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What type of visa should I apply for to stay in Thailand as a Dutch expat on sabbatical?
Thailand VisaSabbatical VisaMulti-Entry Tourist Visa (METV)Visa Rules ThailandExpat Guide ThailandHua Hin ResidencyTM30 FormVisa Extensions Thailand
Apr 8, 2019
7 years ago
Peters **********
ORIGINAL POSTERHello everybody, it dazzles me with all the options so I need advice on Visa. I am dutch, turned 49 in the beginning of this year and have my own company. I am taking a sabbatical this year and I want to stay in Thailand as long as possible (no work - only relax and travel a little bit) with the possibility to go back and forward to The Netherlands if this is needed for my work/business. The Thai consulate in Essen Germany is closeby where I live and I am planning to stay in the Hua Hin area in Thailand. So what visa suits me most for this purpose. Thanks
TLDR : Answer Summary
A Dutch expat, planning to stay in Thailand during a sabbatical while maintaining the ability to travel back to the Netherlands for work, seeks advice on the most suitable visa. Community feedback suggests applying for a Multi-Entry Tourist Visa (METV) for 6 months, allowing for nearly 9 months total stay through border runs and extensions. Additional discussions cover procedures for extending stays, necessary documentation for visa applications, and reporting requirements while in Thailand.
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Tod *********
@Johan ******
I'd say get the 6 month METV get here THEN worry about whether you're in an area that is hard core about a TM.30 form or not.You're getting the cart WAY before the horse.
Good Luck (y)
Peters **********
ORIGINAL POSTEROK and than it leads to the following, I see many discussions with these report forms; if I stay at a hotel, the hotel reports me but what if I find a studio that I rent or when I stay at a friends home for a while, what to do with these forms??? Do I have to do it myself?
Stuart *********
@Johan ******
sorry don't know anything about that area so can't advise. Others here might be able to do so.Peters **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stuart ********
hua hin area and khirikhanStuart *********
@Johan ******
the tm30 is not enforced across all immigration offices so it's a bit hard to state specific advice without knowing which of the 70 offices you would be near. You can do it yourself if you have a copy of the Thai owners id and copy of the house papers but places like Phuket require a power of attorney from the owner as well. Hotels will almost certainly do it for you automatically. Other places like campsites etc may not. If you don't need interaction with immigration (like an extension of stay) then it's probably not nessesary.Reply to
Stuart *********
Reply
Stuart *********
Use Tods steps. You have a valid visa so not limited to a plane entry. The limit on land border crossings is only for visa exemption entries.
Stuart *********
@Johan ******
it's very rarely asked for but it just needs to be a ticket out of Thailand. Doesn't need to be a plane ticket. Bus or train suffice. A bus ticket to a border town in Thailand won't though. Some people have said they've bought one on their phone at the point of being asked though I can't say of that would work in all cases. I personally wouldn't sweat this one as it rarely comes up as an issue especially as you'd have an METV. That said I couldn't guarantee it won't.Robert *******
You do not need a flight ticket if asked by Immigration. They could ask, but out of reports this happens mostly at airports to people with years of history of living inside Thailand and a ticket out of Thailand will do, could be a bus or train ticket to a destination outside Thailand, for example the international bus from Nong Khai to Vientiane.
Peters **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stuart ********
OK, proof of fund and proof of stay will not be the problem but do I need a (proof of) flight ticket out of Thailand every time? Anyone advice or experience...... ???Stuart *********
@Johan ******
technically yes you could be asked at any entry point. No one can say IF you will or won't be asked. Generally they don't unless you have a history of back to back entries. Land borders less likely than airports but unfortunately no one has the crystal ball to say if they will.Peters **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stuart ********
When I do my border run for new 60 days of stay do I have to have the 3 proofs again? 20K cash, flight ticket out of Thailand and Hotel reservations?Stuart *********
@Johan ******
gray area really as it depends on the specific immigration officers interpretation of the rules. I guess if you have some accommodation booked that should suffice.Peters **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stuart ********
Accomodation reservation, I am renting a big bike so i will be cruising around Thailand, So the first 2 nights I am sure what hotel I will be staying but after that... Are there rules/guidelines regarding proof of stay?Peters **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Thomas *******************
OK I will contact them, thanks.Thomas ********************
Write to them to clarify. The embassy in Copenhagen has a similar text. But they didn't actually want to see proof of onward travel. And they were very helpful by email.
Stuart *********
Also be aware that on any entry at any entry point you might be asked for the 3 proofs. 20k cash only. Accommodation reservation and proof of onward travel out of Thailand. Best to be prepared IF they were to ask.
Stuart *********
Johan Marie I'm not sure about the air ticket. The consular website for the Hague states "Roundtrip flight reservation or ticket (at least for first entry)." Seems a daft requirement to have a round trip ticket but that's what it states. Others on here might have more experience in the METV application though. I don't know the rules about every land border but in general yes you can use them and get 60 days perhaps you can ask a separate question about specific land borders you'd want to use.
Peters **********
ORIGINAL POSTEROK this is clear for me now, thanks. Should I buy a roundtrip airplane ticket (60 days) when I apply for this visa and not use it to go back. Can i still do the landborders to get my new 60 day stamp?
Stuart *********
@Johan ******
yes exactly. Can be the last day too.Peters **********
ORIGINAL POSTEROK and (for example) the last 2 days before expiry date visa I go in and out which gives me 60 days again and this I can extend for 30 days
Stuart *********
@Johan ******
yes multiple entry means as many times as you like up until the expiry date of the visa.Peters **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stuart ********
So with this visa I can go in and out of the country as much as I want/need (go back for work in Holland) and use border crossings for 60 days stamp.Peters **********
ORIGINAL POSTEROK, I didn't notice that difference, pfffff
Reply to
Peters **********
Reply
Peters **********
ORIGINAL POSTERAnd here it gets confusing for me, do I just stick to
@Tod ********
steps or should I use the 30 day extension option each time? and with this multi entry visa I can go in and out Thailand as "often" as I want (by Plane)?Peters **********
ORIGINAL POSTEROK thanks, clear !
Thomas ********************
After that, you have to leave. So, it's roughly 90 days pr stay. But make sure to enter before the visa expires to get the last 60 (and extend that by 30 locally.)
Thomas ********************
No. Every time you enter the country during the visa validity, you're stamped in for 60 days. That stay can be extended by 30 locally.
Peters **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Thomas *******************
Do I understand this correct, to get stamped every 60 days again I do not have to go in and out of the country trough border but I can get this 60 day stamp at the Hua Hin immigration office?Thomas ********************
By air or land, as many as you want.
I would extend each stay locally, instead of leaving the country. So, it would roughly become three times 60 + 30.
Make sure to always check your entry/exemption stamps before leaving the immigration area/office.
The crucial thing with the METV is to arrive just before it's validity expires.
I would extend each stay locally, instead of leaving the country. So, it would roughly become three times 60 + 30.
Make sure to always check your entry/exemption stamps before leaving the immigration area/office.
The crucial thing with the METV is to arrive just before it's validity expires.
Reply to
Thomas ********************
Reply
Peters **********
ORIGINAL POSTEROK, off to The Hague than,
@Tod ********
you mentioned it gives me 9 months stay in Thailand, which steps do I have to take to get these 9 months in total?Ben **********
Yes, you must leave the country, and with a metv you can do by land as much as you like. Entering over land by visa exempt stamps is limited to 2 times per calendar year.
Mary ********
@Thomas *******************
is that possible? I thought it was a must you leave the country.Thomas ********************
Depending on where you stay, doing extensions locally on each 60 day entry, instead of border bounces, may be easier.
Stuart *********
Johan Marie if you have a valid visa there is no limit to the number of land border entries you can have.
Peters **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Tod ********
OK and as I understood right, I can do this exit/re-enter 2 times by landborder and with airplane there is no limit. If I choose the landborder do I need proof of leaving the country by plane or other means of transportation?Vincent *************
So you cannot extend for 30 days, after the first 60 days by paying 1,900 baht? You have to exit and re-enter?
Tod *********
the visa is valid for 6 months from the date it's issued so get it as close to when you're coming here as you can
When you enter you'll get stamped in for 60 days
When that is running out
exit/re-enter the country for 60 more days
When that is running out
exit/re-enter the country for 60 more days
when the VISA is expiring
exit/re-enter one last time for 60 days <- taking you to 8 months
get a 30 day extension on the last 60 day entry at the immigration office for 1900baht taking you to 9 months
When you enter you'll get stamped in for 60 days
When that is running out
exit/re-enter the country for 60 more days
When that is running out
exit/re-enter the country for 60 more days
when the VISA is expiring
exit/re-enter one last time for 60 days <- taking you to 8 months
get a 30 day extension on the last 60 day entry at the immigration office for 1900baht taking you to 9 months
Reply to
Tod *********
Reply
Robert *******
I looked at their website, but could not find any up tot date info for this. Normally you only get this visa in the country where you have residency. I guess you have to visit the Thai Embassy in The Hague for this visa.
Peters **********
ORIGINAL POSTEROK, clear. Can I obtain this visa also at the German consulate, I live in the Netherlands but the German consulate in Essen is much closer for me.
Tod *********
Most of the consulates that sell it have a residency requirement <- meaning you need to legally live in the country where you're applying for the thai visa.
Reply to
Tod *********
Reply
Michael ********
6 month multiple entry visa.
Tod *********
get a 6 month METV <- multi-entry tourist visa from the thai consulate in your country before you come here.
That visa (if you use it correctly) will give you almost 9 months of stay in country (in 60 day increments).
That will give you plenty of time to look at longer visa options
That visa (if you use it correctly) will give you almost 9 months of stay in country (in 60 day increments).
That will give you plenty of time to look at longer visa options
Reply to
Tod *********
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