Renewing Thai Visas: A Quick Guide

Thailand is a popular tourist destination, known for its tropical weather and rich culture. For those wishing to renew their visa to extend their stay, there are a few important things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is crucial to track the dates of your visa to avoid overstaying, as this is considered illegal and can result in fines, deportation, and even bans from re-entering the country. The process for renewal depends on the type of visa you hold. For tourist visas, a 30-day extension can be obtained by submitting a TM7 form and paying a fee of 1,900 THB at a local Thai Immigration Office. For ED/Student Visas, the same form is required, along with a letter of certification from MUIC, a passport photocopy, and a recent photograph. Retirement visas require similar documentation, including proof of funds, while Dependent/Marriage Visas have additional requirements such as a marriage certificate and proof of income or bank balance. It is recommended to plan ahead and renew your visa before it expires to avoid any complications.

Where to go to renew your visa in Thailand

If you want to extend your stay in Thailand, you will need to apply for a Thai Visa Extension at a local Thai Immigration Office. The process is simple and the same across the country, but you will need to ensure you have the correct paperwork.

You can renew your Thai visa at a local Thai Immigration Office. If you are a foreigner with a long-term visa, you will need to exit the country and visit a Thai Embassy or Consulate in another country to activate the remaining time on your visa or obtain a new long-term Thai Visa.

What You Need to Renew Your Visa in Thailand

The documents you will need to renew your visa in Thailand depend on the type of visa you hold and the purpose of your travel. However, there are several documents that everyone must submit, including:

• Application Form for Extension of Temporary Stay in the Kingdom – Form TM.7
• One 4x6cm photograph of yourself, taken within the last six months, with a neutral facial expression, and no headgear (unless for religious purposes)
• Your original passport, which is valid for at least six more months
• Photocopies of the relevant pages on your passport, including the personal information page, the page showing your Non-Immigrant Visa, any pages showing previous Thailand Visa Extensions, and the page showing the latest entry stamp in Thailand
• A photocopy of your Departure Card TM.6

Cost of Renewing Your Visa in Thailand

Each time you renew your visa in Thailand, you will need to pay a fee of 1,900 Thai Baht, regardless of the duration of your extension.

How to renew a tourist visa

To renew a tourist visa for Thailand, you must follow a specific process and meet certain requirements. Here is a detailed guide on how to renew your tourist visa:

Step 1: Understand the Visa Requirements and Limitations

Before planning your trip to Thailand, it is essential to understand the visa requirements and limitations. Thailand offers different types of tourist visas, including the Visa Exemption scheme, Visa on Arrival, Single-Entry Tourist Visa, and Multiple-Entry Tourist Visa. Each visa type has specific rules regarding the length of stay, extension options, and eligibility. Make sure to choose the visa that best suits your travel plans.

Step 2: Gather the Necessary Documents

When applying for a tourist visa renewal, you will need to submit specific documents. These may include:

• A completed visa extension form (TM7)
• Your original passport with relevant pages copied, including the bio page, visa page, latest entry stamp, and departure card
• A recent photograph in the specified size and format
• Proof of financial means, such as bank statements or a bank book
• Proof of accommodation, such as hotel bookings or private accommodation details
• A copy of your confirmed flight reservation
• Other supporting documents, such as an employment letter or invitation letter

Step 3: Submit Your Application at a Local Thai Immigration Office

In most cases, you will need to submit your visa renewal application in person at a local Thai Immigration Office. It is recommended to plan ahead and renew your visa 20-30 days before it expires to avoid overstay fees. The standard fee for a visa extension is 1,900 THB, and you will need to pay this fee in cash in the local currency.

Step 4: Await the Processing of Your Application

After submitting your application, you will need to wait for the Thai authorities to process it. The processing time may vary, so it is advisable to check with the local Thai Immigration Office for updates on the status of your application.

Step 5: Comply with the Visa Conditions

Once your visa renewal is approved, be sure to comply with the conditions of your visa. Overstaying your visa is considered illegal in Thailand, and you may face penalties and fines. Keep track of the dates and duration of your permitted stay to avoid any issues.

Additionally, note that the rules and requirements for visa renewals may change, so it is always best to consult the official websites of the Royal Thai Embassy or Thai Consulate for the most up-to-date information.

How to renew a student visa

To renew a student visa in Thailand, you must follow a specific process and meet certain requirements. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to renew your student visa:

Step 1: Prepare the Required Documents

Firstly, you will need to gather the necessary documents for the renewal process. The required documents for renewing a student visa in Thailand include:

• Visa Extension Form TM7
• Letter of Certification from MUIC (in Thai)
• A photocopy of your passport
• One recent 4x6cm full-face photograph

Step 2: Notify Your Educational Institution

If your ED Visa/Student Visa is close to its expiry date, it is your responsibility to notify the Student Exchange Unit or your educational institution about the upcoming expiry. This notification should be done at least two weeks in advance to ensure enough time for preparing the necessary paperwork and obtaining the relevant signatures.

Step 3: Submit the Renewal Application

Once you have gathered all the required documents and notified your educational institution, you can submit your renewal application. The application must be submitted in person at a local Thai Immigration Bureau. Remember to bring the original documents and any required fees, which is currently 1,900 THB for ED Visa/Student Visa renewals.

Step 4: Wait for the Renewal to be Processed

After submitting your renewal application, you will need to wait for it to be processed by the Thai Immigration Bureau. The processing time may vary, but it is generally recommended to plan ahead and renew your visa 20-30 days before its expiration to avoid any overstay fees.

Step 5: Collect Your Renewed Visa

Once your student visa renewal has been approved and processed, you will need to collect your renewed visa and passport from the Thai Immigration Bureau. With the renewed visa, you can continue your studies in Thailand for the extended period.

It is important to renew your student visa before it expires to maintain your legal status in Thailand. Overstaying your visa is considered illegal, and it is best to keep track of the dates and renew your visa in a timely manner.

How to renew a retirement visa

To renew a retirement visa for Thailand, you must ensure that you renew your visa not more than 45 days before the visa expires. You will need to bring all the documents you had previously submitted for the initial Thai visa application.

Financial Requirements

If you had a letter from your embassy for a 'pension letter', then you will need to renew this and bring it with you as proof of income. If you have 800,000 THB in a Thai account, you will need to bring the Thai bank book again, updated to show that you still have 800,000 THB in the account. Note that certain embassies no longer provide the pension letter.

If you are using the bank balance method to fulfil your financial requirements, it is important to maintain a balance of at least 800,000 THB in the three months leading up to your renewal application.

Timing

It is generally advisable to submit your renewal application between three and four weeks before the visa expires.

Other Information

You do not need to keep 800,000 THB in your bank account permanently. However, you need to be able to show this amount at renewal and prove that it has been in the account for three months prior to the renewal application.

If you had used a combination of income and deposit, this can be changed if your financial status has changed.

Visa Duration

The duration of a Thailand retirement visa is five years and is issued for single or multiple entries. Applicants who want to stay longer than five years in Thailand must renew their visas inside the Republic of Thailand.

How to renew a marriage visa

To renew a marriage visa for Thailand, you must submit the same documentation as in your initial application. This includes:

• A completed visa application form
• Proof of a monthly income of 40,000 THB, either through a certified letter or a copy of your Thai bank book
• Your marriage certificate(s) and your passport showing the last extension stamp and TM card
• The passport page showing your Thai visa and photo
• Your 90-day reporting
• A copy of your Thai spouse's national ID card
• A map to your residence in Thailand
• Copy of photos of you and your spouse together
• Birth certificates of your children in Thailand
• Adoption papers for any children you have adopted
• Your Thai spouse's Tabian Baan or House papers
• If you hold an African passport, you will need a Thai police clearance certificate

It is important to note that the funds in your bank account must be at least 3 months old before renewing the visa. You will also need to hand in your application form at least 45 days before your visa expires, as the renewal process takes about 3 weeks.

Frequently asked questions