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What are the options for extending a 45-day visa exemption in Thailand for a Belgian digital nomad?
Visa extensionThailand visa rulesDigital nomadVisa exemptionNon-immigrant visasImmigration office proceduresMETVBorder bounce
Dec 7, 2022
3 years ago
Jean ******
ORIGINAL POSTERHello, I am a Belgian national currently in Thailand on a 45 day visa exemption. My visa is ending next week and I would like to stay longer. What are my options? Do I need to leave and re-enter the country or can I pay for an exemption at an immigration office? I would prefer the latter, saves a bunch of hassle.
Secondly, I would like to have an idea what is the max amount of time I could stay in Thailand. I am a digital nomad, working online. Any pointers would be appreciated, along with what exactly I would need to do.
Many thanks in advance! Jean
Secondly, I would like to have an idea what is the max amount of time I could stay in Thailand. I am a digital nomad, working online. Any pointers would be appreciated, along with what exactly I would need to do.
Many thanks in advance! Jean
TLDR : Answer Summary
A Belgian national currently in Thailand on a 45-day visa exemption seeks advice on extending their stay. It is possible to extend the visa exemption by applying for a 30-day extension at a local immigration office for a fee of 1,900 baht. After one extension, a border bounce is necessary to receive a new visa exemption, which can be done twice a year. For longer stays, it is recommended to obtain a METV (Multiple Entry Tourist Visa) before entering Thailand, as it allows for up to nine months of stay. However, working remotely on a visa exemption or tourist visa is generally not allowed without a proper work visa.
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Robert *******
WOW, don't admit you are working, no options for Digital Nomads.
It seems some experts never did read any of the Immigration Visa rules.
The Non Immigrant B visa allows everybody to work inside Thailand in combination with a Work Permit, the ideal combination, You can tell every body you work, you contribute into Thailand with paying tax and you have social security,
And the biggest benefit, you do not have to leave Thailand as long as you work, as each and every year you can apply for 1 year Extension of Stay based on working in Thailand at your local Immigration Office.
Live can be so easy and legal if you just pay a little attention to the rules.
It seems some experts never did read any of the Immigration Visa rules.
The Non Immigrant B visa allows everybody to work inside Thailand in combination with a Work Permit, the ideal combination, You can tell every body you work, you contribute into Thailand with paying tax and you have social security,
And the biggest benefit, you do not have to leave Thailand as long as you work, as each and every year you can apply for 1 year Extension of Stay based on working in Thailand at your local Immigration Office.
Live can be so easy and legal if you just pay a little attention to the rules.
Jean ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Robert ******
thanks a lot, very useful all of this 🙏Reply to
Jean ******
Reply
Riaan **********
BUT whatever option you choose, strictly speaking you are not allowed to work, not even remotely, on a visa exemption or tourist visa
Martin *******
Don't admit you are working !
James ********
As for staying longer ..
You should have applied for the METV multiple entry tourist visa before you left your home country. It would have given you up to 9 months to stay in Thailand.
NOW you are needing to do border bounce to get new visa exempt entry 45 days plus one 30 day extension of stay.
Border Bounce can be done 2 times EACH CALENDAR YEAR.
You should have applied for the METV multiple entry tourist visa before you left your home country. It would have given you up to 9 months to stay in Thailand.
NOW you are needing to do border bounce to get new visa exempt entry 45 days plus one 30 day extension of stay.
Border Bounce can be done 2 times EACH CALENDAR YEAR.
Rikki *********
@James *******
can you apply for an METV while still in Thailand or on arrival?James ********
@Rikki ********
Nope... The METV is only available in your home country.Reply to
James ********
Reply
Chris **********
@James *******
and here's me thinking the 2 entries/year applied only to land borders, while air was technically limitless.Graham ******
@Chris *********
It is only land border visa exempt entriesChris **********
@Graham *****
yep, but @Ja***
didn't make that land/air distinction aboveJames ********
@Chris *********
by Air.. it's okay until the Thai immigration officer asks you upon arrival into a Thai airport...Why do you stay in Thailand so many times?... And denies you entry.Reply to
James ********
Reply
Reply to
James ********
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James ********
A 30 day extension of stay is available at your local Thai immigration office for 1,900 Thai baht. These are the common found requirements ...
Jason ***********
You can extend once for 1900baht (30days) then you will have to leave Thailand and return. There aren't really any good options for Digital Nomads.
Tod *********
How about stating WHERE you stay in thailand so people can tell you what office to go to.
Jean ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Tod ********
currently in Chiang MaiTod *********
@Jean *****
then you can go to the main immigration office by the airport or the one over at Central Festival Mall. After that 30 days runs out you can go to the border, stamp out of thailand, stamp in and out of another country and stamp right back into thailand to get a NEW 45 day visa exempt entry (which you can also extend for 30 days as well)
The closest land border that's open for foreigners to cross is the Lao border at Chiang Khong in Chiang Rai province. It's about 300km away from C/M.
Reply to
Tod *********
Reply
Tod *********
you can get ONE 30 day extension on your 45 day visa exempt entry stamp for 1900baht a the immigration office where you stay.
Reply to
Tod *********
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