SEAsia Traveler

Just got this email from Korean Air. Not that it matters much to those transiting to Thailand who will already have the test.

Any reports of people getting stamped in for 45 days under visa exempt? Language from DC website now indicates as much.

2 minutes ago, Suphawk said:

Sorry to hear about that ????

Thank you for sharing the new process. If I do indeed get my Visa then I will probably need to use the new COE page, maybe?

Thank you. I should have contacted the embassy after getting their "step 2/3" email instead of just sending in my passport. I sense that is an automated email and one reason they now direct visa exempt applications to that COE site.

You applied through the DC embassy, correct? Then you will likely need to apply for COE via that other site and upload your visa there.

I am back to square one as the DC embassy returned my passport without a tourist visa. I did not allow enough time (15 working days), or, they finally figured out my original COE application was for visa exempt entry(!). So I have pushed my arrival date out to end of January.

The former DC COE page is now purely a visa application page and directs visa exempt applicants to another site to apply for the COE. Likewise, it directs those with a visa to that other site for the COE. Looks like they bifurcated the process.

Here is a telemedicine option -> https://quick.md/fit-to-fly-certificate/

Here is their FTF template, minus the letterhead. Do you think this would this be accepted?

I wonder if this step is required to get the COE --> https://coethailand.mfa.go.th/regis/step?language=en

3 hours ago, farangkrab said:

So I got my non-immigrant O-A visa.  It took 10 work days to get my passport with visa back.  The process for the DC website is to then upload a copy of the visa to the form already completed online, to apply for the COE.

 

Does any have experience on how long the COE approval takes after re-submitting?

I thought the COE would be issued simultaneously with the new visa. So another step required to get the COE? I didn't know that. They have your flight arrival date already, right? TiT.

Did you receive any communication from DC between the time you mailed your passport and got it back?

As I posted on another thread, I submitted a COE application online for *visa exempt* entry first thing yesterday morning, for 02 January travel, and RTE DC was on it right away. After supplying an onward ticket, they next asked me to send a visa application package. I got the EXACT same email above as George36, but from RTE DC.

My package for Tourist Visa arrived at noon today to the RTE DC. No feedback yet.

You can always try. If you want or need a visa, I think you can get conditional approval for COE prior to paying for a flight or ASQ. 

A downside of trying now would be that requirements are loosened and you will expend effort not required after the changes, whatever those are.

If you want to try visa exempt entry, I would wait. There is a lack of clarity at the moment. I tried and was told I need a visa.

I submitted a COE application this morning to RTE DC under the visa exempt scheme with a travel date of 02 January. They asked for "round trip ticket confirmation" (my inbound is one-way), so I provided an onward flight confirmation leaving on the 30th day. They came back and said I need to apply for a visa as per relevant rules and regulations. So I overnighted a package to them to apply for a tourist visa.

I entered “30 to 45 days” as my intended stay on the COE application for visa exempt, and that might have given RTE pause considering the lack of clarity. Not well thought out on my part, and I own that. As well as missing the RTE website note about those with January travel to stand by for further guidance.

To their credit, RTE DC attention and communication on same day of application has been excellent.

I believe the COE application for visa exempt scheme (on RTE DC website) was enabled too soon with this uncertainty, otherwise I would not have booked flights or ASQ, which are needed to proceed with the COE application for visa exempt entry. On the other hand the 30 days was approved (but not 45 just yet) so who knows.

Try the website of your airline of choice. Korean Air, for example, has specific info about their flights into various countries in their Covid 19 update section. 

It seems that an ASQ booking is REQUIRED before advancing past the first screen of the COE application under a **visa exempt** scheme. RTE DC website. Probably to limit applications to those who are serious about coming.

7 minutes ago, George36 said:

https://covid19.tgia.org/   We choose to start with 60 days policy for 60 days Tourist Visa.  Cost $288 each.  Seems coverage is about $90 a month.  

 

The policy indicates that it is extendable.  

For 30 days it quoted me 4,800 baht. No choice for visa exempt so I selected tourist visa. Also requires a Thai mobile number but seemed to accept any digits.

SafetyWing policy is about 40% cheaper and covers more with a higher maximum. I might try that and fall back to the other if rejected. 

The dreaded 40/400 coverage requirement seems absent for visa exempt COE.

21 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

It is not a visa. It is a 30 day visa exempt entry.

I was approved by the cabinet last week. Also a 45 day extension of it instead of 30 days.

Would 30 days of Covid insurance be acceptable then for the COE application? And if one attempted the 45 day extension without insurance?

Personally I would get the longer policy but...would the IO question why you purchased a policy longer than the exemption period?? (TiT)

"Details of contact person in Thailand" is required on the DC COE application for non-O retirement entry. How to complete this if one has no ties inside the country at present? Name, address, nationality, date of birth, cell phone, email all required. Maybe ask the ASQ hotel to kindly offer a contact person?

I want to apply for a NEW non-immigrant O visa  (retirement) and COE from the Thai DC embassy website, which is now an option apparently. It requires 100k Covid and 40/400. https://thaiembdc.org/2020/11/17/nonoretirement/

What is the best way to meet these insurance requirements? I only need 90 days of coverage for the COE, right? Age early 50s.

Safety Wing is a good choice for the $100k Covid, but what about the 40/400? LMG application states "Long-Stay Visa O-A" and is for one year of coverage. I guess I could buy the 40/400 for one year if it would be easier. What is the turnaround time from LMG? I want to request my COE on Wednesday morning US time. And Monday is a holiday in Thailand. Yes, a bit of a last minute decision.

Many thanks.

Good point...what do the airlines require...Korean Air shows the following as regards entry into Thailand.

Quote:

Negative COVID 19 PCR Test Result (within 72 hours before departure)

https://coethailand.mfa.go.th/ vs.https://thaiembdc.org/onlinevisaapplication/

Confused about which portal to use for COE application. One first, then the next?

Also confused why "Diplomats and and International Organizations" is the only option in the drop-down menu for "Types of permitted persons" who are non-Thai nationals.

Thanks in advance.

10 minutes ago, SEAsia Traveler said:

Related question...the test is required no more than 72 hours before travel. Does that mean no more than 72 hours before the first segment departs (outbound from the U.S.) or the second segment that departs from elsewhere (Korea, Japan or Taiwan) for Bangkok? Is there fine print somewhere that addresses that? Thank you.

 

Well I looked at the RTE DC FAQ and it says "upon checking in at the departure airport" so I guess that means no more than 72 hours before the first segment departs.

It goes on to say the "test result **must be issued** no more than 72 hours before departure". So the 72 hours is based on when the result is issued, not when the sample is taken, which could have been days earlier? That sounds wrong. I think the intent is no more than 72 hours before the sample is taken. Anyone know the answer?

Quote:

10) What type of COVID test is needed?

• Upon checking in at the departure airport, the approved applicant is required to present a medical certificate with a laboratory result using RT-PCR test indicating that COVID -19 is not detected. Such COVID-19 test result must be issued no more than 72 hours before departure.

Related question...the test is required no more than 72 hours before travel. Does that mean no more than 72 hours before the first segment departs (outbound from the U.S.) or the second segment that departs from elsewhere (Korea, Japan or Taiwan) for Bangkok? Is there fine print somewhere that addresses that? Thank you.

delete

Social media happened. And now the trade war. Developing countries are taking cues from the policies of U.S. and China.

A good 'ole nasty recession may hit the pause button for a while.