What should I disclose during my visa interview as a US citizen expat in Thailand?

March 29, 2019
5 years ago
Lance **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello Everyone,

I have a question about my situation. I am a US citizen and am not working in Thailand. I have a fiancé (we are getting married next year in the US) who is teaching English here. I worked as an Engineer in the US, saved up money before coming, and am, in fact, purely a tourist. I am spending my time taking photographs, exploring the country, and planning my future when I get back to the US. I have no source of income. My fiancé’s salary and my savings support our lives here.

Currently we are on a two-week trip to Cambodia. I am attempting to get a SETV from Phnom Penh, but it appears that many are “VOID WITHOUT PREJUDICE” at this embassy, and they don’t do interviews. I supplied all required documents and am crossing my fingers. This situation is in motion and can’t be helped. This will be my 4th SETV. The others were obtained in the US, Penang, and Vientiane. We have been in Thailand since mid-September 2018 (6 months).

My question is: how much information can/should I divulge if I am granted an interview (or for future applications)? If I explain the entire situation with my fiancé, will that help convince them that I am not working? Or should I say that I am traveling and leave my fiancé out of it altogether? She has a Non-Immigrant B and a Work Permit.

Or should I be using a different Visa? I am not retired, am not working, am not married. Any advice is appreciated. Thank you!
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A US citizen, currently a tourist in Thailand and not employed, seeks advice on how much personal information to disclose during a potential visa interview, particularly regarding their fiancé who has a Non-Immigrant B visa and work permit. They also discuss complications encountered while applying for a SETV from Cambodia and contemplate the implications of frequent entries and long stays in Thailand.
Tod *********
well
@La***
that is one f*cked up message to have written on a void visa when trying to come into the country on a 30 day visa exempt entry from a land border with cambodia. :(  

ปฏิเสธเนื่องจากเข้าออกบ่อยครั้ง+อยู่นาน

basically it says:

denied owing to the fact they enter/exit several times and have been in country for an extended period.:O
Lance **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hm. Well. My family is visiting me and my fiancee in Thailand from April 6-14 so I'm gonna go for it. Hopefully I catch someone on a good day. If not, it's back to the US or something.. Rough. Thanks for checking
Tod *********
@La***
, you certainly don't need it translated. It's written in english :O Void without prejudice means they denied your visa but you could apply again IF you wanted to.

As you found out, that's not a user friendly consulate. :/

Your choice is to slog over to Lao and apply for a tourist visa at either Vientiane (which has an online booking system for appointments) OR Savannakhet (which is walk up).

OR

just enter the country on a 30 day visa exempt entry (by land would be okay IF you haven't had two 30 day visa exempt entries by land yet this year)

Make sure you have proof of funds, (20K baht or the equivalent in CASH) when you're going to stamp into the country if you're comin' in visa exempt. You could be asked for it.
Tod *********
Make sure you have proof of funds (and I'd have proof of onward travel and a hotel booking too) just in case you're asked.

Even though I can read thai inside outside upside down in a box with a fox, I can't make out that crappy handwriting. Lemme send it to some one and see what it says.
Lance **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
thank you. I am going to attempt a land visa exempt crossing, I have not done any. I read that Poi Pet can be difficult, so I am crossing at Cham Yeam. Many people online have had the void stamp, but I have not seen a handwritten Thai message. I am worried it contains a message to immigration. Thank you for your response.
Lance **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Lance **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Update: didn’t get it. Consulate wasn’t available for discussion.

Can anyone translate what is written for me?
Jason *********
Don't forget balancing rocks:)) Didn't you go to immigration and add 1 month onto your visa? as that would have only equalled 2...
Jason *********
Shit man!! What's the plan now? I think you can just enter over the border for 30 days..
Lance **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Didn’t get it.
Lance **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I’ll know on Tuesday, this one has a 3 working-day turnaround. I’ll update
Jason *********
@Lance *********
hahaha you never know I may return.. Did you manage to get it??
Lance **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jason ********
do you still need Thai Visa Advice?
Amornrat **********
4 should be a problem, but as said, keep your finger crossed.
Thomas ********************
Please let us know how it goes. Best of luck!
Steve *******
Very few are voided. There's no interview process for an SETV or any other visa. You meet the requirements or you dont
Lance **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks for the reply Steve. I was asked by the woman at the embassy “What are you doing in Thailand?” It wasn’t an official interview, but I was curious if my response mattered, and apparently it doesn’t. She also did personally call the consulate and request one for me, but he denied it.
Robert *******
Not working, not married, not retired and want to live inside Thailand. Seems that the only option is the Thai Elite Visa.
Lance **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I appreciate the response
@Robert ******
. The Elite Visa would be ideal.
Robert *******
Just for your information: Thailand is an independent country. They can make up their own rules and do not have to follow other countries.
Sergejs *********
@Robert ******
from the immigration laws of other countries and of Kingdom of Thailand, as the latter one did not follow a prevalent system of an immigration laws, found in other countries)
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