Koh Chang, Thailand, with its stunning beaches and lush landscapes, is a dream destination for many travelers. However, once you’ve experienced its beauty, you might find yourself wanting to extend your stay. Fortunately, there are various ways and options available to make this possible. In this article, we will explore the different avenues for extending your stay in Thailand, focusing specifically on those in Koh Chang. To help you navigate the process, we’ll categorize scenarios based on your passport type and the visa or entry stamps you obtained upon arrival.
Passport Type: The first crucial factor to consider when extending your stay in Koh Chang is the passport you hold. Different passport holders have varying privileges and requirements when it comes to prolonging their stay in Thailand. Please note that it is a well known fact that the Thai Gov’t may make sudden changes to these privileges therefore it is a good idea to check with a local expert / visa agent.
Visa and Entry Stamps: The second aspect to consider is your visa status or entry stamps. Understanding the type of visa you hold and the conditions attached to it will be essential in determining the right path to extending your stay in Koh Chang.
Now, let’s delve into the specific options and instructions for each scenario:
Scenario 1: Visa-Exempt Entry (30-Day Stamp): If you entered Thailand without a visa and received a 30-day entry stamp, you have a few options to extend your stay:
a. Visa Run: Consider making a border run to Cambodia or Laos, where you can exit and re-enter Thailand, obtaining another 30-day stamp. There are alot of service provider / transport companies that offer border run service and the cost for the transfer – both ways is around THB2,000.
b. Visa Extension: If this is your first visit to Thailand within the year, you automatically qualify for a visa extension for tourism purposes.
Where? The closest immigration office from Koh Chang is Laem Ngop Immigration
How to get there? Take a ferry from Koh Chang to mainland and then take a songtaew ( pick up truck taxi ) from the pier to the Immigration office. This will cost about 50 Baht.
If you are coming from Koh Mak, the Immigration Office is about 10 minutes walk from the pier. Just turn right as you walk off the pier and onto the road and walk into Laem Ngop village. You’ll come to the Immigration Office on your left.
How long does the extension process usually take? It is a quick process and normally doesn’t take more than 60 minutes.
What documents do you need to bring with you to extend your visa?
Your passport
– 1,900 Baht
– 1 completed application form (get this at the immigration office)
– 1 passport photo (3.5 cm x 4.5 cm)
– 1 photocopy of the main page of your passport
– 1 photocopy of the page showing current visa stamp and Departure Card TM6
If you don’t have photographs or photocopies, there is a shop adjacent to the immigration office where you can get them done for a small fee. The owner will know what copies you need. You can’t just get one passport photo taken, you will need to get a few. It is cheaper to do this in Laem Ngop than in Koh Chang.
Tip 1: You don’t have to wait until the last day of your visa in order to extend it. Just go the week before and you will still get the 30 day extension from the date your original visa was due to expire.
Tip 2: Check if the expiry date of your visa falls on a weekend. The immigration offices aren’t open on Saturday & Sunday. You cannot extend your visa if it has already expired. You will need to leave the country.
Note: You cannot extend your visa from the Immigration Office on Koh Chang Island.
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Scenario 2: Tourist Visa (60-Day Tourist Visa): If you entered Thailand with a 60-day tourist visa, you can extend your stay by 30 days through the following methods:
a. Visa Extension: Visit the immigration office in Laem Ngop Immigration to apply for a 30-day visa extension. Refer to the above for details.
b. Visa Run: Similar to the visa-exempt entry, you can opt for a border run to neighboring countries to obtain a new 30 or 60-day tourist visa.
Scenario 3: Non-Immigrant Visa (For Those with Work or Education Purposes): For those holding a non-immigrant visa, such as a work or education visa, you can extend your stay by:
a. Visa Renewal: Consult with your employer or educational institution to assist you in renewing your non-immigrant visa as they will need to be the one to initiate and assist you with your Non-Immigrant Visa renewal. You cannot do it yourself if your Non-Immigrant Visa is sponsored (given) by them. In some circumstances, your existing employer may not be willing to extend it for you, you can then seek for another Sponsor to assist you. There are some visa agents out there who can assist you and one of them is UnionSPACE.
b. Visa Run: You can do 1 more Visa Run to re-enter Thailand on a Tourist Visa. This will void your Non-Immigrant visa all together and you will be treated just like any other tourist visiting the country for leisure.
Extending your stay in Koh Chang, Thailand, is achievable by understanding your passport type and visa status. Always research online and talk to a local expert who can assist you. It’s always much easier for a local agent to assist you.
If you need more assistance, you can drop by our office in Kae Bae, Koh Chang for a chat. Our local team will assist you or connect you to our experts in Bangkok Office via Video Call.
UnionSPACE Koh Chang Address: 40/11/1, Kai Bae Beach, Ko Chang, Trat 23180, Thailand (View on Google Map)
