New Regulations for Visa Extension in Thailand

The Thai Immigration has released an update to regulations regarding applications for a temporary stay in Thailand (No. 327/2557). The overview is that 48 countries with a visa exemption stamp can now get a 30 day extension for 1,900 Baht. This will, for example, allow tourists from G7 countries to stay in Thailand for 60 days without a visa. In other significant news, those on education visas will now have to leave Thailand once a year to apply for a new visa.

The following is the official English translation of the new regulations that were posted on the Immigration website. Click here for the original in Thai.

New Regulation for Thailand Visa Extension (Effective from 29th August 2014)

According to the new regulation for extension of temporary stay in the Kingdom of Thailand which will be effective from 29th August 2014, some regulations have been changed as follows:

1. The aliens granted Visa Exemptions for 30 days stay permit will get extension of stay for one time no longer than 30 days from the expired date.

2. In case that the application for extension of temporary stay is not approved due to incomplete qualifications and the alien has got only 7 days extension of stay in order to leave the Kingdom, such alien is not able to appeal for re-consideration of non-permission.

3. For the reason of study in a private educational institution particularly for a non-school system, each permission of stay shall be granted for not longer than 90 days but the total permitted period of stay for this reason consecutively shall not exceed one year from the date of entry into the Kingdom.

4. For the reason of performing duties in a public charity organization, a foundation, a non-government organization, an association, a foreign chamber of commerce, in case of no certification letter by the relevant government department, each permission of stay shall be granted for not longer than 90 days but the total permitted period of stay for this reason consecutively shall not exceed one year from the date of entry into the Kingdom.

[Source: http://www.thaitravelblogs.com/2014/08/new-regulations-for-visa-extension-in-thailand/]