Can my mum apply for an STV in Thailand without prepaying accommodation for the entire stay?

Oct 22, 2021
3 years ago
Beth ****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you for your help with my last post 🙏 so my mum is applying for the STV, and the application needs proof of booking accommodation for the entire stay.

After the mandatory hotel stay on arrival she will then be staying with me at the house I rent.

Has anybody in a similar situation had any luck applying without having to book/pay for and then cancel accommodation for the 90 days? Would (for example) my rental agreement for my house, with a covering letter be acceptable?

Thanks again!
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The original poster is seeking advice on their mother's application for a Thailand Special Tourist Visa (STV), specifically regarding accommodation proof requirements. They ask if a rental agreement and cover letter can suffice instead of paying for 90 days of accommodation upfront. Commenters advise checking with the embassy due to varied rules, noting that official requirements typically state that accommodation must be prepaid. They suggest booking accommodation through a site like Agoda and then canceling it for free as an alternative.
Stuart *********
Rules of the STV ask for fully paid up accommodation for the entire stay. Nothing to stop you using a site like Agoda to book something and then later cancel it for free.
Beth ****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
thanks, she will do that if it comes to it but just looking first to see if there’s a way around it considering the situation 😊
Stuart *********
@Beth ***
I’ve seen posts from earlier on in the STV program where people got a letter from their friend or relatives stating that they were staying with them, but unless I’m mistaken everyone said that was rejected and it had to be paid accommodation like a hotel or condo lease.
Ray ********
@Stuart ********
seriously!
Stuart *********
@Ray *******
I’m not sure what you think is not serious.
Ray ********
@Stuart ********
that I will have to pay for Other accommodations when my fiancé is providing a place to stay.
Beth ****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ray *******
agreed!

my land lady was kind enough to write me another rental agreement with my mums name on it, stating the house has been paid by her for the time she is requesting the visa for..

May or may not work but worth a try. I can let you know if the application is accepted with that
Ray ********
@Beth ***
Thank you Beth
Beth ****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
ahhh okay, good to know.. thank you 🙏
Charles ********
You really need to talk directly to the embassy that will be doing your STV.

The official rules are it must be prepaid for the 90 days, including with a lease agreement. Embassies will vary what they will allow and not allow. Extention is probably easier.

I did the STV before the new stv restart at the first of the year. The embassy in Taipei first rejected my serviced apartment because it was not prepaid only authorized. I prepaid it and they accepted it. I did later cancel it, lease a condo, and was able to extend stv with lease agreement only (no prepayment).

As always, results may vary, from office to office, person to person, day to day.
Beth ****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Charles *******
okay thank you for the insight 🙏

Not having much luck with the London embassy with specific questions, just keep getting directed at the online application, so wanted to see if anyone has done something similar first
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