Answereda year ago
What are the key points and requirements for applying for a DTV 180-day extension in Thailand?
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If you're applying for your DTV 180-day extension at immigration, make sure to do so at least two weeks before your visa expires.
This was a small but important detail I wasn’t aware of. Despite preparing a very comprehensive document package to support my application, I was turned away because I applied only 10 days before my visa's expiration date.
The immigration officer was very helpful and suggested I do a visa run instead.
I flew out to Malaysia and returned via Phuket Airport. Note: Arrivals are now required to complete a digital arrival card in advance. Honestly, this streamlined the entire process. You’ll have the option to list your employment - I listed myself as Founder and CEO of my own corporations, which I operate remotely - and you can also include your visa number for immigration reference.
Thanks to the new digital system, the entire re-entry process was smooth and hassle-free.
Edit: I had applied through Phuket Immigration Office.
This was a small but important detail I wasn’t aware of. Despite preparing a very comprehensive document package to support my application, I was turned away because I applied only 10 days before my visa's expiration date.
The immigration officer was very helpful and suggested I do a visa run instead.
I flew out to Malaysia and returned via Phuket Airport. Note: Arrivals are now required to complete a digital arrival card in advance. Honestly, this streamlined the entire process. You’ll have the option to list your employment - I listed myself as Founder and CEO of my own corporations, which I operate remotely - and you can also include your visa number for immigration reference.
Thanks to the new digital system, the entire re-entry process was smooth and hassle-free.
Edit: I had applied through Phuket Immigration Office.
Answer summary
The post discusses the application process for a DTV 180-day extension in Thailand, emphasizing the importance of applying at least two weeks before the current visa's expiration date. The author shares a personal experience of being turned away when applying only ten days prior and opting for a visa run to Malaysia instead. They also mention the ease of the new digital arrival card (TDAC) process that facilitates re-entry into Thailand. Several comments provide differing insights about visa application policies, suggesting that some offices allow applications with shorter notice than stated by the author, debate the challenges faced at immigration, and share additional experiences regarding extension requirements.
24 repliesnewest first
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Lezlie **********
When doing the border run do they ask for the same information needed to apply for the dtv or is it a simpler process?
Luit *****************
Most times they don't ask anything, but they have the right to ask, so try to keep documents available online, just in case.
Anonymous ******************
They are just inventing more rules as they go along. Its very obvious they don't want to do DTV extentions if they can avoid it (DTV is hurting immigration tea money and side businesses like visa run company's) , but they cannot come out and say it as would cause issues with MFA. People need to take the hint and just hit a border
Luit *****************
Anonieme deelnemer 603 I do not see any invented rules here, although not accepting an application 10 days before is a bit strange.
Anonymous ******************
@Luit ****************
All immigration rules for DTV extensions are invented office by office, there is no official policy/rulebook from the topLuit *****************
Anonieme deelnemer 603 Some months ago I did see official guidelines posted in this group, but in Thailand every office will interpret this in their own way, but that is different from inventing rules.
Peter *********
They're deliberately making it hard because they want you to bounce not extend.
Wannikea *********
Amazingly adept at goalpost moving.
Greg ********
I have returned twice now in May and used TDAC. Each time I asked if they want TDAC on phone and both times pointed to screen and said no need. Yesterday there was about 10 Chinese in my queue sent back for not completing it. When it was first implemented they were checking it was complete before they allowed to queue. Not yesterday.
Winston ************
Visa run is the common sense thing to do anyway.
Alexey *********
OPI do see lots of people recommending the Visa route, however I did want to go through the process of extending it through proper channels at least once for my own benefit.
I know a few people in this group shared varying experiences trying to extend at immigration.
Wasn't a total loss, learned something to share.
I know a few people in this group shared varying experiences trying to extend at immigration.
Wasn't a total loss, learned something to share.
Greg ********
@Alexey ********
I extended another visa at immigration today. As I had completed a TDAC they wanted a printout of that and signed. It is not on the list of extension requirements I have seen but a few in the queue were sent to get copies. This was Chiang Mai.Greg ********
@Alexey ********
Kt is brand new as TDAC started May 1st. I had a comprehensive list of requirements from immigration but they have not added on TDAC yet. It will probably be needed for all interactions with migration like the paper version TM6 was. My agent did not need it to update TM30 yesterday though.Alexey *********
OP@Greg *******
very interesting. Thank you for sharing the DTAC requirement. I dont think many people know this at allGreg ********
@Winston ***********
Maybe for Soft Power. Workaytion is quicker and cheaper if you still qualifyTod *********
That is not correct, dunno what office you applied for the extension at but there is NO RULE that says you have to apply for an extension BEFORE your current stamp runs out
Most offices allow you to apply for an extension when you have 30 days or less left on your stamp (Bangkok, Chiang Mai and a few others allow you to do it when you have 45 days or less left)
You can apply for an extension right up to the day your current stamp runs out.
Sorry you couldn't get the extension, they just pulled that imaginary rule out of their back side
Glad you bounced out and back, You're correct the TDAC is easy to do and you don't even have to fill in any field that doesn't have an asterisks next to it.
Most offices allow you to apply for an extension when you have 30 days or less left on your stamp (Bangkok, Chiang Mai and a few others allow you to do it when you have 45 days or less left)
You can apply for an extension right up to the day your current stamp runs out.
Sorry you couldn't get the extension, they just pulled that imaginary rule out of their back side
Glad you bounced out and back, You're correct the TDAC is easy to do and you don't even have to fill in any field that doesn't have an asterisks next to it.
Tod *********
Just curious, what office did you try to get the extension at?
Alexey *********
OP@Tod ********
I applied at Phuket Immigration.The immigration officer at the counter reviewed at my passport stamp, and before I could even hand over my supporting documents, he escalated the matter to a senior officer or supervisor who brought me to a separate kiosk.
After a brief review, the supervisor quickly pointed to my original DTV stamp and informed me that I wouldn’t be eligible, as I was already within the 14-day expiration period. Seemed like a firm no-go.
I hadn’t heard of this rule before, which is why I wanted to share it here in case it helps someone else facing a similar issue.
Open to others commenting, perhaps this is a new restriction? Does anyone know for sure?
Stuart *********
@Brandon ***********
Of course.
Brandon ************
@Stuart ********
And then they find a new reason to reject you, right?Stuart *********
@Tod ********
Yep. You have to apply at least 15 days before the stamp runs out.Alexey *********
OPGood call, ill add that in
Tod *********
@Alexey ********
really though, thanx for the update about it, can't hurt to let people know. With 80 offices in the country though you might want to edit your post and say it was the Phuket office in it 🙂Tod *********
@Alexey ********
I can probably count on one hand with fingers left over the number of DTV extensions people have gotten from Phuket, 😮 They seem hellbent on finding ANY reason to tell people to bounce out/back rather than doing their jobs, vetting the documents, and giving the extensions 🙁
@
Stuart ******
ng you heard about this at all?Activity
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