Dear Ronnie,
I'm trying to find out which visa I need if I want to go to Thailand for 6 months (or a little less). I can't find it on the site of the Thai embassy. I found the diagram below, but I'm not sure if it's correct.
- I can apply for a non-immigrant O visa for 90 days. I have to leave the country within 90 days to apply for a 30-day extension. If I leave the country earlier than within 90 days, I will lose the rest of my 90-day visa.
- I have to leave the country three times after 90 days to apply for a 30 day visa three times.
Do you also have the impression that this schedule is correct? Can I not apply for a 90-day visa again?
Do I have to be in possession of the tickets for after 90 days and then for after 30 days upon arrival?
I hope you can give me additional information.
Yours faithfully,
Peter Dune
Dear Peter,
I assume that you are retired, because this is important if you want to apply for certain visas.
1. With a Non-immigrant “O” Single entry you obtain a residence period of 90 days. You cannot extend it by 30 days. Only with one year and then you will have to meet certain conditions, especially financial.
When you leave Thailand you always lose your period of stay, or you have to apply for a “Re-entry”. But that only makes sense if there is still a long period of residence left. You also do not extend your stay with it. You will only receive the latest end date of your last period of stay upon arrival.
2. Before your 90 days are up you can make a “Borderrun”. Upon return, you will receive a “Visa Exemption” of 30 days. That is a 30-day visa waiver. You don't have to request that. As a Dutch or Belgian you automatically receive this when you enter Thailand without a visa. You can possibly extend this at immigration by 30 days. Costs 1900 Baht.
Afterwards you can make another “Borderrun” and you will again receive a “Visa Exemption” of 30 days. You can possibly extend it again at immigration by 30 days.
NB !!! A “Borderrun” via a land border post, making use of the “Visa Exemption”, is limited to 2 entries per calendar year.
In principle, this is unlimited via an airport, but checks are also becoming increasingly strict there.
Normally it should not be a problem in your case, but keep it in mind if you do not extend the 30-day “Visa Exemption” at immigration and instead make several “Borderruns”.
TB Immigration Info Brief 022/19 – The Thai visa (7) – The Non-immigrant “O” visa (1/2) https://www.thailandblog.nl/dossier/visum-thailand/immigration-infobrief/tb- immigration-info-letter-022-19-the-thai-visa-7-the-non-immigrant-o-visa-1-2/
The Thai Visa (4) – The “Visa Exemption”
TB Immigration Infobrief 012/19 – The Thai Visa (4) – The “Visa Exemption”
Instead of “Borderruns” you could also apply for a SETV (Single Entry Tourist Visa) in a Thai embassy/consulate of a neighboring country such as Laos. Even a Non-immigrant “O” Single entry is possible, but you will also have to provide the necessary financial proof. Keep in mind that Vientiane works with an appointment system that you should plan a few weeks in advance.
3. When you leave for Thailand with a visa, the airline will normally not ask questions about your ticket. Immigration will also normally not ask questions upon entry. Always possible of course. No one can give you the guarantee that it won't happen.
Always make sure that you can show financial means of at least 20 Baht. Here too you will most likely not get that question from immigration when you enter with a visa, but the possibility remains here too.
Are you going to make “Borderruns” increases the chance that you will have to show financial means or an exit ticket. The more “Borderruns” you make, the greater that chance becomes of course.
4. Other options.
– You can try to apply for a Non-immigrant “O” Multiple entry.
Before the 90 days are over there is a “Borderrun” and then you will again receive a stay of 90 days upon entry.
NB !!! Multiple entry visas usually only available in Thai embassies and not in consulates. Inform yourself in good time about whether they are available and whether you qualify.
TB Immigration Info Brief 022/19 – The Thai visa (7) – The Non-immigrant “O” visa (1/2) https://www.thailandblog.nl/dossier/visum-thailand/immigration-infobrief/tb- immigration-info-letter-022-19-the-thai-visa-7-the-non-immigrant-o-visa-1-2/
– You can also go for a Non-immigrant “OA” Multiple entry.
Upon entry you will then receive a residence period of 1 year. You don't have to make "Borderruns". Report single address upon 90 days of continuous stay at Immigration.
TB Immigration Info letter 039/19 – The Thai visa (9) – The Non-immigrant “OA” visa
TB Immigration Info letter 039/19 – The Thai visa (9) – The Non-immigrant “OA” visa
– You can apply for a METV (Multiple Entry Tourist Visa).
Upon entry you get 60 days and every 60 days you can extend by 30 days at immigration.
Before the 90 days (60+30) are over you have to go outside. A “Borderrun” and you will again have a residence period of 60 days with your METV. Which you can possibly extend again by 30 days.
TB Immigration Info letter 018/19 – The Thai Visa (6) – The “Multiple Entry Tourist Visa” (METV)
TB Immigration Info Letter 018/19 – The Thai Visa (6) – The Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (METV)
– And apply for SETV (Single Entry Tourist Visa).
You get a one-off 60 days that you can extend by 30 days. Then after 90 (60+30) days you have to go outside. You can also make “Borderruns” on “Visa Exemption” again.
TB Immigration Info letter 015/19 – The Thai Visa (5) – The Single Entry Tourist Visa (SETV)
TB Immigration Info Letter 015/19 – The Thai Visa (5) – The Single Entry Tourist Visa (SETV)
Enough choice actually.
Just read the accompanying links. Described in more detail.
Regards,
RonnyLatYa