in the coolness of the morning and fresh air. When I was sitting waiting for my passport & visa, people were coming in with numbers like 78 and 82. I cannot imagine sitting inside that loud space for three or more hours. And these would have most likely been people who arrived right around opening time at 8:30. As the day progresses, it gets worse and worse.
Tips
1: Arrive early.
2: Even though there is a place behind the building to get a passport photo and copies of your passport, the cost is high and it just adds to the wait time.
3: Bring something to do, especially if you have kids.
4: There is a coffee shop on site with drinks and snacks. But if you need sustenance, you might want to bring your own food and water.
5: Be patient. Every official I interacted with was soooooo kind and lovely. Truly a testament to the Thai people.
6: Have cash, it’s the only thing accepted for your visa fee. There is a mall 5 minutes walk away that has multiple ATM’s should you need one.
Happy travels my friends.
