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What are the current requirements for the Special Tourist Visa (STV) in Thailand, and can an invitation letter confirm accommodation?
Special Tourist Visa (STV)Thailand Visa RequirementsVisa Accommodation RequirementsForeign Health InsuranceImmigration RegulationsThai Health Insurance
Sep 29, 2021
5 years ago
Abel *********
ORIGINAL POSTERMe again: With the revival / extension of the STV (Special Tourist Visa) - two questions:
1) Any news / rumors on whether they will also improve the underlying conditions, like:
- no pre-paid accommodation requirement
- allowing for foreign health insurances (instead of expensive Thai health insurances only)
2) Anybody managed to fulfill the proof of accommodation requirement by presenting an invitation letter of a Thai national, confirming free accommodation is his / her house?
Thank you.
1) Any news / rumors on whether they will also improve the underlying conditions, like:
- no pre-paid accommodation requirement
- allowing for foreign health insurances (instead of expensive Thai health insurances only)
2) Anybody managed to fulfill the proof of accommodation requirement by presenting an invitation letter of a Thai national, confirming free accommodation is his / her house?
Thank you.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The current conditions for the Special Tourist Visa (STV) have not improved, as participants must still provide proof of accommodations, proof of funds, and Covid-specific insurance. The requirement for 90 days of accommodation continues, and there are no updates to allow foreign health insurances or eliminate accommodation requirements. An invitation letter from a Thai national regarding free accommodation is generally unrecognized as sufficient proof.
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Bill *********
im looking into the stv but the amount of rules and regulations are mind boggling. i mean u have to really want to come to go thru that
Tod *********
They did NOT revise any of the requirements to get that visa issued at a Thai consulate; it's still only for the people from the countries on the list,
you still show proof of funds at the consulate to get the visa
you still show proof of 90 days of lodging to get the visa
you still show proof of covid specific insurance for as long as you're going to stay in thailand on that visa (up to 9 months)
you still need the 40k/400k mandatory health insurance for as long as you're going to stay in thailand on the that visa (up to 9 months)
you still proof of additional 90 days lodging to get a new extension each time.
Did I leave anything out?
you still show proof of funds at the consulate to get the visa
you still show proof of 90 days of lodging to get the visa
you still show proof of covid specific insurance for as long as you're going to stay in thailand on that visa (up to 9 months)
you still need the 40k/400k mandatory health insurance for as long as you're going to stay in thailand on the that visa (up to 9 months)
you still proof of additional 90 days lodging to get a new extension each time.
Did I leave anything out?
Mark *********
The proof of funds requirement was removed a long time ago. I was never asked for it when I applied for my STV
Abel *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Tod ********
Thanks. Really? There was never mention of proof of funds in the German consulates websites for this visa (though not a problem for me). Are you sure they also require proof of lodging with every extension at Immigration Office? And are you also sure they are checking for continues health insurance when extending at immigration office?Well, fact is: It is a shit and overcomplicated visa - but it could be a great one, if only they made it more approachable.
Benjamin ******
@Abel ********
>Are you sure they also require proof of lodging with every extension at Immigration Office? And are you also sure they are checking for continues health insurance when extending at immigration office?Officially, yes. See attached for the requirements for an extension of stay based on STV.
DO NOT GET THE STV! It will cause you problems
Reply to
Benjamin ******
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Andy *******
Sorry buddy, no, and no.
Abel *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Andy *********
As for #2, people suggested yes / agencies confirmed they did this (albeit with a lot of papers required as proof). It is just shit visa.Andy *******
@Abel ********
yes, anything is possible. Contact @Arawan ******
for the cheaper insurance. At my I.O., the insurance was most definitely checked thoroughly.Reply to
Andy *******
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Don-Laura *******
FWIW, I got in on my initial STV earlier this yer, and back again later on a Non-O (with a dash home in between) using a foreign health insurance plan - Cigna Global. Well, maybe the fact that it's their global health insurance made the difference, dunno.
Briana *******
Don-Laura Traub i've got Cinga Global and am applying for the STV visa. How did you get them to complete the Foreign Insurance Certificate... did you have to contact anyone specific? Did that insurance work for getting the STV extension also, i hear to get the extension they require insurance from a Thai insurance company.
Don-Laura *******
@Briana *******
I had to have our benefits (HR) folks talk to them. Unfortunately I don’t have that contact at Cigna. You can try with your certificate of coverage first to see if that is enough, so long as it specifies the necessary coverage levels.Reply to
Don-Laura *******
Reply
Don-Laura *******
Yep. It was an STV (aka, the dead-end visa 🙂 ). I needed to get a special foreign insurance certificate from my company, and their coverage letter had to be very specific about coverage amounts. Took a little doing, but Cigna came through. Won't say it was easy, but glad there were options. But I'm with you, hoping requirements loosen as we go forward to encourage tourism. Now if they'll just allow the STVs to be converted in-country...it's just a push of a button on come computer somewhere, right??
Abel *********
ORIGINAL POSTERDon-Laura Traub Was it this document, by any chance?
*********************************************************************
Don-Laura *******
@Abel ********
Yep, that's the oneAbel *********
ORIGINAL POSTERDon-Laura Traub Surely not easy to get all those signatures on a foreign form referring to foreign laws by ones insurance, I am afraid.
James ********
@Abel ********
yep. Problematic as foreign insurers legal departments don't want to get involved with that form.Reply to
James ********
Reply
Abel *********
ORIGINAL POSTERDon-Laura Traub Oh yes. I heard about this special form, the one where some senior executives of any foreign insurance provider would need to sign. Probably not the easiest and quickest thing to get from an insurance company.
Abel *********
ORIGINAL POSTERDon-Laura Traub Definitely. The dead-end part was equally annoying and unnecessary. They should allow for visa conversions in country with the STV just the same.
Reply to
Abel *********
Reply
Abel *********
ORIGINAL POSTERDon-Laura Traub Interesting. Are you sure you came on a S (as in special) Tourist Visa, not the regular TR Tourist Visa by any chance. I am asking because with most visa, you can come with any health insurance, as long as they cover the minimum thresholds. But with the STV, they stated it would need to be from a Thai insurance company.
Reply to
Abel *********
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