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What should we do after our Thai visa application was declined due to a utility bill requirement while renting in Spain?

Thai visa application60-day visautility bill requirementresponding to visa declinetraveling to Thailandvisa extensionborder runpensioners traveling to Thailandresidency proofSpainKuala LumpurThailand immigration rules
Nov 25, 2022
2 years ago
Della ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
My husband and I have just applied on line for a 60 day visa. We normally get it from Hull UK but that is now closed. We are in Spain and will fly from Madrid 31st December until 20th March.

Yesterday my husband received an email saying its been declined because we can't supply a copy of a utility bill which we've never had to supply before. We are renting here in Spain so any bills are in the owners name,

So the lady said we can arrive and we'll get 30 days thought it was 45? Has this happened to anyone else and what did you do?

We normally split the holiday and fly to Kuala Lumpur and get another 30 days but will they let us back in?...and then go to immigration and get another 30 days we need 81days.

We are pensioners been travelling to Thailand over 20 years so a bit shocked with the decline.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
An expat couple's online application for a 60-day visa to Thailand was declined due to the lack of a utility bill, which they cannot provide while renting in Spain. They are concerned about their visa options and the possibility of getting stamped upon arrival in Thailand. It was noted that UK passport holders typically receive a 45-day entry stamp, which can be extended by 30 days at immigration. Several commenters shared their experiences and suggested alternatives for documentation, such as using bank statements as proof of residence.
Sam ******
I used a screenshot of a UK Bank statement.
2 years ago
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Leigh *****
I used my bank statement
2 years ago
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John **********
Normally you have to apply from the country you are currently in. Did you apply via e-visa for UK or for Spain? Do you have a bank account in Spain? I'm sure this would do
2 years ago
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Alex *******
@John *********
 As far as I know it is not really the country you are currently in, but the country you are a legal permanent resident in. So that is where the utility bill demand came from I think
2 years ago
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John **********
@Alex ******
 I think they also look at where you fly from. Otherwise what's to stop people applying for a tourist visa from inside Thailand itself and just doing a border bounce to come in on the tourist visa?
2 years ago
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Eddie ******
@John *********
 I was asked for my boarding card by immigration when we landed on Bangkok. So they check against your visa, where you fly from
2 years ago
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Eddie ******
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Della ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Alex ******
 But which ever country we're in we don't have a utility bill in our name as we're renting, why isn't our passports enough she asked us to take a photo of our passports up against our faces. Just wish we'd never started this and just entered on 45 days...
2 years ago
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John **********
@Della *******
 I don't have utility bills either but there's always a way round it. Bank statements, official government post or whatever.
2 years ago
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Della ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
 Yes my husband's still talking to them awaiting their reply.
2 years ago
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Della ********
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Eddie ******
You proof of residence ie Utility Bill has to be from UK if you are applying through London. Any Bill from UK with your home address on will suit the purpose Rates or credit card Bill will also work.
2 years ago
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Della ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Eddie *****
 We don't have a utility bill in our name as we are renting in spain and the bills are in the owners name. Just surprised as never been asked for a utility bill and been doing the same thing travelling from Spain for the last 9 years. Only difference is never applied online before. And why is she saying only 30 days on arrival not 45...
2 years ago
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Della ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Yes Hull was a breeze so much better face to face. Wish we hadn't applied now and just entered on 45 days and gone from there...
2 years ago
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Stuart *********
@Della *******
 because embassies notoriously give out wrong information. They’re run by a completely different government department than immigration and are quite often not clued up on changes. This is why I smirk when some people reply to questions saying “ask your embassy they’ll give you the correct info”. Last place I’d ask.
2 years ago
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Della ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
 Was so easy when we went to Hull walk in, done in 30 mins...
2 years ago
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Stuart *********
@Della *******
 Yes by all reports Hull was a breeze. As was Liverpool. Sadly all honorary consulates are either closed or no longer issue visas.
2 years ago
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Stuart *********
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Marc *********
45 days on arrival & can extend by 30 days for 1900bht
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
Change doesn't mean decline. It just means you can't meet the requirements of the system.

If you have a UK Passport you'll be stamped into Thailand for 45 days every time you enter until March 31st when it goes back to 30 days.

You can extend each of these for another 30 days at immigration.

It doesn't sound like you have a history of trying to live in Thailand on the wrong type of visa, so you should have no problems flying to Kuala Lumpur and back and getting a new stamp.
2 years ago
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Dieter *********
@Brandon ***********
2 years ago
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Della ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 we have over 20 yrs history
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
@Della *******
 I'm talking about an improper history that a tourist wouldn't have
2 years ago
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Della ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 Ah right sorry just re-read your message.

What we're confused with is why is she saying we'll only get 30 days on entry when I thought it was 45 until end of March...
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
@Della *******
 it's only a temporary thing, they have no reason to learn it or remember it.
2 years ago
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Della ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 Doesn't give anyone confidence if they're all not working to the same script...
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
@Della *******
 that's funny. You say you've got 20 years of experience in Thailand, then you'd know that no one is working on the same script. Embassies and immigration are 2 completely different government agencies that don't communicate and don't know what each other does.

Also each embassy gets to make their own rules, even different embassies in the same country.

Same goes for immigration offices in Thailand, every province has their own rules and requirements for various visas and extensions.
2 years ago
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Della ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 Yes I do know but we always used the same Embassy in UK when we started staying longer and the same immigration office in Thailand to extend, and know what their rules are. This is first time we've done it on line, wished we hadn't. Surely they must all know you get 45 days at the moment on entry or is that a different rule as well??
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
@Della *******
 as I said, there's no reason for them to know it or remember it at the embassy. It doesn't effect them, they only deal with visas. It's only a temporary 6 month thing, and some embassies don't update their websites until years after a permanent change.

Also in countries that use the new evisa system, online is the only way to apply. They no longer accept in person appointments or applications. They do not want people going into the embassy anymore.
2 years ago
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Della ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 I agree their databases may be out of date.

So i assume when you ask them a question they just make it up as they go along.

Anyway we'll get it sorted one way or another do you live there?
2 years ago
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Della ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Forgot to mention they are on the ball with the phrase

"Your application won't be processed and your" money is not refundable"
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
@Della *******
 Thailand for the time being
2 years ago
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Graham ******
@Della *******
 Beause she is Embassy staff not Immigrarion ;)
2 years ago
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Graham ******
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