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Unanswered6 years ago

Is the Special Tourist Visa (STV) still available for US citizens wishing to enter Thailand?

Justin ******
asked Jan 5, 2021
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Has anyone from the US successfully gotten the STV? I applied on Saturday and just received an email today that my application is disqualified:

"Your application is disqualified under the current rules and regulations. The entry to Thailand is permitted for particular persons in the exempted list. Please check the list of exempted persons at [[members only]/)"

Are tourists no longer allowed?
Summary so far
The discussion revolves around the recent application experience of a US citizen for Thailand's Special Tourist Visa (STV), which was disqualified. Users express uncertainty about the availability of the STV for US applicants, with conflicting reports on eligibility. Several commenters discuss criteria for the STV, mention embassy responsiveness, and share experiences regarding the application process, including issues with invitation letters and required hotel reservations.
31 repliesnewest first
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Harry ****
Harry ****
any updates? did you get refunded for everything?
Kathy ****************
Kathy ****************
This is why the Thai Embassy's in the US require money orders and they say no refunds, I wonder if they just hold money if you reapply? Also OA retirement 1 year requires you to gave a 5 entry visa even if only 1 is wanted...
Harry ****
Harry ****
Reminder to everyone try to use a payment intermediary like PayPal to purchase your stuff for your trip, that way you are more protected in case you need to cancel.
Justin ******
Justin ******
OP
@Harrison ******
I finally got in touch with someone at the embassy and they told me it was rejected because of the invitation letter from my Thai friend and no hotel reservation. I am trying to figure out how to resubmit the application.
Harry ****
Harry ****
@Justin *****
I was rejected as well, but was not given a reason and told to just reregister. I have now cancelled all my plans and will not be going. I do not like being played around with. I had met all the requirements. I will be taking my resources and spending them where I am treated better.
Joseph *********
Joseph *********
Sadly, the US is at the top of the list for COVID-19 mismanagement and cases. Better luck next time.
Rich ******
Rich ******
I didn’t have an stv when I went to Thailand but caught one while I was there.
Diana *****************
Diana *****************
I am in Bangkok now we are in semi lockdown right now with cases soaring past 2 weeks starting from province Samut Sakhon so maybe it was disqualified for now email to check
Ruth *******
Ruth *******
These are the visas for which Americans are eligible.
**********************************************
Justin ******
Justin ******
OP
Someone told me this was acceptable for STV but maybe that's the reason mine was "disqualified"
Justin ******
Justin ******
OP
Yes, I used an invitation letter from a Thai friend that I will be staying with.
Bobby ********
Bobby ********
Do you meet all the criteria as listed?
Justin ******
Justin ******
OP
@Bobby *******
Yes, I met all the criteria
Josh ***********
Josh ***********
thats odd, multiple sources say STV is available for all countries now
************************************
Justin ******
Justin ******
OP
It's also on the DC embassy's website.
*************************************
*******
/10/stv/
Kasper *********
Kasper *********
@Josh **********
Old, fake news.. STV still not available in many countries.
Ryan ********
Ryan ********
@Kasper ********
not true. It is a viable for all countries. However it is up to the local embassy to offer it.
Kasper *********
Kasper *********
@Ryan *******
that's why because depend from ambassy STV still not available for many countries ;) ..mostly in Europe
Ofir ***********
Ofir ***********
WTF. I can't see anywhere that you don't allow to apply for STV. I want to apply myself but im worry to risk so much money and get rejected
Tony *********
Tony *********
I thought STV not available for Americans
Ryan ********
Ryan ********
@Tony ********
it was made available for everyone in the world back in mid December
Apex ********************
Apex ********************
Which embassy did you apply to? I have not heard of anyone in the US being granted an STV. I emailed the embassy in DC a couple weeks ago asking about the STV and they never responded either.
Harry ****
Harry ****
i learned my lesson from this though. ill never book a trip when there are too many requirements. its just terrible.
Harry ****
Harry ****
what did they say?
Justin ******
Justin ******
OP
@Harrison ******
they didn't answer lol
Justin ******
Justin ******
OP
I applied to the one in DC
Ryan ********
Ryan ********
@Justin *****
are you American? If not the STV can only be issued by your passport country.
Apex ********************
Apex ********************
@Jus***
I wouldn't expect them to answer unfortunately. Not sure what their issue is, but the DC embassy has been awful to deal with.
Justin ******
Justin ******
OP
@Ryan *******
yes, it's listed there. I'm not sure what happened. I emailed them today and didn't hear back so I will call them in the morning.
Ryan ********
Ryan ********
@Justin *****
hmm. And the STV progress is listed on the DC embassy website? If so then something must have been filled out incorrectly on the application.

Thailand made it available for everyone in the world back in December.

I’d call the embassy to ask them.
Justin ******
Justin ******
OP
@Ryan *******
yes, I'm American

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