DTV 6 month update - Laos border - August 2025:

Edit to add info: US passport holders on remote worker DTV

We had a successful same-day visa update on our own (no agency) by driving to Chiang Khong, parking at the vehicle checkpoint, and then taking the Friendship Bus over to Houayxay and back.

Immigration in Laos (Houayxay) tried to push us to stay for a few nights in Laos, saying that Thailand wouldn’t let us back in same day. We kindly said we still want to try, as friends (aka posts from this group) said that they had no issue. We had a friendly conversation and he stamped us out, saying we would need to get a new Laos visa if we are turned around by Thailand.

To confirm - no issue on the Thai side!

We’ve previously done a crossing at the Golden Triangle (Van Pak Len), but I would recommend Chiang Khong/Houayxay instead! It was simpler and didn’t feel as sketchy.

Just make sure your USD are pristine 🫧💵 - they will reject any bill with even the smallest mark.

We also encountered the 20B fee to exit Laos immigration - it seemed more official than other postings I’ve seen, giving you a QR code to scan to exit.

Sorry about the anonymous post I don't usually do it but don't want a certain person bugging me. Done my second entry today at chiang khong and it was smooth asf. Leaving laos he said you only stayed one night but I had my print out to hand and (laminated with dtv print out on one side and soft power document on the other side.a smile and through in 2 mins max. On the thai side exactly the same but took a bit longer as the lady was interested about my cycle touring as I was entering with my touring bike.took about 3 mins max. Showed my dtv but she just passed it back to be with a โคกดีและปลอดภัยเดินทาง.

Hi everyone,

I’m currently on a DTV visa, and my boyfriend is here on a student visa. My 6-month stamp is expiring on August 13, so we’re looking into doing a border bounce, and I’d love some advice based on recent experiences.

These are the options we’re considering:

– Nong Khai (Laos) – Has anyone on a DTV visa done a border run there recently? Is it still straightforward?

– Cambodia by car – We have a car and were thinking of driving to Siem Reap, but I heard there might be land border closures. Is this still possible right now?

– Flying to Vietnam (Da Nang) – This might be the backup plan if land routes aren’t an option.

If anyone has done one of these recently or has any updates—especially about Cambodia—I’d really appreciate the help. Just trying to plan ahead before my stamp expires. Thanks so much 💛

Hi everyone !

Can I do a same day border bounce at Chiang Khong - Huay Xai with DTV ? If necessary, I would like to use an agent. Please come and discuss the service fee and details at cmt or cb , dm to me .

DIY Visa run to Chiang Khong/Huay Xai

I drove from Chiang Mai to Chiang Khong via Chiang Rai (298km), planned to stay a night and do the border in the morning.

During the evening at the bar a lady was asking me about my visa run, saying I need to stay for two days ect. I explained my visa situation and she called a family member who works as a immigration officer and checked with him if it's possible to return the same day. He said yes completely fine.

They did say however NOT to tell Laos immigration that you are returning the same day, as they will try charge you extra.

Anyway got my VOA for Laos. The process there for this has improved a lot since the last time I was at the border. Just bring USD.

Walked into Laos and U-Turned straight back to Thailand and had no problem.

Thai IO was super chill, I gave him my printed E-Visa, he asked a few questions about my address ect that he could see in the system from the TDAC, and he was curious about my online work. Stamped in back to thailand no problem.

Drove back to Chiang Mai via Phayao 312km. 1021 -> 120 Road. HIGHLY recommend this road, I haven't been impressed by Thailands landscape like this in a long time!

Has anybody here done border run in Lao on DTV? Any experiences or tips? Thank you🙏

Sorry to be anonymous but any reason to think we can’t do a same day border bounce at Chiang Khong?

Anyone done visa run via Chiang Khong? Was it smooth how long did you stay in laos?

Is there a bus go from Chiang Mai to Chiang Khong and return back to Chiang Mai the same day? I want to do boarder run to Laos

Thought I would add to the list of those who have done border runs in recent history.

They are being detailed and to the letter going out as well as coming back.

The 2 day rule is in effect though going out the people inside the office said one day was fine, the officer inbound wouldn’t accept that answer without making a phone call. He made three phone calls in the course of giving me my exempt stamp.

So have EVERYTHING required and don’t play!

I went through Chiang Khong into Laos.

👍