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Do I need to be enrolled in soft power activities during my checks for the DTV visa in Thailand?

DTV visa soft power visa extension Thailand expat visa rules soft power activities

Sep 19, 2025

14 days ago

Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi all. New to this and learning a lot.  My question is regarding the soft power DTV.  ￼ I believe if granted it covers you for five years, but you need to check in every six months to extend. Does that mean that you need to be enrolled in one of the soft power activities every time you check in?  

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The DTV visa, if granted, allows for a five-year stay but requires check-ins every 90 days. During these check-ins, you may need to show proof of enrollment in the soft power activities to extend your visa while in Thailand. However, many expats opt for a 'border run' every 180 days to renew their visa stamp instead of attending ongoing courses.

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Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks all. A border run every 180 days seems easier than 5 years of cooking classes.

14 days ago

Kool *******

If you extend it inside Thailand you will need to provide all the original documents you used to get it, and they need to be updated, including your courses.

14 days ago

Greg ********

If you extend at an Immigration Office in Thailand you will need to prove ongoing courses. However, the overwhelming majority choose to do a border run to get a new 180 day stamp. Currently, there are no checks that you have ongoing courses booked.

14 days ago

Jon ************

btw, you need to check in every 90 days. At 6 months, you either need to leave for a trip, or do the extension. Can't speak to the enrollment personally.

14 days ago

Brandon ************

You should not extend. Just leave Thailand and return to get a new 180 day stamp.

14 days ago

Reply to

Brandon ************

Is there a limit on leaving Thailand during the first 6 months on a soft power DTV visa?

4 comments

24 days ago

How can I obtain confirmation of a soft power activity for a DTV visa in Thailand?

15 comments

a month ago