Part 3/3—

DTV Extension SUCCESS at Old Town Phuket for myself and my wife (Remote Worker / Digital Nomad)

First, a Note (for the 100th time)—— there's literally no need to tell me "it would've been easier if you would've just boarded an airplane." Busy family of 5 with three young kids— it would've been more expensive, more chaotic, and potentially more risky in our case. PLUS— I care about other people having access to this process. I'm happy to do it for science so people can have a little more clarity.

if you're somehow disgruntled about my doing this extension in this way, then why are you even in the group?

Timeline—

1st Day— Went to Immigration at Old Town Phuket. See previous posts about what I brought. Went through two or three rounds of varying degrees of checks. The Immigration officer was actually very kind, and let us know we needed: a *bank statement* for the *current* month. We also needed a *more recent* remote work authorization letter than the one I originally applied for the DTV with (Even though it's my own company— me authorizing myself).

2nd Day— Waited for my bank to auto-generate a bank statement for Feb-March (brought Jan-Feb, too). Wrote myself a new auth letter. Brought it all in. Waited my turn (very quick), the officer remembered us, quckly flipped through the documents and asked: "These are the new ones, right?" (he remembered us). Took our passports, docs, and money (1900THB each) gave us a little slip of paper telling us to pick up our passports on Friday (submitted on Monday).

3rd Day — Brough paper straight to Desk 5, they brought our passports out with a receipt and an extension stamp. Did our second 90-day check-in on the spot.

Tips / Takeaways :

- We were a primary holder + 1 follower. We have a shared bank account that has at 500,000 THB in it, but not much more than that. Our statements did not show that amount going below 500k at any point. There didn't seem to be concern about needing 500k per person.

- We kept all of our documents in order from the time we initially applied for the visa in Jakarta, Indonesia. This made it very easy to apply for an extension. All I had to change were the bank statements and authorization letter.

- Applying for an extension in Phuket took longer than applying for the visa in Jakarta. We submitted the application on Monday, picked up Friday (submitted on Monday, picked up Wednesday in Jakarta).

- The officers and staff, while they didn't talk much (likely because they're very busy), were very helpful and kind. Any anxiety and pressure I felt was put on myself, and never came from the staff or officers.

10/10 would do it again (but can't)

Phuket Extension update (posting for science. I don’t care if you think flying out is easier):

Went with the wife and kids this morning to extend (DTV— Digital nomad / remote worker + follower). Did not receive it, but I’ll be going back in a few days. Here’s why—

What I brought (for me):

- Application, 4x6 photo, copy of TM30, passport copies, copy of 90 day notification, copy of lease agreement, proof of payment to landlord

- copy of bank statement (Jan. 26-Feb. 26) showing 500,000 THB (Chase Bank, $15,000+)

- screenshot of current balance

- Articles of Organization for (my own) LLC

- Annual report for LLC

- Document from IRS showing Employer Identification Number

- A copy of one of our digital products

- (self written) Letter of Authorization for remote work (from my own company)

For my wife:

- Application + photo + passport copies + 90 day notification copy

- Bank statement + current balance

- Copy of marriage certificate

- copy of lease agreement, TM30, payment

Outcome

The officer was very kind. He let me know that I truly had everything in order. However there were two problems:

1. The Remote Work Auth. letter was the same copy I used when I applied for the visa originally. It was dated September, 2024. He wanted a newer copy (presumably from 2025). Takeaway: you may need to request a new letter from your company.

2. He wanted to see a bank statement from the current month (truly the last 30 days), not simply my previous statement + current balance. Mine won’t be auto-generated for a few more days, hence the screenshot of current balance. He noticed that the screenshot showed (page 1 of 5). He wanted all 5 pages, not just the one with the balance on it. He was willing to take either what I had (with all 5 pages) or wait for the bank statement to come out. He said “bank statement is better.”

I plan to return after my statement is generated and I update the letter.

Further takeaways and clarifications

- it seems that the process goes like this:

— gather documents and get a queue number

— bring docs to counter for trainee to check

— trainee hands to officer for more detailed check while you wait a few minutes

— officer briefs you on what you still lack (if anything) before submitting, answering any questions

— once you have everything, they will submit for processing

— you come back after a few days after they’ve checked through the documents (even more!) thoroughly for stamp + pickup.

I didn’t have to pay anything today. I’m assuming that you’ll have to attach money to the application when you submit it, and then after a few days they’ll let you know if you were accepted or denied (potentially losing your fee). That’s only after a pre-check and one more thorough check by an officer who (seemed to) be really optimistic that I had everything in order.

The frustration is that this feels like I’m applying for the DTV all over again. I truly wish the requirements were unilaterally consistent and understandable across every immigration office throughout the country, because I think it would really save everyone (including staff) frustration. Ultimately, the staff and officers were very kind and helpful for the whole process.

Where on the Thai Immigration Site can I find the updated/actual STM2 and Acknowledgement for Overstay Forms?

I was at the Phuket Immigration with all the required forms already filled in and signed (TM7, STM2, Acknowledgement) which I downloaded at the official Site:

The Officers who checked all docs immediately took out my STM2 and Acknowledgement and I had to fill in "new" ones because mine were not the updated ones (?).

[members only]

For those of you that use the Phuket Immigration Office in Phuket Town and specifically room 204 (upstairs) they are enforcing a strict dress code. Please dress politely. This also means no shorts for men too.

Hi all

Has anybody an updated/recent requirements list for a NON O extension of stay based on Thai children?

Trying to avoid at least one trip to immigration (Phuket)

Can anyone tell me where is the immigration office in rawai for an extension

Hi all, wondering if anyone is having a similar experience with imigration? Both my wife & I have long term retirement visas and have had for over 3 years. We have left & returned to Thailand a number of times. During that time we have successfully done our 90 day reporting online. Our visas were renewed in April 2024 and at the same time imigration renewed our 90 day reporting. We have just been rejected for online renewal and referred to the imigration office here in Phuket. They are telling us that because we were out of the country in January we need to resubmit our address details even though we have been living in the same property since we received our original visa and they issued the last 90 day clearance in April after we returned to Thailand from the trip which they are telling us has triggered the need to reconfirm our address. We are being told that we will need to resubmit confirmation of address every time we return from overseas even if we are returning to the same, continuously rented, property.

Has anyone else had a similar experience?

Thanks in advance for any information.

I have done yesterday my first 1 year extension on my non O-A eVisa in Phuket.

They ask for a picture from me in front of my location and a print-out of Google-Map with GPS data. The renting-contract was not needed.

The officer told me, that I need to show each year a copie of my initial eVisa and said to put a small amount above 800k on my fixed account.

Question: the next 90 day reports starts as from yesterday or from my last 90 day report?

Thanks and happy to have get my year extension and a multy-entry permit. All was done in 2h and pick-up my passeport today afternoon. Great service🙏

Hi! Is there any way to apply for a visa once I’m already in the country? As an Australian I have 30 days visa free but want to extend my stay, I’m unsure if I’m able to do that online or have to go to an immigration office. If so, where is best to go in Phuket?