Answered3 years ago
What should I do to successfully re-enter Thailand after applying for the Elite Visa and what are my banking options on a tourist visa?
Hi,
I have been in Thailand since December 25th 2022. First on an Visa exemption 45 + 30 days. Then flight to Vietnam, came back 5 days later and entered via Tourist Visa 60 + 30 days. That one is ending on June 11th.
Now I applied for the 5 yrs Elite Visa (never overstayed or had other trouble) 10 days ago. They told me via support that the verification may take up to 2-3 months and gave me the advice to leave the country and come back once the visa is verified. My plan is to leave on June 11th to Vietnam and come back around June 15th on an exemption or Tourist Visa and then during the 30+30 or 60+30 days get my elite approved.
What are the chances to get rejected on the bkk airport on my 3rd try to enter the country in a row? Will it help if I tell them that I applied for the elite?
Also I applied to the Elite Visa through the official website Thailandelite.com and they told me the payment has to be done within 3 working days. I found that weird. I read somewhere that you have 10 working days to do the payment. I am sure 3 days will be not enough if I use Wise. I asked them if I can do a split payment since Wise is limited to 50k thb per transfer. So for 600k that would be 12 transfers. They said yes split transfers are ok. But I don’t want to trigger some red flags at wise by doing 12 transfers in one day.
I currently stay in bkk and I try to get a bank account but so far had no luck on a tourist visa. My plan is to get a Thai bank account, make the 600k thb ready and pay as soon as the elite visa got approved. Any advice to what specific bank still makes a bank account on a tourist visa? By Specific bank I mean eg. go to Icon Siam floor x bank x and they will help you.
I have been in Thailand since December 25th 2022. First on an Visa exemption 45 + 30 days. Then flight to Vietnam, came back 5 days later and entered via Tourist Visa 60 + 30 days. That one is ending on June 11th.
Now I applied for the 5 yrs Elite Visa (never overstayed or had other trouble) 10 days ago. They told me via support that the verification may take up to 2-3 months and gave me the advice to leave the country and come back once the visa is verified. My plan is to leave on June 11th to Vietnam and come back around June 15th on an exemption or Tourist Visa and then during the 30+30 or 60+30 days get my elite approved.
What are the chances to get rejected on the bkk airport on my 3rd try to enter the country in a row? Will it help if I tell them that I applied for the elite?
Also I applied to the Elite Visa through the official website Thailandelite.com and they told me the payment has to be done within 3 working days. I found that weird. I read somewhere that you have 10 working days to do the payment. I am sure 3 days will be not enough if I use Wise. I asked them if I can do a split payment since Wise is limited to 50k thb per transfer. So for 600k that would be 12 transfers. They said yes split transfers are ok. But I don’t want to trigger some red flags at wise by doing 12 transfers in one day.
I currently stay in bkk and I try to get a bank account but so far had no luck on a tourist visa. My plan is to get a Thai bank account, make the 600k thb ready and pay as soon as the elite visa got approved. Any advice to what specific bank still makes a bank account on a tourist visa? By Specific bank I mean eg. go to Icon Siam floor x bank x and they will help you.
Answer summary
The user is preparing to leave Thailand to ensure they can re-enter while awaiting approval for their 5-year Elite Visa. They seek advice on their chances of re-entry on a tourist visa after multiple recent entries and whether mentioning their Elite Visa application will help. Additionally, they are looking for banks that will allow them to open an account on a tourist visa to facilitate payment for the Elite Visa, amid confusion regarding payment processing times and bank requirements.
41 repliesnewest first
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Shaughn ***********
Bangkok Bank on Silom Road as Gary mentioned is the place to go. They may ask you for the letter from your country's embassy that confirms your address in Thailand. So if your embassy can write you the letter (probably for a consular fee) then that is all you need to take to Bangkok Bank along with your passport.
Sel *****
OP@Shaughn **********
was there. They simply said no. I told em I Applied for elite etc. they didn’t care unfortunately.Shaughn ***********
@Sel ****
did you have the document from your embassy?Shaughn ***********
@Sel ****
Would recommended trying at head office in Silom to confirm this. Very good English spoken there. Asoke is central to tourists and they might have had a flood of tourists trying to get one and lately they were too busy and just said anything to get you to leave. I have heard of stories like that happening in pre-COVID days when a someone in a branch didn’t want to deal with foreignersSel *****
OP@Shaughn **********
I got asked for that letter in around February from the Bangkok bank here in Asoke. That time it wasn’t that important to get a bank account. So I ignored. Went to the same bank last week and told em about I can get the letter if they want. But they also said laws changed in March. So, my bad luck.Shaughn ***********
@Sel ****
that’s unfortunate if that’s the case that their requirements changed in March. I did the rounds last year asking at various banks and branches on a special tourist visa with a 9 month condo lease. Got knocked back many times but at all the Bangkok banks I went to they kept quoting the letter from embassy.Sel *****
OP@Shaughn **********
No but I said I can get a letter from immigration or embassy. And they said laws changed since March lol.
Kevin ******
Usually you have 30 days to pay after approval.
Jeffrey **********
with the rediculas price they cost you think they could process it in a day
Gary ****
Go to Bangkok Bank on Silom Road, opposite Elite office. Mention its for Elite and you shouldn't have a problem
Frank **********
You could also spend a little extra time wandering around the region. A couple of weeks in Bali or Kuala Lumpur is a great way to kill some time while waiting for approval.
Paul *******
@Sel ****
Bali? No. Other countries I mentioned, yes, long ago.Sel *****
OP@Paul ******
I read just 2 weeks ago they dropped the vaccine requirement. I am not vaxxed as well. But if they have restrictions the can kiss my A.Frank **********
It's about to be summer... Bali would be better. :)
Paul *******
@Frank *********
Europe in summer is nice. Bali - meh, not with all the restrictions they're about to impose now. Not an option for the unvaccinated either. I'd recommend Cambodia, Laos, even Vietnam over Bali.
Sel *****
OP@Paul ******
They removed all restrictions no?Sel *****
OP@Frank *********
Yes or I was thinking to fly back to Europe and come back around September. I read here in the group you can delay the payment for up to 6 weeks.
Garrett ***********
Wise is limited to 2m baht per transfer, not 50k. My experience is it takes 4-6 weeks for approval, not 3 months. Print out the letter that your Thai elite is processing, you won't have issues reentering.
Alistair **********
You might have issues, you might be fine, it really depends on the IO you get. You could go on a border run with a company. That's the safest way.
Try using an agent to open a bank account, it's very difficult these days on a short term visa. Bangkok bank might allow you to open one with right documentation, but even they're tightening their requirements.
Try using an agent to open a bank account, it's very difficult these days on a short term visa. Bangkok bank might allow you to open one with right documentation, but even they're tightening their requirements.
Sel *****
OP@Alistair *********
any recommendations for a good reputation company for a border run?Alistair **********
@Sel ****
in Bangkok "Thai visa service"
Jeremy ********
You can also use a credit card to pay for the visa
Sel *****
OP@Jeremy *******
Yes but it’s limited to $8500 a day and the exchange rate is terrible in comparison to wise. I will try to get a bank account first. And worst case do CC.
Kool *******
@Sel ****
in this case where time is critical do a SWIFT international bank to bank transfer to your elite visa agent from your home country bank.Brandon ************
You're getting close to the point where you'll have issued returning.
I'd suggest either do a land border bounce with an agency to ensure you have no issues, or apply for a tourist visa when you're in Vietnam to potentially reduce issues but this one is not guaranteed.
I'd suggest either do a land border bounce with an agency to ensure you have no issues, or apply for a tourist visa when you're in Vietnam to potentially reduce issues but this one is not guaranteed.
Sel *****
OP@Brandon ***********
I asked the famous Bangkok visa service guys. But they didn’t check anything about my passport and if I can reenter or not? They just said ok 10th June meeting point.Brandon ************
@Sel ****
I guess they expect no issues 😂🤷🏻♂️Brandon ************
@Sel ****
looks correctSel *****
OP@Brandon ***********
I contacted exactly the company that is recommended. Website Thaivisaservice dot com. I Hope that’s correct? This is what I got told
Brandon ************
@Sel ****
those who are denied at Poipet get told to go to the airport and fly back to Thailand. Worst case you buy VIP airport entry from another agency to make sure you can get in that way. I would say just make sure you booked with an agency and not just a travel agent that only provides a van to the border.
Sel *****
OP@Brandon ***********
Just got told avoid the poipet Cambodia border. But this company goes exactly there 😄 I never entered by land. I hope won’t have any issues. I will leave all my stuff here in my condo. Worst case if I can’t re-enter, what else can I do?Sel *****
OP@Brandon ***********
I applied for a tourist visa from Germany but I have to leave Thailand first to get approved. So I will apply while in Vietnam as you said. I thought 3rd time still wouldn’t be a too big issue?Are land border runs safer? I always thought flying is more safe? Will try to find a agency in bkk then. In Phuket I saw many. But never saw one in bkk.
John **********
@Sel ****
you have to apply for the visa in the country you are physically in. So if you are in Vietnam you need to go to the Thai embassy in Vietnam (I don't think they do e-visa). You can't apply in Germany using the e-visa system if you are not in Germany.John **********
@Sel ****
why not just do what you are meant to do? I've no idea if an onward ticket will work, I suspect some are getting wise to them.Sel *****
OP@John *********
Yes they asked me for a flight ticket from Germany to Thailand. But in theory I could sent them an onward ticket from Germany to Thailand once I am out of Thailand no? I doubt they check it I am really in Germany.Brandon ************
@Sel ****
I expect you'll be able to get back into Thailand with a tourist visa. Just expect to be pulled aside and questioned and if you're not then all the better. Also make sure you have the 3 proofs:1. Proof of funds (20,000₿ or equivalent in another major currency IN CASH ONLY)
2. Proof of leaving Thailand within the 60 days the of the visa (any ticket out of the country will suffice. You can Google onward travel ticket)
3. Proof of lodging (hotel reservation for the first 1-2 weeks. (it's probably better if your provide a hotel reservation rather than a long term lease because that would show you're not a tourist)
Brandon ************
@Sel ****
when you sign up for a land border run with an agency you have to give them your entire history in Thailand. They only take the people they know they can get in and out of Thailand.Activity
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