Phuket Immigration Office at 502 Phuket Road is where every expat eventually ends up. Whether you're extending a tourist visa, renewing a Non-OA retirement visa, or navigating an annual Non-B renewal, this guide covers the exact process — forms, fees, wait times, and the insider tips that save you wasted trips and rejected applications.

⏰ Plan your visit strategically Phuket Immigration is genuinely busy. Monday mornings and Fridays are the worst. Arrive by 7:30 AM for a morning queue number. The office closes at 4:30 PM sharp — if your number hasn't been called by 4:00 PM, you're likely returning tomorrow.

Phuket Immigration Office — Location & Hours

DetailInfo
Address502 Phuket Road, Talat Yai, Mueang Phuket 83000
Opening hoursMon–Fri 8:30 AM–4:30 PM (closed 12:00–1:00 PM)
Queue numbers issuedFrom 8:30 AM; arrive early in high season (Nov–Mar)
ParkingVery limited — take Grab or park at Limelight Avenue
Nearest landmarkThai Flag roundabout area, near Limelight Avenue mall
Phone076 221 905
TM30 filingCounter 1 handles TM30 registrations and replacements
💡 Best days to go Tuesday and Wednesday are consistently the quietest days. Monday mornings pack out with weekend arrivals. Fridays fill up with people rushing before the weekend. Never go the day before or after a Thai public holiday — the queues are brutal.

Tourist Visa Extension (30 Days — ฿1,900)

If you entered Thailand on a tourist visa or visa exemption and want more time in Phuket, you can apply for a single 30-day extension at Immigration. This is a one-shot deal — you can only extend once per entry. After that, you need a border run or a fresh visa from a Thai consulate abroad.

Documents Required — Tourist Extension

  • Passport (original + copies: photo page, current visa page, and entry stamp page)
  • TM7 extension application form (free at Immigration counter — download in advance from imm.immigration.go.th)
  • TM6 departure card (stapled in your passport on entry — if lost, replace at counter 1 before submitting)
  • TM30 accommodation receipt (must be current — within 24 hours of any address change)
  • One passport photo (4×6 cm, white background — photo booth outside Immigration or nearby shops)
  • Extension fee: ฿1,900 cash (exact change saves time at the cashier)

Step-by-Step Process

1

Get a queue number at reception

On arrival, go to the main reception counter and take a queue number for "extensions" (แบบต่ออายุ). Separate queues exist for different visa types. Check the signage — tourist extension is usually queue A or B depending on the current system.

2

Complete the TM7 form clearly

Fill in the TM7 using block capitals. Your "reason for extension" field: write "Tourism" or "Personal reasons." For the address field in Phuket, write your current rental address or hotel name. If you're unsure of the exact Thai address, your accommodation front desk can help.

3

Submit documents at the assigned counter

Hand over your complete document pack when your number is called. The officer checks each document. If anything's missing (typically TM30 or photos), you'll be sent to sort it and come back in the same queue — don't lose your number slip.

4

Pay at the cashier and wait

After submission, you'll receive a receipt to take to the cashier. Pay ฿1,900 and keep your payment receipt. Return to the waiting area. Tourist extensions usually take 1–3 hours. Your name or number will be called to collect your passport.

5

Collect and verify your passport

When your name is called, collect your passport and immediately verify: (1) the new expiry date stamped inside, (2) that the stamp is legible and dated correctly. The date is calculated from your current visa expiry — not from the day you applied. Get there early enough that your extension starts from the right date.

🚫 Overstay carries serious consequences Overstaying your Thai visa is not a minor inconvenience. Fines are ฿500/day (capped at ฿20,000), but you may also face arrest at a checkpoint, detention, deportation, and re-entry bans of 1–10 years depending on the overstay length. Apply for your extension before your visa expires — applying up to 7 days before expiry is fine and recommended.

Non-OA (Retirement Visa) Annual Extension

The Non-OA is Thailand's standard long-stay option for retirees over 50. Annual renewals at Phuket Immigration are manageable solo if you prepare carefully, but many expats use a licensed visa agent for the annual renewal — the ฿3,000–฿5,000 agent fee is worth it to avoid the stress of a rejected application requiring a second trip.

Financial Requirements — Choose One Method

MethodRequirementEvidence Needed
Lump sum deposit฿800,000 in Thai bank, seasoned 2–3 monthsBank letter (within 7 days) + passbook showing balance history
Monthly income฿65,000/month transferred from abroadEmbassy income letter + bank statements showing regular transfers
Combination methodIncome + deposit totalling ฿800,000Both income proof documents + bank balance documents

Full Document Checklist — Non-OA Annual Renewal

  • Passport (original + clear copies of photo page, current visa page, most recent entry stamp)
  • TM7 extension application form
  • TM30 accommodation receipt (current)
  • Two passport photos (4×6 cm, white background)
  • Bank letter from your Thai bank — must be issued within 7 days of your application
  • Thai bank passbook / 3-month statement showing seasoned funds or regular income transfers
  • Health insurance policy certificate (showing OA-compliant minimum coverage)
  • Insurance company's signed and stamped certificate (not just the policy booklet — request this specifically)
  • Proof of Phuket address (rental contract or letter from landlord)
  • Extension fee: ฿1,900 cash
⚠️ Health insurance is mandatory for Non-OA extensions Since October 2019, health insurance is required for all Non-OA renewals. Minimum coverage: ฿40,000 inpatient / ฿10,000 outpatient per year. Cigna Thailand and Pacific Cross both have OA-compliant plans. Critical: you need the insurance certificate (a specific letter from the insurer confirming coverage and dates) — many insurers only issue this document on request, so ask for it in advance.

Non-B (Business / Work Visa) Annual Extension

Non-B annual renewals are more involved because your work permit renewal at the Phuket Labour Department on Wichit Songkram Road must happen first. You need the Labour Department receipt as part of your Immigration application. These are in different locations — plan a full morning for both offices. Most expats do Labour Department first thing (8:30 AM), then head to Immigration after.

DocumentSource / Where to Get It
Work permit renewal receiptLabour Department, Wichit Songkram Road (complete this first)
Company affidavit (certified <3 months)DBD — most companies use agents for same-day DBD certification
Company shareholder list & financial documentsYour accountant or company secretary
4 passport photos (2×2 inches or 4×6 cm)Photo booth at Immigration or any copy shop
Passport copies (all relevant pages)Self-prepared — Immigration has a copy machine
TM7 form + TM30 receiptStandard for all extensions

TM30 — The Detail That Trips Up Long-Term Renters

TM30 is a legal notification requirement: your landlord (or hotel) must notify Phuket Immigration within 24 hours of your arrival or return to their property. Hotels do this automatically via their front desk system. Long-term rental tenants frequently discover their landlord has never filed — or hasn't refiled after a trip abroad.

Without a current TM30 on file, your visa extension application will be rejected at the counter. The officer will tell you to go and sort it, then requeue. This is why arriving early matters — you have time to fix problems.

If your landlord hasn't filed, you can file TM30 yourself at counter 1 of Phuket Immigration. Bring: your rental contract, a copy of your landlord's Thai ID (most landlords can WhatsApp a photo), and your passport. The whole process takes about 20 minutes. The online TM30 system (tm30.immigration.go.th) also exists but has ongoing reliability issues — filing in person is more reliable.

✅ Sort TM30 before you need a visa extension If you've been in a long-term rental for months and your landlord never filed TM30, don't panic. You can file it retroactively. Immigration officers see this constantly — it's not treated as a violation if you're proactively correcting it. Do it on a quiet Tuesday morning with no queue pressure.

DTV (Digital Nomad Visa) — Extension Not Available

The DTV launched in 2024 grants 180 days per entry on a 5-year multiple-entry visa. There is no extension mechanism at Immigration for the 180-day stay — when your permission expires, you exit and re-enter for a fresh 180 days. Phuket has multiple regional air links to Singapore, KL, and Bali that make DTV border runs convenient. See our DTV complete guide for full eligibility and application details.

Thailand Elite Visa — Annual Check-In Only

Thailand Elite holders (now Thailand Privilege) don't need visa extensions in the traditional sense. The programme handles your permissions automatically and provides a dedicated concierge service for any immigration requirements. If you have the Elite card, contact your assigned Thailand Privilege concierge rather than queuing at Phuket Immigration. See our Thailand Elite Visa guide.

Border Run Options from Phuket

When an extension isn't available (or you prefer to reset your clock with a fresh entry), two main border run routes operate from Phuket:

RouteDistanceCost (approx.)Notes
Ranong (ferry to Myanmar)~200 km north฿1,500–฿2,000 all-in (minivan)Most popular from Phuket. Day trip. Organised vans from Phuket Town.
Padang Besar (Malaysia)~170 km (Songkhla)฿1,200–฿1,800Land border crossing. More complex logistics from Phuket.
Penang, Malaysia (flight)1-hour flight฿3,500–฿6,000AirAsia operates this route. Good if you need a fresh visa from a consulate.

When to Use a Visa Agent

For tourist visa extensions, doing it yourself is straightforward. For Non-OA annual renewals or Non-B renewals, a licensed agent genuinely earns their fee. They know the current document requirements (which shift periodically), prepare your pack, submit on your behalf, and handle any queries from officers. What they cannot do is speed up processing — there's no priority queue, regardless of what any agent claims.

Licensed visa agents in Phuket typically charge ฿3,000–฿8,000 for annual renewals depending on complexity. Check our service directory for vetted agents. For visa options beyond extensions — Non-OA, Elite, LTR, DTV, Non-O marriage — see the full Phuket Visa Hub.

Need a Licensed Visa Agent in Phuket?

Our directory lists vetted, licensed immigration agents across Phuket who handle extensions, renewals, and new applications — from tourist to retirement to work visas.

Find a Visa Agent →

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does visa extension take at Phuket Immigration?
Typically 2–4 hours on quiet days (Tuesday/Wednesday). Fridays and days before public holidays are very busy — arrive by 7:30 AM or expect a long wait. Non-OA and Non-B renewals with complete documents are often processed the same day.
How much does a tourist visa extension cost in Phuket?
Tourist visa extensions cost ฿1,900 for 30 days. This is a flat government fee — no option to extend for longer or pay more for additional time. Once extended, your only options are border run or a new visa from a consulate abroad.
Can I extend my Non-OA retirement visa in Phuket?
Yes. Annual Non-OA extensions require proof of ฿800,000 in a Thai bank account (or ฿65,000/month income), OA-compliant health insurance, TM30 receipt, and a full document pack. The fee is ฿1,900. Many retirees use a licensed agent for this.
Where exactly is Phuket Immigration Office?
502 Phuket Road, Talat Yai, Mueang Phuket 83000. Open Monday–Friday 8:30 AM–4:30 PM, closed for lunch 12:00–1:00 PM. Parking is very limited — Grab is recommended. The office is near the Thai Flag roundabout and Limelight Avenue mall.
What is TM30 and do I need it for a visa extension?
TM30 is a 24-hour accommodation registration your landlord or hotel must file when you arrive. You need your TM30 receipt for most visa extension applications. If your landlord hasn't filed it, you can file it yourself at counter 1 of Phuket Immigration before your extension appointment.
What's the nearest border run from Phuket?
Ranong (ferry to Myanmar) is the most popular border run from Phuket — about 3.5 hours by minivan. Organised day trips run regularly from Phuket Town for around ฿1,500–฿2,000 all-in including transport and the Myanmar ferry. For a proper new visa, many expats fly to Penang (Malaysia) on AirAsia.

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