I extended my visa-exempt stay in Thailand by 30 days at the Chiang Mai Immigration Office on October 9, 2026. I arrived without an appointment, prepared several documents on site, paid the 1,900-baht fee, and received my passport about two hours later.
This guide explains exactly what I prepared, what the immigration office asked for, how much I paid, and the order of the procedure. It is based on my own experience as a Japanese passport holder, so requirements can differ depending on nationality and individual circumstances.
My extension result at a glance
| Entry date | September 16, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Entry method | Visa exemption |
| Original permitted stay | Until October 15, 2026 |
| Application date | October 9, 2026 |
| New permitted stay | Until November 14, 2026 |
| Extension granted | 30 days from the original expiry date |
| Time required | About 2 hours |
| Total paid | 2,004 THB (1,900 THB fee + 104 THB copies/photos) |
Can a 30-day visa-exempt stay be extended?
Yes. Thailand revised its visa-exemption scheme effective September 15, 2026. Official Thai government information states that eligible travellers may enter for up to 30 days and may request an extension of up to another 30 days. Approval remains at the discretion of the immigration officer.
The permitted-until date that applies to you is the date stamped in your passport. In my case, the entry stamp showed October 15, and the approved extension moved the deadline to November 14.
- Royal Thai Embassy, London: Visa Exemption Scheme
- Royal Thai Embassy, Seoul: Thailand’s Visa Exemption Scheme
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand: General Information
This article covers an extension of a visa-exempt stay, not an extension of a tourist visa obtained before travel.
Documents I needed
Prepared before visiting
- Original passport
- TM30 notification from my accommodation
I asked my Airbnb host for the TM30 by email. The host sent it promptly, and I printed it free of charge at a guesthouse. Immigration kept the document after submission.
Prepared at the immigration office
- Copy of the passport photo page
- Copy of the latest Thai entry-stamp page
- Passport-size photos
- TM.7 application form
- STM.2 acknowledgement form
- STM.9 acknowledgement form
The reception staff told me which missing copies and photos I needed. I was also instructed to sign the copies. I was not asked to show accommodation booking confirmation, an onward flight, or a TDAC receipt on this visit.
Step-by-step process
- I received a number at the entrance.
- I completed the forms in the outdoor Document Preparation Area.
- Reception told me to obtain passport copies and photos.
- I used the on-site copy and photo service.
- I returned to reception for a document check.
- I received another number and moved inside the main building.
- When called, I paid 1,900 THB in cash and handed over my documents and passport.
- I was called again for a face photograph.
- I waited until my passport was returned with the approved extension stamp.
My actual timeline
| 13:30 | Arrived at Chiang Mai Immigration Office |
|---|---|
| 13:35 | Started preparing and checking documents |
| During the wait | Copies, photos, payment and immigration photo |
| 15:35 | Passport returned with extension stamp |
The office was busy and almost every chair was occupied. There was also a period when I could not find a seat. The preparation area was outdoors, while the final waiting area for passport return was indoors. If possible, arriving in the morning may make the visit easier, although waiting times vary by day.
Fees and on-site photo service
| Extension fee | 1,900 THB |
|---|---|
| Two photocopies | 4 THB |
| Four passport photos | 100 THB |
| Total | 2,004 THB |
I paid the extension fee in cash and received change. The nearby service shop charged 2 THB per photocopy and 100 THB for four passport photos. Having this service on site made the process much easier when reception identified documents I was missing.
How to complete TM.7, STM.2 and STM.9
The following images are explanatory writing guides based on the forms I encountered at the office. They are not official downloadable forms and should not replace the latest documents provided by Thai Immigration. Always follow the current form and staff instructions at the office.
TM.7: application for extension of temporary stay
Complete your personal information, passport details, arrival information, current Thai address and the requested length of extension. Attach the required photograph where indicated and sign the form.
STM.2: acknowledgement of temporary-stay conditions
This is an acknowledgement form related to the conditions of temporary stay. Read the current wording, enter the requested personal details and sign only after confirming the contents.
STM.9: acknowledgement concerning overstay
This form confirms that you understand the consequences of overstaying. Check your new permitted-until date carefully when your passport is returned.
Location and access
I travelled to the office by Grab. The entrance was easy to identify, and staff directed applicants through the preparation and waiting areas.
Before visiting, check the latest opening information and announcements on the Chiang Mai Immigration website. Government procedures, required documents and opening times can change.
A boarding warning I received before entering Thailand
During my journey to Thailand, I entered South Korea during a connection and then checked in again with a different airline. A staff member appeared unfamiliar with the possibility of extending a visa-exempt stay and warned me that staying beyond the initial permission could create an entry-refusal risk. I was still allowed to board.
An extension is not guaranteed in advance, so travellers should be ready to explain their plans and comply with airline and immigration requirements. Official information and the date stamped in your passport should take priority over assumptions.
Was the process difficult?
It was easier than I expected. The office was crowded, but the sequence became clear once I received the first number. The on-site copy and photo service also meant I could correct missing items without leaving the immigration complex.
- Bring the original passport and TM30.
- Carry at least 1,900 THB in cash, plus a little extra for copies and photos.
- Sign passport copies when instructed.
- Allow several hours even if the procedure itself is straightforward.
- Check the extension stamp and new expiry date before leaving.
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