Answered5 years ago
Why was my visa application delayed while my family's was approved quickly?
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.
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.
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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.
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?
How is DR? I think about changing location. Is safety a concern? Are the beaches nice?
Donna **********
OP@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. 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)?
Donna **********
OP@Terary *********
nope. We all went to the Dominican Republic for a year. My husband has more stamps then me in his passport.Donna **********
OP@Terary *********
well. My whole family is American. 
Zoë *****
Did your kids have to do the PCR? I'm coming in with a 4 year old
Donna **********
OP@Zoë ****
yes. Two times. 1 to get on plane, 2 when we landed. 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.
Donna **********
OP@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. 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. 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.
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. Donna **********
OP@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. 
Corey *******
I'm curious, what beach is this? It looks familiar to me.
Donna **********
OP@Corey ******
Ratcha beach. 
Elisa *******
I don't think your request was delayed because you are black. That is ridiculous. There I said it.
Donna **********
OP@Elisa ******
ok. But they are picking and choosing. I was asked if I wanted to cancel 2x. 
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 🤔
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.
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! Brandon ************
@Ivon *******
Visa exempt only gives you 30 days, but tourist visa gives you 60 days. Ivon ********
@Brandon ***********
got it. Understand now
Michael ********
This is strange, i am presuming you all hold American passports.
No point complaing to embassy been there done that 🤣🤣🤣🤣
No point complaing to embassy been there done that 🤣🤣🤣🤣
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.
Donna **********
OP@Garrett **********
I am already here. I was just stating my story. 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.
Brandon ************
@Andrew ******
it took me a little over a week, thanks for asking. Donna **********
OP@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?Brandon ************
@Donna *********
nothing about Thailand Bureaucracy ever makes sense unfortunatelyDonna **********
OP@Andrew ******
I thought so too. 
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 TiTBrandon ************
@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"Donna **********
OP@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. Activity
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