Approved. Soft skills. Muay Thai. Cambodia. German Passport.
Applied: Friday August 8th
Approved: Wednesday evening August 27th
I've been living in Thailand since 2013. Mostly on Marriage Visa and extensions, but the past 2 years a mix between border runs ( 60 day arrival stamps ) and 1 year ED-Visa.
I chose Muay Thai Fever for documents. They did advice to go to basically any country other than Cambodia, because they are known to be difficult. But, I was a bit stubborn. I've been wanting to visit Cambodia / Angkor Wat for years already and decided to stay in Siem Reap for the time. If push comes to shove, I'd just try again in Vietnam.
I also used Issa Compass to handle all the paperwork and submit the documents. Very reasonable price + money back guarantee if I get declined. No brainer for me.
I provided Issa Compass with all documentation and they submitted everything Friday August 8th. I should mention, I already have 2 Bank accounts in Thailand. Both were way under 500k. I topped "sleeper" account up to 500k in May of this year...so about 3 months prior to applying. I gave Issa 6 months worth of statements with almost no transactions except the 500k deposit in May.
The following week I was asked if I can provide a different bank statement "to make my case stronger". I provided my everyday account statement, also 6 months...but balance always around 20k. ( I hold most my assets in crypto and convert to THB as needed ).
They agreed to use that bank account as well, eventhough it was way below 500k.
A few days passed, and I was asked when I opened those accounts and which Visa. ( I was surprised and scared by those questions ). I provided pictures of my Visas for ~8 years ago ( mind you, I have a new passport since then as well ).
Then another few days later, they wanted some other document from Muay Thai Fever gym. They explained usually its not needed ( Cambodia apparently is the only embassy that asks for this one specific document ). I forwarded the information to my Agent Issa Compass. They understood the explanation.
Another ~2 weeks passed and I got the Approved! Email.
Without the Visa agent / Issa Compass I would have failed surely. I assume some?all? Visa agents have a direct line of communication with the embassy to handle missing paperwork. Whereas a normal applicant would possibly just get a rejection with or without explanation.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user successfully obtained a visa after living in Thailand since 2013, primarily on a marriage visa but recently transitioning to a combination of border runs and an education visa. They chose to apply through Issa Compass and Muay Thai Fever for assistance, despite warnings about difficulties with the Cambodian embassy. After gathering necessary documentation, including bank statements and supporting records of their visas, they navigated additional queries from the embassy and ultimately received approval. The process highlighted the importance of using a visa agent for effective communication and document handling with the embassy.
