Greenwich Boy

I am here for a month and loving it. Could well be back for a Non O later in the year!

I didn't mention timing as I wasn't sure it would be helpful because of holidays but I applied Wednesday afternoon and got a request for extra info on Friday. By the time I spotted the mail in junk and replied they were closed for Tet for a week. After reopening I got second request for info on Tuesday, I replied same day and visa issued that afternoon. My guess is if you provide all the correct info on day 1, you could have your visa say day 3

Yes, I plan on a 30 day extension. The flight out I provided was within 60 days and ' throw away' about 1,100B. Bit of pain but as I hope this is the last time I have to mess around with tourist visas or exemptions it will do.

Just had a METV which I messed up by applying too early hence not keen on a visa exempt entry. The following may apply to any evisa here though. Despite it being an evisa you have to choose to apply at either Saigon or Hanoi. Areas of coverage are on the indvidual Embassy or Consulate websites. I am in Hoi An so clicked on Saigon. Initial receipt and request for extra info emails both went in to my junk file so best to check. Proof of current location. I had read that a passport entry stamp in to Vietnam was the way to go. Was asked for hotel booking. Easily fixed. Accomodation in Thailand. Email from my landlord confirming check in an check out dates was rejected as the full address was not on it. Fair enough got that sorted. Flights. I could not work out how to upload two flights (in and out) so just provided flight to Thailand. Was asked to provide both 'with receipts' A quick lesson on how to merge pdf's sorted that but not sure if the onward ticket method would work with receipts being asked for. Bit of a faff but overall much more convenient than a 900km shlep to the Consulate and hopefully the last tourist visa I apply for. Just got to get let in now!

You should be fine, I replied to your DM. Hopefully you have the extension by now

The OP is referring to a 30 day extension to a 60 day visa exempt stamp. You can do them at Central, I have done loads.

DrJack above is spot on with regards documents needed at CM. To emphasise, you will not get in the front door without your TM30. You will get a couple of extra forms to sign saying you understand the consequences of overstay etc. Normally an extension at Central Festival is less hassle than immi near the airport

Agree with above posts regarding original licence needed. I got both my Thai car and bike licences before Christmas in Chiang Mai. Easy enough. My requirement list was. Passport, Visa, Original licence, IDP, Cert of Res ( as CM involves 2 trips to immi and I am only on a Tourist Visa I used an agent. Tell them it is for a driving licence as the reason is written on the Cert of Res) Medical Cert (mine was 30B and completed by receptionist!) Photocopies of just about everything. Some of the above may not be required but it is what I took. At DLT colour blindness test and 40 min video. I had to hang around to watch the video as I hadn't booked a slot on line. Still done and dusted same day and walked out with both licences. 105B each from memory. Good luck.

You need a Certificate of Residence from CM immigration. Sometimes you can get one next day for 500B yourself. I hate going to immigration and with 2 trips needed I just paid a nearby agent 1,500B all in. You also need a medical certificate. Any clinic will do this. I paid 30B and the receptionist filled it out as I stood at the desk! Take these along with your own licence, IDP and passport to the Provincial Land Office down Hang Dong Road. As well as originals you will need photocopies of everything. You need to watch a video and check you know what colour traffic lights are. It is a bit of a faff but the staff were helpful, just stay patient. You may be able to book online the video slot which will save time, I didn't. Can't remember the licence cost, think it was 100B or so. Good luck.

Luckily I have had a Thai bank account in my name only for a few years Funds for the Non O (retirement) wont be available till I get back to the UK in the summer, so will apply from there. Definitely not going to miss all these border hops but I like Vietnam and I get 45 days visa free.

I currently have a METV which I ballsed up by applying too early, it will have expired by the time I return to Thailand. I figure a month in Vietnam, a SETV and avoiding Bangkok will improve my chances of not getting any grief on arrival, I only need this entry before I get a non imm O. Tod Daniels mentioned in this thread that some applicants are being asked to scan all passport pages including blank ones

I will be applying for a TR60 from Vietnam next month. Hopefully my Viet. entry stamp and flight from Vietnam to Thailand will be enough (I will be there a month) I have a new passport so copies of 30 odd blank pages will be a chore.

Was in Malaysia 2 weeks ago, no stamp. Automated gates, same as Singapore. May depend on nationality.

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.