Answered5 years ago
What are the options for booking accommodations for the STV visa in Thailand?
Newbie Canadian to the group. Question: plan to arrive in January on an STV visa. They want confirmed and paid hotel for ENTIRE stay. What is the work around? We wAnt to travel and be spontaneous rather than be locked in to 3 months of stays at places booked sight unseen. Thanks in advance for any help.
Answer summary
A new Canadian expat seeking advice on the STV visa requirements expressed concern about the need to book accommodations for their entire three-month stay in Thailand. Community members shared various strategies to address this requirement, including booking cancellable accommodations via platforms like Agoda or Booking.com, or potentially applying for a different visa (such as the OA visa) that may not require pre-booked accommodations. Others noted their own experiences with accommodation verification upon arrival, indicating that showing a booking for just a short period or providing accommodations confirmation from local contacts could also work.
26 repliesnewest first
Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.
Karen *******
If you’re concerned about it, reserve something in Booking.com that can be cancelled without a fee. Print off the confirmation, then cancel.
Bob **********
Book on Agoda or Booking.com with free cancellation
Aaron *************
@Randy ********
We did our STV from Ottawa. We only had to show a booking for a hotel after our 2 week quarentine in Bangkok. It was checked again at immigration. No one asked to see anything for total length of stay.
Randy *********
OP@Aaron ************
that sounds encouraging… thanks.
Jean-Francois ***********
Embassy asked me the same thing. I did my non immigrant O visa in Ottawa. I sent them a letter from my in-laws stating that I would stay at their home for my whole trip. 24 hours later I had my visa approved.
Randy *********
OP@Jean-Francois **********
fantastic! Unfortunately I don’t have any Thai family… just exploring all my options now.Randy *********
OP@Colleen ********
thanks Colleen 😊Colleen *********
I have same issue. I literally only book Max 1 week at first then look around. I got reply from thai embassy in Oz to say just show 1 week accommodation booked
Bobby ********
What age are you?
Randy *********
OP@Bobby *******
57. I do plan to apply for a retirement or ED visa for my next trip.Bobby ********
Randy Goossen. Ok, rather than stuff around with an STV just apply for an OA visa from your embassy. This gives you one year stamp when you enter, and the potential of a second year if you are able to do a border bounce in a year's time (which is highly likely). You don't need any pre-booked accommodation and you don't have to worry about in-country extensions.
Michael ********
Yes its a great visa for Snowbirds, but not for the roving tourist.
(Snowbird retirees that have property in Thailand and spend there winters here)
(Snowbird retirees that have property in Thailand and spend there winters here)
Charlie *********
Got told to book a place and after you get visa cancel it
Randy *********
OP@Charlie ********
thanks Charlie… that’s encouraging.Charlie *********
From a source who has done it 😉
Lisa ********************
Could try booking accomodation you can cancel via booking or agoda ?
Randy *********
OP@Lisa *******************
thanks Lisa. I wondered if this would work. Kind of hoping to hear from someone who has done or is doing this. Much appreciated. 🙏
Garrett ***********
That's how the STV works, you need accommodations booked for 3 months in advance.
Randy *********
OP@Garrett **********
thanks. Just wondering if there is a work around or another visa that would allow for a more spontaneous lifestyle and a stay of 6 months.Randy *********
OPThanks Brandon. Much appreciated. I think I’ll do the STV this time and then a retirement or ED visa next time. Much appreciated 👍🏼
Randy *********
OP@Jay *******
thanks Jay. Have a great trip. If you hear of any work arounds I’d be most interested. Enjoy 🙏
Jay ********
@Randy ********
It's my understanding that you'll have the same requirements in 3months when you're planning to renew, insurance and accommodation paid for the following 3months so its not ideal. Btw I've opted for the STV too, going this weekend.
Brandon ************
@Randy ********
STV was designed for snowbirds who come to Thailand every winter and have a condo or long term housing already planned out each year. It's not ideal for someone who wants to travel around the country. There's not any workarounds because you have to prepay and show proof as well as the tax ID and documents from the booking.
Only other option is something like a multi entry tourist visa (if your embassy offers it, many do not currently) or leave after 90 days and get a new tourist visa and return. Both ways will require leaving and coming back to get your fresh stay.
There's not really many places in the world you can just freely go on holiday and live for 6 months.
Brandon ************
@Jon **********
true. Though not worth it for 6 months. But if you fall in love with Thailand after that test run, it may be.
Jon *****
@Brandon ***********
Elite Visa is another optionActivity
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