Answereda year ago
What are the requirements for extending a DTV visa in Thailand, especially regarding address duration?
I came to extend my DTV visa to another 180 days (ko samui). Because of the high season and because i have a dog (super hard to find accommodation with a dog), i moved a lot and only recently found a more permanent home. Anyway, apparently, one of the ridiculous requirements for extending, is that you need to be 3 months at the same home when you are applying... Considering this visa was designed for digital NOMADS, this is an incredibly stupid rule. I have all requirements for the extension beside that stupid thing, I'm in samui so the flight is relatively long and expensive, I would prefer to save the time, energy and money that will be spent on it without any reason whatsoever, but whatever. Heads up to all nomads on dtv out there that move a lot.
Answer summary
An expat in Koh Samui expresses frustration over a requirement to stay at the same address for three months to extend their DTV visa, highlighting the challenges faced by digital nomads due to accommodation difficulties and expensive travel. The post discusses various opinions from the community about immigration rules, alternatives like short trips abroad for new extensions, and the overall perception that immigration offices are becoming stricter with requirements.
33 repliesnewest first
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Vlad ******
There’s a visa place in building next to Samui immigration. Ask them to help you out. Will be a lot cheaper than a border bounce.
Anonymous ******************
Maybe they search and screen for only tourists who have ability to spend money like can be traveling around in and out. Not just extended only in Thailand. That’s why they keep putting more ‘ridiculous rules’ just to screen tourists.
Anonymous ******************
Thats utter bs
Stefan ********
Yep I just assume I'll have to leave the country every 6 months and that's it. I don't even consider an extension
마리오 ***
Why don’t you move somewhere cheaper and more conducive to having a dog? Samui is notorious for cost and housing issues.
Todd *********
Real nomads wouldn’t stay 6 months in one place anyway. Just carry on nomadding and avoid extending. You can just leave and return
Brandon ************
Immigration offices are quite clearly not wanting to give DTV extensions. You just need to read a few posts here about them making crazy requirements, and then once you meet those requirements they add new ones and then tell you to just leave Thailand and return.
Elías ********
I won't argue that it sounds like a stupid rule, but, nothing that a short (like same-day) trip abroad can't solve. You can take a flight in the morning, then come back in the evening, and voilà, you get 180 more days.
Delfina *********
The Dogfather Petresort can take care your dog and you can flye Surat bkk penang or samui direct singapour same day out and back in
Anonymous ******************
You can fly international from samui.
If you're truly a resident with paperwork to prove it, Bangkok airways gives you discount (I know because I'm a resident)
If you're truly a resident with paperwork to prove it, Bangkok airways gives you discount (I know because I'm a resident)
Vitaly ********
I find very hard to believe there’s a requirement like this. Sounds like a language barrier thing. I’m pretty sure I know the officer you talked too - he loves giving falang a hard time, but then everything turns out hunky dory
Brandon ************
@Vitaly *******
Immigration offices DO NOT want to give extensions for DTV. Each office can set their own requirements and most have made it all but impossible to get a DTV extension.
Rich ****
@Brandon ***********
If he left the country before the 180 expiration, wouldn't it be a non issue to reenter and renew the visa as it was originally designed?Brandon ************
@Rich ***
it was designed to allow one extension per entry. But that was created by the MFA and immigration doesn't like it. So just leave and return bypasses that and gets you a fresh 180 days.Vitaly ********
@Brandon ***********
lots of people here report getting their DTV extensions. It's a fair bit of paperwork, but not as bad as Non-Imm visas
Peter *********
They don't want people extending that's why. Just bounce.
Roxana ******
@Peter ********
exactly
Dany ********
unfortunately just a very random samui office requirement as it seems. fly and out and back in.
Anonymous ******************
It sounds like you didn’t do much research before settling down. Samui is a popular and expensive tourist island. In fact, it has some of the most expensive domestic flights in Thailand, as the airport is controlled by Bangkok Airways. If you're looking to save money, you can take a ferry to the mainland and catch a cheaper flight from Surat Thani. There are also plenty of pet clinics around the island where you can leave your dog for a while if needed. Many people are choosing to leave the country altogether just to avoid dealing with immigration issues. In the end, you’ll need to make a choice between settling down and holding a "nomad visa".
Todd *********
Anonymous participant 868 if you had done any research you would know of the Samui Resident discount card for BKK airways. All part of why Samui is so awesome.
Many people leave every nation because they hadn’t adequately considered the immigration/residency options. But simply put, Thailand has never been easier than now with DTV and LTR
Many people leave every nation because they hadn’t adequately considered the immigration/residency options. But simply put, Thailand has never been easier than now with DTV and LTR
Anonymous ******************
@Todd ********
Yep I used to have one on a Non-B there 😉... Can DTV get that card? For what I've found, it's not possible.Anonymous ******************
@Todd ********
Right. Don't get me wrong I still think Samui is an amazing place to live for the long-term. You just need to pay the price for it or get the right long-term visa.Todd *********
Anonymous participant 868 good point, the rules for the card can be far more complex than necessary. Nothing about DTV should preclude it, but given the challenges DTV holders are facing with banking, maybe it's a problem
Vitaly ********
Anonymous participant 868 Samui’s immigration is a piece of cake compared to Chaeng Wattana. Flights are expensive indeed, unless you get a resident card from Bkk Air
Anonymous ******************
@Vitaly *******
Agree. You're right on the card... I used to have one but doubt DTV holders can get it.
Tan ************
Pet hospitals provide accommodation for your pets
Todd *********
@Tan ***********
yes, lots of good pet hotels or willing dogsitters on SamuiAnonymous ******************
Most fly in and out of Thailand the same day and get another 180 days.
Todd *********
Anonymous participant 655 most take vacations every year
Stuart *********
Each office set their own requirements. TBH they don’t want to do the extensions so will set the bar really high to get one.
ScenicQ*******
Try an agent
Anonymous ******************
What you will learn about Thailand There are rules that don't exist and rules that get ignored it's pot luck really is
25 years of story's lol
25 years of story's lol
David ********
I never had that issue maybe it's just Samui that is setting that rule
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