How To Extend Your 60-Day Stay In Bangkok
Many nationalities can enter Thailand without a visa and stay for up to 60 days, a change that was implemented on July 15th, 2024 (up from the previous 30-day limit). What many people don’t realise is that this 60-day stay can also be extended by an additional 30 days, allowing for a total of up to 90 days in the country.
Your stay can be extended at immigration offices throughout Thailand but in this guide we are focusing just on Bangkok.
Extending you stay is pretty easy - and no appointment is needed. Being prepared however will ensure the process is quick and painless.
Things to prepare in advance
- 1 x Passport photo (4 x 6 cm)
- A completed TM7 form
- Photocopies of passport photo page and entry stamp
- 1,900 baht (in cash)
- Your passport
It's best to prepare all of the above in advance if you want to be in and out of immigration as quickly as possible. You can download the TM7 form here but many print shops throughout Bangkok (and Thailand) will also download and print it for you if need be.
If you can't arrange everything in advance don't worry - you can do it all when you arrive at immigration but obviously this will mean the extension process will take longer.
There is often a queue of people waiting to get their photos taken and forms printed so if you do opt to go down this route be sure to arrive at the immigration center for around 8am at the latest.
Queues generally start to form around this time ready for when immigration and the neighbouring copy and print shops open at 8:30am.
Where to go
The immigration office we use when in Bangkok is the Immigration Service Centre at IT Square Laksi Plaza. The full address is here:
C039, C040/3 IT Square, Chaeng Watthana Rd, Talat Bang Khen, Lak Si, Bangkok 10210
How to get there
Depending on your location the easiest way is to just jump a taxi or Grab. We paid around 240 baht from Sukhumvit 30 but the cost will obviously vary depending on the time of day and your pick up location.
Taking the MRT train to Lak Si is also an option if you are on a strict budget but it can be a bit fiddly. My advice would be to just take a cab as it's much easier.
Once you arrive at IT Square Laksi Center head towards the main entrance (located towards the middle of the building a little further along from Foodland).
Head inside and turn left. Walk past the various stalls and shops (which will likely still be closed if you arrive before 9am) until you find the lifts (they are just inside a little nook tucked away on the left hand side).
Inside the lift you'll see a sticker saying 'K Counter' next to the level 3 button. Press the button and head up to the third floor.
Once at the third floor exit the lift and turn left - you'll see a lot of chairs arranged infront of the immigration office straight ahead. This is where you need to head.
What to do
If you've prepared all your documents, photocopies and photos in advance you can head straight to the end of the hall and wait for your documents to be checked at checkpoint 1.
If you need photos and copies of your passport you can do these at the copy shop just to the left of immigration. It usually costs between 20 to 100 baht (depending on what is required) and takes about 5 or 10 mins depending on the size of the queue. You can also print off any documents you may need (including the TM7 form and declarations) if you want although there is usually three trays at the end of the hall which contain all the forms you need.
Simply fill in the forms (the TM7 form, the declaration to state you understand you cannot overstay etc) and then head to checkpoint 1.
Checkpoint 1
Checkpoint 1 is simply a desk with a couple of immigration officials. They'll check your documents to ensure everything is completed correctly. If there are any mistakes or missing information they'll tell you to go away and correct them (or start a completely fresh form) so be sure to fill in the forms fully and correctly first time.
They'll also check your photgraph and the photocopies of your passport (the photo page and a copy of the page with your entry stamp into Thailand)
Be aware that if your copies are too dark or they're not the same size and dimensions as your passport you will be sent away to get new copies which can mean you can end up back at the end of the queue waiting to have your documents checked again turning an hour long process into possibly 2 or 3 hours.
Once the officials are happy with your paperwork they will glue your passport photo to the TM7 form and stamp it before handing you a numbered ticket. This allows you to then proceed to checkpoint 2.
Checkpoint 2
Checkpoint 2 (located just behind checkpoint 1) is another desk with a couple more officials. Take a seat and wait for the number you were given at checkpoint 1 to be called.
Once your number is called head to the desk and hand in your paperwork. They'll check everything again and likely ask you a few questions (a Thai phone number is a common one; if you don't have one just use the phone number of the the hotel or accomodation where you are staying).
When they are satisfied they'll give you another yellow ticket with a queue number on.
You can now take a seat outside the immigration office itself and wait for your number to be called.
Immigration
Wait outside the immigration office until your number is called and you are asked to move inside.
Once inside take another seat until called to a desk. You may be asked a couple more questions (where you are staying, purpose of visit, room number etc) and then your photograph will be taken.
You'll pay 1,900 baht (they only accept cash) before they hand you your number back and ask you to wait outside one final time.
5 or 10 mins later an official will come outside with a pile of processed passports and call out the relevant numbers.
When your number is called go and collect your passport and you are done.
Make sure the date of the new stamp in your passport is correct before leaving.
And that's it - fairly simple and painless if you are prepared and arrive early. You can be in and out in under an hour if things go your way.
And now you have an extra 30 days to play with you can explore Thailand a little more - maybe a visit to Koh Samui, Krabi or Chiang Mai.
Enjoy!