Can I renew my DTV visa in Thailand or do I need to do a border run?

@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.

@Luit ****************

DTV isn't just for "digital nomads", some of us are long term residents.

Anonymer Teilnehmer 442 Thats not what the DTV is meant for, that’s a reason why immigration don’t like to do extensions.

Anonymous participant 442 So what category are you under if not digital nomad? There's no LTR category. That's a different visa

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.

@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 country

@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.

@Luit ****************

it’s a 5 year visa look at it anyway you like they can stay 5 years with 9 bounces

@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.

@Kevin ********************

🏆

@Christopher **********

$80 Australia dollars for the Lao e-visa.

@Richard ******

I paid $52 USD in 2023 (UK passport). Visa upon arrival is cheaper at $40 USD.

@Stuart ********

. Absolutely. I did it but would NEVER do it again.

@Stuart ********

Ah sheesh. Noted, Stuart.. Thank you kindly for explaining..

@Brent *******

@Stuart ********

is a volunteer on the Thai Immigration Staff in Phuket. He does know alot about Thai Immigration rules and practices.