Visa question: Non-immigrant O (single entry), would you like to check my schedule?

Dear editors,

First of all my compliments again for your blog which I read daily with great pleasure. Once before (on Feb 17, 2016) I asked you a question regarding a visa that was answered clearly and unequivocally the same day. Thank you again for this.

I am currently preparing a stay in Thailand for the period November 2016 to March 2017. I would like to present my planning and would appreciate it if you would test this proposal. Unfortunately, a Tourist Visa triple entry is no longer available and the METV that replaced it is also out of the question for me.

I do not meet all the conditions set by this METV. I then tried to put together a new travel schedule based on visas that I do meet the conditions for. My age is 50 years and the freely withdrawable savings capital is > 20.000 E. Hereby I give you my schedule:

• August 2016: Application Non-immigrant O (single entry) at the Thai consulate in Amsterdam.
• November 4, 2016: Amsterdam – Bangkok (arrival November 5).
• January 31, 2017 (= day 88): Bangkok – Kuala Lumphur and Kuala Lumphur – Bangkok (= same day return flight). Upon arrival in Bangkok, I expect to receive a new 30-day stay.
• February 27, 2017 (= day 28): one-off extension for 30 days at the immigration office in Bangkok.
• March 27, 2017 (= day 29): Bangkok – Amsterdam.

In theory, this schedule seems possible to me for my stay from November 5, 2016 to March 27, 2017. I doubt whether this is permissible for the Thai authorities in both Amsterdam and Bangkok and may therefore cause problems. Of course I can also apply for a Non-immigrant O multiple entry in Amsterdam and then make a border run. However, I do not prefer this (for now) because of further future plans and the validity of a year that must first have expired before a new visa can be applied for. Periods will then overlap.

Hopefully my story is clear to you. I would be very grateful if you would test this proposal, taking into account any problems that may be expected. That's the last thing I want. I don't see any other option, but maybe you have another tip for me.

Hoping to have informed you sufficiently and awaiting your response,

Yours faithfully,

Ruud

Dear Ruud,

Normally this should not be a problem.

• August 2016: Application for Non-immigrant O (single entry) at the Thai consulate in Amsterdam - That's well in time. Do take into account the validity period of the visa. In this case it is 3 months. Don't calculate everything on the edge. There is no need to request this so early. If you are going to apply for your visa at the beginning of October, that is also plenty of time.
• November 4, 2016: Amsterdam – Bangkok (arrival November 5) - You will receive a 90-day residence permit upon arrival. That residence period will then run until February 2, 2017.
• January 31, 2017 (= day 88): Bangkok – Kuala Lumphur and Kuala Lumphur – Bangkok (= same day return flight). Upon arrival in Bangkok, I expect to receive a new 30-day stay - That's right. Because you enter Thailand through an airport, you will receive a “Visa Exemption” of 30 days. This residence period will then run until 1 March 2017.
• February 27, 2017 (= day 28): one-off extension of 30 days at the immigration office in Bangkok – Right. This extension will start following the end date of your “Visa Exemption” and will then run until March 31, 2017.
• March 27, 2017 (= day 29): Bangkok – Amsterdam - No problem regarding the departure date because your extension runs until March 31, 2017.

Regards,

RonnyLatPhrao

Disclaimer: The advice is based on existing regulations. The editors accept no responsibility if this is deviated from in practice.