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

What is the process for extending a Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) in Chiang Mai, Thailand?

May 30, 2025
3 days ago
Dennis ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Sharing my successful DTV extension experience at Chiang Mai Immigration (Workaction category). Took 2 visits, but I was approved for the full 6-month extension. Yes, it was a lot of documentation to provide, but I'm happy with taking this route for the 1,900THB fee over funding a border bounce. I hope this information is helpful to somebody out there!

What I Submitted:

* Passport

* TM7

* Copy of passport bio page

* Copy of visa page in passport

* Copy of entry stamp in passport

* Copy of TM30 (printout from landlord)

* Copy of 90-day report (and had to show the original)

* Bank account verification letter

* 3 months of bank statements (originally provided 6 but the officer gave 3 back to me)

* Printout of the current bank account balance (printed from my bank's website)

* Job offer letter

* Employment verification letter

* Resume

* Portfolio

* Employment agreement

* Copy of Rental Lease

* 3 months of rent payment slips

* STM.2, STM.9, STM.11 (basic acknowledgment and consent forms on Thai visa/immigration laws. provided at the office, quick to fill and sign)

Final Thoughts:

* You can apply up to 45 days before your current stamp expires. Highly recommend using that window.

* Foreign bank accounts *are* accepted, but the officer required a bank verification letter (in addition to printed statements). My bank (U.S.-based) simply provided a letter with my name, account info, and balance. That seemed to do the trick.

* Didn't apply to me, but I was told that while we must show the equivalent of ฿500K held in the same account for 30+ days, shared accounts may be asked to show ฿1M

* One officer at this branch seemed to specialize in the DTV requests. He was helpful and professional, and openly acknowledged the inconsistency in how extensions are handled across Thailand.
2,323
views
29
likes
69
all likes
22
replies
0
images
13
users
TLDR : Answer Summary
The post outlines the author's successful experience in obtaining a 6-month extension for a Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) at the Chiang Mai Immigration office, detailing the documentation required and the application process. Despite needing two visits and considerable paperwork, the author preferred this method over a border run. Key advice includes applying up to 45 days before expiration, the acceptance of foreign bank accounts with verification letters, and insights into inconsistencies in immigration procedures depending on the officer.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
James *******
Rather just goto Vietnam get an enjoy some banh mi and pho, massages and come back
Christina ********
@James ******
ok so if you leave the country it resets the 180 days and you don't have to go through this 6 month extension process?
Matt *******
Christina ********
@Matt ******
thank you for your reply.

I heard immigration is asking for proof of 500k baht and or your soft power registration upon re-entry. Not often but its a possibility and you can get turned away if you dont have it
Matt *******
@Christina *******
yea I’ve heard that recently too. I did soft power medical so will be interesting to see if they ask for proof upon reentry. It usually comes down to the IO you get. I would avoid getting in the women IO lines.
Christina ********
@Matt ******
ok im coming there in September so my 6 month mark would be Feb. Stay away from the women io lines, noted.
Carmelito *******
1900 baht and how many hours of your time (=opportunity cost)?
Luit *****************
@Carmelito ******
I think it will take less of your time to get the updated documents than the time it takes to do a border run.

If you are planning to visit another country just at that exact moment it is a different story of course.
Carmelito *******
@Luit ****************
Getting any doc from my landlady would take several days 🤣🤣
Anonymous ******************
@Carmelito ******
That's called planning. You can set your calendar in advance for exactly this purpose. There are still plenty of people who have no choice but to renew their documents every year. They've simply gotten used to being efficient.
Luit *****************
@Carmelito ******
The waiting time to get document from your landlady, has nothing to do with the time YOU spend to get the documents for the extension.
Naomi ******
Thanks for sharing - this is really useful! And definitely doable 😁
Elías ********
Did the employment letter needs to be recent? Or did you use the same you used when you applied for the DTV abroad?
Greg ********
Congrats. Chiang Mai is the best immigration office I have dealt with over the years.(BOI One-Stop-Shop not included as they are there for slightly different reasons). Three recent contacts with Chiang Mai since moving here and all very good experiences. PS: you must have been there same time as me yesterday
Anonymous ******************
Congrats on showing all the complainers that it's possible when you have the right documentation (which most people don’t, hence the excuses).
Vladimír *****
Anonymní účastník 348 Sure, it’s possible – if you’re ready to tolerate the absurdity of submitting job offers, resumes, bank letters, rental contracts and half your life story just to extend a stay you’re already legally entitled to.

And to make it even better, every officer interprets the rules differently. Welcome to Thai immigration. This is Thailand!

Right. Let's all clap because someone managed to pass the immigration obstacle course. Maybe next time we should thank them for letting us breathe. How about we stop normalizing this nonsense?

When enough people stop tolerating this madness and take their money elsewhere, maybe the system will start treating long-term visitors like humans instead of suspects.

At some point, it’s not about ‘doing it right’ anymore – it’s about whether it’s worth it. Thailand is great, but not irreplaceable. A temporary boycott wouldn’t be a bad idea.
Anonymous ******************
@Vladimír ****
I'm not saying it's easy. Just saying it's possible. Visas holders have been done that for years. And you're entitled to stay for 180 days per time; for a maximum of 5 years as soon as you fulfill your visa conditions.
Vladimír *****
Anonymní účastník 348 I understand that it’s technically possible to extend a DTV visa – but the bigger picture matters.

Thailand has changed. During our last visit in late 2022, my wife was almost pushed off the sidewalk by a group of tourists who clearly didn’t care about local customs or basic manners. Unfortunately, this behavior affects everyone – even those of us who try to respect Thai culture and live quietly. Locals become less friendly, more suspicious, and the once warm atmosphere starts to fade.

We're now seriously questioning whether it’s worth putting 1.6 million baht into Thai banks just to get two retirement visas. Add to that rising costs, growing bureaucracy, and possible taxation of already-taxed foreign income – and the dream of peaceful life on a Thai beach feels more and more distant.

So yes – it’s possible. But is it still the right place?
Anonymous ******************
@Vladimír ****
I agree on bad behaviors. I've been here for over 15 years and saw it coming these recent years as you mentioned. I definitely think stricter exemptions and visa rules could help solving the problems mentioned (rising costs, criminality and so ones). That's not ideal for everyone, not the perfect fix but it needs to start somewhere.
Paul *********
lol theres no way im going all this submission stuff again id rather go on holiday
Todd *********
@Paul ********
absolutely zero chance i would either.
Andrew ********
Go explore SE asia.