What is the appropriate dress code when applying for a Thai visa at the consulate in Penang?

Thai visa application Dress code Non-O/B/ED visa Consulate etiquette Expat advice

May 3, 2017

8 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

A mini advice from Penang.

If you are going to Consulate by yourself for your any kind of visa, a tiny bit of tip here.

Dress properly. Especially when you apply Non-O/B/ED visa.

For ladies, cover your skin as much as possible - shirt with sleeve, long sleeves if possible. Not too short hot-pants style for bottoms. Wear shoes, if not, proper sandals not beach sandals style flip flops.

For gents, ware shirt with sleeves, not tank top. With collar would be better. Long pants, and if half pants, try as long as possible. Wear shoes. If not, no beach sandals, maybe sports sandals at least.

Not backpacker-ish style for Non-immigrant visa.

These are advice from the agent in Penang, who is visiting consulate for customers' visa everyday.

Malaysia is one of Muslim country, though you don’t have to wear like them. But the agent said Muslim staffs wouldn’t appreciate too-much-skin-exposure dress. Thus appropriate dress would help especially when your application is not super-perfect. Even the papers are okay, if some officer sees you don’t dress appropriate, they might try to find the reason to reject your application. 

This is what one of the agent said and he also said he saw many were rejected.

I’m not sure how much this would help. Or maybe not at all. But this is what I got in Penang for Thai visa.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

When attending the Thai consulate in Penang to apply for Non-O/B/ED visas, it's crucial to dress appropriately to avoid potential issues with your application. Women are advised to cover their skin with long-sleeved shirts and long pants or skirts, while men should opt for collared shirts with sleeves and long pants. Generally, avoiding beach-style sandals and casual wear is recommended as a sign of respect for local customs and to project a positive image to officials, which can be important especially if other aspects of the application may not be perfect.

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Keith **********

This advice is very valid, not just for Thai consulates but for any official building. All Philippine Immigration offices etc. have dress code signage and will just refuse to serve anyone inappropriately dressed. I was at The Philippines Retirement Agency offices a couple of weeks ago to submit my visa application, and the front desk will not even let you past to go to the lifts to the agency offices if you are not appropriately dressed.

It makes so much sense, you are going to apply for permission to be in their country for an extended period of time, surely you want to give the impression that you are the sort of person they want in their country