expat experiences

Showing 533 questions

This page displays all the results for the expat experiences tag, sorted by the most recent activity. There are a total of 533 questions that have been tagged with expat experiences. Explore the questions to find discussions and information relevant to this topic.
Dec 30, 2024
13 hours ago
Maria ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi all. I used to live in Bangkok and had a work permit. I left without cancelling it. That was 5.5 years ago. Currently living in NZ and would like to go on a holiday there next year. Will I get into trouble with the immigration?
Dec 25, 2024
5 days ago
Stephen *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
12 Days and no word...still "processing"...is it because of the holidays? Anyone else experiencing delays?
Dec 25, 2024
6 days ago
Paul ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Dear Expat Community,

I'm reaching out because I'm growing weary of the constant cycle of 30- and 90-day visas. I'm seeking advice on long-term residency options. I'm fortunate to have sufficient financial resources and a retirement account.

I'm hoping to connect with fellow expats who have successfully navigated the process of obtaining a one-year visa or residency permit. Any insights, tips, or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Wishing you all a joyous holiday season filled with peace, love, and prosperity.
Dec 24, 2024
6 days ago
Greg ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Here the story of someone, who visited the Immigration Hua Hin and wanted to know, what were the requirements for a 180-days extension of his DTV

You will love the story of his experience

Posted by “Tom Tom“

"I just came back from a visit to the Hua Hin Immigration to have my entry stamp (on a DTV visa) transferred from my old passport to my new passport. So far so good.

Then the lady checking the papers pointed out to me, that since I still have the DTV sticker from the Phnom Penh Thai Embassy, ​​I should always carry the old passport with me. That's perfectly clear so far, too.

Then I asked if I could extend the 180-days stay permit here at Immigration.

She said it's no problem, BUT, and this came a a total surprise, I would have to show proof of a Thai bank account with a deposit of 500,000 THB.

Another officer then approached us while I was trying to explain to the lady that I didn't have a Thai bank account with this kind of deposit, but that the credit was in my German account.

He advised I should just leave Thailand for a short time and come back after a few days. Then this banked money rule would no longer apply to me.

Can anyone confirm this? My extension for another 180 days would be at the beginning of March 2025”

My answer to Tom Tom was as follows:

“If you take a look at the Facebook group “Destination Thailand Visa DTV”, you will notice that there is disagreement and heated debate on this very point.

None of the current DTV holders have applied for an extension at immigration to date, because the earliest date would be shortly before the expiry of the first 180 days for the first wave of DTV, which was introduced on July 15, 2024.

No one can know how the various immigration offices will react to something for which no fixed rules have been issued at all, apart from the usual procedure for the 30-day "touristic extension", which should actually also be applied to the DTV, because the DTV is a tourist-visa class.

There is therefore a heated debate in this group as to whether or not immigration will pull out some fictitious guidelines in the case of a 180-day extension.

You have by now provided a typical example: No immigration officer currently knows with absolute certainty any rules on the extension, because no such rules exist.

So this specific officer pulls out whatever comes to her mind and asks you to provide proof of 500,000 THB again, and this is where it gets really ridiculous, must be in a Thai account?

That's why, before you allow yourself to get invited to ride the carousel, you should do a border run and activate the next 180 days stay permit.

No one at the border will ask you about your account balance, or about health insurance, or how often you go to the toilet

It goes without saying that you have to keep the old invalid passport with the visa sticker - because this is the only proof that you have been issued a DTV. Without presenting this, you will not get a new 180-day "admitted stay" stamp at the border”
Dec 24, 2024
6 days ago
Been waiting 30+ calendar/20+ working days for my New York DTV application, should I be worried? It went to pending approval in one day and then no changes since then.
Dec 24, 2024
6 days ago
Andi ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Finally! DTV approved in Taipei via Workcation/Freelancer

It was more difficult than I anticipated but I managed to deal with the grilling and unexpected interview.

Applied in person last Friday morning, told to come back at 3pm for approval or rejection. On arrival 3pm was told the supervisor wanted an interview. After an anxious hour wait, the supervisor said she just wanted to clarify my employment. After a few mins of explanation and small talk she told me to come back today for the final decision.

Docs submitted

Typed Application Form

Cover letter detailing reasons for applying.

Bank Certificate of balance in GBP with 500K THB conversion detailed. The officer was not happy with just the certificate and told me she wanted the see the balance transactions and would not process the application without the relative bank statements. I had to rush back to my hotel to print them out. Luckily, I chose a hotel a 10 min walk away.

Also submitted 2 other investment account statements with GBP balance/THB conversion.

Portfolio – CV, focused only on online employment, Client appreciation emails I received and a sample of work.

Submitted 3 contracts. One rejected as it recently started but no payment received. The officer wanted to see 6 months of payments from current work.

Contract 1 – Letter from the President supporting my application, certificate of employment, work contract.

6 months of bank statements with the salary deposits highlighted with a THB conversion. Company registration and company brochure. 2023 income and tax statement

Contract 2 – Certificate of employment, work contract. Company online work guidelines. 6 months of bank statements with salary deposits highlighted with a THB conversion. 2023 income and tax statement. Attempted to submit a company brochure but it was rejected, not sure why.

The original certificate of employment and contracts were in Japanese. English translated versions were also submitted which I did myself and were not notarized.

For those applying in Taiwan over the last remaining walk-in days be prepared to argue in a polite way your case.

Thanks to everyone for the tips!
Dec 23, 2024
7 days ago
Brian ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Has anyone on DTV, left and re-entered the Kingdom yet, and if so, was it as simple as our first entry? (Eg. Quick scan of passport and DTV paperwork, stamped and waved on).

I know it’s supposed to be - but you, this is Thailand.

In anticipation, thanks.
Dec 22, 2024
8 days ago
Daniela *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi everyone, I'm about to travel to Taiwan to apply for the DTV visa.

I would appreciate it if you could share your experiences regarding the following:

1. Assuming my original documents are not in English, do they require an official translation with a notary's signature and stamp?

2. Is the visa fee only payable if I am approved? In other words, if my application is rejected, do I not have to pay?

Thank you very much!

Copy

Regenerate
Previous page
Page 1 of 54