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What should I do if I'm asked for a bank statement with less than 10,000 baht while applying for a visa in Vientiane?
Oct 8, 2019
7 years ago
Teddy **********
ORIGINAL POSTERHi yesterday was my fourth time going to Vientiane in 14 months they asked for a bank statement which having no phone service is not easy to provide. I photocopied a picture of my Bangkok bank book and will give it to them today. I have less than 10000 baht in there. I was not expecting. this. I have-followed immigration laws. checked in with immigration not overstayed any visas. Is there any advice on what i can expect? I am an American not working following all laws. Have I misses something? Thanks for your professional advice, no coy answers please just help.
TLDR : Answer Summary
A user seeking advice faced challenges applying for a visa in Vientiane due to being requested to provide a bank statement, which he found difficult due to lack of phone service. He revealed having less than 10,000 baht in his account, which led to concerns about meeting the visa requirements. The community responded with advice about the recent enforcement of a 20,000 baht minimum balance for visa applications in Vientiane, suggesting that insufficient funds might lead to a visa denial. Additional suggestions included asking someone to temporarily deposit funds into his account and considering alternative entry methods into Thailand if his visa application failed.
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James ********
Before one goes to Vientiane I suggest you read what one of our Admin says :
Vientianne:
Suitable for apply Non B (only one in one full year),
Non ED (most first timers have no problem, only one application from Language Schools in one full year , cover letter must only indicate your specific level & show bank balance THB 20,000.-. As of now we can not confirm on how to do with second year applicants).
OK for Non O Single Entry if married to Thai or support Thai Child (if back to back application, they will ask show money THB 200,000.- in Thai Bank Account).
For application Non O Volunteer first time OK(if back to back need guarantee letter from said Ministry equivalent to department level).
Tourist Visa, if you had previously some Tourist visas your application will be considered more carefully. Vientiane is now, in most cases, asking for proof of funds, Book Bank with balance THB 20,000.- up OR print out from Bank account from home country value USD 700.-up. Onward air ticket is not required.
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Vientianne:
Suitable for apply Non B (only one in one full year),
Non ED (most first timers have no problem, only one application from Language Schools in one full year , cover letter must only indicate your specific level & show bank balance THB 20,000.-. As of now we can not confirm on how to do with second year applicants).
OK for Non O Single Entry if married to Thai or support Thai Child (if back to back application, they will ask show money THB 200,000.- in Thai Bank Account).
For application Non O Volunteer first time OK(if back to back need guarantee letter from said Ministry equivalent to department level).
Tourist Visa, if you had previously some Tourist visas your application will be considered more carefully. Vientiane is now, in most cases, asking for proof of funds, Book Bank with balance THB 20,000.- up OR print out from Bank account from home country value USD 700.-up. Onward air ticket is not required.
Tod *********
and we're done.
There is nothing anyone can say that will help the O/P. They will either get the visa or they won't.
Good Luck (y)
There is nothing anyone can say that will help the O/P. They will either get the visa or they won't.
Good Luck (y)
Tod *********
AND just in case you've missed this news too. ANYONE can be asked for proof of 20K baht in CASH, proof of onward travel and proof of a hotel reservation when stamping in to thailand
The Nong Khai land border doesn't ask BUT if you have an extensive entry history (like living here on tourist visas) you run a good chance of being questioned at the airport.
I'd say, hope you get the tourist visa and enter by the Nong Khai land border with it. OR if you don't get the visa and haven't used your TWO 30 day visa exempt entries by land yet this year, enter on that by Nong Khai.
The Nong Khai land border doesn't ask BUT if you have an extensive entry history (like living here on tourist visas) you run a good chance of being questioned at the airport.
I'd say, hope you get the tourist visa and enter by the Nong Khai land border with it. OR if you don't get the visa and haven't used your TWO 30 day visa exempt entries by land yet this year, enter on that by Nong Khai.
Oliver ********
Maybe you could ask a friend (or whoever is sponsoring you to live in Thailand as a tourist for such a long time with no money in your bank) to put some money in your bank today so you can show a healthier balance.
Teddy **********
ORIGINAL POSTERI will try this
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Teddy **********
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Jeremy ********
Best bet is to fly back and get a 30 day visa exemption stamp then work on your financials for a future try at a SETV
Jeremy ********
@Teddy *********
do that as wellTeddy **********
ORIGINAL POSTERFly back too where? I have a bus back to Thailand.
Reply to
Teddy **********
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Tod *********
I am not giving you a coy answer I am telling you the truth. :O
You obviously haven't been following the inter-web (or at least the tiny part of the interweb that is related to thailand) because EVERYONE was talking about how Vientiane changed their requirements MONTHS ago.
Almost every thai consulate in the area now requires you to show proof of funds (20K baht or the equivalent) in a bank account when applying for tourist visas.
If they took your application, even with just the 10K baht in the account there is a good chance you will get the visa. BUT now you know..
You obviously haven't been following the inter-web (or at least the tiny part of the interweb that is related to thailand) because EVERYONE was talking about how Vientiane changed their requirements MONTHS ago.
Almost every thai consulate in the area now requires you to show proof of funds (20K baht or the equivalent) in a bank account when applying for tourist visas.
If they took your application, even with just the 10K baht in the account there is a good chance you will get the visa. BUT now you know..
Tod *********
@Teddy *********
It wasn't just on this group, it was on every website even remotely related to thailand, etc.Still good luck,
Teddy **********
ORIGINAL POSTERI admit I thought I new the drill and stopped following this group :(
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Teddy **********
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Robert *******
i don't like to argue, but you did not prepare, you do not have the financials and as 1 and 1 is two you will not get the visa.
Teddy **********
ORIGINAL POSTERI will try maybe if I can ask my bank to unluck the app on my phone .
Alexandre ******************
@Teddy *********
Can't you have someone transfer the difference on your bank account, it is instant, use your cash as collateralRobert *******
If you did not use the two Visa Exempt Entries by landborder already this year, you can do that.
Teddy **********
ORIGINAL POSTEROk, accepting my lack of preparation what is my course of action now. Does this allow me 30 days and an opportunity to try again?
Robert *******
No cash will not do the trick. The person at the desk to take your paperwork can see the cash, but the person who is putting the visa inside your passport can not see the cash as you already left the building with the cash.
Teddy **********
ORIGINAL POSTERThank you for you kind anwser Robert
Teddy **********
ORIGINAL POSTERNo argument here. I simply did not read that the last time I read the site. I see it clear as day. will cash be ok?
Reply to
Teddy **********
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Robert *******
Why do people not read a website and just telling around it is not mentioned on their website: 5. Evidence of adequate finance
• Single-Entry Tourist Visa: 20,000 baht per person and 40,000 baht per family
• Single-Entry Tourist Visa: 20,000 baht per person and 40,000 baht per family
Robert *******
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Teddy **********
ORIGINAL POSTERcan you post a link?
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Teddy **********
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Marty *********
Even if you do manage to get in this time if you’ve been in Thailand a year on tourist visas then your days are numbered.
Alex ***********
he didn’t offer, he was taken into a room and asked for it. The whole experience cost him $300usd
Marty *********
Alex J Murphy Can't say I would recommend offering a "donation" but I don't have experience with that.
Alex ***********
@Ma***
agreed. A close friend was denied entry on a SETV a while back. He finally got in after making a donation. The IO said to him ‘how easy is it for Thai people to go to Australia? Why should we make it easy for you?’Marty *********
@Teddy *********
BTW. Follow the logic of your own situation. You have been in Thailand for a year. You can't work as a tourist and you don't have enough money in the bank to last more than a couple of days or a week. That doesn't look suspicious?Personally, I think there should be an option for people under 50 to stay here longer term. Also . . . there is a 6 month multiple entry tourist visa available. That might have been a better place to start.
Marty *********
Both the Consulates and the border immigration officers have the discretion to deny you entry. They are particularly suspicious if they suspect you are in Thailand working.
As an American you should be familiar with US Immigration having a harsh standard of letting foreigners from many countries entering the US. It is extremely difficult for many Thais to get a visa to enter the US. Consider it reciprocity.
As an American you should be familiar with US Immigration having a harsh standard of letting foreigners from many countries entering the US. It is extremely difficult for many Thais to get a visa to enter the US. Consider it reciprocity.
Teddy **********
ORIGINAL POSTERI don't want to argue. But I'm frustrated and genuinely curious.
Teddy **********
ORIGINAL POSTERYou can enter with the approved visa. so where the government page to read that makes there own process illegal ?
Teddy **********
ORIGINAL POSTERThese are there laws.
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Teddy **********
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Jason ***********
I wouldn’t recommend showing them a bank statement that doesn’t have at least 20,000 baht in it , they will deny your visa. Vientiane has started enforcing policies as of late.
Teddy **********
ORIGINAL POSTERSo get under Boi? What do you reccomend?
Ben **********
@Teddy *********
They are refusing these ed visas for people with a lot of history. Would not bank on one of those at all.Teddy **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jason **********
Yes after this afair I'll be gettng An ed visaTeddy **********
ORIGINAL POSTERWhich further confused me.
Teddy **********
ORIGINAL POSTERKind of a rhetorical but why don't they simply state this on the application page. I could have arranged the proper documents. Also when I asked the helper he said it the amount does not matter.
Jason ***********
@Teddy *********
: If it doesn’t have at least 20,000 on the statement, I wouldn’t recommend it.Teddy **********
ORIGINAL POSTERwould it have been better not to provide one?
Reply to
Teddy **********
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