This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.
Can I extend my DTV visa in Thailand, or do I need to leave the country before it expires?
DTV visavisa extensionThai immigrationvisa regulationsborder rundocument requirementsvisa reformexpats in Thailand
Dec 22, 2025
4 months ago
Farang **********
ORIGINAL POSTERHi
Stuffed up calculation when I booked my return ticket, my flight is in February but visa expires on 19th January
I assume can’t extend a dtv at all ? Is only option to jump to another country and return ? Or they got strict on that in new visa reforms ?
Cheers
Stuffed up calculation when I booked my return ticket, my flight is in February but visa expires on 19th January
I assume can’t extend a dtv at all ? Is only option to jump to another country and return ? Or they got strict on that in new visa reforms ?
Cheers
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is inquiring about options for extending their DTV visa, which expires before their planned departure flight. They are considering a border run to another country and returning, as there seems to be issues with in-country visa extensions, which require resubmitting all documentation. Comments suggest a border run is a common solution and that it may be easier than dealing with the extension process. Recommendations include visiting places like Vietnam or Singapore and the possibility of a same-day land crossing.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Take the basic DTV Qualification Test to see if you're eligible for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the DTV Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
Pelle Eriksson★★★★★
Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...recently on Facebook
Luca G.★★★★★
I used this agency for my DTV Visa...recently on Google
Trusted DTV Visa Agent
OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED
#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND
Alix *********
you are on a DTV and you dont know how to leave and reset the 180 days? how did you get this far?
Farang **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Alix ********
I usually stay 4 months so no issue with timeframes, I planned head back by now but circumstances I’m still In Thailand, why me over calculating flight is a issue, normallly changing flight date isn’t an issue but time year they jack it up so huge difference never have an exact date to return why dtv is so good not requiredAlix *********
just fly some where for a day, come back and get another 180. idk how that is so complicated?
Farang **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Alix ********
why would I want to do that unless had too, not complicated it’s about finding easiest optionAlix *********
leaving and resetting the 180 IS the easiest option, but if youd rather sit in the immigration office all day instead of see Hanoi or something then have a blast w it
Reply to
Alix *********
Reply
Anonymous ******************
Go do a boarder run. 2 days, $200
Nigel ********
Change flight
Farang **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Nigel *******
rang airline but due to peak season price was crazy to change it, if cancel get nothing back, rebooking other airlines expensive So think best to do border run if possible or fly out few days
Luit *****************
@Farang *********
In your place I would choose for a few days neighbouring country, then you get at least something back for the money, and chances for questioning will be less.Anonymous ******************
Other than change, you have to do a border bounce before then.
Work out which options work for you.
Just consider it an expensive lesson
Work out which options work for you.
Just consider it an expensive lesson
Farang **********
ORIGINAL POSTERAnonymous participant 919 yeah stupid mistake to overbook definitely lesson learnt cheers
Reply to
Farang **********
Reply
Farang **********
ORIGINAL POSTERI’ll keep sussing options but immigration seem to be breaking balls atm. I was late on 90 day report wasn’t aware of it but sorted
Now this I don’t want any issues guess won’t hurt go Vietnam few days mix it up
I’ll talk to agent on Soi 6 tomorrow he’s helpful see what says cheers 4 replies
Now this I don’t want any issues guess won’t hurt go Vietnam few days mix it up
I’ll talk to agent on Soi 6 tomorrow he’s helpful see what says cheers 4 replies
Robert *******
AS you managed to upload a few documents and showed the money in the bank, I can not see any problem to show them again at immigration, to get a 180 day Extension of Stay.
Same documents, so if they where genuine it is a piece of cake.
Same documents, so if they where genuine it is a piece of cake.
Farang **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Robert ******
so you can just extend it at immigration ? Don’t need border run ?Robert *******
@Farang *********
Yes, you get 180 days at entry, which you can extend with another 180 days at your local Immigration office.Farang **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Robert ******
ok I’ll check it out be easier then driving to Laos/thai border just thought had leave and come back for any extensionReply to
Farang **********
Reply
John **********
The in country extension is a pain, you have to supply all updated documents for the reason you were issued the DTV and have 500k in the bank for at least a month. Plus immigration don't like issuing the extension so make life difficult. Far easier to do a border bounce, you don't need to stay out for a few days
Farang **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *********
yeah agree seems the best option just wasn’t aware could border bounceReply to
Farang **********
Reply
Farang **********
ORIGINAL POSTEROk, so if say go Vietnam or Singapore must stay a few days or can come straight back basically ?
I did talk to an agent today they just said go anywhere 2-3 days come back but fair hassle and cost fly stay some back, but think cancelling flight rebooking be lot worse bad time year to be doing it unfortunately peak season n costs
I did talk to an agent today they just said go anywhere 2-3 days come back but fair hassle and cost fly stay some back, but think cancelling flight rebooking be lot worse bad time year to be doing it unfortunately peak season n costs
Toni *******
@Farang *********
you dont have to stay.Farang **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Toni ******
so can essentially border hop lnto Laos ?Toni *******
@Farang *********
i have done 3 borderruns landborder, 1 cambodia 2 laos 3 laos, never stayed many minutes only cambodia i drank 1 changFarang **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Toni ******
ok good to know that would be much easier than stuffing around flying staying etcToni *******
@Farang *********
my last run was 9.12. Laos friendship bridge IV (chiang rai), 1 minute out and inFarang **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Toni ******
did you go yourself or use an agent ? I have a car can drive there 😅Toni *******
@Farang *********
i drove myself, and walked out and inFarang **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Toni ******
alright I’ll sus it out make it a road trip, so once at the border you can literally go in and out ? Assume pay something ?Toni *******
@Farang *********
yes i paid about 2000thb for the visa and fees, they actually charged for leaving laos 🤣 60thb i think it wasFarang **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Toni ******
always charge anything they can lol but be nice if was only 60thbToni *******
@Farang *********
first time ever, i had to pay to leave a country 😅Farang **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Toni ******
sounds like was worth it if they didn’t make you need enter Laos n just paid for their lunchToni *******
@Farang *********
they actually told me i dont need to enter laos to go back to thailand, so they tried to save my money and their time :)DTV_Be*******
@Farang *********
when did you arrive?Farang **********
ORIGINAL POSTERDTV_BegPecker July 24th stamp
To leave Is 19th January ….
To leave Is 19th January ….
Reply to
Farang **********
Reply
Andrew ********
You can do in country extension but its like doing the application process all over again :P have to verify everything again - its alot easier to just leave and come back - if you are worried about flight issue cancel the flight leave the country on Land then buy a ticket back i wouldnt recommend say day - according to immigration they are asking people to come back by airport not land crossings
Edit *** I have also seen posts in here where people do same day land crossings and had no issue
Edit *** I have also seen posts in here where people do same day land crossings and had no issue
Toni *******
According to immigration? Whats your source?
Andrew ********
@Toni ******
they posted a video on line following a tik tok video where the woman complained about having to show 20,000 baht in visa exempt - again this was a recommended by them to use airports and not same day - but as I mentioned people have posted no issues doing same day land crossings with DTVToni *******
They even started to explain that, until I showed dtv, then they said ok sorry. (When entering laos)
Toni *******
@Andrew *******
yes visa exempts are not recommended by land same day, laos borders have signs about 2-3 nights. It doesnt concern DTVAndrew ********
@Toni ******
yes that makes sense to meReply to
Andrew ********
Reply
Anonymous ******************
You can do an in country extension but it requires all the documents again. Use the search button for advice on the process.
Could be easier to do a day border bounce. I usually fly to Singapore and back
Could be easier to do a day border bounce. I usually fly to Singapore and back
Reply to
Anonymous ******************
Reply
10 comments
5 months ago
21 comments
5 months ago
15 comments
6 months ago
3 comments
6 months ago
10 comments
6 months ago
2 comments
6 months ago
39 comments
7 months ago
35 comments
8 months ago
13 comments
8 months ago
24 comments
10 months ago
19 comments
10 months ago
21 comments
10 months ago
12 comments
10 months ago
30 comments
10 months ago
4 comments
a year ago
4 comments
a year ago
17 comments
a year ago
2 comments
a year ago
10 comments
a year ago
10 comments
a year ago
128 comments
a year ago
4 comments
a year ago
55 comments
a year ago
13 comments
a year ago
34 comments
a year ago
7 comments
a month ago
9 comments
a month ago
21 comments
a month ago
16 comments
a month ago
8 comments
a month ago
The ask:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.