Senior Player

I'm totally confused at the moment, so I'm hoping some members out there can help me complete my process.

I've now got my Police Certificate, Medical certificate and a 3 Month Bank statement showing sufficient funds, but I am still confused by the notary details. I've read some member's resposnes here through old comments, but I am still unclear what's really required. I really want to get my O-A visa next week, so any information from members who have gone through the UK route would be most welcome.

Firstly, I've made contact with quite a number of notaries in the Hampshire (England) area and none seem to have any experience of providing a notary for the Thai Embassy. As soon as I speak of the Thai Embassy they all mention the Foreign and Commonwealth Office apostille extra fees as if this is a requirement. Some here have said that the documents don't need to be legalised by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office apostille. Is this true? Also, a lot of notaries I've spoken to no longer provide the red wax seal - it's just a stamp and signature. Some of the qoutes have been quite eye-watering, and some more reasonable than others.

Obviously, this is UK specific, but can anyone tell me if they have gone to the Thai Embassy in London with their copied documents stamped rather than red waxed, and found no problems. Also, can you tell me whether they were satisfied with the documents without being legalised by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office apostille, as I read elsewhere that someone had problems when the Thai London Embassy and was told: How can we be sure that's an authentic notary? How indeed? Was this just an Embassy worker having a bad day, or do they really need extra proof that the notary is authentic?

I feel I'm almost there but don't want to waste any more time getting it wrong. Can anyone help clear up my confusion?

Actually, there is one question I would like to ask about what to fill in on the Visa application form. What do you write where it asks: "Evidence Substantiating your purpose of visit for Non-Im and Long Stay"?

Assuming that I haven't purchased any flights at this stage, how could I substantiate it?

I just want to say a big thank you to, Howiehotspur, for providing a very useful step-by-step guide to the ups and downs of getting an O/A Visa in London. Plus, all those that have helped with his answers. The advice here has been invaluable to any first timer thinking about applying for one of these types of visas. I have to admit I was worried about what was involved in the medical, but yours seemed a breeze.

OK, guys, my last a final posting on this subject until I actually get the METV, but Universal Visa Services claim that it isn't a prerequisite to have a letter about employment either way. The most important thing is a history of bank statements (they suggest 3 months worth) to show a healthy financial situation will do it. They also, claim that they've recieved no requests to provide the UK-based Thai Embassy with flight and accommodation documentation, but say it's probably best to supply this to ensure a fast turnaround. So, there you have it.

A further update that I've just recieved via an email from Universal Visas, who deal in providing a visa service for UK residents, told me this about the METV:

As far the embassy have advised there are no changes in applying for a multiple entry visa.

Requirements are:

1 Universal Visa order form

1 application form

2 photos

Bank statements

Passport

No mention of flight ticket or accommodation documentation!! I'm looking further into this, but thought I'd just post my recent findings here.

Thank you, elviajero and JDGRUEN for your replies. They are most welcome. As most people here are probably aware, getting information from the London Thai Embassy is like trying to get blood out of a stone. So far, the only information I've managed to glean about the METV is from a chap in Denmark from another site where he claims: "In Denmark there's no questions about how you're employed when you apply, I just had to show booking of hotel, a entry/exit flight ticket and a bank statement showing I had some money - approx 200000 baht I believe."

So it looks like the Danish consulate isn't being so difficult about issuing an METV if you're unemployed, so long as you have proof on 200,000 baht in your current account, which is what elviajero is also saying in his post.

Of course, I'm just trying to get some clarification so I can make my final decision. I'm still a month away from my poposed visit, so at least have a little leeway.

Thank you for taking the time to reply, johnatong. Actually, you are correct, I'm somewhat confused by the whole concept of an O/A and admit that I was thinking that the 90 day reports were linked with an extension to stay. I don't have any former experience with an O/A visa, so forgive my ignorance. In fact, I'm not sure how it works at all. So sorry for my hasty response. Just out of interest, what IS required on a 90 day report? You also say that I wouldn't need a Thai bank account, how is this got around? I'm not sure of the process beyond getting the O/A to be honest.

Sad to say, I'm completely at a loss as what to do. I was thinking that the METV was the right route, but the more I think about it, maybe the O/A might be more beneficial?

I've just seen your response, johnatong, and don't want to stray off topic as my question is about the METV visa only, and not an O/A one. However, the confusion lies in their conditions on their Embassy website that in order to obtain an O/A visa these instructions must be followed: Once having been in the Kingdom up to 90 days, applicant must report himself / herself to the authorities concerned and every 90 days, also report can be made by post by fill up the form TM.47 which can be obtained from immigration office, whereupon documented evidence of money transfer or a deposit account in Thailand or an income certificate showing an amount of not less than 800,000 .- Baht (approximately GBP14,000.00) or an income certificate plus a deposite account showing an anount of not less than 800,000.- Baht. A one-year extension of stay shall be granted at the discretation of the immigration officer to the foreigner as long as he or she meets the above requirments.

Sorry, but no where did I state one needed a Thai bank account "prior" to getting an O/A - I'm of course referring to when it comes to the point where a person needs to report himself / herself to the authorities concerned every 90 days once they're in the Kingdom. Though I DO acknowledge a person can show evidence of their UK account, providing they have the neccessary papers to do so. Not having gone this route before, I'm not sure how old this statement can be and what exactly they require? Of course, this isn't something I want to do, right now, either way.

Needless to say, I think we're muddying the waters here, and that I just want to reiterate I'm not interested in obtaining an O/A but the METV. Hopefully, someone on here can answer my previous question.

Thank you

Anyone have experience getting the METV from London? I can provide everything except the employment documents. I am retired but not yet 50 years old. Anyone had any success getting it?

You happen to be asking exactly the same question that I'm trying to find the answer to right now, my friend. I, too, am unemployed, but due to having sold a London property a number of years ago, have more than adequate funds to help me stay in Thailand without the need of work or having to provide a Tax Return each year. Therefore, I'm what you might call invisible to the Tax Office as I'm currently not earning nor signing on. Yes, us people DO exist. Also, I don't want to stay in LOS for 1 year and have a Thai bank account in order to meet the A-O Visa requirements as I'm quite happy to spend only 6 to 7 months traveling Asia once a year, while keeping LOS as my point of base. Not that getting an A-O would help me now, as I would still need to make a short journey over there in order to open a current account and deposit £14,000 in before going through the complexities of obtaining an A-O back in England and paying a solicitor to verify all the documentation. A huge undertaking in itself.

And before anyone says: "Why don't you contact the London Royal Thai Consulate first rather than coming here?" I've done that, and am still waiting for their feedback on my queries. No, the purpose of coming here and asking that question is, surely, there must have been people that are in the same position as me and have already gone through the London process and already have the answers.

Hopefully, someone reading this can provide me with a satisfactory answer?