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What options do I have for obtaining a Thai visa after too many SETVs?

SETV Thai Visa METV Visa Options Visa Denials Phnom Penh Consulate Thai Elite Visa

Sep 17, 2018

6 years ago

Frank **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Report from the field, Phnom Penh: Was just advised that I have too many SETVs and that I could apply, but would probably lose 40 USD. A bit of background, almost 2 years of SETVs, but not back to back. I’ve spent 2+ months outside of Thailand this calendar year. They didn’t count the days or visas for this year, just noted I had too many and would likely be declined. 

Will try my luck in Kota Bharu next week, or may go back to the states and try for a METV... or... gulp... Thai Elite.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The poster has been advised by the Thai consulate in Phnom Penh that they have too many single-entry tourist visas (SETVs) and may lose $40 on their application for another one. They are considering applying for a multiple-entry tourist visa (METV) in Malaysia or the US, but there are concerns about being declined due to visa history. Comments suggest that other consulates, such as those in Australia and Laos, may be more lenient. Users discuss the challenges of applying with a history of multiple visas and suggest potentially using visa agents, though mixed experiences are noted.

Terary **********

I am US passport holder with several SETV (past coupel of years). I just pulled an METV from Melbourne - no problems. It's only an 8 hour flight the steaks in Australia are incredible

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Tom **********

Just out of curiosity; how many of your SETVs were issued in Phnom Penh?

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Frank **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I have around 170 (last I checked) stamps and stickers from around the world over the last 7 years. She thumbed through it and did not take time to see when I was or was not in Thailand, just that I had 11 SETVs.

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Tom **********

@Amornrat *********

Thanks. It's hard to keep track of the consular offices that count 'all visa stickers' or just their own.

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Amornrat **********

They not look of where the visa were issued, they just look at the grand total.

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Tom **********

Thanks!

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Frank **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Just one from a little over a year ago.

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Frank **********

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Tod *********

you don't need to slog all the way back to the US to get a 6 month METV. The thai consulates in Australia will issue it to anyone who meets the financial requirements (meaning you don't need to be a resident of Australia to get it from them).

The closest consulate is the one in Perth.

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Frank **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I need to go to the US this year anyways, would just be moving things around a bit.

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Frank **********

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Ron *******

Not sure if Malaysia is going to be an option with multiple visa history anyway?

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Ron *******

yes normally. I wouldn't feel confident with a passport full of Tourist visas though.

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Ron *******

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Jason ******

Phnom Penh and Hong Kong have reportedly been cracking down on passports with too many visas. But there are many other embassy's you can go multiple times to before getting a warning like Laos or Vietnam. And the good thing with the warning stamp from those countries are they actually issue you the visa, but say its the last time, so you'll know to get a new passport by then

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Kevin ********

Did you consider using an agent?

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Tod *********

Here's a visa that someone got from an agent over there. They applied, had the visa stamp put into their passport and then the consulate voided it :O (without prejudice) <- meaning they can re-apply if they wanted to. P/P is known to do that on visas rather than just turn you away.

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Kevin ********

kow jai. Thanks.

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Tod *********

last reports were that even people using agents in Phnom Penh were being told if they have a LOT of tourist visas they can't get a visa from that consulate.

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Tod *********

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Tod *********

thanx for the update

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Tod *********

and you were advised this by who? The people who work at the thai consulate in Phnom Penh OR was it a visa agency?

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Frank **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Kuala Lumpur told me no last year after too many visas in a row from them. 😉

I’ll check a new place in Malaysia and see how it goes. Worst case scenario I’ll go to Bali for a week or the states for a couple of weeks and sort it out.

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Frank **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

, I suspect that if I pushed and showed that I had stayed only around 6 months total this calendar year, that it may have been approved, but her level of English was not strong enough to get in to a nuanced conversation about what is and is not permissible. I already have plans to go to Malaysia later this week, so I’ll just give that a shot.

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Tod *********

Ouch :o well, I guess the up side is at least they declined you BEFORE you'd turned in your passport and paid the 40USD. :/

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Frank **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

People at Thai consulate.

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Frank **********

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