there are FREE tools you can use to combine and compress PDFs within the terminal. I don't recommend using an external service, especially when you have to upload sensitive personal data.
attempting to extend a DTV visa within the country would definitely take more than half a day and success isn't guaranteed. This is the DTV group, by the way.
its being my home for the last 14 years, its a hidden Gem. I'm kind of glad it isn't overrun with western tourists though so don't tell anyone about it haha
I live in Hat Yai so I usually do a day or 2 trip to Penang. You can also fly directly from Hat Yai to Singapore and KL, which I sometimes do if I don't feel like the 4 hour minivan to penang.
Overall I'd much prefer to do this anyway than sit in an immigration office for half a day dealing with frustrated overworked paper pushers. Plus I can enjoy the amazing Indian and Malay food in Malaysia.
Go in and try to do it. If they ask for something like a work permit or another requirement, tell them you'll bring it next time and don't return. From what I've heard they're not closing accounts unless you confirm to them that you no longer have the required documents to open an account.
Main tip is to include as many documents as you can in your original application, anything that you think might be slightly relevant. Add as much evidence as you can for your reason and also include a letter confirming that you're not going to work with any Thai clients or take any job within the kingdom, like a confirmation letter.
If they ask me for anything else, the London office often asks for separate letters for a few things. In my case they ask for a letter confirming that I understand this is not a marriage visa and that's because I am married to an international but I prefer the DTV visa option. Another letter I had to write confirming that I won't be working with any Thai clients and I won't be taking employment and I understand I'm not allowed to work on this visa.
They wanted my company registration documents even though I included them in the original application. They ask for them again. Don't question it, just send it again. Often after these applications come through they're just clicking on buttons for which documents you should send next. They also asked for a confirmation letter promising that I will remain in the United Kingdom until my application is decided. In addition they wanted me to prove that I'm a resident of the UK and I just sent them another version of my passport, plus my driver's license and a recent bank letter that was sent to my home with the home address on it and my full name.
Can you stop approving common questions? This has been asked so many times. You can search the thread and make your own decision. The answer, by the way, is difficult and maybe
Most of the issues people report happen when they visit a bank branch and staff ask to see their previous work permit. If that permit has expired and they are now on a Destination Thailand Visa without a work permit, the bank may question the account. In some cases, if you tell them you no longer have a work permit, there’s a chance they could close the account.
A simple response some people use is:
“I don’t have the documents with me. I’ll bring them next time.”
Banks usually don’t close accounts unless something triggers it, such as visiting the branch and informing them that you no longer have a work permit.
For context, I’m currently on a Destination Thailand Visa, and I still have three Thai bank accounts that I opened years ago. Two were opened when I had a work permit, and one was opened around 18 years ago when tourists could still open accounts more easily. All three accounts are still active, and I use them every day.
Could they be closed in the future? Possibly. But even if that happened, I could still manage perfectly well using my UK bank accounts and services such as Wise.
No point worrying about something that may or may not happen.
Last time I entered Thailand on my DTV, the immigration officer asked about the visa, my reasons for staying, and what I do for work. I explained everything in Thai—I've lived here for 12 years on various different visas and speak it to a conversational level.
I told her it's a 5-year multiple-entry visa for digital nomads like me. I'm the director of an overseas company, so it allows me to stay in Thailand while managing my remote business abroad, with up to 180 days per entry—just need to re-enter every 6 months or so to reset.
She listened, said 'Ah okay, welcome to Thailand,' and stamped my passport right away—no drama.
These questions are just routine checks: they're required to ensure no one's misusing the visa by working for Thai companies or taking local gigs (which is strictly not allowed—it's only for remote/foreign work). A lot of the minor hassles people report come from officers still getting trained on the new DTV rules and how it works for genuine remote workers.
I think speaking Thai really helped too. Explaining in English might not have come across as clearly due to language barriers—many immigration officers have only A2-level English (or sometimes less), so being able to chat in Thai probably made everything smoother and quicker for both sides.
As long as you're upfront, stick to foreign/remote work, and can explain clearly, it usually goes fine like it did for me. In cases where your DTV was approved for things like cooking courses, I'm guessing they will look into it deeper. They want to ensure your funds to continue to live in Thailand are coming from abroad and not the local economy. In that case you just need to prove that you have income to support yourself and where it comes from.
Dont bother, many immigration officers are not yet fully trained on the DTV and its requirments. it will take a full day, give you a headache and may not result in success
JUst jump a boarder or if you are near an intnl airport book a cheap return flight to Saigon, KL or Vientien.
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