I currently hold a DTV visa, and my stamp is valid until the 19th of January. I’ve already been in Thailand for almost six months.
A couple of days ago, I visited Immigration Division 1. I had received an email from them with a list of documents I needed to submit, and I ensured I had everything prepared. However, upon speaking with them, it turned out that my paperwork wasn’t sufficient. I had submitted proof of 500,000 baht across various bank accounts, but the superintendent also required a screenshot of... producing the statement. Additionally, they asked for a letter explaining my work and income since my arrival, as well as my future plans.
As they explained, I was the first person with a DTV visa to request an extension, and it seemed they were still trying to figure out the process themselves.
Today, I returned with the additional documents they requested, but it still wasn’t enough. Now, they are asking for bank statements for each account covering the last 30 days, and they plan to use the lowest balance in each statement to calculate the total sum of 500,000 baht.
On top of that, I was informed that I should have reported to “Counter A” after staying in Thailand for 90 days. And Because I didn’t, there’s now a fine of 2,000 baht. Stupid of me, but I didn’t happen to hear about this requirement.
The staff mentioned they are waiting for further instructions by Friday and I would need to check back with them by that day.
However, I’m starting to feel concerned. What if I submit everything again and it still isn’t enough? So now, I’m considering doing a border run, possibly tomorrow. From what I’ve been told, re-entering the country would automatically grant me another 180 days, avoiding all the complications with the extension process.
The officer I dealt with was polite and genuinely seemed to want to help, but it was clear they were uncertain about the requirements themselves and therefore they were being cautious and kind of… creative.
I thought I’d share my experience here, as it might be helpful to others in a similar situation.
If anyone has advice about the border run, I’d appreciate it. I’m about to look now into the cheapest destinations for a quick trip. I’m thinking of even staying for two nights wherever I go and maybe make something nice out of this experience.
Any recommendations or insights would be greatly appreciated!
TLDR : Answer Summary
The original poster described their experience in seeking an extension for their DTV visa in Thailand, which involves meeting specific financial and documentation requirements. They faced difficulties with the immigration office regarding the submission of bank proofs and were fined for failing to complete a mandatory 90-day report. Frustrated with the lengthy extension process and the uncertainty from immigration officials, the poster is considering a border run to re-enter Thailand and obtain a new 180-day stamp. They sought advice from the community regarding the border run and shared their insights for others in similar situations.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
