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What are my options for obtaining a Thai visa when I'm asked for a letter of invitation from my wife?

visa applicationsThai visaNon-Immigrant O visaletter of invitationThai consulatevisa requirementsexpat adviceimmigration proceduresLoas visa application
Sep 29, 2022
2 years ago
Richard *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Ok, here is my dilemma. I have been coming into Thailand for the past 15 years on a Non-Immigrant O multiple entry visa. I have never been asked for a letter from my wife inviting me to come visit her in Thailand. While spending some time in Saigon before flying into Thailand, I went to the Thai Consulate with everything I thought was needed. The person asked to see a letter from my wife inviting me to come see her which I didn't have. They did not think it was a hard thing to do and just said to come back when I had it.

Upon arriving in Thailand, I received a 30 day stamp. I just came back from an agent who said they could help me but it would cost 35,000 baht. I am almost ready to fly back to the US and start over after a cooling off period. Do I have any other options? I am aware of going into Laos and applying for a visa over there. Any insight would be appreciated.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user has faced complications at the Thai consulate in Saigon while applying for a Non-Immigrant O visa due to the requirement of a letter of invitation from his Thai wife, which he does not have. Various community members suggest obtaining this letter, either handwritten in Thai or typed, accompanied by a copy of his wife's ID. Other suggestions include applying for the visa in Savannakhet, Laos, or potentially reacquiring the letter after an initial visit. Some participants share their visa application experiences and emphasize the importance of flexibility and understanding local consulate demands.
Mark ******
Yes, you need an invitation letter from your wife, handwritten in Thai!
2 years ago
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Craig *******
The invitation letter can be in English. Just write it yourself in a word doc, print to PDF and then use an online PDF editor to digitally sign it. Also have your wife send a photo of her ID card.

I have a signed invitation letter in Word on my computer, I just change the date every time I apply for a visa
2 years ago
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Mark ********
I am not familiar with your specific situation but Savannakhet, Laos consulate was super simple for me to get a Non-O visa. They are a small consulate but their system is fast and precise. They make it easy.
2 years ago
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Val **********
@Mark *******
 do you know if consulate still open? ours here in WA 🇦🇺 no longer process visas since Covid. We are looking for somewhere where we can get Non. O visa.
2 years ago
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Mark ********
@Val *********
 And they do not do appointments. You just show up. They have a good system. You drop off your documents and passport from 0900-1100. Then return the next day from 1400-1600 to pick up the passport and visa. If you drop off documents on a Friday then you must wait until Monday to pick up the passport.
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2 years ago
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Val **********
@Mark *******
 thanks Mark.
2 years ago
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Val **********
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Mark ********
@Val *********
 I got a Non O visa in Savannakhet 3 months ago.
2 years ago
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Mark ********
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David **********
I applied for O visa a few months ago from consulate in DC. I wrote the invitation for my wife in English, signed by my wife. Not accepted. They wanted the letter in Thai. As I didn’t have a Thai keyboard, she wrote it by hand and I sent them a copy and that was accepted.
2 years ago
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Paul ********
Just book Hotel for 2 Day's, Tell them your touring Thailand
2 years ago
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Ronald *********
Just get your wife or her family member to write a letter of invitation in Thai, and email it to you with her ID card attached.

You can then keep this in your files for future visits.
2 years ago
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Richard *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Ronald Jackson, I think the letter is dated and don't think it would work for multiple visits.
2 years ago
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Ronald *********
@Richard ******
I think it is more authentic written in Thai by hand, I don't know what it says but it is acceptable.
2 years ago
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Kevin *****
@Richard ******
 then don't date it but use Word to type it and put a header on the page and select "Insert Date" and "Update automatically" then every time it's printed it will have the current date.
2 years ago
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Ronald *********
@Kevin ****
Mine was hand written.
2 years ago
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Ronald *********
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Ronald *********
@Richard ******
My letter was not dated, and have used more than once.
2 years ago
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Richard *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Ronald JacksonI had my wife use the following format:

Invitation Letter Example

I, Mr/Mrs…….. …………………………………….(Name of host) would like to

invite……………………………….(name of the applicant)) to visit and stay with me at

the address…………………………………………………………………………………

…....………………...(as stated in the copy of identification card or house registration

bookor rental contract) during…………………………..……… (day/month/year)

……………………….Signature

……………date
2 years ago
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Richard *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Ronald Jackson, you have been lucky.
2 years ago
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Richard *******
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Philip **********
I’m confused as to why you just don’t get the letter from your “wife”.
2 years ago
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Wolfgang *******
I don't understand what you write

You in Thailand now? Than ask your wife for the letter
2 years ago
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Scott *********
An invitation from your wife??? What? They don't think a wife would want a visit from her husband? I'm confused.
2 years ago
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Richard *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Scott Neptune, pretty silly isn't it??
2 years ago
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Scott *********
@Richard ******
 i may be taking a trip back to America soon. This was why it caught my attention. I guess I'll have my thai wife write me up an invitation asking me to come back to her after my trip. I'm guessing out of 193 countries Thailand is the only one that asks for this.
2 years ago
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Richard *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Scott Neptune, I have been coming back and forth from the US and this is the first time I was asked for a letter. Such nonsence.
2 years ago
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Richard *******
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Jorge ****
The Thai consulate in LA asked me for a letter from my Thai wife for a visa based on marriage. This was Jan. 2021. I typed it in English on Google translate, copied the translated Thai and pasted it onto FB messenger, she got it, made some corrections, printed it on the same paper with a photocopy of her ID, signed, scanned it, and sent it back to me. She used a printer/scanner we had in the house, though a local print shop could do it as well. I in turn, sent the file back to the consulate. Visa was issued. Good luck!
2 years ago
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Richard *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Jorge Jo, your wife is sharp. Mine has problems understanding complex instructions.
2 years ago
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Jorge ****
@Richard ******
 I left that detail out... our kids actually did the computer part... 🤣
2 years ago
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John **********
@Richard ******
 she can hand write it, or even get one of her friends to do so with her details
2 years ago
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Richard *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
John Stanners, a letter has since been written but it took both my 12 year old son and my wife over an hour to translate the example I gave them.
2 years ago
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Sara ******
@Richard ******
 write letter by yourself and ask your wife signed and that's it. I think your wife understand sign paper?
2 years ago
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Jorge ****
@Sara *****
 suspect the Thai consulate wants to see it written in Thai... 🙂
2 years ago
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Sara ******
@Jorge ***
 okay. I didn't need any letter. If wife is Thai what's the problem write that letter? 🤔
2 years ago
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Jorge ****
@Sara *****
 only the consulate can give an accurate answer. Am only outlining what worked for me. 🙂
2 years ago
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Jorge ****
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John-Paul ******
@Jorge ***
 you can also have used Adobe Scan. It is a free app for basic usage. Then you can share it with whomever. Just FYI if a flat bed or printer scanner is jot available.
2 years ago
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Jorge ****
@John-Paul *****
 ok thanks for info!
2 years ago
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Jorge ****
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Richard *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Does anyone have an acceptable format for said letter?
2 years ago
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Jim ********
@Richard ******
 my wife just types a letter in thai inviting me to visit my family directly into line chat. I take a screenshot and upload it to the application. Always accepted it
2 years ago
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Ron ******************
@Richard ******
 ask the embassy that you are going to for the requirements. It's ill advised to get that kind of info here as it may differ between embassies. I would advise you to take your wife on a trip with you to the embassy, that way you're more certain.
2 years ago
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Richard *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Ron van den Heever, good idea but there are extenuating circumstances.
2 years ago
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Terary **********
@Richard ******
 you dont have the wife anymore? I ask because I just got married, and marriage visa then the wife and I split. I think I am good for now but next year when I need to renew.
2 years ago
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Brook ********
@Terary *********
 Your visa is void the day of your divorce.
2 years ago
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Brook ********
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Olivier *********
@Richard ******
 Google is your friend:

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2 years ago
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Richard *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Olivier O'Brien, thank you sir.
2 years ago
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Richard *******
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Shane *****
thai elite and bypass the clown show
2 years ago
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Richard *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Shane Sco, thinking about it.
2 years ago
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Richard *******
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Will ************
If you don’t show money then I hope you don’t get found out
2 years ago
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Richard *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Will Richardson, of course the agent said everything they do is by the book.
2 years ago
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John **********
@Richard ******
 then it should be easy to do yourself
2 years ago
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Richard *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
John Stanners, do what? Circumvent the process or write the letter?
2 years ago
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Richard *******
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Anthony *********
@Richard ******
 it's definitely not by the book it's the complete opposite of by the book but tbh you're most likely fine doing it ✌️
2 years ago
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Will ************
@Richard ******
 it’s called a bribe to immigration
2 years ago
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Richard *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Will Richardson, funny since this particular agency is run by an IO.
2 years ago
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Steve ********
@Richard ******
 my guy is a Pattaya Tourist Police detective. Doesn’t matter what their job is.
2 years ago
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Steve ********
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Bill *********
Requirements change like a fart in the wind. Recently my local IO started asking me to draw a map of my wife's house. How stupid! They can Google it themselves. Just go with the flow. Nothing you can do about it.
2 years ago
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William *******
@Bill ********
I’m not much of a draftsman. I’m glad I haven’t been asked for one yet.
2 years ago
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Terary **********
@Bill ********
 I had to do that. I google'd then printed
2 years ago
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Richard *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Bill Collins, I have options but not when it comes to a letter I guess.
2 years ago
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Michael ********
@Bill ********
 that is not new and whats really stupid is it has to be hand drawn, not google maps and show on image
2 years ago
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Brian *******
@Michael *******
 heh heh.
2 years ago
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Colin ******
@Michael *******
 I had to do the same draw map and letter never done before in 11years
2 years ago
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Brian *******
@Michael *******
 Actually not hard and fast. I went to Imm in Korat with a really good hand drawn map (I'm a draftsman) and it was laughed at and paraded around the office so all could see how laughable it was! A google map was demanded (in fact it didn't even show where the house was. Ridiculous.
2 years ago
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Michael ********
@Brian ******
 Sounds like its too complex for them. My wife did such a basic map the first time when we said couldnt use google.

She didnt think they would accept they did and we just use that one still.
2 years ago
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Brian *******
@Michael *******
 You're prolly correct - too complex. Plenty of detail in Thai language, traffic lights named, school on the left where to turn etc etc. Route highlighted and colour used for this. They could actually use it to find their way. Lesson learned!! 😉😉
2 years ago
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Michael ********
@Brian ******
 my case they know where i live as one of the immigration officers lives nearby and we often see him when we go on our morning walk. They still come and check every year though 555. Stupid waste of resources.
2 years ago
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Bill *********
@Brian ******
 I hear you. Google doesn't like our address either. 😂
2 years ago
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Bill *********
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Alessandro **********
Thai consulate in Saigon requires a letter of invitation from the wife, they were asking for it even pre covid. Either going back there with the letter or going to Savannakhet should be more convenient than paying 35k to a shady agent tho.
2 years ago
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Richard *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Alessandro Antonini, I have to agree with you.
2 years ago
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Richard *******
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Martin *******
Yes you need a letter
2 years ago
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Richard *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
A letter has never been required by the Thai Consulate in Los Angeles US.
2 years ago
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William *******
@Richard ******
It’s been required by the Thailand Consulate in Chicago for several years. Interesting. Wonder who determines what is required.
2 years ago
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John **********
@Richard ******
 each embassy can make its own rules, just like each immigration office can. I think all the ones in Asia require a letter as well as a copy of your wife's Thai ID and housebook. Is your wife refusing to write the letter or something? It seems a minimal thing
2 years ago
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Richard *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
John Stanners, I was in Vietnam at the time and my wife was in Thailand. Her English is marginal and never would have understood the instructions for an acceptable letter.
2 years ago
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Graham ******
@Richard ******
 The invite can be in Thai
2 years ago
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Richard *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Graham Seal, that is what has been done now that I am in Thailand. It would have been easier if my wife had been with me but I was coming back from the US.
2 years ago
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Richard *******
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Martin *******
@Richard ******
 but you do in veitnam
2 years ago
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Martin *******
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Richard *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Martin Lyons, new requirement or old?
2 years ago
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Richard *******
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Frank-Steven ***********
Am I missing something? So just get a letter from your wife then. Ideally accompanied by a (signed) copy of her Thai ID card. She can write, right? What is the agent for then?
2 years ago
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Richard *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Frank-Steven Eichholtz, I do not want to show money and the agent can work around that requirement. The Thai Consulates in Saigon, Vietnam and Savanaquet, Laos have no money requirements.
2 years ago
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Maxim ***********
@Richard ******
 What does money have to do with anything...? You need the letter. Get the letter and go to Laos.
2 years ago
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Maxim ***********
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