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What are the risks and recommendations for applying for a METV in Thailand for US passport holders over 50?

METV visa application US passport Thailand immigration visa exempt bank account access long-term visa non-O visa family matters

May 10, 2024

6 months ago

Linhof *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hey you guys, still on the fence with the METV. Hope I can get some more decent input. US passport. Over 50

On the final online application payment page, it says $200 fully non-refundable. What happens if the application is denied or not completed? Or more info is requested, but I am unable to supply it as I may have already departed? 

Second. My Thai wife thinks I should just enter with visa exempt and do an extension and maybe a border bounce etc. My end plan will be to apply for one of the long term retirement/Marriage visas, but I read posts of difficulty of getting a bank account secured and the 2 months seasoning the 800K before applying. Time will feel tight.

There are a lot of moving parts with the family moving over, so I am trying to get some time to deal with family matters before applying for the long term visa. 

Thanks again

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The discussion revolves around the challenges and considerations for a US citizen over 50 applying for a METV (Multiple Entry Tourist Visa) for Thailand. The poster is concerned about the non-refundable fee of $200, especially if the application is denied or if further information is needed and they are unable to comply. They consider entering Thailand on a visa-exempt basis instead, which could lead to an extension and possibly a border run, while also planning to apply for a long-term retirement or marriage visa later. Comments provide insights, suggesting direct applications from embassies, explaining specific requirements for opening bank accounts, and offering alternative strategies for handling the visa process.

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Pertti *************

Just fly here and use agent regarding visa etc. Easy fast and you have time family matters🙏

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Henrik *****

Off course no refund, they have to proces the application 2 times, if they don’t get the right informations.

Would you work for free, if your customer didn’t provide the right information to do a job.

Read the Thai Embassy visa pages, before applying, and use the manual in the upper right corner of the E-visa page.

Turn off autocompletion, and check every page twice, before going to the next page.

Dateformat can be different, from what you are used to

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Jeffrey **********

You can do a non-oa in your home country with the money in your home country and be good for the first two years. Or just get the 90 day non o and go through all the paperwork here

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Linhof *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Jeffrey *********

Thanks, I have about run out the clock here trying to figure this all out. Our flight is less than 3 weeks out now. 😔

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Jeffrey **********

@Linhof ********

it seems what you're doing is kicking the can further down the road. At some point to get a long-term Visa you will need to leave the country and then return. You can take care of it there in your home country with your own language or you can come over here and go to one of the neighboring countries and try your best there

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Jeffrey **********

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Will ************

If you apply and it’s not approved, they will probably give you a single entry tourist visa. There WILL BE NO REFUNDS whatever the end result

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Brandon ************

Why are you making it so complicated? If you want to apply for a non-O visa just apply for it from the embassy. Then when you get to Thailand it will be much easier to open a bank account because you already have a long term visa.

The ONLY office I know of in Thailand that requires money to be in the bank for 2 months to apply for the non-O visa is Jomtien/Pattaya. The other offices only require the money to be in the account to apply for the initial 90-day non-O.

It's the 1-year extension that requires the money to be in the account for 2 months beforehand.

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Linhof *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brandon ***********

OK, cool info on the bank, I wouldn't be applying in the Pattaya area. And yes, I am a mega overthinker. 🤔 That is the thing, I haven't decided which visa will work best for me yet. I need to be there the decide

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Brandon ************

@Linhof ********

Because you're married to a Thai, you can apply for the 60-day visiting Thai family extension after you do the 30 day tourist extension. You should have plenty of time to get things sorted.

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Linhof *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brandon ***********

Can I apply for this in BKK?

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Brandon ************

@Linhof ********

any immigration office with proof of your marriage to a Thai

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Linhof *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brandon ***********

Awesome, We got married in BKK long ago, but never registered it, Is our US marriage proof acceptable? Or we should register there when we arrive?

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Graham ******

@Linhof ********

You got married in BKK so you should have the pink bordered marriage certificate, if so that's what you need. "Is our US marriage proof acceptable?" what is this if you were married in Thailand?

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Linhof *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

we were married in both.

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Graham ******

@Linhof ********

you cannot legally get married twice

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Brandon ************

@Linhof ********

unfortunately I don't know the specifics. Just know that it's available. To register your marriage in Thailand you'll need to do some stuff in the US beforehand I believe

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Linhof *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brandon ***********

that is great info. 60 days family visa would be perfect help with adding time. Very stressful stuff . I will have the wife research what is involved to register the marriage there. 👍

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Linhof *********

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