Ask question

This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.

What is the best way to extend a DTV visa in Thailand - through an immigration office or a border bounce?

DTV visa extension Thailand immigration visa rules border bounce visa requirements Chiang Mai Airport expatriate living in Thailand

Jul 11, 2025

3 days ago

Luis **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hello everybody, I will need to extend my stay with the DTV for another 6 months at the end of this month. I understand I can either go to the immigration office and pay the fee, or I can also exit the country and come back again

Any suggestions on which of these two options is recommended?

664

views

0

likes

30

all likes

24

replies

0

images

7

users

TLDR : Answer Summary

The discussion revolves around extending a DTV visa in Thailand, where two primary options are debated: applying for an extension at an immigration office or performing a border bounce (exiting and reentering the country). Some users recommend the border bounce as it seems less complicated, while others suggest caution, particularly regarding updated documentation required for an extension, especially in Chiang Mai. The conversation highlights potential challenges in extending a DTV visa in-country.

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 Eriksson

Pelle Eriksson★★★★★

Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...

recently on Facebook

Luca G.

Luca G.★★★★★

I used this agency for my DTV Visa...

recently on Google

Trusted DTV Visa Agent

OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED

#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND

Bob **********

Border bounce a lot of people have had problems trying to extend in country

Like

Reply

Luis **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

what do you do? take a plane somewhere for a couple days and then return?

Like

Reply

Bob **********

@Luis *********

you can go and return the same day if you like

Like

Reply

Reply to

Bob **********

Reply

Tore *********

It depends. I plan to do the extension. But I have maintained funds in thai bank, got all the medical papers from past, ongoing and future treatments.

Like

Reply

Anonymous ******************

you aren’t supposed to have a Thai bank account on this visa.

Like

Reply

Tore *********

Anonymous participant 868 yea you are and you can. No laws says you can’t, and Bangkok Bank has a specific clause about medical treatment. Bank account reason: Pay hospital bills. For any visa over 3 months.

Like

Reply

Luis **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

> Bangkok Bank has a specific clause about medical treatment

what is that?

Like

Reply

Tore *********

@Luis *********

the banks rules for a foreigner opening bank account. If you can prove than 3 months medical treatment in Thailand.

There is no law against Bank account on DTV or even tourist visa. Banks make their own rules. They just have to follow anti money laundering laws from government. Which means more paperwork hassle for the bank. And they especially don’t like to open for Americans due to extra paperwork.

I have a Thai partner that called for me to check the rules. And i got a Bank account in first branch I tried (not the same she called)

Its gotten more difficult lately though, but if under actual medical treatment it should still be possible

Like

Reply

Reply to

Tore *********

Reply

Anonymous ******************

Leave they won’t extend it they don’t want to.

Like

Reply

Luis **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Anonymous participant 868 why would they even want to kick me out of they country, even when I am fulfilling every requirement to be able to stay?

Like

Reply

Anonymous ******************

@Luis *********

they don’t want to do extensions for this visa. They make it harder than the original application for that reason.

Like

Reply

Luis **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Anonymous participant 868 why they dont want to do extensions for this visa? I mean, this is within the visa conditions

Like

Reply

Reply to

Luis **********

Reply

John **********

If you go for an extension then you have to provide updated documents for for everything including the reason you obtained the DTV, additionally some offices want you to show you had 500k baht for a month before you apply. A border bounce is much simpler

Like

Reply

Luis **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@John *********

i can show all the documents though... I mean, it is not a problem, and definitely gathering some documents is less of a hassle that getting out and back in the border

Like

Reply

John **********

@Luis *********

the documents need to be updated, not the ones you previously showed plus you need to show the 500k baht in the bank. It's up to you which route you choose but note you can only extend once then you have to leave anyway

Like

Reply

Reply to

John **********

Reply

Elizabeth ********

@John *********

so if you border bounce it’s just a re-entry?

Like

Reply

John **********

@Elizabeth *******

yes, although you can be asked for funds etc its unlikely

Like

Reply

Reply to

John **********

Reply

Elías ********

No brainer: exit and reenter

Like

Reply

Elías ********

Just avoid using Chiang Mai Airport

Like

Reply

Luis **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Elías *******

eh? why? :/

Like

Reply

Anonymous ******************

@Luis *********

because they might make you show all the updated requirements there also. This is not a residence visa for 5 years, it’s just a tourist visa.

Like

Reply

Luis **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Anonymous participant 868 only in chiang mai airport?

Like

Reply

Reply to

Luis **********

Reply

Lena *******

@Elías *******

Well that's inconvenient

Like

Reply

Anonymous ******************

@Elías *******

Why are people recommending to avoid Chiang Mai airport?

Like

Reply

Reply to

Anonymous ******************

Reply

What are the extension options for a DTV visa in Thailand?

48 comments

a month ago

Is it easier to do a border run than applying for a 6-month extension on a DTV in Thailand?

7 comments

a month ago

Is it better to extend a Cambodia visa or do a border bounce to Vietnam?

8 comments

a month ago

Is it safe to do a border bounce at PoiPet to activate my DTV?

21 comments

2 months ago

How do I extend my DTV visa in Thailand, and what is the process for obtaining a 180-day stamp?

11 comments

2 months ago

Can I extend my DTV visa in Thailand by crossing the border to Myanmar?

15 comments

2 months ago

What is the process for extending a DTV visa in Thailand after the initial six months?

10 comments

3 months ago

What are the options for extending my DTV visa while living in Chiang Mai, Thailand?

4 comments

3 months ago

Can I border bounce on a DTV from Pattaya to extend my stay in Thailand?

10 comments

3 months ago

What are the best options for extending a DTV visa from Chiang Mai?

4 comments

3 months ago

Should I extend my DTV visa or do a 1-day border hop via plane?

17 comments

4 months ago

How can I find an agent in Pattaya to extend my DTV visa for another 180 days in Thailand?

5 comments

4 months ago

What are the best options for a border run from Thailand if my tourist visa is about to expire?

23 comments

5 months ago

Is it easier to extend a DTV visa in Chiang Mai or to do a border run?

5 comments

5 months ago

What is the best option for leaving Thailand after 180 days on a DTV visa: flight or border run agency?

10 comments

5 months ago

What are my options for extending my visa in Thailand given my financial situation?

10 comments

5 months ago

What are the requirements and challenges for extending a DTV visa in Thailand, and is a border run a better option?

128 comments

6 months ago

What are the pros and cons of extending a DTV Visa versus leaving the country when reaching the 180-day mark?

41 comments

6 months ago

Is doing a border bounce in Chiang Rai a good way to reset my 90-day reporting and driving license validity in Thailand?

11 comments

6 months ago

What is the process and documentation required to extend a DTV visa in Thailand without leaving the country?

55 comments

6 months ago

How far in advance can I extend my DTV for another 180 days before expiration, and when does the new period start?

13 comments

7 months ago

Do I need to return to my home country for a DTV extension after 6 months in Thailand?

34 comments

7 months ago

Do I need to submit paperwork again for a DTV extension or can I just do a border run every 150 days?

15 comments

8 months ago

What is the simplest way to do a border bounce from Hua Hin after extending a METV in Thailand?

41 comments

2 years ago

Should I do a border bounce or seek an extension for my 30-day visa exemption in Thailand?

7 comments

7 years ago

What is the best cannabis dispensary in Bangkok?

7 comments

a month ago

Where can I find the best cannabis dispensary in Chon Buri?

9 comments

a month ago

What are the best dispensaries in Phuket?

21 comments

a month ago

What is the best cannabis dispensary in Surat Thani?

16 comments

a month ago

Where can I find the best weed in Chiang Mai?

8 comments

a month ago

Data protection policy Terms and conditions Disclaimer Privacy policy Refund policy

The asq:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.