TravellerIsn’t a visa extension issued on the same day?
Local FriendNot always! Even if you arrive at 7:50 AM, you may be asked to return the next day.
If you are staying in Pattaya on a tourist visa, you may need to visit Jomtien Immigration to extend your stay.
I recently applied for a 30-day extension and visited Chonburi Immigration in Jomtien on November 2, 2026. I arrived at around 7:50 AM, hoping to finish the process early.
However, even with all my documents prepared, I was asked to return the following morning to collect my passport.
I had previously expected that a straightforward application would usually be completed on the same day. This experience showed me that same-day processing is not always guaranteed.
In this article, I’ll share what happened during my visit, including the waiting time, application process, and a few things worth knowing before you go.
🏢 My Visit to Jomtien Immigration
I visited Chonburi Immigration in Jomtien on November 2, 2026, to apply for a 30-day extension of stay. Here is how the application process went during my visit.
The immigration office complex consists of three separate buildings. For my application, I used two of them. The building on the left, when facing the office, is where the initial document check takes place. The building directly in front is where applicants submit their passports and pay the extension fee. It is also where passports are collected later.
Arriving Before the Office Opened
I arrived at around 7:50 AM, even though the office was scheduled to open at 8:30 AM. Several people were already waiting outside.
At around 8:05 AM, the entrance to the information area opened, allowing applicants to go inside earlier than the official opening time.
Four Queues and the Initial Document Check
Inside, applicants were divided into four separate queues for different types of immigration services. The first queue was for people applying for a tourist visa extension, while the other queues handled different types of applications.
The first queue appeared to be the busiest. After waiting for around 50 minutes, it was finally my turn for the initial document check.
I had prepared all my documents in advance, so the check went smoothly. Afterward, I received a numbered ticket with a QR code and was instructed to return to the main building at 1:00 PM for the next step.
There was time to leave the immigration office between approximately 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM. I used this time to visit a nearby golf driving range by motorbike taxi.
One important point: The immigration office closes for lunch between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM. The application counters are not operating during this period, so arriving before 1:00 PM for the afternoon procedure will not make the process faster.
Returning at 1 PM for the Next Step
I returned to the building directly in front at 1:00 PM. Inside, an electronic display showed each applicant’s ticket number along with the counter number to visit.
I had to wait for around 40 minutes before my number appeared on the display.
🧾Payment and the Next-Day Collection Notice
When my number was called, I went to the assigned counter to complete the application.
Paying the 1,900 Baht Fee
At around 1:40 PM, I submitted my documents and passport and paid the 1,900-baht extension fee.
The staff also took a quick photo of me over the counter. I am not sure exactly why this photo was required, but it appeared to be related to the payment or application confirmation process.
Being Asked to Return the Following Morning
I was then told to return the following morning at 9:00 AM to collect my passport.
A notice displayed on the counter also explained that applicants with ticket numbers beginning with the letter A would receive their passports the next day.
I had expected to collect my passport on the same day because my documents were complete. However, this was not the case during my visit.
🧾Collecting My Passport the Following Morning
I returned to Jomtien Immigration on November 3, 2026. I arrived at around 8:30 AM, just as the entrance to the building directly in front was opening.
Arriving Early and Receiving My Passport
Although I had been told to come back at 9:00 AM, my passport was already prepared. I received it at around 8:40 AM, along with the receipt.
What I Needed to Collect My Passport
The collection process was simple. I only needed to hand over the numbered ticket I had received the previous day.
The same number had also been attached to my passport as a small label, making it easy for the staff to identify it.
More applicants began arriving around 9:00 AM, and a short queue formed. However, passport collection seemed to move fairly quickly because staff only needed to check the ticket number and hand over the documents.
Based on my experience, arriving a little before the instructed collection time may be helpful.
💡What to Know Before Applying for a Visa Extension
Based on my experience, there are a few things worth preparing for before visiting Jomtien Immigration.
Prepare Your TM.7 Form in Advance
You can download the TM.7 application form in advance and complete it before visiting the immigration office. I prepared mine beforehand, which helped make the initial document check smoother.
Check the Address Details on Your TM.30
When completing the TM.7 form, I tried to copy my address details from the TM.30 document. However, some of the address information was written in Thai rather than English, which caused a little confusion.
If you are using your TM.30 as a reference, check the address details carefully before filling in the form.
Same-Day Processing Is Not Always Guaranteed
My experience on November 2 showed that having all the required documents ready does not necessarily mean you will receive your passport on the same day.
If you need to extend your stay in Pattaya, I recommend allowing enough time before your current permission to stay expires. It is safer not to leave the application until the last few days.
Please also remember that immigration procedures and processing times may change. The details above describe my personal experience on November 2–3, 2026, and may not reflect the procedure on your next visit.
