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What are the best visa options for a 6-month stay in Thailand as an EU passport holder?
Thailand visa rulesEU passport holderNon-Immigrant VisaDTV visaVisa extensionTourist visaMulti-Entry Tourist VisaVisa exemptionImmigration advice
Aug 5, 2024
2 years ago
Franklin ********
ORIGINAL POSTERHello everyone!
I’m Franklin, 22 years old and planning on moving to ko samui for at least 5-6 months this November. I wanted to get some insight from people who have done this and would be so kind as provide some insight on how I could do this as well.
I have pretty much everything sorted out, just need to get clear on Visas as it is currently hard to understand what my best option is.
I’m an EU passport holder, I heard that I can stay in Thailand for up to 60 days without a visa and then extend my stay 30 days at the immigration office in Thailand, first of all is this correct? For now this seems like a good option.
However, it only covers me for 3 months, if I wanted to say travel down to the Philippines or Malaysia after the additional 30 days expires for maybe 2 weeks and then come back, would that allow me to stay another 60 days and would I be able to extend it again for 30?
I also looked into the DTV visa, this one seems doable except I don’t currently have 15,000eur liquid. Would I be able to use a family members bank statement or does it have to be my own?
Again, any recommendations and any advice would be much appreciated. If you’re in Ko Samui this November would happily buy you a beer 🙂
Cheers,
I’m Franklin, 22 years old and planning on moving to ko samui for at least 5-6 months this November. I wanted to get some insight from people who have done this and would be so kind as provide some insight on how I could do this as well.
I have pretty much everything sorted out, just need to get clear on Visas as it is currently hard to understand what my best option is.
I’m an EU passport holder, I heard that I can stay in Thailand for up to 60 days without a visa and then extend my stay 30 days at the immigration office in Thailand, first of all is this correct? For now this seems like a good option.
However, it only covers me for 3 months, if I wanted to say travel down to the Philippines or Malaysia after the additional 30 days expires for maybe 2 weeks and then come back, would that allow me to stay another 60 days and would I be able to extend it again for 30?
I also looked into the DTV visa, this one seems doable except I don’t currently have 15,000eur liquid. Would I be able to use a family members bank statement or does it have to be my own?
Again, any recommendations and any advice would be much appreciated. If you’re in Ko Samui this November would happily buy you a beer 🙂
Cheers,
TLDR : Answer Summary
Franklin, a 22-year-old EU passport holder, is seeking advice on visa options for a planned 5-6 month stay in Ko Samui this November. He is aware of the 60-day visa exemption followed by a 30-day extension but wonders if he can leave Thailand and return for another 60 days. Comments suggest the possibility of extended stays through border runs and the 6-month Multi-Entry Tourist Visa as alternatives. Participants also remind him that visa regulations depend on the specific country of his passport rather than EU membership.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Take the basic DTV Qualification Test to see if you're eligible for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the DTV Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
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Us *****
You're 22, why are you on an island for more than 2 wks with a bunch if retired folks? Go to bkk and party with people your age and discover the city.
Stephen ********
You could look at the 6 month Multi Entry Tourist Visa, you could squeeze close to 9 months out of it. With the new visa exempt being so new, there is bound to be some vagueness, so an actual visa will do away with any of that
Franklin ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stephen *******
thank you Stephen, will definitely look into it 👌Reply to
Franklin ********
Reply
Pui *****
There is no EU passport. Thailand has different entry rules based on the nation of your passport, not whether your country is in the EU.
Franklin ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Pui ****
right 👍 I have an Estonian passport to be more specificReply to
Pui *****
Reply
Elías ********
@Pui ****
same in Korea. For example France or Spain passport holders get some benefits, while Bulgarian passports don't, regardless all of them belong to the European Union. Visa rules tend to be country-specific.Reply to
Elías ********
Reply
Jim ********
Yeh do your 60+30 days visa exemption and then leave the country for a few days and repeat for another 60+30 👌👌
William ******
@Jim *******
I did that and got a talking to from immigration, they told me they want you to get an actual 60 day visa if you do thatJim ********
@William *****
what’s the difference between a 60 day tourist visa and a 60 day visa exempt? People won’t be applying for a tourist visa when you get the same amount of time without a tourist visa. You’d still have to do a border run regardless 🤷♂️. Obviously if you kept doing it then that’s when it could become an issueWilliam ******
@Jim *******
this was last year when you could only get 30 days visa exempt. The actual visa you apply for before you go. The exemption you just show up and they stamp you in. Now that the exemption is 60 days, nit much difference. I'm sure someone will knowJim ********
@William *****
No I know exactly what the difference is but now they are both 60 days it’s almost like the SETV will be redundant 🤷♂️Reply to
Jim ********
Reply
Franklin ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jim *******
easy thanks Jim👌😎Reply to
Franklin ********
Reply
Judith ***********************
November is their rainy season 🌧️⛈️🌥️
Jim ********
@Judith **********************
I went in November and it literally rained for the whole 10 days I was there. I’ll never go that time of the year again 😂😂Franklin ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jim *******
when does the rainy season end? 😂Jim ********
@Franklin *******
it’s like the opposite to the Andaman so like Phuket etc so I’m not 100% but like April onwards is good for samuiReply to
Jim ********
Reply
Franklin ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Judith **********************
I’ll be sure to bring an umbrellaReply to
Franklin ********
Reply
Jon **********
6 months is easy if they don’t change the rules fly in on visa exemption get 60 days extend 30 days locally for 1900 baht. Do one border bounce with agent giving another 60 which you can extend for 30. Total of 6 months, this can be repeated again giving another 3 months.
Franklin ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jon *********
thanks so much Jon, how long would you recommend staying out of Thailand before coming back in.Jon **********
@Franklin *******
they have two agents that organise trips as far as I know. The visa trips costs 4500 baht and you leave samui super early in the morning, 5 am pick up and return 7 or 8pm. It’s a long day. Be aware samui is rainy season November and December not the best time to move there.Reply to
Jon **********
Reply
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