Greenwich Boy

Quick 'trip report' Just got a Thai licence (both car and bike) I am on a Tourist Visa but do have UK licences and a valid IDP. Traffic light test and video, no driving test, no questions. If anyone on a Tourist Visa would like a more comprehensive list of how I got on let me know.

I have done border hops from both Chiang Khong and Chiang Saen in the last 12 months. Both easy enough. CK is a bus over the Mekong, CS is a wobbly boat to a sketchy casino. Both same day trips. CK was Laos evisa but CS was voa. Advise checking the visa section on this forum first as plenty of reports of at least 1 night stay now required.

Suspect they will also want a flight to Thailand from the country in which you are applying. If it works smoothly it will make things easier for me when applying from Hoi An, no need to go to Saigon or Hanoi

Tod, I plan to get a Thai evisa from Vietnam in January. What do you think they will accept as proof of being in the country? I am a Brit so no visa required to enter Vietnam.

Definitely METV. Applied and received July 2024. I followed advice from a couple of posters here that no financial evidence has been required for a while. Another case of websites not being kept up to date?

To get an evisa you need to show a flight to the country you wish to go to from the country in which you are applying. The evisa is emailed to you.. I dont agree that you need to be a legal resident of the country in which you are applying. I am a Brit and in the last couple of years have got evisas in one shape or another for Oz, NZ, Thailand, Vietnam etc. Nearly all were applied from outside the UK. If the system works, I welcome this news

You must be the good looking one then! Have your best smile ready tomorrow and hope they don't change their minds. Nice to hear a good story from CM immi.

I have got Cert of Res from both The Colonel (opposite immigration near the airport) and Assist Thai Visa (Chiang Mai Land when not flooded, another office in Nimman) Worth ringing for specific requirements beforehand.

There are now no financial requirements for METV from London. Now a very simple application, got mine a couple of months ago. Took maybe 3 days

I applied for a CofR at CM last week. Initially I sent a mate down with the paperwork and 500B for the next day fee. He was told 10 days, seems you need to be on a list to get the express service Went to my usual agent and got it sorted. The reason for application ( mine is drivers license) is stated on the CofR

Currently on a METV which I messed up by applying for too early. I need to enter Thailand once more after its expiry in January and would much rather do that on a SETV than VE. I will be in Vietnam for a month but not near an Embassy, does this mean I can apply for an e visa before flying back?

I am planning on applying for my first non imm O later this year via the evisa portal from London. Could someone clarify that the 800k equivalent (the method I will be using) is only required on the day of application? From reading the London website it appears 3 months statements are only required for the income method. Have I got that right?

I know we are not comparing like for like here but pretty sure I read that NZ are increasing their 'entry fee' to NZ$100. That is 2,000B. They are all at it!

I have a METV and am in CM. If he decides to go to Nong Khai. There is one direct flight (not daily) to Udon Thani and a mini bus to the border. Have not checked timings but a there and back in a day by direct flight probably does not work, Nong Khai is a decent place to overnight. There is a daily overnight bus to Nong Khai from Arcade. Came back from Nong Khai a few months ago this way, bit of a trek but the VIP seats were pretty good. Loads of international flight options if you fancy a few days elsewhere ( I have done most of the over the years) My border run next week is to Hong Kong. Unfortunately for Dr Jack there are no direct flights to Saigon this time of year, only destination in Vietnam is Hanoi

Singapore requires an on line completed arrival card, much like the TM6. You fill it out within 72 hrs of arrival and get an approval email back within hours. It contains much the same info as an ETA does so pretty much works the same and makes immi a doddle. Citizens and PR holders (maybe others) are exempt. I have seen tourists without approval sent off to the side to complete a form manually.