A foreign national visiting a Thai spouse or a child who has Thai nationality may apply at Thai Immigration for an extension of stay of up to 60 days. This is often called the “60-day family visit extension”. It is a short family-based extension—not the same as a one-year marriage extension, a parent visa or a new visa.
Who can apply?
The official category covers a person visiting:
- a legally recognised spouse who has Thai nationality; or
- a child who has Thai nationality.
For a spouse application, Immigration must be satisfied that the marriage exists both legally and in practice. For a child application, the applicant must prove the legal parent-child relationship. A foreign father whose name appears on a birth certificate should not assume that this alone resolves every Thai-law parentage question; Immigration may request evidence of marriage, legitimisation, custody or another official record depending on the circumstances.
How often can the 60-day family extension be used?
The rule says it may be granted once for up to 60 days. Immigration applies that limit to the present entry and permission to stay. You cannot normally receive 60 days, remain in Thailand and then request another 60 days under the same family-visit ground.
If you genuinely leave Thailand and later receive a new lawful permission to stay, that is a new entry period. A person may then be able to apply again, but there is no guaranteed entitlement. The new entry, the evidence, the reason for the visit and the extension are assessed again. Repeated short entries and extensions may attract questions about whether the person is using a temporary visit route as a substitute for an appropriate long-stay status.
Typical documents
| Applicant | Thai family member and relationship |
|---|---|
| Completed TM.7 application Passport and copies of identity page, visa and latest entry stamp One recent 4 × 6 cm photograph Application fee, currently THB 1,900 Current address evidence and TM30 record where requested | Thai ID card Thai house registration (Tabien Baan) Marriage certificate for a spouse application Thai birth certificate and any required parentage, legitimisation or custody evidence for a child application |
Applicants should bring originals as well as signed copies. The Thai spouse or child—and for a minor, the appropriate Thai parent or guardian—may be asked to attend. Local offices can also request photographs of the family at home, a hand-drawn map, updated marriage-registration evidence, proof of address or other supporting material.
Application process
- Check the current stay date. Use the “admitted until” date in the passport, not the visa’s use-by date.
- Confirm the responsible office. Apply in person at the Immigration office covering the address where you live. Local document lists and appointment arrangements can differ.
- Prepare the relationship file. Make sure names, dates and addresses match across passports, Thai ID, household registration and marriage or birth records.
- Submit TM.7 before expiry. The officer checks the file, records the application, takes a photograph where applicable and collects the fee.
- Check the new stamp. Approval is discretionary and may be for up to 60 days, normally counted from the end of the existing permission. Read the actual date before leaving the counter.
When should you apply?
Do not wait until the final day. Many offices accept applications during a defined period before expiry, but local practice varies. Contact the responsible office early enough to correct a missing TM30, obtain an updated family document or arrange attendance by the Thai family member. An incomplete application does not protect against overstay.
Does the extension allow work?
No. An extension based on visiting a Thai spouse or child does not create employment rights. Work requires the correct immigration status and lawful work authorisation. See our Thailand work permit guide.
Travel and the extension
Leaving Thailand normally ends a current permission to stay unless it is protected by an appropriate re-entry permit. A re-entry permit does not create another 60-day extension and does not extend the expiry date. Check travel plans before applying or departing.
60 days or a longer family route?
The 60-day option suits a temporary family visit or can provide limited time to organise the next lawful step. Someone intending to live in Thailand with a Thai spouse or support a Thai child should compare the longer family-based routes and their financial, relationship and documentary requirements. Read our broader Thailand visa-extension guide or explore all Visa Guides.
Frequently asked questions
Is the extension always exactly 60 days?
No. The legal wording is “not more than 60 days”, and approval remains with Immigration.
Can I get it after a tourist or visa-exempt entry?
The official category concerns a foreign national already granted temporary stay. Whether the current admission and supporting circumstances are accepted must be confirmed by the responsible Immigration office.
Does my Thai spouse or child need to attend?
Many offices want the Thai family member or appropriate guardian present to confirm the genuine relationship. Check the local office’s current list before attending.
Can I apply twice without leaving Thailand?
Normally no. Criterion 2.24 permits it once for the current stay, for up to 60 days.
Prepare the right extension file
Contact Next Step Hua Hin before the current stay expires. We can review the intended route and explain which documents should be confirmed for the local application.
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