Thais are allowed to travel to Belgium, the Netherlands or other European countries from July 1
The member states of the European Union have today published a list of 14 so-called 'safe countries', whose residents will be allowed to travel back into the Schengen area from 1 July. Thailand is also on this list. This means that Thais will soon be allowed to travel to Belgium or the Netherlands again.
Safe countries are countries where the number of new corona infections per hundred inhabitants is close to or below the EU average. This number must also be stable or decreasing. In addition, a country's testing and tracing policy is also taken into account. In addition, it is considered whether this information and other available corona data are reliable.
The so-called safe countries are: Algeria, Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, Montenegro, Morocco, New Zealand, Rwanda, Serbia, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia and Uruguay.
China will be added to the list if it decides to reopen its borders to EU citizens. The list will be expanded every two weeks.
The US and Turkey are not on the list due to the relatively high number of corona infections.
The EU Member States still have to enshrine the recommendations in national legislation, which means that the target date of 1 July may not be met.
Source: NU.nl
My girlfriend lives in Bangkok but is Laotian and also has a Laotian passport, can she come to the Netherlands now?
Do you see Laos listed? No? Not.
The media talks about 'inhabitants of' (Thailand). These could also be people who (officially) live in those safe countries. But media sometimes mess up terms more often. Unfortunately, I don't see any announcement through the official sources yet. And actually a Laotian or whatever who has been stuck for at least 2 weeks is just as big or small risk as a Thai citizen coming from Thailand. So let's wait for the details first!
Keep an eye on these sites for the next 24 hours:
– NederlandEnU.nl
– NetherlandsAndYou.nl
– Rijksoverheid.nl
– EU home affair site
It should state exactly in clear terms who does and does not fall under this relaxation.
Otherwise it cannot be checked. Do you think the Marechaussee will then ask for documents showing where they live? That is unworkable.
The place of issue is stated on the visa, the travel stamps in the passport, an accompanying letter from the embassy in BKK, etc. There are several ways to check this.
OK, we'll see. Wait a minute.
It therefore concerns permanent residence (continuous residence is the country where the foreign national may stay for more than three months on the basis of a residence permit, such as a residence permit). I wonder if anyone from Laos has it?
A Laotian who lives legally in Thailand can apply for a Schengen visa through VFS in Thailand. The application must be accompanied by documentation that he/she legally resides in Thailand. If the visa is issued, it seems to me that the Laotian should be admitted to the Netherlands.
It is possible that the Marechaussee will protest a bit, but with (copies of) all documents supplied with the visa application (plus return ticket and sufficient finances) the delay will be short.
Perhaps, I think not, but who am I?
Peter and KhunTak,
The English version of the Schengen visa checklist states under point 3. Proof of legal residence:
“3.1 Proof of legal residence in the country you are applying from, eg a passport, visa or residence permit and a photocopy of the document. Residence permits must be valid for at least 3 months from the date on which you will leave the Schengen area.”
The Dutch version states:
“3. Proof of legal residence
3.1 Proof of legal residence in the country of application. E.g. a passport, a visa or a residence permit. A residence permit must be valid for at least 3 months after departure from the Schengen area.”
So if a Laotian, or any other non-Dutch person, can provide a Thai residence permit, he/she has the right to apply for a visa in Thailand.
https://www.netherlandsandyou.nl/documents/publications/2017/01/01/checklist-schengenvisum—visit-family-friends-en
https://www.nederlandenu.nl/documenten/publicaties/2017/01/01/checklist-schengenvisum—bezoek-aan-familie-vrienden-nl
https://www.netherlandsandyou.nl/binaries/netherlandsandyou/documents/publications/2017/01/01/checklist-schengenvisum—tourism-en/Checklist_Schengen_visa_tourism_EN.pdf
https://www.nederlandenu.nl/documenten/publicaties/2017/01/01/checklist-schengenvisum—toerisme-nl
Is a Laotian a Thai????
Is a Belgian a Dutchman?
I also legally live in Thailand, but do not have the same rights as a Thai.
Then you can count on your 10 fingers that a Laotian will never get that either.
Pretty simple I think.
Vfs and Dutch Embassy still do not issue Schengen Visa.
According to EU rules they should, see: https://schengenvisum.info/inreisverbod-schengen-per-1-juli-geleidelijk-opgeheven/
Thanks I just emailed both the embassy and the vfs again, they are in the process of a start up response the embassy, from both the
sites they keep an eye on they reply.
I think it means resident and not nationality. I read residents and that is also the common term, so a Laotian who lives permanently in Thailand is also covered by the scheme and they will have to prove that, I think.
No, because that cannot be checked. The passport is decisive.
European Union can allow travel to Thailand, but when will the Thai government declare that we are also welcome?
Before I book I also want to see an agreement from the thai, otherwise they will send me back after arrival.
Is there already something known about the reaction of Thai immigration ..??
Thailand has determined who is allowed to come. That's not the Pleps, just businessmen and rich Farangs
There were 6 criteria!
It's nice that the schengen countries are opening up to Thailand, unfortunately the other way around is not yet the case. At first the plan was to only open to countries where it was also possible the other way around.
As usual, Europe once again shows no backbone and does not stand up for its citizens. Thai only in it if we are also allowed to enter Thailand.
Absolutely right Mike, they don't want to allow the "contaminants dirty falang". We are not in it, neither are they in it, but fine EU Brussels decides and we will follow again
An entry ban does not fall within the competence of the EU. In principle, it is and will remain a decision of the individual Member States. But because mutual differences would lead to checks at the internal borders – and no one is waiting for that – there is coordination at EU level.
Indeed Cornelis, Brussels has much less to say than some think. The Netherlands, the cabinet, has decided this in consultation with the other EU countries. A clear line, although such a compromise is sometimes difficult to achieve due to the diverse and differing interests of the EU countries. Thailand is safe, so allowing travelers from there seems like a great plan to me. It's just rational. Then it will also be easier diplomatically to open Thai borders to Europeans. If we wait until both parties take a step towards each other at the same time, I think we would only have to wait longer. Sometimes it doesn't matter at all to take the first step. If the Thai government continues to refuse the European for irrational reasons, the Member States can always think about how to respond. But the government leaders here also understand that as long as there are trouble spots here or there, people will not be able to enter Thailand. This back and forth will be fine and Gates and Soros have nothing to do with that. 5555
I see it more positively. If the EU, including the Netherlands, welcome Thai, then you have a much earlier chance that the Thai government will also open the borders for us to go to Thailand as a tourist without too crazy conditions.
There is an evaluation every 2 weeks. The problem is that you invite a friend for 3 months, but she is not allowed to travel to the Eu or leave for Thailand from the Eu. This is not workable!
A Thai is allowed to go back to Thailand so she can fly now
Yes, but also only with a procedure via the Embassy in NL or BE, and with mandatory quarantine on arrival.
All very confusing…. on https://www.netherlandsandyou.nl/latest-news/news/2020/06/09/covid-19-crisis-and-travel-to-the-netherlands-faqs stands:
The Dutch government has adopted the decision of the EU to tighten the entry conditions of persons wishing to travel to the Netherlands from third countries, until 15 July 2020.
Publication date of 30/6
It is therefore not updated with the latest information regarding the above topic.
The EU reviews the list of safe countries every two weeks, would that mean that the term Until July 15, 2020 has therefore been included? Because it can change again afterwards.
I want to book a flight for my girlfriend from BKK to AMS ASAP..she is ready…
There is an evaluation every 2 weeks. The problem is that you invite a friend for 3 months, but after that 2-weekly evaluation she is not allowed to travel to the Eu or leave for Thailand from the Eu. This is not workable!
I wonder if the mandatory travel health accident insurance will rise exuberantly.
This is a clear message 🙂
https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/coronavirus-covid-19/nieuws/2020/06/30/nederland-heft-inreisverbod-op-voor-selecte-groep-landen
Indeed, finally a formal message from the government. To quote the most important:
-
The Netherlands has it as of July 1, 2020 entry ban lifted for travelers who have permanent residence in the following countries: Algeria, Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, Montenegro, Morocco, New Zealand, Rwanda, Serbia, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, Uruguay. For travelers from China, the entry ban will be lifted as soon as the country also admits EU citizens.
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Question 2, however, is how 'permanent residence' will be assessed. It is hoped that an answer to this can be found literally today or tomorrow on the primary information sites NederlandEnU.nl & NetherlandsAndYou.nl (nothing to be seen on those two sites a minute ago).
I maintain my previous suspicion that permanent residence will have to be proven by passport contents (travel stamps) and of course that the plane comes from one of the permitted countries. A plane from Thailand carrying a Thai and a Chinese who have both clearly been in Thailand for weeks or months: allow it. A Thai or a Chinese who had only been in Thailand for a few days: do not allow entry. A Thai trying to enter from China: not allowed (if there was a flight). At the border they want to look at your passport to see whether you have stayed in that safe, approved place for a longer period of time. Yes? Then you come in. No? Then you can't get in. But that's just my guess, waiting for official instructions with details.
A permanent residence is the country where the foreign national may stay for longer than three months on the basis of a residence permit, such as a residence permit. So that will be difficult for someone from Laos, I think.
No, Peter,
People from Myanmar, Lagos and Cambodia can have a “rosé” (Thai) ID, a so-called work primit, this is for life. Foreigners with a yellow booklet can now also get their rosé (Thai) ID at the town hall (I also have one with photo and all.) Only everything is only in Thai, which is a pity.
Yes, but it is not a residence permit.
A pink Thai ID is therefore not a work permit.
This morning I had contact with the Thai embassy in The Hague.
The answer was quite clear: When you are legally married, you can travel to Thailand, provided that your partner also officially lives in Thailand.
Dutch people married to a Thai woman and living outside Thailand are not yet welcome.
China will be added to the list if it decides to reopen its borders to EU citizens. The list will be expanded every two weeks.
Why does this requirement not apply to Thailand????
I don't understand you Josh
Thailand is still on the list of 14 countries that will gain access to the EU and China is not (yet).
Each country decides for itself who is welcome. The residents of these 14 safe countries may be admitted but it is not mandatory.
Formally, each country does this itself, but if Germany, for example, decided to suddenly no longer allow Thais in, Germany's internal border would also have to be closed so that no Thai citizens would cross the border via the Netherlands, Poland, etc. It was not just for fun that the Member States and the EU Commission had discussions about which countries would open their borders. Such consultations are difficult, each country has its own interests, but a compromise is necessary to keep everything workable for the Member States and citizens.
Once the hands are together, people will not break the word quickly. then the other members lose confidence in you. A deal is a deal. That is why we see all kinds of (watery?) compromises on an international level that no country is very happy with, but also no country simply cannot agree with.
The NOS has some background information about those long meetings and what they had discussions about:
https://nos.nl/artikel/2339052-europese-unie-publiceert-lijst-met-veilige-landen-marokko-wel-turkije-niet.html
Just a quote from it: “Furthermore, some specific wishes of countries led to delays. France wanted flexible rules for a number of French-speaking countries. Hungary made a warm case for Serbia and the other Balkan countries, with Serbia and Montenegro making it through, but the rest not.”
Fortunately, my girlfriend got a Schengen annual visa last October. So that should still be valid.
Just a matter of getting insurance for her and then go, or am I overlooking something?
She will have to go back alone in October, I'm afraid, so it's a matter of waiting in that respect.
Moderator: We are not posting your comment because the information you provided is incorrect.
From July 8, Thais are welcome again in Belgium.
https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2020/07/01/belgie-houdt-grenzen-tot-en-met-7-juli-gesloten-voor-toeristen-u/
Goodbye,
much confusion.
suppose I am a Thai living in NYC. can I travel to the EU, because of my Thai passport, or NOT, because I come from an infected area?
Suppose I am a Dutch citizen who is legally resident (retirement visa) in Thailand: do I then fall under the 'Thailand' schemes, or under the 'Netherlands' schemes?
and suppose I absolutely want to go to country X, where I am not yet officially welcome because of my NL or TH passport,
and I fly from BKK, for example, first to hong kong, KL or singapore on a separate ticket, and then buy a ticket to country X there? who's stopping me? who checks me (no passport stamp, no checked baggage, no ticket marked BKK)?
in short, I still don't get it all.
in any case, I will wait to travel from BKK until I know I can come back without quarantine obligations.
these are of course all 'luxury problems', because Thailand has combated covid-19 excellently and I am grateful for that: wait and see.
Following the European recommendation, Belgium is immediately expanding the list of permitted essential travel to four categories: seamen, persons attending meetings of international organisations, students and highly qualified personnel whose work cannot be carried out remotely. Third-country nationals who legally reside in the EU can also travel freely throughout the EU, including Belgium. From July 7.
So not Thai tourists at all.
That seems quite unlikely to me. A Thai tourist may enter NL and other EU countries, but not Belgium? Then the EU coordination of admission policy wouldn't work here? So checks at the Belgian border?
I find this source and it does not substantiate your exclusion of Thai tourists:
https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2020/07/01/belgie-houdt-grenzen-tot-en-met-7-juli-gesloten-voor-toeristen-u/
Walter, I suspect you misunderstood.
– it is not from July 7 but from July 8
– Ordinary Thai tourists are allowed.
Goodbye,
Good morning
Can a Thai with a valid tourist visa already fly into the Netherlands?
Or is it waiting for some change in the law that causes some delay?
Thanks in advance for your wisdom.
Yes.
Finally details on NetherlandsAndYou (not yet on NederlandEnU). Unfortunately they don't explain what a 'resident' is. If you live in Thailand, you can come again, whether you have a Thai or Laotian passport does not matter. So you must be able to prove that you live there and are not in Thailand for a short stay. How exactly to demonstrate? Think that the KMar looks at passport plus the stamps in the passport plus visa or residence papers showing that you have a stay of at least 3+ months. After all, you are a resident. (Below 3 months, Europe sees you as a short stay, above 3 months you are a migrant. From 3 months of legal residence, you are considered a resident of the country in question in the Netherlands)
It may be a bit more difficult for a Laotian, it may be sufficient to prove that you have stayed in Thailand for 3 months and if you cannot prove that you can stay in Thailand for at least 3 months again when leaving Europe, a ticket to Laos will also suffice. I would just call the KMar. But a Thai who has been in Thailand in recent months can come again.
The main points:
"(...)
Please note:
This explicitly concerns residents of countries, not nationals. Eg an American (US on the list of countries for which the travel ban has not been lifted) resident in Australia (list of countries for which the travel ban has been lifted) is allowed to travel to Schengen.Residents of the countries on both lists are able to show a health certificate as a condition for entering the Netherlands.These lists are drawn up on the basis of objective health criteria.
(..)
5. Is a health certificate and mask required on entry?
Passengers on all inbound and outbound flights must complete a statement with questions about health concerns appropriate to COVID-19. In addition, a health check must be performed by airline personnel upon check-in and before entering the aircraft.
The Netherlands makes the wearing of a non-medical mask mandatory for passengers on the plane and at the Dutch airports during check-in, security and border processes and boarding.
(..)
7. What does the new Entry ban policy mean for the Schengen visa policy?
In countries that are on the list for which the travel ban has been lifted, the Netherlands will soon issue visas again – even if the trip only takes place in 5 months. However, this will not be as of 1 July 2020 as it will take time to restart visa operations.
Source: https://www.netherlandsandyou.nl/travel-and-residence/visas-for-the-netherlands/qas-travel-restrictions-for-the-netherlands