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What are the best options for DTV visa holders in Thailand at the six-month mark: extension or border run?
Jan 11, 2026
4 months ago
Thailand **********
ORIGINAL POSTERFor those of you that have your DTV visa, what are you doing at your six months point? Are you applying for an extension and if so does that require additional paperwork, and everything needs to be shown again like proof of funds? Or are people making border runs or leaving and coming back for other purposes? Thank you in advanceš Also, Iām in Thailand if anybody has a specific experience to here?
TLDR : Answer Summary
When you reach the six-month mark on your DTV visa in Thailand, most expats opt to leave the country for a short trip (known as a border run) rather than applying for an extension, as the latter often requires resubmission of all initial documentation and additional paperwork. Many have found that border runs, which can be quick and straightforward, are preferable to extending in-country due to the complexities involved with immigration offices. Traveling every few months can also help avoid the hassle of reapplying for 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.
Pelle Erikssonā
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Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...recently on Facebook
Luca G.ā
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I used this agency for my DTV Visa...recently on Google
Trusted DTV Visa Agent
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Amornrat **********
Permission to post. We will have our first trip from Bangkok to Wang Lilian via Hat Yai. Once completed will do a trip report
Thailand **********
ORIGINAL POSTERBangkok currently
Daniel ***********
Go by air one day, return the next = 180 more days. Thats it
Thailand **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Daniel **********
ļæ¼ļæ¼ thank you, this is exactly how I will do itReply to
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James ********
Do yourself a BIG FAVOR... leave Thailand and reenter to get the new 180 day stamp.
Thailand **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@James *******
Thanks for the advice and yes, this seems way easier than exactly the way I will do it!Reply to
Thailand **********
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Ben ********
It's very simple, just do a border run, it can be as quick as you want it to be.
After being in Thailand for 180 days, don't you want to visit somewhere new anyway?
After being in Thailand for 180 days, don't you want to visit somewhere new anyway?
Thailand **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Ben *******
yes Iāll just do this a simple board run, thank youReply to
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David ********
I plan to take trips every 2-3 months around the APAC region thus eliminating the 90 day and 6 month situation, but if I was staying for a straight 6 month stint I'd take a trip over attempting to extend in country.
Mick *****
I've heard you have to redo all the documents to extend. Me and the wife would rarely go 6 months without travelling so we just plan a trip, it just seems easier. I believe we are doing Hong Kong in Feb.
Thailand **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Mick ****
definitely sounds like the easiest wayReply to
Thailand **********
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Winston ************
Extensions are hard to get. Most people leave at or before the 180 day and come back.
Thailand **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Winston ***********
sounds like the solution for me, most people donāt seem to have any problems at all doing thisReply to
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Suhaan *********
It's an headache with multiple visits to IO, redoing the documentation, additional documents, again additional documents.
I did my extension twice by flying to Penang and Singapore. Best book a flight and comeback with a new 6 months stamp.
I did my extension twice by flying to Penang and Singapore. Best book a flight and comeback with a new 6 months stamp.
James ********
Wise advice ā
Thailand **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Suhaan ********
thanks for the advice, this is how Iāll do itReply to
Thailand **********
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Dany ********
border run.
extension needs all documents again. freshly dated. plus additional residency proof, depending on the immigration office.
extension needs all documents again. freshly dated. plus additional residency proof, depending on the immigration office.
Thailand **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Dany *******
thanks, it does sound a lot easierDany ********
@Thailand *********
yeah the extension is quite some effort. i needed 3 visits to IO to get mine a year agoā¦Thailand **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Dany *******
definitely not going down that roadReply to
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DTVPeck********
A couple of weeks ago, I did a same day border bounce at the Chiang Khong crossing into Laos. Had no issues, but I had an agent with me.
Thailand **********
ORIGINAL POSTERDTVPeckerBeggar where are you finding your agents?
James ********
Where do you live in Thailand?
Reply to
James ********
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Nikki *****************
DTVPeckerBeggar we just did the same with the Satun -Malaysian border. One day in and out,arranged by an visa agent
Thailand **********
ORIGINAL POSTERDTVPeckerBeggar thanks for your input
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Kool *******
Most immigration offices are not allowing the extension, as it is much easier to just exit, and return. To extend you need all your documentation that you originally used updated. This makes it much easier to just leave, and return.
Paul *********
@Kool ******
Do you need any documentation when you reenter?Thailand **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Kool ******
100%! Thank you for your adviceReply to
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