Expats in Thailand Can Now Extend Their Visas Within Three Minutes

The Immigration Bureau (IB) has launched its online visa extension service called “e-Extension,” allowing tourists and expats to prolong their stay in the country with a few clicks. Chief of National Police Pol. Gen. Damrongsak Kittiprapas said this will help improve the country’s visa services by reducing the processing time from one hour to three minutes.

According to a report by the Thai News Agency, those who wish to extend their visas can do so for the following reasons: travelling (tourism), teaching or studying in the state’s schools, teaching or researching at governmental organisations, working for the public sector, installing and maintaining machinery, controlling vehicles, being medical experts, being journalists, holding Thai nationality previously, having families living in Thailand, and being certified and requested by embassies.

The initial phase of the e-Extension service is available for expats living or working in Bangkok. They will still need to set up an appointment at IB’s official authorised partner VFS Global to verify their identity. Afterwards, they can get their visa stickers at the Immigration Division 1: Government Complex at Ratthaprasasanabhakti Building (Building B) in Lak Si district.