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What are the requirements for a successful DTV extension application in Thailand?

Mar 11, 2025
2 days ago
## Rejected: DTV Extension at Chiang Mai Immigration

Last week, I attempted to extend my DTV visa for another 180 days at Chiang Mai Immigration but was unsuccessful. I hold a DTV under the Workcation category.

## Documents Prepared:

* Work verification letter (updated with a recent date)

* House rental contract

* Bank certificate showing a balance of over 500K THB

* Bank statements for the last six months

* 90-day report receipt copy

* TM30

* TM7 visa extension request form

The immigration officer confirmed that the documents provided were sufficient for consideration. However, my extension request was denied due to an issue with my bank statements.

## Reason for Rejection:

The officer pointed out that I had deposited 100K THB into my account just two days before applying for the extension. According to their policy, the required 500K THB balance must be maintained in the same account for at least 30 days before the extension request.

I explained that I have two bank accounts—one for savings and another for daily use. My savings account had maintained over 400K THB for the past six months, and I had transferred 100K THB from my daily-use account to meet the 500K requirement. I even showed my mobile banking app to prove that the transfer came from my own account.

However, they insisted that the last 30 days' balance must show 500K THB in the same account, and my transfer just two days before didn’t meet their guideline. Since I couldn't argue further, I had no choice but to accept the decision. While I find this rule frustrating, I don't want to blame them. I just wish their guidelines were publicly available.

## What I Learned:

If you’re applying for a DTV extension, make sure that the 500K THB balance is in the same account for at least 30 days before your extension request.

Since my extension was denied, I had to do a border bounce and am now back in Thailand. Lesson learned!
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user shared their experience of having their DTV (digital nomad visa) extension denied at Chiang Mai Immigration, despite having all necessary documents. The main issue was related to bank statements, as a recent deposit of 100K THB did not meet the 30-day requirement for demonstrating a minimum balance of 500K THB in a single account. This experience underlines the importance of adhering to Thai immigration rules, especially regarding pre-existing financial conditions prior to applying for a visa extension. The user emphasized the need for clearer public guidelines from immigration.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Greg ********
Agree. It would be good if all requirements for extension were published. It also does not help matters that different Immigration Offices often have different requirements. This is not just for DTV either.
Vinoth *****
Can you explain the process of creating a bank account on a dtv visa ?
Nic *******
Very helpful! Thanks
Adrian ***************
How long did you have to leave
Dca *****
Well, for the many years, decades even, of the have stayed and are staying in Thailand on Marriage Extensions, Retirement Extensions, Taking Care of a Thai Citizen Child Extensions, etc. all (nearly 80) local Thai Immigration Offices are very specific and precise about the minimum amount in a bank account (400k Baht, 800k Baht) for minimum and specific periods of time (seasoning of funds) in usually one(1) single bank account (e.g. if a joint name account, then usually Double the minimum amount would need to apply)....

Thus, not surprising that the funds requirement was rejected because of using 2 bank accounts, instead of one single bank account....
Kai ******************
"Tell me you don't want to extend my visa without telling me you don't want to extend my visa!"

"Sir, there is something wrong with your bank statement" or "you did not sign your bank statement" or "you have to sign your bank statement with black ink" or "you can't sign it with black ink if it's already signed with blue ink"...
Elliot ******
Michael ********
Thanks for sharing. I’m also in Chiang Mai, and I’m thinking at least for this first one I will do a border run. It also seems far too complicated to set everything up perfectly when I can spend half the time flying out and back in. That 30 days rule is kind of lame. Many of us have multiple bank accounts… oh well. I guess it is their attempt at fraud prevention so that’s good to know. Thanks for sharing really. It’s a good update.
Chris *********
Very good and useful brief. Thank you for taking the time to inform us.
Seun **********
@Chris ********
my exact sentiments. Thank you, "Anonymous participant"
Lee ***********
This is why I'm saying to just keep the 500k untouched for the duration of the visa.

Good write up, sorry you got subjected to this.

Thanks for sharing 👍
Felipe *********
@Lee **********
that's valid for me, sure, but not everyone has that money sitting around, most people won't even have that money at all, so way better to take a flight out.
Lee ***********
@Felipe ********
see if the tighten up more and start asking to see at each arrival as well! Flights and accommodation cost as well. Agreed may not be an option for everyone.
Christopher ********
They don’t want you to stay for a year consecutively that is why they are so picky and they will find a reason to deny you the extension because the visa was not built for you to stay there for years on end it was meant for people to go and come for a reason.
Brandon ************
@Christopher *******
Why would they not want you to stay for a year consecutively? Many people believe the DTV is to get people to become tax residents of Thailand after staying 180 days. If he couldn't extend and didn't want to stay longer, that wouldn't be the case. And they even told him to just leave and return, don't even have to spend a single day out of Thailand.
Ibra *********
Lesson learned 💯 thanks for sharing
Anonymous ******************
Was the bank statement you provided for the 180-day Immigration extension from your home country’s bank or a Thai bank?
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Anonymous participant 135 Thai banks
Seun **********
Anonymous participant how were you able to open a Thai account on a DTV?
Werner ************
Welcome to Thailand….exit and re-enter rather than dealing with the bureaucracy face to face
Tim *****************
From the start it’s been advised not to extend. It’s a digital nomad visa intended for users to spend some time in Thailand, not all of their time. It’s not a visa for residence. Spend a few weeks out of Thailand a year you’ll be fine for a couple of years on it, but trying to use it to stay for a few years is going to result in issues.

Use it likes it’s intended. Go digital nomad somewhere for a couple of weeks every couple of months or so.
Paul ********
@Tim ****************
When you say "you'll be fine for a couple of years" did you mean 5 years (the life of the DTV)?
Tim *****************
@Paul *******
sounds likely that similar to tourist visas - which this effectively is in terms of rights, and in TATs words - if you try and stay for a couple of years with just border bounces they might well reject. We’ll see of course, but something to be aware of that it has never been intended as a route to stay for 5 years. They’re purposely vague on this in the presentations I’ve been to for it, but you ask them directly it’s advised not to use it for this.
Md ********************
Off topic:

1. If I am to apply for e new DTV, do I need to show 5000 THB in the same bank account?

2. If you extend DTV after 180 days stay, do you need to pay tax to Thai government?
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Md *******************
as far as I known, for new application, you are good to have many accounts but meet minimum 500k amount in total. Not sure about tax .
Dany ********
that’s what i shared when i extended my DTV. money must be in the account for 30+ days.
Troy *******
I think with what most are saying it's best to leave for a few days and come back to restart the visa again it seems less issues when restarting the 6 months by leaving
Brandon ************
@Troy ******
No need to leave for a few days. Just leave and turn around and come back right away.
Chris ******
Just leave for a week and come back. I just did my first re-entry after spending 10 days outside Thailand. Absolutely no problems, not even a word from the immigration officer. They didn't ask for any financial proof, no questions, nothing.
Brandon ************
@Chris *****
Why waste time leaving for a week? Go, turn around immediately and come back. You don't even need to sleep in a different bed for a night.
Chris ******
@Brandon ***********
its not a waste of time visiting other countries. I enjoy it 🤣
Biff *******
The advice normally given to anyone who is about to apply for any kind of extension at an immigration office (apart from maybe a 30 day extension on a tourist visa/visa exempt) is to GO to the office you’re going to use way before you apply and ask them IN DETAIL exactly what they will require for that extension.

They’re happy to tell you so that when you do apply for the extension, you don’t waste anyone’s time (yours included) and it all goes smoothly.

It’s less frustrating if you do that, plus you’ve got time to get anything you’re missing before your stamp gets close to running out.
James *****
Why did you not exit the country and re enter
Dave *****
@James ****
tightarseritis.
James *****
Wannikea *********
No surprise here, we have known for two months that the complete 500K must season for a full month before applying for an extension. Why do people put themselves through this unless they have every T crossed and i dotted. You are going to be forced to border bounce in 6 months regardless, as only 1 possible extension per entry is allowed.
Alain ***************
Same same in Bangkok in February. The officer said day trip to Laos is the easiest way. I said this sounds only half-legal and i want to do it correctly. He smiled and said everything fine as long as i bring all the documents i just showed to him. Especially proof of reason why i stay in Thailand. I had a doctors letter explaining my treatment and a list of upcoming appointments he agreed that 30 days of 500k is stupid when I showed him a 200k medical bill. He doesn’t make the rules and explained it well and I never felt like he’s looking down on me like I’m sn unwanted foreigner. I thanked him and booked a return flight to vientiane during my BTS ride back to my condo. I took air asia from DMK to VTE and Laos airlines to BKK in the evening the same day. Spent 4 hours in the only coffee I found at wattay airport. They have good pork sausage spring rolls 🤣
Anonymous ******************
Thank you for sharing your experience, much appreciated. 🙏

I have one question: the work verification letter? What is that? Your work contract or a simple letter that you are a freelancer? Thank you again.

Also, did you find out before that if you extend the visa in the country you technically become tax liable? Since you stay more than 180days in the country. Let me know if you gained any insights on that.
James ********
Anonymous participant 502 you answered your own question ....if you are in Thailand for 180 days or more in a CALENDAR YEAR, you are considered a resident of Thailand for Thai income tax purposes.
Anonymous ******************
@James *******
thank you. Do you know if it has to be 180days or more consecutive to qualify?
James ********
Anonymous participant 502 it's ANY CUMULATIVE 180 days or more in a CALENDAR YEAR.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Anonymous participant 502 just a simple letter made by your employer that say you are still a active employee in that company or organization to this date.
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant Was the bank statement you provided for the 180-day Immigration extension from your home country’s bank or a Thai bank?
Anonymous ******************
I thought that was the rule always that 500k should in one account and not multiple accounts. And should be in the account for at least 1 month before the extension or 6 months when applying for the first time!
David ********
Anonymous participant 874 many, many people have reported here getting DTV with 500k deposited a few days prior to application
Anonymous ******************
@David *******
as I replied in the previous comment that different embassies/immigration office sets their own rules but what I mentioned here is the general rule for dtv. You've to check with the embassy/immigration office where you plan to apply for their own requirements.
Thiên ******
Anonymous participant 874 Probably for extension only? I applied in Ha Noi embassy with 2 account and it was approved
Anonymous ******************
@Thiên *****
well every embassy sets their own rules but the original rule is what I mentioned, however, not all embassies will follow this strictly. In fact there are some embassies which are even stricter regarding these. They require more documents like source of fund and income documents etc. That's why you have to check with the embassy or immigration office where you're applying for their requirements. Cheers
David ********
Anonymous participant 874 exactly not rocket science it's known fact
Vitaly ********
@David *******
not true. I wouldn’t try it myself, but I know for sure people successfully submitted statements from two bank accounts for retirement and guardian visa extensions
David ********
@Vitaly *******
I never heard that. I gave 6 months statements they checked and then check my bank app in phone. You can try to be dodgy if you want but you will not get passed
Itamar ************
So the visa is cancelled in this case or you can go out and in and get 6 more months?
Brandon ************
@Itamar ***********
Visas cannot be cancelled.
Daniel ********
@Itamar ***********
his request was cancelled. Not his VISA.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Itamar ***********
No. Visa was not cancelled. They just denied to give me extension. So I can go out and in back and got 6 months again
Ben ********
Anonymous participant where did you do the border bounce? And was it land or air?
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ben *******
Nong Khai - Vientiane land border
Anonymous ******************
so if the extension is denied, re-entering the country is still ok? Well also generally, not a good idea leaving money on ongoing balance because of scams and unauthorized transactions :/
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Anonymous participant 347 yeah. That's ok. They just denied to give me extension. So I can go out and in back and got 6 months again
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant Was the bank statement you provided for the 180-day Immigration extension from your home country’s bank or a Thai bank?
Stijn ***********
Do they really want to see all your bank statements for the last 6 months even when you are just extending for another 180 days? It seems not a lot of people would do the extention in Thailand with all this paperwork. It sounds way easier to just border hop and with the DTV there should be no issue whatsoever right? Or am I completely mistaken?
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stijn **********
yeah, they check the transaction details line by line. Border bounce is easier. No documents checked at border till now
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant Was the bank statement you provided for the 180-day Immigration extension from your home country’s bank or a Thai bank?
Marc **********
Anonymous participant will be coming soon enough with all of those out of work humans being replaced by face recognition bots.
Calvin ******
I’m curious, did you still need to pay any fee at immigration?
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Calvin *****
for extension? If they accept your request, you need to pay 1900 baht.
Calvin ******
Anonymous participant ah ok that’s good then. A waste of time for both parties, but at least for next time you know exactly what you need to do. Thanks :)
Calvin ******
Anonymous participant no I mean, yourself. So even though they rejected it, there was no fee due to them at all?
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Calvin *****
yeah, if they reject, no need to pay