Thailand Launches E-Extension Service For Visa Renewals

The Thai Immigration Bureau launched a new “e-Extension” system that allows foreigners to apply for an extension of their current Thai visa.

The Immigration Bureau told reports that the “Electronics Extension of Temporary Stay in The Kingdom” platform would bring convenience to more than 200,000 individuals staying in Thailand for extended periods.

The service involves submitting all needed papers online and payment at thaiextension.vfsevisa.com website.  However, applicants are still required to visit the Immigration Bureau office at Chaeng Wattana Road to confirm their identification and get a visa sticker.

An increasing number of applicants want to extend their stay in the Land of Smiles.  However, there are concerns about the inconvenience and the processing time for their visa extension.

According to National News Agency (NNT), a person only requires 3 minutes to input all the required details into the “e-Extension” service.

The e-Extension service will be launched to foreigners who reside or work in Bangkok and should be expanded to provinces and other visa types soon.

Another alternative to avoid all the hassle of requesting a visa extension is to apply for a Thailand Elite Visa, wherein a foreigner can have a multiple-entry visa and stay in Thailand for 5 years up to 20 years.

SOURCE: Bangkok Post