This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.
What is the process for extending the DTV visa in Thailand, and why is it considered difficult?
DTV visavisa extensionThai immigrationimmigration processbank account requirementsexpat life in Thailand
Mar 23, 2026
a month ago
Joe *******
ORIGINAL POSTERWhat's the process with dtv extension?
Hearing its a pain. How are they making it a problem?
Hearing its a pain. How are they making it a problem?
TLDR : Answer Summary
The process for extending a DTV visa in Thailand is widely considered difficult and frustrating among expats. Many report facing flat refusals from immigration officers, while others are required to show proof of funds in a Thai bank account, which can be impossible for DTV holders. Although some offices might assist with the extension process, this is not universally the case. Experiences vary significantly by location, and many people find that leaving Thailand for a short trip and reentering for a new stamp is often simpler than applying for an extension. There are discussions suggesting that the reluctance of immigration officials may lead to an increase in denied extensions due to perceived abuses of the system.
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★★★★★
Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...recently on Facebook
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
Aaron *****
Honestly, from all the stories I have seen, leaving and returning is the easiest solution.
Steve *******
Some offices just say "nah, go away".
Some require you to have a Thai bank account, which is basically impossible on a DTV.
Some want you to present everything you did when you applied for the visa and then say "nah, go away".
Some help you with the process only to have a higher up officer say "nah, go away".
And in some rare cases you get a long list of requirements, fulfill them and get an extension.
Flying to Kuala Lumpur for lunch and coming back is easier, and more fun.
Some require you to have a Thai bank account, which is basically impossible on a DTV.
Some want you to present everything you did when you applied for the visa and then say "nah, go away".
Some help you with the process only to have a higher up officer say "nah, go away".
And in some rare cases you get a long list of requirements, fulfill them and get an extension.
Flying to Kuala Lumpur for lunch and coming back is easier, and more fun.
Michael ********
They're getting tired of the extensions on the DTV.... It's been reported they're going to start denying extensions.. because of the abuse
Christopher ***********
'Very easy and straightforward' at Bangkok Immigration according to this report. Strongly suspect it's written by a persistent troll unfortunately;
*******************************************************************************
**********
*****
*****
*****
1/Anonymous ******************
Just type "extension" in the searchbar of the group and you will have detailed experiences of people who extended their DTV.
Some examples:
- A DTV extension in Udon Thani:
- In Bangkok:
And there's one way to know for sure: just go *yourself* to the immigration.
Some examples:
- A DTV extension in Udon Thani:
********************************************
- In Bangkok:
********************************************
And there's one way to know for sure: just go *yourself* to the immigration.
Joe *******
ORIGINAL POSTERAnonymous participant 647 great help. It wasn't as hard for her as other people seem to say it is.
Thanks a lot
Thanks a lot
Reply to
Joe *******
Reply
Nattha *****
Go through the blogs on our website Multilence dot Com. You will get fair idea on this.
James ********
Do yourself a BIG FAVOR and forget about getting the DTV 180 day extension inside Thailand.
Leave Thailand and reenter to get a NEW 180 day stamp.
Leave Thailand and reenter to get a NEW 180 day stamp.
Joe *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@James *******
not much help there James lolJay *****
@Joe ******
you will eventually learn that this was actually the most helpful.Joe *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jay ****
wrong! No information related to the question I asked. Waste of time 90% if the answers here.James ********
@Joe ******
pardon me, then I suggest you LEAVE. There's no need to waste your time reading answers that you don't want to hear. Even Thai Immigration Officers and offices are saying... Leave Thailand and reenter to get your new 180 day stamp.
They really don't want to go thru the multitude of documents which were required to get the DTV visa and have to be updated when you are seeking to get a.180 Day extension inside Thailand.
And the few who have waded through the DTV visa extension process are saying Not Again...
And Thai Immigration Officers are requiring a Thai bank account showing the 500,000 Thai baht balance for 3 full months or more.
IF you cannot open a Thai bank account with the DTV visa, how are you going to show PROOF of having a Thai bank account balance of 500,000 Thai baht or more ???
I suggest you visit your local Thai Immigration office and ask them for their requirements for the DTV visa 180 day extension of stay...
Good Luck 🍀 and please update us on your experience in getting the 180 day extension inside Thailand.
Joe *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@James *******
nobody is giving answers. Only one person said what was asked of them and that they got the extension. The rest is mostly gossip, stories other people have said..So it's crystal clear. I'm only looking for information pertaining to how you can get an extension. Nothing else.
I thought this group was about sharing information.
I'm not looking for suggestions to do something other than get the extension.
James ********
@Joe ******
understood. Visit your local Thai Immigration office and ask them for their requirements for the 180 day extension. Then you will know.Where is your Thai Immigration office that you use?
Jay *****
@Joe ******
the waste of time is that you didn't use the search function in this group. Countless people have tried to extend and failed.Joe *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jay ****
anything other than answering the original question is a waste of time.Reply to
Joe *******
Reply
James ********
@Joe ******
where are you located in Thailand?James ********
@Joe ******
do as you wish... Good Luck 🍀Reply to
James ********
Reply
Mason *******
By flat out refusing or requiring funds in a Thai bank account.
Mason *******
@Phil *****
So does that make extensions easier or harder?Phil ******
@Mason ******
neitherMason *******
@Phil *****
Ok I will simplify it for you. If the Immigration Officer requires the funds to be in a Thai bank. And the DTV holder doesn't have one. Does this make it easier or harder to extend?Phil ******
@Mason ******
no not for a DTV as where your applying just wants to see ฿500,000 or equivalent in any overseas bank.Its simple as this visa won't gain you a thai bank.
LOOK AT THE VIDEO MATE!!!
Mason *******
@Phil *****
This post is about extending your DTV bud not the initial application.Phil ******
@Mason ******
yep I know but you mentioned Thai bank account that people cannot get i. This visaMason *******
@Phil *****
Exactly. Which makes an extension impossible. You've got it now.Reply to
Mason *******
Reply
Joe *******
ORIGINAL POSTERKool *******
@Joe ******
you need all the documents you originally used updated.Mason *******
@Joe ******
Impossible in Chonburi.Reply to
Mason *******
Reply
Phil ******
@Mason ******
they can't get a Thai bank account with a DTV visa************************************************
Reply to
Phil ******
Reply
Noah ***********
There’s no process. You leave for a day and come back in. Have proof of funds, printed out DTV, and you’ll be groovy.
Noah ***********
@Joe ******
yeah that’s the easiest way to extend it. Flying to Malaysia or Vietnam for a day.Joe *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Noah **********
I hate flying lol. Hence this question about getting the extension. I don't mind a pain if I don't have to fly. I'm trying to get details of what they are looking for to get it.
Wannikea *********
@Joe ******
then take the train. Regardless, you must leave after a year anyway, You might as well get used to it.Joe *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Wannikea ********
that wasn't the question on the post was it!Wannikea *********
@Joe ******
well, head on down to your local immigration, then ask for the handout of the requirements for a DTV extension. Good luckReply to
Wannikea *********
Reply
Kurt *************
@Noah **********
not true.. some offices actually let you extend. So the process is there. But most offices dont want the work. Because its basicly going through all the documentation the embassy already did AGAINJoe *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Kurt ************
it's mad the way that is. I've been to 3 different immigrations for normal visa extensions. 1 acted like I didn't exist and i was masking their day worse getting them to do their job lol, another was very friendly and gave me and my gf a lift home with the motorbike in their pick up (it was a long drive).Another was really friendly and had us in and out in no time.
I know which immigration I'm not going to try now lol.
James ********
@Kurt ************
TRUE but the hassle trying to get the DTV visa extension is 🚫 NOT worth the effort. Thai Immigration Officers don't want to go through all the necessary steps to give you a 180 day extension inside Thailand.Kurt *************
@James *******
litterallt what i just said ;p there is a process, but they dont want because its alot of workJames ********
@Kurt ************
we agree 👍Reply to
James ********
Reply
36 comments
a month ago
18 comments
2 months ago
10 comments
3 months ago
11 comments
3 months ago
10 comments
7 months ago
11 comments
7 months ago
39 comments
7 months ago
25 comments
8 months ago
34 comments
8 months ago
11 comments
a year ago
5 comments
a year ago
10 comments
a year ago
12 comments
a year ago
1 comments
a year ago
4 comments
a year ago
10 comments
a year ago
2 comments
a year ago
5 comments
a year ago
55 comments
a year ago
13 comments
a year ago
21 comments
a year ago
58 comments
a year ago
113 comments
2 years ago
23 comments
2 years ago
59 comments
2 years ago
7 comments
a month ago
9 comments
a month ago
21 comments
a month ago
16 comments
a month ago
8 comments
a month ago
The ask: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.