Answered4 years ago
What are the current experiences and requirements for obtaining a visa at Thai consulates post-COVID?
Now that covid extensions have finished more and more people are having to use the old “tried and trusted” techniques of doing border bounces or visa runs to gain extra time to stay in Thailand.
Because so few people have needed to use the nearby SE Asia embassies or consulates we would appreciate your feedback on any experiences you have recently had using one.
Your feedback could be of value to others contemplating using that embassy/consulate and we welcome any input you may have.
Whilst the admins, moderators and forum members will try to answer questions about XYZ consulate their knowledge may be limited to experience prior to Covid. Times have changed and almost certainly people’s experience at these embassies/consulates will have too.
Areas of special interest to most would be whether the consulate requires an appointment (for application and/or collection) and the sort of requirements they’re asking for tourist visas, business visas, marriage visas, guardian visas or dependent visas (to name a few).
One would hope that their website would show as much, but as we all know some websites aren’t updated as frequently as we would desire.
Because so few people have needed to use the nearby SE Asia embassies or consulates we would appreciate your feedback on any experiences you have recently had using one.
Your feedback could be of value to others contemplating using that embassy/consulate and we welcome any input you may have.
Whilst the admins, moderators and forum members will try to answer questions about XYZ consulate their knowledge may be limited to experience prior to Covid. Times have changed and almost certainly people’s experience at these embassies/consulates will have too.
Areas of special interest to most would be whether the consulate requires an appointment (for application and/or collection) and the sort of requirements they’re asking for tourist visas, business visas, marriage visas, guardian visas or dependent visas (to name a few).
One would hope that their website would show as much, but as we all know some websites aren’t updated as frequently as we would desire.
Answer summary
With the end of COVID extensions, many expats are returning to traditional visa runs and border bounces to extend their stay in Thailand. This thread seeks feedback on recent experiences with Thai consulates in Southeast Asia, as well as information on the current requirements for various visa types, including tourist, business, marriage, guardian, and dependent visas. Key areas of interest include whether an appointment is necessary, required documents (such as bank statements), and any significant changes in procedures since the pandemic.
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Stephen *******
so today i was told that i can change my tourist visa to a non immigrant o visa which will give me 90 day after which i have to do either my marriage extension or retirement extension, can anyone confirm this .Naturally i will be quizzing my local immi office about weather they can do, or not. Oh and i can only do if i have 20 days left on my current visa which i have.
Stephen *******
ahh ok so i have to state that for the non o application. I thought there would be something like that, any ideas on paperwork needed for this i know about money in bank for extensions but do i need to show for non o. any info much appreciated.
Graham ******
@Stephen ******
You cannot extend based on marriage OR retirement, your extension will be based on what the original Non-O was issued for, marriage or retirement.Stephen *******
Thanks Stuart my local is Loei I will be calling them tomorrow.Other wise i may have to pay an agent to do.
Stuart *********
OP@Stephen ******
That can be done. You’ll need to check your local office as not all will do it - the major ones will. Bangkok, Phuket and perhaps others will need 15 days left on a stamp Chiang Mai needs 21 days left.Stephen *******
Hi i have been here approx 7 months on visa exemption, covid extension 2 border hops to laos and 1 more extension which I think is my last one going on the reaction I got at immigration.i am going to do a long term visa eventually but have had a lot of things personally blocking my time.my question is from reading these replys.
It seems that I could possibly go across the border and apply for another 60 day tourist visa at an embassy,(laos would be my closest).naturally I understand i would have to stay there a few days or so.Have I got this right. I realise I could possibly get another 45 days if I stamp out and back in .basically I am trying to stretch till mach as I have to deal with a family death and then I will do some process offshore.admittedly yes I have been a bit slack but still learning.thanks for your help.
It seems that I could possibly go across the border and apply for another 60 day tourist visa at an embassy,(laos would be my closest).naturally I understand i would have to stay there a few days or so.Have I got this right. I realise I could possibly get another 45 days if I stamp out and back in .basically I am trying to stretch till mach as I have to deal with a family death and then I will do some process offshore.admittedly yes I have been a bit slack but still learning.thanks for your help.
Brandon ************
@Stephen ******
you can try. The embassy could give you a visa with no problems, or they could deny your application since a tourist doesn't live in a country for so long. Same when you try to enter the country again with or without a visa.
Edwin ********
Also, on the 20,000 baht, I always carried that in cash (in a well-hidden spot) in recent years, but was never asked for it in recent years. HOWEVER, in those same recent years, almost EVERY OTHER white person on my van (at least the ones who did not speak fluent Thai?) who did NOT have cash or PRINTED bank statements on them WERE asked to "show cash" and when they attempted to show their bank balances electronically, they were held up at the border and our van ended up leaving them behind. (One of them came to ask if I had THB 20,000 to lend him, and I honestly had to tell him that I did not want to risk getting into trouble with the authorities...)
Edwin ********
Back before COVID, the Kota Bharu consulate used to be the most trouble-free of the Malaysia-based Thai consulates/ embassy. I hope that is still the case. And I hope they are still open.
Susie *********
Guardian visa obtained in Phnom Penh recently. Submitted Tuesday morning (no appointment), picked up Friday afternoon (time specified upon submission). Requirements as listed on the form/website. All straightforward
Alistair ********
What is considered sufficient?
Dianne *****
@Alistair *******
20,000 baht in an account in any currency or country for a period of 3 months
Silk *********
@Dianne ****
so, about 600 US dollars account balance per month. Not bad
Nick ****************
Just had a comment from a colleague who went to Vientiane for 60 day TR as he was changing schools so needed to do non b again. He applied for 60 day TR and had to prove by bank statements he had sufficient funds.
I have done this a couple of times myself but never had the funding checks. Maybe something new? They did give him a 45 day exempt though.
I have done this a couple of times myself but never had the funding checks. Maybe something new? They did give him a 45 day exempt though.
Maxim ***********
I bet nobody did it yet but... Non-O based on marriage in Savannakhet... how hard to get it with the dreaded volunteer visa in passport? I went from volunteer to marriage extension within Thailand, but in Savannakhet you can get Non-O without financial requirement so I'd prefer that option next year.
Alistair ********
Anyone experience with METV based on marriage in Savanakhet?
Alistair ********
Yes I did it in 2018. I was just wondering about the post -covid experiences of people who got it at Savanakhet. Has it changed? Is it just as easy or has it got stricter?
Stuart *********
OP@Alistair *******
only going from posts I read on here, it’s seems as though it is much the same as it was before.Alistair ********
Whoops yes thats it 1 year non O based on marriage
Stuart *********
OP@Alistair *******
lots of posts from people having got them recently. As pre covid.Stuart *********
OP@Alistair *******
An METV is a tourist visa. You won’t be getting on in a SE Asian country unless you have legal residency in that country. I believe you may be asking about the year long non O based on marriage.
John ********
Going to Cambodia is easy as they have visa on arrival,inexpensive flights also
Gary ***********
Thai Consulate in Savannakhet very easy & no appointment required.
Alistair ********
METV based on marriage
Alistair ********
What do they require?
Gary ***********
@Alistair *******
Paperwork. Depends on what Visa you are applying for determines what documents you need to give them. Check the thai embassy website in what country you are going to submit them.
Darren ********************
Great post and there should even be a group dedicated to this. I'd love to know how those with previous volunteer visas got on at a Thai embassy or even Thai immigration. We are now blacklisted from Elite Visa approval so curious if anyone has had issues with other visa applications. Or perhaps have a positive application to share. I just extended my stamp by 30 days in Thailand with no issues.
Jo **********
@Darren *******************
may I ask why you were black listed?Chris *****
Thanks so much again Jo, and I really look forward to experiencing Thailand with the local language, reckon it could make a big difference to our experience here.
Darren ********************
@Jo *********
Because I held a volunteer visa as a way of staying in Thialand during the pandemic.Maxim ***********
@Darren *******************
I went from volunteer to marriage extension, so you have that option.
THAI ******************************
@Darren *******************
There are still options to prolong your stay.You can consult with our team here to help if you have the type of history you mention.
**********************
Chris *****
@Darren *******************
thanks Darren. For what it is worth, I just spent 11 years in Ethiopia and never got round to properly learning the language, so I'm learning my lesson, and I reckon my time spent learning Thai will massively improve and deepen my experience of Thailand. Good luck with your Elite application, though!Darren ********************
@Chris ***************
Seems to be only Elite from what I've heard. I've looked into Ed Visa and the commitment is too much for me. Most schools will want you in the classroom for 3 hours a day 4 days a week. There are dodgy schools who will forge your paperwork but Im not going down that route after already having the volunteer visa. I'm still going to apply for the elite as I have been told I may get it if im lucky. Especially as I have a new passport. Im not getting my hopes up.Jo **********
@Chris ***************
i do not think so. learning the language is respectedChris *****
@Darren *******************
do you reckon an Ed visa for Thai language could also cause an Elite blacklisting? Or did they find you weren't volunteering or some problem with the NGO? Appreciate it's a guess but I'm a complete novice, and an Elite blacklist is my biggest nightmare, as it is me and my family here.Chris *****
Thank you
@Jo *********
Jo **********
@Chris ***************
from what I know the worst is volunteer visa, and then ED visa of a questionable nature. ED for Muay Thai. Tourist visa should not be a problem at all as it demonstrates that you want to be in Thailand.Chris *****
@Jo *********
are there any other visa types they don't like? I know a string of visa exempt entries looks bad, I guess too many tourist visas back to back too. Medical visa? Ed visa for a Thai language course?Darren ********************
@Jo *********
It seems that way yes. Elite was my next step so now currently out of options for staying in Thailand longterm.Jo **********
@Darren *******************
oh yes they don’t like that
Sharlene *******
We just returned from Penang yesterday and found it easy to get our tourist visa except for the fact we needed Bank Statements which we never needed prior to covid .Went back to hotel had printed and returned to Embassy 9am Tuesday morning and collected 1pm Thursday.
Just check requirements needed and then easy to do .
Just check requirements needed and then easy to do .
Sharlene *******
@Reiner **********
they didn’t check for paid accomodation but did ask for guarantor and we put manager of our complex down plus we had copy of our condo purchase
Abheda ******
Hello
And may I ask if you were doing the visa by yourself in the embassy or with an agent? Million thanks!
@Sharlene ******
, I am going to Penang tomorrow, was thinking that I can apply on Monday morning and get it back on Tue afternoon. But from what you said, so it needs one more day?And may I ask if you were doing the visa by yourself in the embassy or with an agent? Million thanks!
Sharlene *******
@Abheda *****
no problem as I am always asking for help as well 👍Abheda ******
Thanks so much
@Sharlene ******
, your info is very helpful🙏Sharlene *******
@Abheda *****
we did ourselves .We applied Tuesday morning as open 9am and collection is 2 days afterwards at 2pm ( Thursday)
If you need anything printed there is a mobile van outside of Thai embassy and they have printer and can take passport photos
Reiner ***********
@Sharlene ******
did the consulate at Penang ask to see paid accommodation for the 60 days ?Reiner ***********
@Sharlene ******
Great to hear that about Penang. Thanks.We are flying into Kuala Lumpur next week and plan to apply from either there or Penang for tourist visa. If anyone has recent experience at KL we would appreciate hearing about it.
Colin *********
Great Post.
Nov 5 I'm will start this process. So any info will be great.
I need to cover nov 5 - Feb 19 when I turn 50 and can get retirement visa. So will be following this closely
Nov 5 I'm will start this process. So any info will be great.
I need to cover nov 5 - Feb 19 when I turn 50 and can get retirement visa. So will be following this closely
Charlotte ********
Bali - the Thai Consulate is no longer open in Denpasar. Now you have to travel to Jakarta if you wanna get a SETV. Just in case anyone thinking about it.
Charlotte ********
Annoying thing is apparently it was one of the easiest places to get a Thai visa. I might stop by through KL on my way back in December.
Victor ***********
I entered on 60 day Tourist Visa July 1st this year. Airplane trip to Vietnam last week of August departing BKK to Hanoi. Received 30 day exemption stamp upon return from Vietnam to Bangkok 6 days later (air).
Ronald *********
@Victor **********
Why did you not get 30 day extension at immigration office in Thailand after 60 days, giving you 90 days.Then go to Vietnam and return on Visa Exempt for 30 days, and extend for another 30 days giving you 150 days.
That's what I intend to do, on my next trip.
Can you recommend the hotel where you stayed in Hanoi ?
Victor ***********
Ronald Jackson it was not an extension but the standard 30 day exemption stamp. My goal was not to stay longer in Thailand, I left 2 days later. I stayed in the old quarter at the Hanoain Central Hotel and Spa. Great location if you like the old down town area. Staff was excellent and price was good (booked via Agoda).
Sidd ********
Just a little information thai immigration has been as helpful if you’re willing to pay a little bit more and they will be as long as you are
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