Dear all,

I am one of the many farangs that came here for study and fell in love with Thailand and also a Thai girl.

Currently I graduated already and came back to Thailand to look for a job. I know.. it is hard, but I decided to give it a try anyway.

I am considering, if I cannot find anything, to take my Thai girlfriend back with me to Holland for a few years, so I can get some more work experience.

She has graduated with a bachelor from Bangkok University and has some years of work experience in a good position for a globally well-recognized company in the fashion industry.

I was wondering if someone knows what her chances are to find a job in the Netherlands that is better than serving Phad Thai at a local Thai restaurant. Would it also be difficult to get a work permit for her?

Thanks for your advice.

Vincent

See Provisional Stay (MVV) and I want to come to the Netherlands.

Also: Living and working in the Netherlands, How can I find work in the Netherlands?

what's her name.. she may have tried already.

I think it will largely depend on where you are staying in the Netherland.

My wife has a degree to and many years in the juwelry industry. Even in Amsterdam that is known for its juwelry it was impossible to find a job. Keep in mind that she looked for a parttime position because we have two children, fulltime might be a little easier.

The University degree is worth next to nothing, work experience is much more important and a good command of English is necessary. Try to get some reference letters from her employer.

If you go for the MVV and you will have to if you want to live together and look for a job for her, be prepared for it to take 3-6 months, if you live in a big city it will be nearer the 6 months than the 3. All the while she will have to remain in Thailand. She can't go to the Netherlands on a tourist visa while she applied for an MVV. The rules are now more difficult then a few years ago. She would have to do a 'inburgeringscursus' and study the Dutch language. And she will have to do an exam at the embassy in Bangkok. Someone will have to gaurantee for her, you can do it if you have a lot of money in the bank or get a job offer with a contract for at least a year. That is if you don't have a steady job already. You will also have to proof that you have a serious relationship. I am married so that was easy. But if you are not, start saving those mails, telephone receipts, letters, pictures etc. It will make the appliation a lot easier if you can prove the relationship is real. Keep in mind that they first will think that you are bringing a Thai prostitue to the Netherlands for work. It happens a lot and people like us have to suffer for it. Proof it that it is not the case.

If you really want to do it, it is not that difficult, honest answers are the best. They do this every day so you can be sure they have experience to look through little lies. From start to finish it can easily take a year. If faster than you are one of the lucky ones.

Good luck, and hope everything goes smooth.