stephen tracy

14 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Ok, info more clear. 

Yes Hanoi old quarter great joint. 

Ubonjoe has advised no problem. Always listen to him over other folk.

Some consulates such as PP tend to refuse second setv. Seems from ubonjoe advice that's not the case at Hanoi.

Did you consider setv from HCMC?

Again very chill consulate and city for a break. 

Airport very close to district 1. Do a Google.

Hey, I did actually consider HCMC but the website says they require proof of accommodation (contract etc,) for at least half of the intended stay (I wrote them to ask for confirmation and surprisingly the got back and confirmed). My landlord wont provide me with a contract (or anything for that matter) so that's why Hanoi seem the best bet. It was also the easiest Thai consulate I've ever dealt with. Hardly anyone there at the time I went. The consulate I've seen that's easier is the one in Toronto which looks like someone's living room and even has a dog. They ask for nothing there, and even offer METVs. Bit far for a visa run though!

14 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

 I don't think you will have a problem getting another tourist visa in Hanoi with your history.

Thanks Joe!

15 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

You did not mention history prior to start of Nov. So your here now 4 months. Sounds like you entered on setv or VE and extended. Another setv from Hanoi with possible extension could take your stay to 7 months.

Even if you obtained setv at Hanoi, you then need to fly to Thailand. What's the plan X Hanoi to DMK? Good luck with that idea.

I think a land border country idea better.

That way if denied setv you could use visa exempt border entry.

hey thanks. When I flew in in early November it was my first time here in about 2 and a half years. Yep, I initially entered on VE, stayed 60 days and then when to Hanoi on New Years day and applied for the visa the following day, and the back to BKK a few days after that. I flew from Hanoi into Survarhibum when I did it, not DMK. 

Hi all, I came to Thailand at the beginning of November 2019 and on 1 January flew to Hanoi and got an SETV there (my first time there). AS I enjoyed my few days in Hanoi, I was thinking of returning there to try and get a second one at the beginning of April when this one expires. Any recent experiences of anyone trying to get two in a row from Hanoi? The first one was painless but I did see some people being turned away for not having a bank statement.

A lot of SE Asia consulates are also now asking for proof of rental agreement or accommodation for half of your intended stay, and they do not accept a mere hotel booking, they want receipt of payment. 

Anywhere but Sukhumvit Road. 

I don't think it necessarily matters. My sister married a guy 28 years her senior and they are still happily married and have kids. He's also a really good bloke. I've always liked him and so do the rest of the family. I don't even think about their age difference. 

I knew a woman here a few years ago that taught private lessons in English in Starbucks in Langsuan in BKK. She did individuals and groups. It was all university students. For one person, she charged 500 baht for an hour and then if they brought a friend that she could teach at the same level  she charged 400, 3, 300 and so on. She did it 5 days a week from noon until 5 or 6, back to back classes. It would take a while to build up enough clients to live off it but she managed it. She told me she had one older Thai guy who did his lesson with her in a pub! All he wanted to do was meet once a week for an hour and practise his English. He paid for his lesson and the drinks! Anyway, just a suggestion. 

Dear OP, did you have to provide proof of accommodation in Hanoi? 

Hi all, I wanted to share my experience this morning at CW to extend my 30-day tourist visa exemption because I think it will give people some peace of mind.

I arrived in Thailand at the beginning of November, and technically didn’t need to do the extension until Monday but decided to go today in case there were any issues over this new TM30 thing (I have not lived in Thailand properly for about 3 years, and not at all for the last 2 years, so it was new to me).

As my landlord was unwilling to do the TM30 or give me any documentation whatsoever regarding our rental agreement, I wasn’t sure where that left me in terms of CW. A fellow member here (username is Peter Denis) suggested checking in to a hotel the night before going to CW as hotels will automatically register you when you check in. Following Peter’s advice, I requested a printed copy, which they provide me with this morning before I got in the taxi. I also (again Peter’s advice) asked them for a late check out so when I got to CW I would still appear as a guest at the hotel.

Anyway, to cut a long story short, they didn’t even ask me for a TM30. In fact from the front desk where I presented my docs and got a ticket number, to eventually being called and paying the money, no one mentioned the TM30 once. Although I had the printed copy in my bag the whole time, I decided it best not to bring it up. Why invite trouble?

I don’t want to give people false hope in that now they’ve done away with this TM30 stuff because maybe I was just lucky. I really have no idea. I think it would be great if people going up to CW can add to this thread and update it over the next few months to see what other peoples’ experiences are. It was totally painless. I was in and out of the place in about 30 minutes. Surprised me.

Anyway, for anyone going up over the next week or two, and you’re in my position, take Peters’ sound advice and check into a hotel the night before. It’s an extra expense, I know, and I wasn’t actually asked for the thing in the end, but for me it was worth it for the peace of mind, and until they make some official announcement that they’re scrapping it, I would do the same again…. To be sure, to be sure, as they say in the Old Country.

So, thanks to you Peter Denis, and to anyone having to go do this soon, good luck!

PS: if anyone has any questions about my experience today, feel free to ask.

Best regards,

Steve

Thanks for all the responses! My landlord just told me he would give me a rental contract but not with his ID on it. I guess he has something to fear from all this. I'm gonna have to go with Peter's hotel idea and cross my fingers. What I will for sure do is give an update on Friday afternoon as to how it goes... if indeed I get out alive. Thanks again, all. 

I have to go next Friday to extend a visa exemption. My landlord wont do it, and I can't figure out how to do it myself so my plan (suggested by a fellow TV member) is to check into a hotel the night before and ask for a printout of the TM30 when I check in. I don't know if they will ask where I stayed before my night in the hotel but that's the best plan I've go so far as my landlord will not budge on the matter. I'm already nervous about it. 

Hey thanks! Did Hanoi also require proof of accommodation?

On 8/19/2016 at 8:04 PM, IMA_FARANG said:

I got a SETV from Ho Chi Minh in June.

I reported it on this forum then.

Not a bad experience, but they are strict with their requirements as they say on there website. on the internet.

They want you to pay for the Thai visa in U.S. dollars, they do not accept Viwtnamese Dong for payment.

They want you to show funds for "living expenses" in Thailand during that 60 days of the visa.

They also insist on you having a confirmed ticket out of Thailand or they will not isssue you a visa.

In my case i was able to show a Thai Bank passbook, which they accepted as proof that i could pay for my "living expenses" while in Thailand.

THey will want to see 20K baht per person, but as i said above they accepted my Thai bank passbook as proof o required funs to live.

I also bought an AIr Asia cheap ticket out of Thailand to KL in Malaysia which was accepted as an "exit ticket" from Thailand.

As I said they were friendly, but they were strict taht you must meet their stated requirements...no "give" in what they ask you to show.

Friendly but firm is the way I would put it.

I only know from my experience about Ho Chi Minh City, but i would guess Hanoi would be the same, as Haoi has basically  the same requirements on their website also.

In my opinion neither consulate in Viwtnam, whethr Ho Chi Minh or Hanoi will give you any "slack" in what they ask for.

Ho Chi Minh opens at 8:30 in the morning for applications and to pay the fee.

If accepted you czn pick up the visa the next afternoon at 4 p.m.

Once again, friendly but firm.

 

You can do the whole process yourself, no need for an agent in Ho Chi Minh. I did it all in two days.

 

 

On 8/19/2016 at 10:30 AM, BritTim said:

In Penang, you are not required to use an agent, but it is worth the money to avoid two trips to a somewhat out of the way consulate. The requirements in Penang are usually easily satisfied. Both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are OK, but they will want to see flights into and out of Thailand. They might also want to see copies of bank statements, though they did not request them from me last year. HCMC is a more lively city than Hanoi, but I like both for different reasons. One warning: the traffic in Hanoi has become horrible, unlike when I first visited about 15 years ago.

 

I looked on both HCMC and Hanoi websites and the former says you must have proof of accommodation, but the latter doesn't mention it. Did you get asked for this?

I looked on both HCMC and Hanoi websites and the former says you must have proof of accommodation, but the latter doesn't mention it. Did you get asked for this?

On 9/22/2017 at 5:41 AM, TunnelRat69 said:

I couldn't post one nearly as accurate as this - so won't even try, will only add, if you don't have an onward ticket, there is even an address of a booking agent on the window (it's around the corner) - this has to be the most friendly Consulate I have ever applied for a visa - I applied today, on Friday, was the only person in the office - they apologized for not being able to return my passport on Saturday  but I would have to come back on Monday  -  not a problem at all for me as I wanted to enjoy Saigon over the weekend.   

Hi, good info. Did they ask for proof of accommodation in Thailand? Like hotel booking or rental contract?

On 9/21/2017 at 9:49 PM, Currumbin said:

Did it yesterday. The Thai Consular-General is walking distance from District 1. If you have Google Maps it is around 20 minute walk each way. Take the good advice of OP and take a VinaSun taxi. All other taxis have meters that spin at the speed of light and at the end you have to argue, fight or pay triple or more of the fare. I went by taxi to pick up my passport yesterday  as it was raining. The driver waited for me outside and the return trip was around $4. Opening hours are 8.30-11.30am and 1.30-3pm. Take Application form which you can download and print or they have copies there that you can fill out and lodge. Take US$40. They do not accept any other currency. Be smart and take the right money. One passport photo. Tickets showing entry and exit from Thailand. Copy of bank book or statement showing you have 20,000 baht or more to sustain yourself during the initial 60 days of the visa.

 

You leave your passport there overnight and collect it the following afternoon. The staff are super friendly and frightfully efficient. They all speak English. A very easy process compared to other countries.

 

The key is to take everything required. That makes it so easy. The day I lodged my application there was an American girl arguing that she did not want to purchase an outbound ticket from Thailand until after she completed a diving course. She also did not want to purchase and inbound ticket until the Visa Application was approved. She knew the rules but wanted to be excused from them. She held up the line for around 30 minutes and got absolutely no where.

 

 

Hi, good info. Did they ask for proof of accommodation in Thailand? Like hotel booking or rental contract?

15 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

I don't recall any reports of Vientiane asking for proof of accommodations.

Thanks!

18 hours ago, travelerjim said:

You LIKELY will be denied another Tourist visa at Vientiane.

Vientiane...

"Tourist Visa, if you had previously some Tourist visas your application will be considered more carefully. Vientiane is now asking for proof of funds, Book Bank with balance THB 20,000.- up OR print out from Bank account from home country value USD 700.-up. Onward air ticket is not required, but prepare Rental Contract too."

 

Savannakhet

And WILL be denied another one at Savannakhet.

 

"Tourist Visa, apply if you stayed less than 90 days in past 6 month, show own Thai Book Bank with balance THB 20,000.- up OR print out from your Bank account from home country value USD 700.-up. OR Onward air ticket."

 

Good Luck.

Tj

Is rental contract a definite requirement? That's the only thing I don't have. Will a hotel booking for a couple of days do? And tell them I am looking for a flat/condo while I stay in fictitious hotel? 

I couldn't figure it out. I couldn't even find UK for the country box question

On 11/6/2019 at 6:57 PM, oskar55 said:

How often does the airline ask for the onward ticket? IF they did ask to see onward ticket, would it be the airline at US or the airline at Japan? Usually my ticket is US to japan to bangkok when I search flights going from my airport to bkk. Also, can the onward ticket be a round-trip back to bangkok, or does it have to be a one-way ticket out of thailand? Can the onward ticket be 60 days, so I can extend my stay, or does it have to be 30 days or less?

Hi, I arrived last Sunday from Spain, and even though I bought a throwaway onward bound ticket, I wasn't asked for it either in Malaga airport or at airport immigration in BKK, and I didn't have a visa. Having said that, in the past I have been asked to show an onward bound ticket before boarding a flight to Thailand but never ben asked for one after arriving in BKK. I think it's probably best to always have one though. You never know. 

15 hours ago, mockingbird said:

OP, I was in a similar position to you recently. I just checked into a cheap hotel for a night,  where they registered me with immigration, and gave me a letter confirming my stay. 

 

No problems at jomtien immigration re:tm30 and extending visa.

Many thanks. I guess that's what I'll do to be safe. It's all about nuts having to jump through these hoops. 

15 hours ago, Peter Denis said:

When you go to CW - your provincial IO - for an extension of stay, they will ONLY check if there is a current TM30 on file (they are not interested in the history of your stays).  So indeed, the night before visiting CW you could check into a Hotel.  The Hotel will file a TM30 of you staying there.  Make sure that the Hotel asks for your passport and TM6 entry-card, as the data in both documents are required to file a TM30. 

Next morning you could do the application at CW, and on your return from the IO check out of the Hotel.

Problem solved.

All good info! Thanks to you both, Peter and Jo. So they wont care that I've been the country for a month but only have a TM30 filed the night before my visit? Sorry to be a pest, just want to be totally sure. I find the whole CW experience distressing. 

15 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

I am not sure the are asking tourists for a TM30 report at Chaeng Wattaan. If needed their have been reports of them letting you do the report yourself.

Since has been some time since you gotten a tourist visa KL or Vientiane would do one.

Thanks Jo, what about the proof of where I'm staying in Thailand thing? I think I'll give Vientiane a miss as now it looks like you need and appointment. I read one member's comment from August that suggested Ho Chi Minh is fairly painless but their website also mentions the proof of accommodation thing. I'm sure I never did that in the past anywhere 

Hi all, just arrived back in LoS 2 days ago on 30 day visa exemption after being away for 2 years. My landlord is reluctant to do the TM30 thing for me so I may not be able to go to Chang Wattana to get an extension after 30 days is up. So, it looks like I'll have to go and get an SETV from somewhere. In the past I used to get SETVs from KL or Vientiene mostly but they both sound like a headache now. One thing I've noticed is that it now seems to be a requirement in lots of places to show proof of accommodation in Thailand. I don't ever remember having to do that before. Again, don't know if my landlord will give me a letter with a copy of his ID. Is it strictly enforced? Or can I just make a cheap hotel booking for a few days to show them? Thanks in advance!