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Can I renew my DTV visa in Thailand or do I need to do a border run?
DTV VisaVisa ExtensionThailand ImmigrationBorder RunExpats in ThailandVisa RulesVisa Renewal Process
Sep 22, 2025
7 months ago
Anniesports *****
ORIGINAL POSTERI have a Dtv visa I was told I can renew once at immigration then go out the country I went to immigration and they just said no. Any ideas please
TLDR : Answer Summary
The original poster is seeking help with renewing their DTV visa, as they were informed by immigration that they cannot extend it. Community comments suggest that it's common for DTV holders to be denied extensions and recommend performing a 'border bounce' to obtain a new visa stamp for another 180 days. Some users advise visiting nearby countries like Laos or Cambodia for the bounce, while others mention the challenges of the in-country extension process and suggest using an agent for assistance.
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.
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I used this agency for my DTV Visa...recently on Google
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Rod *******
Go to Laos for two days and come back with a new fresh 180-day stay. 😊
Milan *********************
Let an Agent do ...easy
Wannikea *********
Even if you could get an in country extension, you'd have to do a border bounce next time regardless. You might as well get accustomed to bouncing every 180 days as the in country extension process is a nightmare.
Mo ******
Sometimes some tickets to visit another neighboring country are cheaper than the renewal fee. So grab this opportunity to see Vietnam, Cambodia, Lao, Malaysia, etc
Anniesports *****
ORIGINAL POSTERThank you. 🙏
Bob **********
Leave and come back
Oleg ***********
@Bob *********
or not come back. Many people get stopped with DTVBob **********
@Oleg **********
why it’s a 5 year multi entry visa this is what it’s designed to do now if your on soft power yes maybeLuit *****************
@Bob *********
The fact that it is a 5 year multi entry visa does not say it is designed for border bounces. A real digital nomad will stay at least for some months in another country.Anonymous ******************
@Luit ****************
DTV isn't just for "digital nomads", some of us are long term residents.Heinz ***********
Anonymer Teilnehmer 442 Thats not what the DTV is meant for, that’s a reason why immigration don’t like to do extensions.
Mark ********
Anonymous participant 442 So what category are you under if not digital nomad? There's no LTR category. That's a different visa
Luit *****************
Anonieme deelnemer 442 I know some are using DTV as long term resident visa, but it just is NOT a long term resident visa. DTV is for digital nomads and for soft power activities, which mostly do not take 5 years continuously.
When you want to be treated as long term resident, you should get a proper long term resident visa, or accept the disadvantages of using a visa in another way it was meant.
When you want to be treated as long term resident, you should get a proper long term resident visa, or accept the disadvantages of using a visa in another way it was meant.
Bob **********
@Luit ****************
BS you can leave and return in 10 minutes don’t know where you come up with this stuff DTV holders are buying condos here why would they spend that much time out of the countryLuit *****************
@Bob *********
of course you can do that, but saying that is by design is BS, it just is a loophole. DTV is not a resident visa, that some buy a condo and use a tourist visa to live in the country is their own responsibility, but it is not what DTV is designed for.Bob **********
@Luit ****************
it’s a 5 year visa look at it anyway you like they can stay 5 years with 9 bouncesLuit *****************
@Bob *********
As long as the loophole is not closed you can, no discussion about that.But that does not make it a resident visa, and you cannot expect Thai institutes to adapt to DTV so it is more a resident visa.
When someone is choosing to use the loophole he or she has to accept the disadvantages of that, like no bank account and just a temporary 2 year drivers license.
And also you can expect that the more it is used in a way it is not meant to be used, the more checks there will be about still complying to the visa rules the moment you do a border bounce.
Reply to
Luit *****************
Reply
Peter ********
go on a different day and bring in all the proof you got your dtv with updated to recent dates.
Christopher ***********
@Peter *******
Good suggestion Peter. Perhaps bring a Thai person of repute along? They will sense if/when offering an incentive would help.Reply to
Christopher ***********
Reply
Tanisha *******
We go everyday with people DTV
Easy Bounce
Finish from chiang mai 8 hours
From pai 13 hours
2500 baht
Easy Bounce
Finish from chiang mai 8 hours
From pai 13 hours
2500 baht
Jef ********
You need to tell them how important you are😂. Hahah nah just border bounce so much easier
Brent ********
@Jef *******
How certain is it that people make it back in, Jef?Jef ********
@Brent *******
I don’t think there has been any reported cases of people not being let back in after border bouncing on a DTV. Only people being asked questions etc which is normal regardless of your visaReply to
Jef ********
Reply
God *******
@Jef *******
best answer ever 🙏🏼🕉️Christopher ***********
@Jef *******
Thanks. Laos eVisa (or Visa upon arrival) also required of course.Richard *******
@Christopher **********
$80 Australia dollars for the Lao e-visa.Christopher ***********
@Richard ******
I paid $52 USD in 2023 (UK passport). Visa upon arrival is cheaper at $40 USD.Reply to
Christopher ***********
Reply
Jef ********
@Alessandro **********
yeah I know just the first example I searched 👌Alessandro ***********
@J**
, spot on. That’s an expensive flight for a boarder run tho. can fly return to Vietnam for $130Reply to
Alessandro ***********
Reply
Stuart *********
It’s well known that immigration don’t want DTV holders to extend.
Although some have managed the vast majority just bounce for another 180 day stamp.
Although some have managed the vast majority just bounce for another 180 day stamp.
Brent ********
@Stuart ********
Most information states online that it can be extended as long as the original requirements are met?Thank you, Stuart..
Stuart *********
@Brent *******
Yes the online information says it CAN be done, but immigration will pull every trick out of the hat to make it as difficult as possible to do so. They don’t want you to do it. They want you to bounce. As I said some have managed it but I would hazard a guess that out of those that have most won’t bother again.
Sarah *********
@Stuart ********
. Absolutely. I did it but would NEVER do it again.Brent ********
@Stuart ********
Ah sheesh. Noted, Stuart.. Thank you kindly for explaining..James ********
@Brent *******
@Stuart ********
is a volunteer on the Thai Immigration Staff in Phuket. He does know alot about Thai Immigration rules and practices.Reply to
James ********
Reply
Andrew *******
@Stuart ********
don’t want them to extend? Or don’t want to do the work for the extensionReply to
Andrew *******
Reply
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