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What are the visa requirements and potential issues when applying for a Thai tourist visa in Penang or doing a border run in Satun?
Thai Tourist VisaVisa RequirementsPenang Visa ApplicationSatun Border RunVisa Run CompanyImmigration RulesMultiple Entry VisaVisa ExemptionFinancial Proof for VisaTravel Tips for Expats
Sep 17, 2018
8 years ago
Bianca **********
ORIGINAL POSTERI have two questions. I went to a visa run company today and I wanted to go to Penang to get my multiple entry visa. The guy said I might be denied because I have 3 blank pages left and apparently they want more? is this true? second question im now thinking of just going to Satun for a boarder bounce to get a single entry and he said that I will need to pay 1000 to immigration to get my visa as normally they don't like giving tourist visas. It is possible to do this without going with company? has anyone done it before? thank you :)
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is inquiring about the requirements for obtaining a multiple entry tourist visa from Penang and the feasibility of doing a border run to Satun for a single entry visa. They have been informed that they might be denied in Penang due to only having three blank pages in their passport, as well as needing to provide proof of funds of 20,000 baht in cash. The discussion also reveals confusion over the financial requirements needed for visa applications in Penang versus the cash requirements at border crossings, and the possibility of being accepted for a single entry touristic visa without going through a visa run company.
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Tod *********
@Bianca *********
, on 13th Nov 2015 they stopped issuing double entry tourist visas and went to a 6 month METV <- multi-entry tourist visa and that was when most consulates put a residency requirement to get that visa. <-meaning you legally live in the country you're apply for the visa in or you can't get it. The ONLY thai consulates near by that will sell a 6 month METV to someone without residency are the ones in Australia. Otherwise you go back to your country to get one.
You're out nothing by trying to get a single entry tourist visa in Penang, just make sure you meet the requirements 20K baht in a bank account, proof of onward travel within 60-90 days and proof of a hotel booking or confirmed lodging.
IF you're wanting to just bounce out and back in to get a 30 day visa exempt entry remember the southern borders ask for proof of funds 20K baht in CASH (not a bank statement and not an ATM card). Also remember you can only get TWO 30 day visa exempt entries by land in a calendar year (Jan 1 - Dec 31)
Tod *********
@Bianca *********
you can get TWO 30 day visa exempt entries by land in a calendar year. <- that means if you fly in it doesn't count and if you enter the country by land on valid VISA that you purchased from a thai consulate it doesn't count toward the two 30 day visa exempt entries you are allowedBianca **********
ORIGINAL POSTEROkay okay got it. That’s sucks as I was just in the uk and had no idea.should of done the METV when I was there. Also the last thing you said was you can only get two by land. I came by flying? Does that mean I can get another 2 land single entry?
Reply to
Bianca **********
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Michael *********
I was under the impression from previous reports that the Malaysian authorities were now insisting on spending 1 night in the country , unless bouncing a Visa. The nearest place to attain an METV is Australia, unless you hold residency in a nearby country.
Joe ***********
@Bianca *********
- over 2 years agoMichael *********
Since you got your last Multiple Entry Visa.
Bianca **********
ORIGINAL POSTERwhen has this law changed?
Michael *********
Well you won’t be getting one now. Double & triple entry Visa’s no longer exist. No country in the region (other than Australia) will give you a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa unless you hold residency.
Bianca **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Michael ********
well ive had multiple entry visa before and have always done it in Penang. So not sure why you said the closest in Australia?Michael *********
Bianca Daniella you mentioned a ‘multiple entry visa’ an METV is a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa’. A Tourist Visa SETV only gives single entry for 60 days extendable for 30.
Bianca **********
ORIGINAL POSTERdon't know what a METV is but im just looking for a tourist exempt stamp.
Reply to
Bianca **********
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Robert *******
AS
@J**
said, but the Malasian borders can and many reports tell, that the Thai checkpoint ask to see 20.000 Thb in cash as proof of funds to let you enter Thailand.Bianca **********
ORIGINAL POSTERokay :)
Reply to
Bianca **********
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Joe ***********
At a Border Crossing - if you are eligible you crossover - stamping out of Thailand then into (in this case Malaysia... Then reverse the process. You will get stamped back in for a 30 day Exemption Entry (it is not a visa). If you have already had 2 land crossings in this calendar year to get an Exemption Entry - then you cannot get a 3rd one.
Joe ***********
Satun has two border Border Crossings - 1. In the Thale Ban National Park....
2.. In Satun City at the pier where you get on a boat and go to Langkawi then come back.
2.. In Satun City at the pier where you get on a boat and go to Langkawi then come back.
Joe ***********
@Bianca *********
- the sameBianca **********
ORIGINAL POSTERare they both the same? or will one ask for something more than the other?
Reply to
Bianca **********
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Robert *******
We had yesterday a report about a visit in Satun, just use the search option.There is no Thai consulate, so you will not get a Visa overthere.
Bianca **********
ORIGINAL POSTERokay :) thanks for your help. Satun it is :)
Mark **********
@Emma ********
Tod Daniels is God on here there isn't much that he doesn't know and he gives his advice for free!Emma *********
I would only ever ask
@Herbert ******
for visa advice as he has always helped me in the past. He always knows the up to date information xNigel *********
@Bianca *********
fair enoughBianca **********
ORIGINAL POSTERI went to two different...both said the same and one is known for his good and correct service. so trust his judgment.
Nigel *********
Who's your visa agent? They sound a bit flakey.
Reply to
Nigel *********
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Glen *********
Do you know where you can actually get METV? Are you Malaysian?
Nigel *********
Just out of interest, have you looked at the Penang consulate web page. It defaults to the Kul Embassy site that has a checklist.
Bianca **********
ORIGINAL POSTERcould you send it to me please... It wont let me click on it for some reason.
Phil *******
@Nigel *****************
No, I am not shooting at you! Just chocked at their request!Nigel *********
Phil Fabre Don't shoot the messenger. Fresh off the kul embassy website. Anyway, that's the metv. Only for applicants who are resident in Malasia
Phil *******
@Nigel *****************
That's 200,000 THB!Nigel *********
This is the application form for PENANG. You get that direct from the Penang consulate site.
Reply to
Nigel *********
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Pat *********
No for the passeport that bushit, after go to Penang by your own... Easy,quick, and cheaper....
Ron *******
@Robert ******
only if you go alone and not with a vulture agent feeding off of tourists.Marco *********
I will delete my comments if you think they are fruits of my imagination.
Robert *******
Strange that people in Krabi and Phuket never have that problems.
Marco *********
@Rob***
, I know but that is the rule at Satun border. Believe it or not.Robert *******
But if they pay you 1.000 Thb than suddenly it should be no problem. Sounds very dodgy to me.
Marco *********
@Rob***
Satun doesn't give 30 day visa exemption stamp to back-to-back travellers.No problem if you just do a border bounce to get 90 days connected with a proper visa
Robert *******
Same that I see that you can not do a border run to Satun, "if you go by your own you will be denied". Strange, yesterday a post it was easy and friendly service today you will be denied.
Joe ***********
This is the first posting about any 50k. that I have seen
Marco *********
@J**
, obviously I know.And I repeat that the Consulate (Penang) asks a bank statement showing 50k in order to release a (second) tourist visa, and Immigration border (Sadao) asks 20k cash in ordee to let you enter the Country.
Two different financial proof, one at Consulate and one at border
Joe ***********
@Marco ********
- Penang is a Consulate...Marco *********
@Bia***
For tourist visa, Penang ask return flight reservation. If you don't have they should charge you 1000 baht extra.Don't get confused between the financial proof at Consulate (it is at least 50,000 thb in a bank: show an updated statement) with the financial proof they ask you to show at Immigration point (Sadao), that is 20,000 thb CASH
Bianca **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Marco ********
okay thank you Marco... but the bank statement is defiantly 20,000. :) not 50,000. don't think ive ever had to show flight details either for Penang.Marco *********
@Bia***
if you apply for a tourist visa in Penang they ask you house contract or hotel booking, flight reservation within 60 days and - if it is not your first tourist visa on your passport - a bank statement showing at least 50,000 baht.As for border run to Satun, yes, if you go by yourself you will be denied the entry, if you go with a visarun tour you can get your 30 day visa exemption stamp with an "unofficial fee" of 1000 baht
Fredrik *********
They require all 3 proofs in penang
Bianca **********
ORIGINAL POSTERyeah thought so.. I had a passport that had only one page left and they still did it. im curious if Penang will ask bank details tho.
Reply to
Bianca **********
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