thailand
Ask question

Why was my visa application delayed while my family's was approved quickly?

Thai VisaVisa Application ProcessVisa DelayVisa on ArrivalAmerican Citizen Visa RequirementThailand Entry RulesCOVID-19 Visa PoliciesFamily Travel Visa Issues
Nov 4, 2021
3 years ago
Donna **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Washington DC embassy approved my whole family for their 60 day visa except me. The wait for them was a bit over a week. Mine was still waiting for approval when we landed in Thailand 9 days after submission. They stated to me that the wait time is 15 days and to wait the process. Took 2 days for an email reply of thanks, when asked for documents. All documents requested for my whole family sent in the same one email. The order of entry into the system was mine first, then kids, the husband. They recommended 2x that I cancel or wait and do visa on arrival. Once while in USA waiting, the other after I complain while doing the 3 day travel to Phuket sandbox. **Photo of my family.
3,010
views
44
likes
99
all likes
34
replies
0
images
12
users
TLDR : Answer Summary
A U.S. citizen traveling to Thailand experienced a delay in their visa application approval while their family's visas were approved within a week. The individual submitted their application nine days before traveling, but upon arrival in Thailand, they were informed of a wait time exceeding the promised 15 days. Despite submitting all necessary documents together, their application faced multiple recommendations to cancel and reapply for a visa on arrival. This has led to discussions about the complexities of visa applications, the possibility of nationality bias, and the differences between visa-exempt entry options available for American citizens.
Terary **********
They do pick and choose usually based on nationality, visa history, etc. If you are entertaining the notion that the Thai people are biased against race, I don't think they are. My experience with Thai people is that their are two groups of people, 1) Thai, and 2) Not-Thai. The rest is moot.
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Terary **********
I am sorry I just don't have insights as to the 'why' but I think it unlikely do to race.

How is DR? I think about changing location. Is safety a concern? Are the beaches nice?
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Donna **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Terary *********
 we found it boring and the way of life very... Slow to progress and inconvenient. Took a package a full 7 days to go 2 hours up the road. The system they use is backwards.
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Donna **********
Reply
Terary **********
Are you traveling on a US passport and have you done more travelling then your family? Have you been to more place (more visa stamps)?
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Donna **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Terary *********
 nope. We all went to the Dominican Republic for a year. My husband has more stamps then me in his passport.
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Donna **********
Reply
Donna **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Terary *********
 well. My whole family is American.
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Donna **********
Reply
Zoë *****
Did your kids have to do the PCR? I'm coming in with a 4 year old
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Donna **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Zoë ****
 yes. Two times. 1 to get on plane, 2 when we landed.
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Donna **********
Reply
Tyler *******
You're from The Dominican Republic while the rest of your family is "American"... this isn't rocket science. I agree, it isn't right or fair, but it isn't surprising and it isn't about race. This is about your country of origin and their relationship with Thailand. Sorry for your problems, but this shouldn't come as a great surprise that your application was subject to more scrutiny than the rest of you family simply based on visa history. Again, I don't think this is right, but it is what is is.
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Donna **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tyler ******
 I'm not from the Dominican Republic. I am from North Carolina. I am American through and through. Spent 11 years in the United States Air Force.
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Tyler *******
@Donna *********
 also, no disrespect meant, I’m just being direct. If they can link you to DR, that is gonna be a big red flag for most governments when it comes to visas. Again, not fair nor right, but that’s how a lot of them view things.
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Tyler *******
Also just being prior military may impact your visa in some way shape or form. Personally, my credit was locked for nearly 12 years after my social security number was leaked to some “groups” while deployed and that wreaked havoc on basically anything I did after that when it came to anything with a background check. Couldn’t apply for an apartment lease, no car loans, etc. I didn’t do anything wrong (my credit score was actually quite good once I was able to access it lol), but because those very normal and regular outside entities couldn’t access my credit score, they just denied me outright. I’ve had issues with security clearances and police checks because of it, it was a massive headache.
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Tyler *******
Reply
Tyler *******
@Donna *********
 why does your profile say you live in DR then? That may be part of your issue. They cross reference social media as well as your passport. This is why half of us have fake ass profiles lol.
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Donna **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tyler ******
 because Facebook randomly disabled my original 13 years long account and I needed a new account to keep up with my family. Facebook will not answer my request to review that I am not under 13 years old.
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Donna **********
Reply
Corey *******
I'm curious, what beach is this? It looks familiar to me.
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Donna **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Corey ******
 Ratcha beach.
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Donna **********
Reply
Elisa *******
I don't think your request was delayed because you are black. That is ridiculous. There I said it.
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Donna **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Elisa ******
 ok. But they are picking and choosing. I was asked if I wanted to cancel 2x.
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Donna **********
Reply
Ivon ********
I don’t get it, if you are an American citizen why do you need a visa in the first place? Me and fam been in Thailand 2 times and never requested visa. American citizen don’t need visa to Thailand . Hmm 🤔
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Martin **********
@Ivon *******
 you get a 30 or 60 days stays permission. You don't hold a visa. Visa you only get at thai embassies or Konsulates or at an immigration office inside Thailand. The so called visa on arrival is a permission to stay for tourism 30 to 60 days.

And what do you think? You are american and you don't need a visa like everyone else? Funny, I'll tell my neighbor, he is American.
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Ivon ********
@Martin *********
 I don’t think anything so hold your horses.. what I said is that I never needed to buy a visa for my 3 weeks vacation, I didn’t realized this family was staying for more than 30 days. Have a great day!
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Ivon ********
Reply
Brandon ************
@Ivon *******
 Visa exempt only gives you 30 days, but tourist visa gives you 60 days.
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Ivon ********
@Brandon ***********
 got it. Understand now
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Ivon ********
Reply
Michael ********
This is strange, i am presuming you all hold American passports.

No point complaing to embassy been there done that 🤣🤣🤣🤣
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Garrett ***********
Visa exempt entry* and yes, that's your best option. 60 day covid unable to travel extension are still available until November 26th, so if you applied for that after you entered you'd have the same 90 days (if your plan was to extend the TV 30 days) that your family would have.
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Donna **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Garrett **********
 I am already here. I was just stating my story.
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Donna **********
Reply
Brandon ************
Honestly 9 days is definitely not enough time for a Visa application. You're lucky they just switched to the stickerless system or you wouldn't have gotten any visas and your passports would still have been in the mail. Visa should be applied for at least 2-3 weeks before travel if not longer to allow for Visa processing plus any potential problems, as well as additional time for Thailand Pass application and approval.
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Brandon ************
@Andrew ******
 it took me a little over a week, thanks for asking.
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Donna **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 the issue is that my family got approved and I did not I did not. I was mad to wait. I get how long it takes. But if we are in the same batch of requested documents email why did I get skipped?
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Brandon ************
@Donna *********
 nothing about Thailand Bureaucracy ever makes sense unfortunately
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Brandon ************
Reply
Donna **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andrew ******
 I thought so too.
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Andrew *******
@Brandon ***********
 it takes 3 days what re you talking about 9 days is not enough time… it’s pretty clear what’s going on here TiT
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Brandon ************
@Andrew ******
 guess that's why there's a big banner on the top of the embassy website page on visas that says "processing time could be up to 15 business days"
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Brandon ************
Reply
Donna **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 the COE took 2 days we did that through the LA office as that did not require proof of location as the visa did. The LA office is way better.
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Donna **********
Reply
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
... members · 60% approval rate
The Thai Visa Advice And Everything Else group allows for a broad range of discussions on life in Thailand, beyond just visa inquiries.
Join the Group
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
View the Conversation
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
What is the approval timeline and requirements for a Thai visa from the USA Embassy?
23 comments
3 months ago
How did I secure DTV visas for my husband and daughter in Thailand during our relocation process?
1 comments
3 months ago
How did I navigate the visa application process for my family and pets to move to Thailand?
6 comments
3 months ago
Has anyone experienced long waiting times for their visa application process?
17 comments
3 months ago
What should I expect regarding visa approval times from the Thai Embassy?
8 comments
4 months ago
What are the experiences and challenges faced when applying for a US visa from Canada for a Thai citizen?
26 comments
4 months ago
What should I do if my tourist visa application for Thailand is delayed and I'm about to board my flight?
118 comments
9 months ago
What should I do if my 60-day tourist visa for Thailand is delayed and I leave soon?
52 comments
a year ago
Why was my 60-day e-visa application denied while I was in the Philippines for Thailand?
13 comments
a year ago
What should I do if the Thai Embassy in France delays my tourist visa application before my family's trip?
86 comments
a year ago
What should I do if my 60-day multiple entry visa is delayed before my trip to Thailand?
9 comments
a year ago
What is the current processing time for a Thai e-visa applied from China, and how to handle application errors?
9 comments
a year ago
What should I do if my NON-O visa application is pending just days before my flight?
32 comments
a year ago
What should I know about the eVisa application process in Thailand, especially regarding delays?
3 comments
2 years ago
What was your experience applying for a 60-day Thai visa through the Los Angeles embassy?
15 comments
2 years ago
How long should I expect for my visa application process in Thailand?
21 comments
2 years ago
What was the experience of applying for a 60 Day Tourist Visa at the Thai Embassy in Ottawa, Canada?
13 comments
2 years ago
What should I do if my 60-Day Tourist Visa application is still processing before my flight?
9 comments
2 years ago
What is the process and challenges for a Thai national to obtain a tourist visa to the USA?
49 comments
2 years ago
What should I do if my Thai tourist visa status hasn't changed and I'm flying soon?
19 comments
3 years ago
What should I do if my Thai tourist visa application is delayed shortly before my flight?
21 comments
3 years ago
How can I expedite my Thai Pass approval at the embassy if my flight is soon?
23 comments
3 years ago
What was the eVisa application experience for an American applying for a 60-Day Single Entry Tourist Visa to Thailand?
5 comments
3 years ago
What are the challenges and requirements for applying for the new Thailand eVisa?
15 comments
4 years ago
How long are the current visa processing delays in Thailand?
13 comments
4 years ago
Data protection policyTerms and conditionsDisclaimerPrivacy policyRefund policy
The asq:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.