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Why are South Africans facing difficulties applying for a Thai tourist visa?

Thai Tourist Visa Visa Application South Africans Visa Rules Embassy Policies Immigration Kuala Lumpur Visa Regulations

Oct 10, 2017

7 years ago

David ***********************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Just letting people know so that others do not make the same costly mistake. I have just applied for Thai tourist visa in Kuala Lumpur. (Specially travelled there to do this)Was refused at the embassy and informed that as of 2 months ago South Africa is now a listed country which means that South Africans can only apply for a Thai tourist visa from within home country. South Africans should be aware of this to prevent making the same costly error that I have. Cheers (SA passport is rubbish and gets worse all the time)

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A South African citizen shared their experience of being denied a Thai tourist visa at the Thai embassy in Kuala Lumpur. They highlighted that South Africans can no longer apply for this visa outside their home country, a recent change that they discovered too late, incurring travel costs. Other commenters corroborated the stringent rules in Kuala Lumpur and mentioned inconsistencies in visa policies across Thai consulates. They advised on the importance of understanding current visa regulations and noted possible issues related to South African passport holders.

Luke ******

They should update their website not to confuse people then. According to the latest list published in March, SA is not a listed country....

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Tod *********

Okay, I think the O/P is taking some creative license stating that South Africans cant get visas for thailand anywhere but S/A.

KL may have stopped issuing them but there are plenty of thai consulates in the area where South Africans can go and get visas.

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Bogdan *******

Might be a reciprocity thing for SA. Last year, while travelling around the world for 10 months, I tried to get a tourist visa for SA and I was refused in USA, Thailand and Australia. All of them told me to get a visa from the SA embassy at home, visa that has to be used within 1 month from issuing date.

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Robert *******

That's the reason KL put their checklist on their website. You can download it, print it and check the boxes and you will have no problem. Still remember the post of the Visa agent in Penang: If it is on your phone or on your usb stick you will be here a day longer.

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Amornrat **********

many young people come here to teach without wp. Nothing wrong with the people, just Thai Immigration want them on wp.

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Robert *******

I did not see or read any report that you can not, even tourist visa at other consulates are no problem. It is only the Embassy in KL who has something against SA people.

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David ***********************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Robert do u know if South Africans can still get 30 days visa free into Thailand and then EXTEND by 30 days in Thailand ?? Please if u know the answer to this let me know ???

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Robert *******

NO

. Don't go back. South Africa is not on their list of banned countries. They have some problem with SA people, do not understand why.

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David ***********************

ORIGINAL POSTER

I had everything on the checklist. Just told me no more visas here for South Africans. Should I go back there again ????

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David ***********************

ORIGINAL POSTER

I had everything on checklist, every ticket, accom reservation, they didn't even look at that, just looked at my passport and told me no

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David ***********************

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Jason ******

KL is super strict on paperwork and will deny you on the spot. They want print outs of your ticket IN to Thailand, ticket OUT of Thailand, and at least 15 days accommodation booking!!

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David ***********************

ORIGINAL POSTER

I had all reservation documents, air tickets, everything. They didn't look at that, just looked at my passport and told me no

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David ***********************

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Marcel *********

Yes KL has rejected a few from what I have heard. But in Penang everything went smooth, and its a much better place to visit than KL. I was in Penang last week

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Robert *******

, had problems with Non B in KL. Took 1 month for approval. Did you already went back and pick the visa up

?

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Helmut *******

Just went with visa run company to penang. They sorted everything out. Absolutely brilliant and no questions. Was just in a separate line at border, as a guy in later post says, almost certainly something in response to something from our government. Who knows.

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Helmut *******

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Aaron **************

@Marcel ********

please advise because you did this just a few weeks ago.

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Ron *******

That's going to cause an issue for any SA passport holders living here.

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David ***********************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Sure is

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David ***********************

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