90-Day Visa Extension in Thailand

Hello,

We’re leaving in November 2025 for a stay of more than 60 days in Khao Lak and need to apply for a 30-day extension on-site to be allowed to stay nearly 90 days. Should we declare the flight ticket dates (November 13, 2025, to February 9, 2026) directly on the electronic form (if it’s applied from May 1st) before leaving, at the risk of being denied entry (over 60 days), or declare 60 days and quickly apply for a 30-day extension once there? Are flight tickets checked upon arrival (Phuket) or earlier on the electronic entry request? I remember that the arrival check is quite "serious" and after 18 hours of travel, you’re pretty impressionable! Thanks for your help, Best, Bruno.

Hi there,

You're worrying too soon—just wait a bit for the formalities to settle down.

Hi there,

It’s true I’m a bit "jittery," but the visa extension on arrival has been around for a while now, and it must happen to a lot of "long-term" travelers. On the other hand, having to change return flight tickets is a really expensive option and probably a bit complicated once you're there. Take care, Bruno.

Hi Bruno,

What you're referring to isn't a "visa on arrival" but an officially named "Visa Exemption" (the paid "Visa On Arrival" does exist, but French citizens aren't eligible for it, which isn't a big deal since the "Visa Exemption" we're entitled to is much simpler and more advantageous). That said, who today could confidently say that in November this Visa Exemption will still be valid for 60 days without an extension? Who knows if it won't be reduced back to 45 or 30 days?

Just for your curiosity and nothing more, the Visa On Arrival we're not eligible for (but we don't care): https://www.thaiembassy.com/thailand-visa/visa-on-arrival

As for the TM6 (the electronic form to fill out), have you done a simulation (I haven't)? If so, do they really ask for the exit date from the country even though it's an "Arrival Card"?

Hi Songsam,

Thanks for your tips. I went to the website to simulate the upcoming application, and it’s pretty thorough—3 pages where they ask for flight ticket references, vacation address, and ID details. For now, I’ll wait, and in September, I’ll look into what steps to take, possibly by contacting the embassy in Paris. Thanks, and have a great weekend, Bruno.

Hello

Applying for an O visa (90 days) through the Thai embassy in Paris You’ll be more at ease on all fronts

Hello, After reviewing the requirements for this O visa, we don’t meet the minimum financial criteria! We’re traveling with a comfortable budget—the trip will be prepaid or nearly so—but we don’t have either 2,000 € in salary each (we’re small business owners) or 40,000 € in the bank, and yet we won’t be skimping! I think we’ll try the easiest way, even if it’s a bit uncomfortable, with 60 plus 30 days. Best regards,

Bruno.

Hello, After reviewing the requirements for this O visa, we don’t meet the minimum financial criteria! We’re traveling with a comfortable budget—the trip is prepaid or nearly so—but we don’t have 2,000 € in salary each (we’re small business owners) or 40,000 € in the bank, yet we won’t be skimping! I think we’ll go for the simplest, if slightly less comfortable, option: 60 plus 30 days. Best regards,

Bruno.

Hi, It’s true that the financial documents required are significant. Back in 2016, I applied for this visa, and at the time, they demanded a bank account with 5,000 euros.

This really shows that Thailand’s policy is to favor more lucrative tourism! But it doesn’t help my long-stay issue...

Thailand is considering reducing the visa exemption from 60 to 30 days—it hasn’t happened yet, so the best thing to do is wait until September to see how the situation evolves. The other option for you would be to get a 60-day tourist visa and then apply for a 30-day extension while in Thailand.

Hi, This is what we’ll probably do, but what worries me is having my flight ticket with the 90 days already planned. Won’t we run into issues when we arrive? On the other hand, we’ll already have our accommodation reservations confirmed—could that help?

Hi there, For the documents required for the 60-day tourist visa: * There’s the flight ticket with a return for a stay of up to 90 days. Will that work for you? I think in the electronic arrival system, you’ll need to state your return date based on your flight ticket.

The potential issue is more likely at check-in for departure, where you might need to explain that the visa can be extended for an additional 30 days. Upon arrival, it's very rare for them to ask for proof of exit, but it's not a problem since you're already there. One thing to keep in mind is that the day of arrival counts as day 1, regardless of the time you arrive. For example, if you arrive on October 1st, your 60 days will end on November 29th.

Hi there,

I think the key is to be in compliance upon arrival with the new computerized "visa." After that, it's up to us to contact customs to extend the visa by 30 days. I read that if you overstay, there's a fine when you leave, but it's reasonable if it's just a few days!

Bruno.

Hi,

after that it’s up to us to contact customs to extend the visa by 30 days.

In Thailand (or anywhere else), customs doesn’t handle that.

Hi there, There are two things that some forum members don’t quite understand and often mix up when it comes to those planning to visit Thailand. For a French citizen (among others) who crosses the border at Bangkok Airport, the immigration officer stamps their passport with a 60-day stay authorization in Thailand. This is called a visa exemption for a 60-day stay Not a free 60-day visa

Another thing—don’t confuse immigration with customs. Immigration checks your passport and verifies that you’re eligible to stay in Thailand. If you are, they stamp your passport with your arrival date and the last date you must leave.

Customs checks your luggage (both carry-on and checked) to ensure you’re not carrying any prohibited items into Thailand, as well as to confirm you’re not exceeding the allowed limits for items like tobacco and alcohol.

Hi there,

Oops! We’ll actually need to apply for a 30-day extension following a "60-day visa exemption stay," and we’ll have to do that at immigration. Since we’re arriving in Phuket, I read there’s an immigration office at the airport too? Thanks for the details! !

Hi there,

knowing that we’re arriving in Phuket, I read that there’s also an immigration office (at the airport)?

According to the following page, it seems to be in town.

List of 88 Thai Immigration Offices: https://www.thaiimmigration.net/thai-immigration-offices-in-thailand.html (Phuket: No. 78)

Can I extend my visa in Phuket? If you need to extend your visa in Phuket, you can visit one of the immigration offices on the island. The main office is in Phuket Town, and several smaller satellite offices are located in Patong, Kathu, and Chalong.