Dealing with immigration in Thailand can feel intimidating, especially when the Thai suddenly becomes much more formal than the language you use at a restaurant, market, or with friends.
Maybe you already know how to order food, introduce yourself, or ask for directions. Then you need to extend your permission to stay, complete an immigration form, submit supporting documents, or understand what an immigration officer is telling you.
The good news is that immigration procedures use a relatively small set of recurring words and expressions. Once you recognize them, forms, appointments, and conversations become much easier to follow.
This guide gives you 40 practical Thai phrases for extending your stay, submitting documents, asking questions, understanding instructions, and dealing with an immigration office in Thailand.
One important distinction before we begin: people often say “visa renewal” or “visa extension” in everyday English. However, Thailand’s official TM.7 form is an Application for Extension of Temporary Stay in the Kingdom. In other words, depending on your situation, you may technically be asking to extend your permitted stay rather than “renewing” the visa itself.
Table of Contents
Before You Visit Immigration in Thailand
Thailand’s Immigration Bureau handles several different procedures for foreign nationals, and the process you need depends on your immigration status and reason for staying.
For an extension of temporary stay, one of the most important forms is แบบ ตม.7 (baep to-mo jet, “TM.7 form”). Immigration Bureau document pages identify TM.7 as the application for an extension of temporary stay. Separate forms exist for other procedures such as re-entry permits and 90-day reporting.
Thailand’s Immigration Bureau also currently offers an e-Extension service for selected visa categories, so not every applicant necessarily follows exactly the same in-person process.
That means the most useful Thai isn’t one memorized script. It’s the language that lets you:
- Explain why you’re there
- Ask which documents are required
- Submit your passport and application
- Find out whether something is missing
- Ask someone to repeat an instruction
- Understand common responses from staff
- Confirm how long you’re allowed to stay
- Ask what happens next
Quick Answer: You don’t need advanced Thai to communicate the basics at immigration. A small set of polite phrases and common administrative words can make the process much easier to follow.
A Note About Polite Thai
Thai changes slightly depending on the speaker.
Male speakers commonly end polite statements and questions with:
ครับ
khráp
Female speakers commonly use:
ค่ะ
khâ
for statements, and:
คะ
kha
for questions.
In the phrases below, you’ll often see ครับ/ค่ะ (khráp/khâ) or ครับ/คะ (khráp/kha). Choose the form appropriate for you rather than saying both.
ThaiPod101’s immigration dialogue also illustrates this naturally, with the male learner using ครับ (khráp) and the female immigration officer using ค่ะ/คะ (khâ/kha).
What Immigration Procedures Might You Encounter?
Different residents and visitors may need different immigration services.
For language-learning purposes, these are some of the most useful situations to recognize.
Extension of Temporary Stay
A useful everyday expression is:
การขออยู่ต่อ
kan kho yu to
“applying to stay longer / extension of stay”
A slightly more formal expression is:
ขออนุญาตอยู่ต่อ
kho anuyat yu to
“to request permission to stay longer”
For example:
มาขออนุญาตอยู่ต่อครับ/ค่ะ
ma kho anuyat yu to khráp/khâ
“I’m here to apply for an extension of stay.”
This wording aligns more closely with the actual purpose of the TM.7 procedure than simply saying “renew my visa.”
Visa Extension in Everyday Thai
You will also hear foreigners and Thai speakers use:
ต่อวีซ่า
to wisa
“extend/renew a visa”
For example:
ต้องการต่อวีซ่าครับ/ค่ะ
tongkan to wisa khráp/khâ
“I’d like to extend my visa.”
This is straightforward conversational Thai, but official immigration documents may use language about permission to stay rather than simply referring to a visa.
90-Day Reporting
Another procedure long-term foreign residents may encounter is commonly called:
แจ้ง 90 วัน
chaeng kao-sip wan
“90-day reporting”
This is not the same thing as extending your stay. Immigration Bureau materials list the notification of staying in Thailand longer than 90 days as TM.47, separately from the TM.7 extension application.
That distinction is important because completing a 90-day report does not itself extend your permission to stay.
Re-entry Permits
You may also encounter:
ใบอนุญาตกลับเข้ามาในราชอาณาจักร
bai anuyat klap khao ma nai ratcha-anachak
“re-entry permit”
This is another separate immigration procedure. The Immigration Bureau lists the re-entry permit application as TM.8 rather than TM.7.
Why Immigration Thai Can Feel Difficult
Immigration Thai can sound more formal than the language you hear in everyday conversations.
You may recognize:
อะไร
arai
“what”
but then hear longer phrases involving words such as:
เอกสาร
ekasan
“document”
คำร้อง
kham-rong
“application/request”
อนุญาต
anuyat
“permission / to permit”
อยู่ต่อ
yu to
“stay longer”
หลักฐาน
lakthan
“proof / evidence”
The key is not to translate every sentence word for word.
Pro Tip
Listen for the important noun or verb.
If an officer says a longer sentence but you catch:
เอกสาร
ekasan
“document”
and:
ไม่ครบ
mai khrop
“incomplete”
you already know that something is missing from your paperwork.
Likewise, if you hear:
กรอก
krok
“fill in”
and:
แบบฟอร์ม
baep fom
“form”
you can probably tell you’re being asked to complete a form.
Immigration Documents and Terms You’ll See
The exact supporting documents depend on the reason you’re applying for an extension. Immigration Bureau public-handbook pages list different requirements for different circumstances, so don’t assume that one generic checklist applies to everyone.
Instead, learn the vocabulary that will help you understand the requirements for your case.
Essential Document Vocabulary
| Thai | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| หนังสือเดินทาง | nang-sue doen-thang | “passport” |
| พาสปอร์ต | phat-sa-pot | “passport” |
| แบบ ตม.7 | baep to-mo jet | “TM.7 form” |
| แบบฟอร์ม | baep fom | “form” |
| คำร้อง | kham-rong | “application/request” |
| เอกสาร | ekasan | “document” |
| เอกสารประกอบ | ekasan prakop | “supporting documents” |
| หลักฐาน | lakthan | “proof / evidence” |
| สำเนา | samnao | “copy” |
| ต้นฉบับ | tonchabap | “original” |
| รูปถ่าย | rup-thai | “photograph” |
| หลักฐานการชำระเงิน | lakthan kan chamra ngoen | “proof of payment” |
| ค่าธรรมเนียม | kha thamniam | “fee” |
| ใบเสร็จ | bai-set | “receipt” |
| ตราประทับ | tra prathap | “stamp” |
| วันหมดอายุ | wan mot ayu | “expiration date” |
| ที่อยู่ | thi yu | “address” |
| ลายเซ็น | lai-sen | “signature” |
Official Immigration Bureau public handbooks currently list a 1,900-baht fee for TM.7 extension applications in the categories shown in those guides, but always verify the current requirements for your particular case and office before applying.
40 Essential Thai Immigration Phrases
Most immigration interactions follow a recognizable sequence.
You arrive, find the correct counter, explain what you need, show your documents, ask questions, receive instructions, and confirm the result or next step.
You don’t need to memorize all 40 phrases at once. Start with the ones that match your next immigration visit.
Arriving at the Immigration Office: 5 Phrases
| # | Thai | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | จุดประชาสัมพันธ์อยู่ที่ไหนครับ/คะ | chut prachasamphan yu thi-nai khráp/kha | “Where is the information desk?” |
| 2 | ต้องไปที่เคาน์เตอร์ไหนครับ/คะ | tong pai thi khao-toe nai khráp/kha | “Which counter should I go to?” |
| 3 | ต้องรับบัตรคิวไหมครับ/คะ | tong rap bat khio mai khráp/kha | “Do I need to take a queue number?” |
| 4 | มีนัดครับ/ค่ะ | mi nat khráp/khâ | “I have an appointment.” |
| 5 | นี่ใบนัดครับ/ค่ะ | ni bai-nat khráp/khâ | “Here’s my appointment confirmation.” |
Good to Know: บัตรคิว
บัตรคิว
bat khio
“queue ticket / queue number”
is useful well beyond immigration offices. You’ll encounter queue systems at banks, hospitals, government offices, and many service counters in Thailand.
Explaining Why You’re There: 8 Phrases
| # | Thai | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | มาขออนุญาตอยู่ต่อครับ/ค่ะ | ma kho anuyat yu to khráp/khâ | “I’m here to apply for an extension of stay.” |
| 7 | ต้องการยื่นคำร้องขออยู่ต่อครับ/ค่ะ | tongkan yuen kham-rong kho yu to khráp/khâ | “I’d like to submit an application for an extension.” |
| 8 | ต้องการต่อวีซ่าครับ/ค่ะ | tongkan to wisa khráp/khâ | “I’d like to extend my visa.” |
| 9 | นี่เป็นครั้งแรกที่มาขออยู่ต่อครับ/ค่ะ | ni pen khrang raek thi ma kho yu to khráp/khâ | “This is my first time applying for an extension.” |
| 10 | ระยะเวลาที่ได้รับอนุญาตให้อยู่กำลังจะหมดครับ/ค่ะ | raya wela thi dai-rap anuyat hai yu kamlang cha mot khráp/khâ | “My permitted stay is about to expire.” |
| 11 | ขอสอบถามเรื่องการขออยู่ต่อครับ/ค่ะ | kho soptham rueang kan kho yu to khráp/khâ | “I’d like to ask about extending my stay.” |
| 12 | ยื่น e-Extension แล้วครับ/ค่ะ | yuen e-Extension laeo khráp/khâ | “I’ve already submitted an e-Extension application.” |
| 13 | มายื่นเอกสารเพิ่มเติมครับ/ค่ะ | ma yuen ekasan phoemtoem khráp/khâ | “I’m here to submit additional documents.” |
Phrase 6 is the most useful formal-purpose sentence:
มาขออนุญาตอยู่ต่อครับ/ค่ะ
ma kho anuyat yu to khráp/khâ
“I’m here to apply for an extension of stay.”
Phrase 8:
ต้องการต่อวีซ่าครับ/ค่ะ
tongkan to wisa khráp/khâ
is simpler conversational Thai and is likely to be understood, but phrase 6 more closely reflects the official “extension of temporary stay” concept used on TM.7.
Submitting Your Documents: 8 Phrases
| # | Thai | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | นี่หนังสือเดินทางครับ/ค่ะ | ni nang-sue doen-thang khráp/khâ | “Here’s my passport.” |
| 15 | นี่แบบ ตม.7 ครับ/ค่ะ | ni baep to-mo jet khráp/khâ | “Here’s my TM.7 form.” |
| 16 | นี่เอกสารที่ต้องใช้ครับ/ค่ะ | ni ekasan thi tong chai khráp/khâ | “Here are the required documents.” |
| 17 | มีสำเนามาด้วยครับ/ค่ะ | mi samnao ma duai khráp/khâ | “I also brought copies.” |
| 18 | นี่ต้นฉบับครับ/ค่ะ | ni tonchabap khráp/khâ | “Here’s the original.” |
| 19 | นี่หลักฐานการชำระเงินครับ/ค่ะ | ni lakthan kan chamra ngoen khráp/khâ | “Here’s the proof of payment.” |
| 20 | ขาดเอกสารอะไรไหมครับ/คะ | khat ekasan arai mai khráp/kha | “Are any documents missing?” |
| 21 | เอกสารครบไหมครับ/คะ | ekasan khrop mai khráp/kha | “Are the documents complete?” |
Phrases 20 and 21 are particularly useful because the supporting documents required for a Thai extension vary according to the basis of the application.
Asking Questions: 8 Phrases
| # | Thai | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22 | ต้องใช้เอกสารอะไรบ้างครับ/คะ | tong chai ekasan arai bang khráp/kha | “Which documents are required?” |
| 23 | เอกสารนี้คืออะไรครับ/คะ | ekasan ni khue arai khráp/kha | “What is this document?” |
| 24 | ต้องกรอกตรงไหนครับ/คะ | tong krok trong-nai khráp/kha | “Where should I fill this in?” |
| 25 | ต้องเซ็นตรงนี้ไหมครับ/คะ | tong sen trong-ni mai khráp/kha | “Do I need to sign here?” |
| 26 | ขอโทษครับ/ค่ะ ช่วยพูดอีกครั้งได้ไหมครับ/คะ | kho-thot khráp/khâ, chuai phut ik khrang dai mai khráp/kha | “Excuse me, could you say that again?” |
| 27 | ช่วยพูดช้าๆ หน่อยได้ไหมครับ/คะ | chuai phut cha-cha noi dai mai khráp/kha | “Could you speak a little more slowly?” |
| 28 | พูดภาษาอังกฤษได้ไหมครับ/คะ | phut phasa angkrit dai mai khráp/kha | “Can you speak English?” |
| 29 | ขอโทษครับ/ค่ะ ไม่เข้าใจครับ/ค่ะ | kho-thot khráp/khâ, mai khao-jai khráp/khâ | “Sorry, I don’t understand.” |
Phrases 26-29 are worth practicing together.
ThaiPod101’s How Long Can We Stay in Thailand? is particularly relevant here because its dialogue actually takes place at an immigration counter. The learner is asked about the length and purpose of his stay and responds with:
ขอโทษครับ ช่วยพูดช้าๆ ได้ไหมครับ
kho-thot khráp, chuai phut cha-cha dai mai khráp
“Excuse me. Could you please speak slowly?”
That makes it useful listening practice for the exact kind of clarification skill you’ll need at immigration.
Instructions You May Hear: 6 Phrases
These are phrases an immigration officer may say to you.
| # | Thai | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | กรุณารอสักครู่ | karuna ro sak-khru | “Please wait a moment.” |
| 31 | กรุณากรอกแบบฟอร์มนี้ | karuna krok baep-fom ni | “Please fill out this form.” |
| 32 | ต้องใช้เอกสารนี้ | tong chai ekasan ni | “This document is required.” |
| 33 | เอกสารยังไม่ครบ | ekasan yang mai khrop | “The documents are incomplete.” |
| 34 | กรุณานำเอกสารนี้มายื่นเพิ่ม | karuna nam ekasan ni ma yuen phoem | “Please bring and submit this additional document.” |
| 35 | กรุณาเก็บใบเสร็จนี้ไว้ | karuna kep bai-set ni wai | “Please keep this receipt.” |
Two patterns are particularly helpful to recognize:
ต้องใช้…
tong chai…
“…is required / you need…”
and:
กรุณา…
karuna…
“please…”
If you hear either one, pay attention to what comes next.
Checking the Result and Next Steps: 5 Phrases
Unlike the Japanese reference article, a Thai extension-of-stay procedure does not generally revolve around receiving a new Residence Card. For this version, it’s more useful to learn how to confirm the permission recorded for your stay and what you should do next.
| # | Thai | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36 | เรียบร้อยแล้วใช่ไหมครับ/คะ | riap-roi laeo chai mai khráp/kha | “Is everything completed?” |
| 37 | ได้รับอนุญาตให้อยู่ต่อแล้วใช่ไหมครับ/คะ | dai-rap anuyat hai yu to laeo chai mai khráp/kha | “Has my extension of stay been approved?” |
| 38 | ได้รับอนุญาตให้อยู่ถึงวันไหนครับ/คะ | dai-rap anuyat hai yu thueng wan-nai khráp/kha | “Until what date am I allowed to stay?” |
| 39 | ต้องทำอะไรต่อครับ/คะ | tong tham arai to khráp/kha | “What do I need to do next?” |
| 40 | ขอบคุณมากครับ/ค่ะ | khop-khun mak khráp/khâ | “Thank you very much.” |
Phrase 38 is particularly useful because the important thing is not merely whether someone casually says your “visa was renewed,” but until what date you have permission to remain.
Practice Tip: Learn the Conversation, Not Just the List
The 40 phrases are easier to remember when you connect them into a realistic sequence.
For example:
มาขออนุญาตอยู่ต่อครับ/ค่ะ
ma kho anuyat yu to khráp/khâ
“I’m here to apply for an extension of stay.”
นี่เอกสารที่ต้องใช้ครับ/ค่ะ
ni ekasan thi tong chai khráp/khâ
“Here are the required documents.”
ขาดเอกสารอะไรไหมครับ/คะ
khat ekasan arai mai khráp/kha
“Are any documents missing?”
ต้องทำอะไรต่อครับ/คะ
tong tham arai to khráp/kha
“What do I need to do next?”
Those four sentences already give you the basic framework for an immigration interaction.
Example Dialogue: Applying for an Extension of Stay
Imagine you’ve arrived at an immigration office with your passport and application.
Resident:
สวัสดีครับ/ค่ะ มาขออนุญาตอยู่ต่อครับ/ค่ะ
sawatdi khráp/khâ, ma kho anuyat yu to khráp/khâ
“Hello. I’m here to apply for an extension of stay.”
Officer:
ขอดูหนังสือเดินทางกับแบบ ตม.7 หน่อยครับ/ค่ะ
kho du nang-sue doen-thang kap baep to-mo jet noi khráp/khâ
“May I see your passport and TM.7 form?”
Resident:
นี่ครับ/ค่ะ
ni khráp/khâ
“Here you are.”
Officer:
มีเอกสารประกอบครบไหมครับ/คะ
mi ekasan prakop khrop mai khráp/kha
“Do you have all the supporting documents?”
Resident:
คิดว่าครบครับ/ค่ะ ขาดเอกสารอะไรไหมครับ/คะ
khit wa khrop khráp/khâ, khat ekasan arai mai khráp/kha
“I think so. Are any documents missing?”
Officer:
ขอตรวจก่อนนะครับ/คะ กรุณารอสักครู่
kho truat kon na khráp/kha, karuna ro sak-khru
“Let me check first. Please wait a moment.”
Resident:
ได้ครับ/ค่ะ ขอบคุณครับ/ค่ะ
dai khráp/khâ, khop-khun khráp/khâ
“Okay. Thank you.”
The resident doesn’t need complicated Thai. Short, polite sentences are enough.
Example Dialogue: Additional Documents Are Needed
Sometimes the documents you brought aren’t enough for your particular application.
Officer:
เอกสารยังไม่ครบครับ/ค่ะ
ekasan yang mai khrop khráp/khâ
“The documents are incomplete.”
Resident:
ขาดเอกสารอะไรครับ/คะ
khat ekasan arai khráp/kha
“Which document is missing?”
Officer:
ต้องใช้เอกสารนี้เพิ่มครับ/ค่ะ
tong chai ekasan ni phoem khráp/khâ
“You need this additional document.”
Resident:
ใช้สำเนาได้ไหมครับ/คะ
chai samnao dai mai khráp/kha
“Can I use a copy?”
Officer:
ได้ครับ/ค่ะ
dai khráp/khâ
“Yes.”
Resident:
ต้องนำมายื่นเมื่อไหร่ครับ/คะ
tong nam ma yuen muea-rai khráp/kha
“When do I need to submit it?”
The exact document requirements vary depending on the extension category, so being able to ask what is missing is more useful than memorizing one generic checklist.
Thai Immigration Vocabulary Cheat Sheet
| Thai | Romanization | English | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| ตรวจคนเข้าเมือง | truat khon khao mueang | “immigration” | Office |
| สำนักงานตรวจคนเข้าเมือง | samnak-ngan truat khon khao mueang | “Immigration Bureau” | Office |
| เจ้าหน้าที่ | chao-nathi | “officer / official” | Office |
| ขออยู่ต่อ | kho yu to | “apply to stay longer” | Procedures |
| ขออนุญาตอยู่ต่อ | kho anuyat yu to | “request permission to stay longer” | Procedures |
| ต่อวีซ่า | to wisa | “extend/renew a visa” | Everyday Usage |
| คำร้อง | kham-rong | “application / request” | Procedures |
| ยื่นคำร้อง | yuen kham-rong | “submit an application” | Procedures |
| แบบ ตม.7 | baep to-mo jet | “TM.7 form” | Documents |
| หนังสือเดินทาง | nang-sue doen-thang | “passport” | Documents |
| พาสปอร์ต | phat-sa-pot | “passport” | Documents |
| เอกสาร | ekasan | “document” | Documents |
| เอกสารประกอบ | ekasan prakop | “supporting documents” | Documents |
| เอกสารเพิ่มเติม | ekasan phoemtoem | “additional documents” | Documents |
| หลักฐาน | lakthan | “proof / evidence” | Documents |
| สำเนา | samnao | “copy” | Documents |
| ต้นฉบับ | tonchabap | “original” | Documents |
| รูปถ่าย | rup-thai | “photograph” | Documents |
| ที่อยู่ | thi yu | “address” | Personal Information |
| ลายเซ็น | lai-sen | “signature” | Documents |
| กรอก | krok | “fill in” | Forms |
| เซ็น | sen | “sign” | Forms |
| ค่าธรรมเนียม | kha thamniam | “fee” | Payment |
| ใบเสร็จ | bai-set | “receipt” | Payment |
| หลักฐานการชำระเงิน | lakthan kan chamra ngoen | “proof of payment” | Payment |
| ตราประทับ | tra prathap | “stamp” | Documents |
| วันหมดอายุ | wan mot ayu | “expiration date” | Documents |
| บัตรคิว | bat khio | “queue ticket” | Office |
| นัด | nat | “appointment” | Office |
| ไม่ครบ | mai khrop | “incomplete” | Procedures |
Extra Immigration Vocabulary Practice
ThaiPod101’s Immigration lesson is a short vocabulary-review resource, not a complete immigration-office dialogue.
It is specifically presented as a lesson for learning essential immigration-related words, with a vocabulary review list that includes translations and pronunciation practice. Use it to reinforce individual words alongside the complete phrases and dialogues in this guide.
Common Words and Signs You May See
| Thai | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| ประชาสัมพันธ์ | prachasamphan | “Information” |
| ทางเข้า | thang khao | “Entrance” |
| ทางออก | thang ok | “Exit” |
| เคาน์เตอร์ | khao-toe | “Counter” |
| บัตรคิว | bat khio | “Queue ticket” |
| รอ | ro | “Wait” |
| เอกสาร | ekasan | “Documents” |
| แบบฟอร์ม | baep fom | “Form” |
| ค่าธรรมเนียม | kha thamniam | “Fee” |
| ชำระเงิน | chamra ngoen | “Payment” |
| ยื่นคำร้อง | yuen kham-rong | “Submit an application” |
| รับเอกสาร | rap ekasan | “Collect documents” |
Recognize Before You Translate
You don’t need to read every Thai word fluently.
If you can immediately recognize:
เอกสาร
ekasan
“documents”
ค่าธรรมเนียม
kha thamniam
“fee”
คำร้อง
kham-rong
“application”
and:
รอ
ro
“wait”
you’ll already understand a large part of what’s happening.
Common Mistakes Learners Make at Thai Immigration
Mistake 1: Assuming “Visa Renewal” Is Always the Official Procedure
In casual English, “renewing my visa” is common.
But Thailand’s TM.7 is officially an application for extension of temporary stay, not a generic visa-renewal form.
That’s why it’s useful to learn:
มาขออนุญาตอยู่ต่อครับ/ค่ะ
ma kho anuyat yu to khráp/khâ
“I’m here to apply for an extension of stay.”
as well as the more conversational:
ต้องการต่อวีซ่าครับ/ค่ะ
tongkan to wisa khráp/khâ
“I’d like to extend my visa.”
Mistake 2: Confusing a 90-Day Report with an Extension
These are separate procedures.
Immigration Bureau forms identify TM.7 as the extension-of-stay application and TM.47 as the notification for a foreign national staying in Thailand longer than 90 days.
So:
แจ้ง 90 วัน
chaeng kao-sip wan
“90-day reporting”
does not mean that your permitted stay has automatically been extended.
Mistake 3: Assuming Everyone Needs the Same Documents
Extension requirements vary according to the reason for staying.
Official Immigration Bureau handbooks list different supporting documents for employment, medical treatment, government or organizational work, and other cases.
Instead of memorizing one checklist, remember:
ต้องใช้เอกสารอะไรบ้างครับ/คะ
tong chai ekasan arai bang khráp/kha
“Which documents are required?”
and:
ขาดเอกสารอะไรไหมครับ/คะ
khat ekasan arai mai khráp/kha
“Are any documents missing?”
Mistake 4: Forgetting to Check Whether Online Extension Is Available
Immigration Bureau sites currently offer e-Extension for selected categories. Availability depends on the particular procedure, so check current official information rather than assuming that you must always complete every step the same way.
A useful sentence is:
ยื่น e-Extension แล้วครับ/ค่ะ
yuen e-Extension laeo khráp/khâ
“I’ve already submitted an e-Extension application.”
Mistake 5: Being Afraid to Ask Someone to Slow Down
If you don’t understand an important instruction, ask.
Use:
ขอโทษครับ/ค่ะ ช่วยพูดช้าๆ หน่อยได้ไหมครับ/คะ
kho-thot khráp/khâ, chuai phut cha-cha noi dai mai khráp/kha
“Excuse me, could you speak a little more slowly?”
This is a natural communication strategy, and ThaiPod101’s immigration-counter lesson teaches essentially the same request.
Quick Checklist Before Your Immigration Visit
For the language side of the visit, make sure you can:
- Say ขออยู่ต่อ (kho yu to, “apply to stay longer”)
- Explain why you’re there
- Ask which documents are required
- Ask whether anything is missing
- Show your passport
- Ask where to fill in or sign a form
- Ask someone to repeat themselves
- Ask someone to speak more slowly
- Confirm how long you’re allowed to stay
- Ask what you need to do next
For the administrative side, check current Immigration Bureau instructions for your specific extension category before applying. The required documents and route can vary by case, and eligible applicants may have access to e-Extension.
Practice Immigration Conversations with ThaiPod101
Learning vocabulary is useful, but the harder skill is recognizing familiar Thai when someone says it naturally.
ThaiPod101 can help you build the listening and communication skills behind the phrases in this guide through dialogues, vocabulary lessons, pronunciation practice, and structured learning materials.
Learn Thai You’ll Actually Use
Practical Thai isn’t limited to immigration.
Living in Thailand can also mean communicating about:
- Housing
- Banking
- Healthcare
- Government paperwork
- Appointments
- Deliveries
- Work
- Customer service
- Everyday problems
Many of the same patterns work in all of those situations.
ต้อง…
tong…
“need to / must…”
ขอ…
kho…
“request / may I…”
ได้ไหม
dai mai
“can…?”
ที่ไหน
thi-nai
“where?”
Once those patterns become familiar, you can reuse them constantly.
Build Confidence Through Listening
Don’t only memorize:
เอกสาร
ekasan
“document”
Practice it in:
ต้องใช้เอกสารอะไรบ้างครับ/คะ
tong chai ekasan arai bang khráp/kha
“Which documents are required?”
Don’t only memorize:
อยู่
yu
“stay”
Practice recognizing it in complete questions about how long someone will remain in Thailand. Hearing familiar words inside real conversations will make them much easier to recognize at an immigration office.
Study Smarter, Not Harder
You don’t need to memorize all 40 phrases before your next visit.
Try this:
- Choose five phrases you’re likely to need.
- Read them aloud several times.
- Practice the polite particle appropriate for you.
- Listen to immigration or administrative Thai in context.
- Review the phrases again before your appointment.
A small set of expressions you can actually understand and use is much more valuable than a long list you’ve only read once.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say “visa extension” in Thai?
In everyday conversation, you’ll commonly hear:
ต่อวีซ่า
to wisa
“extend/renew a visa”
But for an immigration-office interaction, a useful phrase is:
ขออนุญาตอยู่ต่อ
kho anuyat yu to
“request permission to stay longer”
because Thailand’s TM.7 procedure is officially an application for an extension of temporary stay.
How do I say “I’m here to extend my stay”?
Say:
มาขออนุญาตอยู่ต่อครับ/ค่ะ
ma kho anuyat yu to khráp/khâ
“I’m here to apply for an extension of stay.”
You can also say:
ต้องการต่อวีซ่าครับ/ค่ะ
tongkan to wisa khráp/khâ
“I’d like to extend my visa.”
The first is better aligned with the formal immigration procedure.
What is TM.7?
แบบ ตม.7
baep to-mo jet
is the Immigration Bureau’s Application for Extension of Temporary Stay in the Kingdom.
Is the 90-day report the same as extending my stay?
No.
แจ้ง 90 วัน
chaeng kao-sip wan
“90-day reporting”
is a separate notification procedure. The Immigration Bureau lists it as TM.47, while the extension application is TM.7.
Can I apply for an extension online?
Thailand’s Immigration Bureau currently provides e-Extension for selected categories. Official immigration websites specify that the online service is available for select visa categories, so check whether your particular case qualifies.
How much is the extension fee?
Current Immigration Bureau public-handbook pages list 1,900 baht for TM.7 extension applications in the categories they describe. Because rules and procedures can change and circumstances vary, confirm the current fee for your application before visiting.
A useful word is:
ค่าธรรมเนียม
kha thamniam
“fee”
What documents do I need?
There isn’t one universal document list.
Immigration Bureau handbooks show different requirements depending on why the applicant is requesting an extension.
The Thai question to remember is:
ต้องใช้เอกสารอะไรบ้างครับ/คะ
tong chai ekasan arai bang khráp/kha
“Which documents are required?”
What should I say if I don’t understand?
Say:
ขอโทษครับ/ค่ะ ไม่เข้าใจครับ/ค่ะ
kho-thot khráp/khâ, mai khao-jai khráp/khâ
“Sorry, I don’t understand.”
Then:
ช่วยพูดอีกครั้งได้ไหมครับ/คะ
chuai phut ik khrang dai mai khráp/kha
“Could you say that again?”
or:
ช่วยพูดช้าๆ หน่อยได้ไหมครับ/คะ
chuai phut cha-cha noi dai mai khráp/kha
“Could you speak a little more slowly?”
What’s the most important Thai immigration vocabulary to learn?
If you only learn ten terms, start with:
ขออยู่ต่อ
kho yu to
“apply to stay longer”
ต่อวีซ่า
to wisa
“extend a visa”
เอกสาร
ekasan
“documents”
หนังสือเดินทาง
nang-sue doen-thang
“passport”
คำร้อง
kham-rong
“application”
แบบ ตม.7
baep to-mo jet
“TM.7 form”
ค่าธรรมเนียม
kha thamniam
“fee”
สำเนา
samnao
“copy”
ตราประทับ
tra prathap
“stamp”
วันหมดอายุ
wan mot ayu
“expiration date”
Final Thoughts
Thai immigration vocabulary can look intimidating because it’s formal, administrative, and different from the Thai used in casual conversations.
But you don’t need perfect Thai.
Start with:
มาขออนุญาตอยู่ต่อครับ/ค่ะ
ma kho anuyat yu to khráp/khâ
“I’m here to apply for an extension of stay.”
Then learn:
ต้องใช้เอกสารอะไรบ้างครับ/คะ
tong chai ekasan arai bang khráp/kha
“Which documents are required?”
ขาดเอกสารอะไรไหมครับ/คะ
khat ekasan arai mai khráp/kha
“Are any documents missing?”
ช่วยพูดช้าๆ หน่อยได้ไหมครับ/คะ
chuai phut cha-cha noi dai mai khráp/kha
“Could you speak a little more slowly?”
ต้องทำอะไรต่อครับ/คะ
tong tham arai to khráp/kha
“What do I need to do next?”
Those few patterns will take you a long way.
When you’re ready to keep building practical Thai through dialogues, vocabulary, and listening practice, start learning real-life Thai with ThaiPod101.
