Unanswereda year ago

How can I successfully apply for a 180-day extension on a DTV visa in Chiang Mai?

DTV Visa Visa Extension Chiang Mai Thailand Immigration Visa Regulations Border Run

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

asked Sep 30, 2025

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Hello! I'm trying to apply for a 180-day

extension on a DTV visa in Chiang Mai. Has anyone succeeded? Is it still difficult?

Summary so far

Applying for a 180-day extension on a DTV visa in Chiang Mai is reportedly very difficult, with only a few successful cases. Many expats recommend opting for a border run instead, as immigration offices enforce stringent requirements for in-country extensions. It's suggested to be prepared with necessary documentation like leases and TM30 forms, but the process remains challenging. If the DTV was issued in Southeast Asia, extensions may be refused.

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

Saw an advert on this group for borderrun under 2k thb from chiang mai

a year ago

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

Oh no... Thanks for the info.

a year ago

Greg ********

Anonymous participant You can do a one day border run in a nice car - 2500 for the car and your Laos visa costs etc. I think you get back Chiang Mai late afternoon. Probably quicker than an extension if you need a few trips to the airport office.

a year ago

Michael ********

@Greg *******

it’s about 4-5 hours one way I think. Depending on traffic. So definitely a full day thing. Still, might be alright if you can just sit on your laptop in a van or watch a movie.

Personally I’ve been flying out. Vietnam earlier this year. Hong Kong a couple weeks ago. Fast and convenient, minus we’ll get a little short trip out of it.

a year ago

Greg ********

@Michael *******

If it was me I would do same as you. Have a few days somewhere on a short flight. I have completed 2 borders run previously. Each was to get a Visa Exempt so I could move to a B from and O and from a B to an O. Years later I do not have good memories of either :-) :-)

a year ago

Sean *******

If you're DTV is issued in SE Asia then you'll be refused.

a year ago

Anna *********

It’s very difficult only read about 2 successful ones Every one else flies out and the returns

a year ago

Greg ********

There have been a couple of reports in this group - have a search. One was quite recent and ended up needing a border run. It is the airport office that deals with DTV Extensions and it seems they have one officer for this.

a year ago

Tod *********

The immigration offices all over the country are sticking to very stringent requirements to get an extension on a DTV. You basically meet all the requirements you met when you applied for the visa (and have lease/TM30, 90 day report receipt etc)

I'd say you are far better flying out and back in to get a new 180 day entry stamp rather than fooling with trying to jump thru the required hoops to get an in country extension

a year ago

Luit *****************

@Tod ********

What is so difficult about just proving you comply to the requirements and also respect normal reporting rules? Everybody just using the visa in a correct way should be able to do this.

a year ago

Tod *********

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

all I was saying is that it's basically the same criteria (aside from proof of residence) that you used to apply for the visa in the first place

I wasn't making any call on whether people should or shouldn't do in country extensions, just pointing out bouncing out/back is often the easier of the two options

Didn't mean to yank your chain...

Just curious, how many 180 day extensions have you gotten on your DTV from the immigration office ?

a year ago