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Can I stay for 5 years on a DTV visa while traveling in and out of Thailand every 6 months?
DTV VisaThailand Visa RulesVisa ExtensionsImmigration PoliciesExpat LivingStay DurationVisa Re-Entry
Dec 7, 2025
5 months ago
👻_****
ORIGINAL POSTERUnder DTV, can I stay the full 5 years leaving and coming back to Thailand right after every 6 months?
I read I can extend for more 180 days inside the country one time... Is this rule only apply once for the entire 5 years? Or after 360 days I can leave the country come back get 6 more months and extend inside the country for more 6 montha again an so on?
What are the rules on that?
I read I can extend for more 180 days inside the country one time... Is this rule only apply once for the entire 5 years? Or after 360 days I can leave the country come back get 6 more months and extend inside the country for more 6 montha again an so on?
What are the rules on that?
TLDR : Answer Summary
Under the DTV visa, you can stay for a total of 5 years by exiting and re-entering Thailand every 180 days. When you leave the country after 180 days, you can come back and receive another 180 days. Additionally, you have the option to extend your stay for another 180 days from within Thailand, but this requires resubmitting all documentation and can be complicated. Many expats prefer the simpler method of exiting and returning to avoid the hassle of extensions.
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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Anonymous ******************
Yes 5 years visa. After 180 continuous days, you have 2 options.
1) Exit and come back to get another 180 days
2) Apply for extension at Immigration. When you apply for extension, you will need to submit the entire set of the documentation you used originally when applying for DTV. It’s like applying for DTV itself again. If there are any discrepancies, your extension might get rejected. Heck they might even craw back your original DTV if they found out it was misrepresented or invalid eg you no longer sign up at your favorite cooking class. Additionally, there might be tax implications staying past 180 days.
Tell me again why anyone would consider extension?
1) Exit and come back to get another 180 days
2) Apply for extension at Immigration. When you apply for extension, you will need to submit the entire set of the documentation you used originally when applying for DTV. It’s like applying for DTV itself again. If there are any discrepancies, your extension might get rejected. Heck they might even craw back your original DTV if they found out it was misrepresented or invalid eg you no longer sign up at your favorite cooking class. Additionally, there might be tax implications staying past 180 days.
Tell me again why anyone would consider extension?
Muay *************
The general consensus is that extending in country is very difficult and not worth the hassle.
Kurt *************
You can max stay 180 days pr entry. But you can come and go as you please and everytime you come back you get another 180.
DTV_Be*******
Yes
Sina ***********
You can leave whenever you want sub 180 days and it resets when you come back. Ive done multiple few weeks/short months, left, came back and it always resets.
Pete *******
Exit and return every 180 days for the full 5 years to save yourself any hassle,
Martin *********
When I apply can I use my girlfriends address as my permanent address for 5 years?
James ********
So long as you use it as it's the residence address filed with your TM30 address registration with the Thai Immigration office.
Martin *********
@James *******
Many thanks JamesReply to
Martin *********
Reply
Wannikea *********
@Martin ********
ask your girlfriendReply to
Wannikea *********
Reply
Martin *********
@Pete ******
Does that mean just leave Thailand for a day or 2 every 180 days then straight back again?Pete *******
@Martin ********
yepReply to
Pete *******
Reply
ElÃas ********
You can
Greg ********
You can extend for 180 days for every entry to make it a total of 360 days.
👻_****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Greg *******
in this case I leave once a year, right? I can extend 180 days inside Thailand 4 times?just double checking
Greg ********
👻_I_DU You can extend once per entry. The requirements to extend are pretty much the same as you submitted to embassy initially. There might be slight variations at each Immigration Office.
Reply to
Greg ********
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