Chalky0w

The application fee is non-refundable and still a new type of visa so if I over-supplied, I did it to be safe.

The application asks for date of flight in and date of flight out. Doesn’t ask for evidence of either and you might even be able to leave the flight out question blank but I’d got a trip booked so just completed it. I can’t remember the specific wording of the bank statement question. I provided a statement from a savings account so it was a single page that covered more than six months as default.

Know there are other threads but just sharing my experience. Background: - I’ve had a couple of METV over the last few years - Own a business in the U.K. and generally work in U.K. when I’m here - Probably won’t work in Thailand but applied for a DTV for flexibility - Rent a house in Thailand - First visit only about 40 days before I go to a different country (this is asked in application) Process: - Applied via Evisa site - Completed application - Submitted recent photo - Submitted scan of passport - Submitted scan of bank account showing more than £11k for more than 6 months - Submitted scan of recent utility bill as evidence of current location - Submitted letter confirming I was director / owner of my company and that could work remotely. This included appendices: > Screenshot of companies house record showing I’m the sole director > List of clients (US, UK, Canada, France… but none in Thailand) Follow-up: I had self assessment tax return, company profit / expense summary, etc. as extras if needed but nothing requested. Timeline: Applied on Sunday, approved today. Plan to travel in October Hope this is helpful!

I had a couple of years where used an METV for about 6 months a year and returned to UK to work for the rest but will be applying for a DTV this time. Not sure that I actually will work when in Thailand but applied because it is more flexible with less frequent border bounces than an METV - sometimes I’ll only stay 20 days but others I might want to stay 100 days. Plus cheaper than 5 x METVs and only one application. I’m too young for a retirement visa but think I’d prefer DTV anyway: - 800k in foreign bank not in Thai bank - I’ll never stay more than 180 days so that makes no difference - less interaction with immigration

Thanks for sharing. Indicates a yearly statement. My problem is that my main cash savings account is fixed term and doesn’t do online statements. I’ve got more than £12k in other accounts but don’t know how long you need to have maintained the balance over £12k.

Hi, Thanks for sharing! Was money in account just shown via a monthly statement or longer?

Hi, Think I will be applying for a DTV visa from London (eVisa) next month. Wondering what is the best bank statement to submit? Any restrictions on time money in there? Current vs savings account? My options: - Savings (cash ISA) has more than 500k baht equivalent and in there for 12 months but locked away so not available to spend. - Business account has more than 500k baht equivalent for more than 12 months but in business name / address rather than personal (I have supporting docs showing I own the business). - I have a current account that averages about 200k baht equivalent but could be topped up to 500k. - Few other options that maybe not ideal e.g. got a couple of different investment accounts with stock / share equivalent of more than 500k, current account I rarely use but could be brought up to 500k, etc. For past METVs, I used to use an easy access savings account that had no transactions other than interest but APR was rubbish so moved balance to other account. I know DTV is new but any positive / negative experiences with different types of account for other visas from London?

Thanks Mike! This is useful! You’re correct that I’m not married or over 50. I’m not too worried about 80k for tax but if I had to pay tax on total income it might get a bit knarly especially since paid UK taxes already. Appreciate the advice!

Maybe. That is a rough figure, that is averaged and may vary. Staying “home” is cheap but I like to move around

Definitely looking interesting! I’m in almost the reverse position of “the hordes” some are saying will come to work illegally - I have my own business in UK but normally only work a few months a year here and spend the rest of the year in Thailand or elsewhere not working. Had a few METV in the past but this would be better value and more flexible for length of stays. Presumably I can bring my laptop and claim to work even if all I do is check a few emails? Guess no one has any insight into how tax would work if I stayed more than 180 days? - Pay business and personal tax in UK - Income earned in UK (but guess I’d have to say some was earned while in Thailand) - No Thai clients / nothing Thai related for income - I guess I would spend / remit approx. 1mil baht a year depending on how long there (guess I could pay Thai tax on that if I have to) - Annual income from work and investments is much higher than 1mil baht (don’t want to pay tax on the extra) This will probably get buried in other chat but would appreciate any insights!

I’ve had a couple of METVs from UK. Only ever provided a single inbound flight from UK to Thailand and no outbound flights or return flights. Have they emailed you this request following application or have you read it in advance of applying? - If email specific request, suggest a couple of cheap tickets will do and up to you if you want to use them. - If checking before application, I wouldn’t worry. Good luck!

Definitely sounds like the OP or blog author has been burned by a bargirl. I know two relationships where the Thai lady takes care of the Western guy financially. One where the guy is financially secure but the lady is very wealthy and one where the guy is a deadbeat and the lady works two jobs to support him. My girl told me that originally she liked my perfume (aftershave) and it surprised her because she thought most Western men smelled bad (she hadn’t met many and going off perceived stereotype). Five years down the line and I’m sure the biggest thing she likes about me now is that I eat spicy food - she likes to show this off / boast about it to any acquaintances, restaurant staff, etc. 😆 Thai women are women. Some want money. Others are looking for other things. Some are looking for both money and other things.

Will be interesting to see how this evolves. I own my own business in the U.K. and I work there for 3 or 4 months a year before coming to Thailand and SE Asia to spend it. Use an METV each year at the moment but heard that isn’t sustainable / repeatable for long term so this could be a viable alternative

In my opinion, this is about “face” and the quality of Thais you hang around with. Type A) Decent Thais that are genuine gain face amongst their peers by buying others (including foreigners) food, drinks, etc. even if they can’t really afford it. Type B) Bargirls and lower quality Thais will gain face amongst their peers by demonstrating they can manipulate foreigners to buy food, drinks, etc. for them and their friends even if they have money. Both types are “showing off” but in different ways. Once face / social status is settled, splitting bills, taking turns to pay, etc. can become the norm with Type A. Type B will move on to their next victim. If you stay away from the tourist hotspots, you’ll find more of Type A and less of Type B. Exception being if you go upcountry with Type B and introduced to all and sundry as an ATM. Every interaction is different and this is simplified but I don’t like to see the decent Thais given a bad name by bad apples.

https://aseannow.com/topic/1318940-metv-effectively-rescinded-at-don-mueang/ Found the thread. They were questioned and a note put in their passport apparently. I found it scary as well. I’ve always gone through without questions including via Don Mueang last time when I’ve probably spent a similar amount of time in Thailand or more. - It may be because the original person was over 60 so had non-O option (I’m under 50 so don’t)?? - Might be individual immigration officer having a bad day?? - Might be the persons behaviour or appearance?? - Might be travel history and perceived affluence - they came from Laos (known to be cheap) and I came from Singapore (not cheap) so perception I might spend more money in Thailand?? - Or other reason?? I know they have the right to turn you away even with a visa but would love to know what can influence that decision.

I’ve had two consecutive METVs from UK. Think there was about 3 or 4 months between returning and applying again. If what Bigt3116 says is correct that they can’t see your immigration records then they wouldn’t know time between returning and applying because the system didn’t request travel history when I applied for the second METV (online e-visa). As Tod mentions, there was a thread about someone being questioned or maybe even refused by immigration at the airport with an METV although I’ve only gone through smoothly personally. Please report back on how you get on. I intend to try for a third METV in a few months, again with about 3 months in home country between. I’m hoping this is repeatable long term - I can earn enough in 3 months in the U.K. to live comfortably in Thailand and SE Asia for 9 months without working or touching savings and not old enough for retirement visa yet.

Air pump cork remover should work. Can buy online if can’t find one locally. Good for old / brittle corks. Good luck!

I have no idea what influences an IO but there are rumours they don’t like backpackers, bikers, etc. so just giving info on my own appearance. I definitely don’t work in Thailand except maybe to answer the odd email. I have a business in the U.K., property, savings and investments. I work a few months a year in the U.K. to keep my brain active and even this pays more than enough for me to take it easy for the rest of the year without my other income streams.

Male immigration officer if that makes a difference. Other potential influencing factors if true that they can impact: - I have no tattoos or piercings - Short hair and clean shaven - Dressed relatively smart in clean / ironed white polo shirt and plain dark shorts (bit hot for me to travel in trousers) - Handed over boarding pass, visa and passport without being prompted - Didn’t use phone, have headphones in, have sunglasses on or anything that might give a negative reaction - Said sawadee krap but no wai (hands full) and no attempt at conversation None of above was deliberate to get through, just how I normally am / behave

Just posted in other thread but maybe useful here as well… I came back through Don Mueang on my METV. Straight through with no questions and stamped in for another 60 days. Extra info: - METV is valid until end of March so stamp will go beyond that. - Originally entered at start of October 2023 and been in/out a few times since then. - Came from Singapore this time and been there for five nights. - Second METV in two years. I’d been in UK (home country) for about four months when I applied for it. Can’t comment on what I did / didn’t do vs anyone that has had problems with entry on an METV but hope useful.

To give an update as requested… I came back through Don Mueang on my METV. Straight through with no questions and stamped in for another 60 days. Extra info: - METV is valid until end of March so stamp will go beyond that. - Originally entered at start of October 2023 and been in/out a few times since then. - Came from Singapore this time and been there for five nights. - Second METV in two years. I’d been in UK (home country) for about four months when I applied for it. Can’t comment on what I did / didn’t do vs anyone that has had problems with entry on an METV but hope useful.

Probably only one genuine Thai male friend. Few acquaintances that I’m friendly with. Few hangers on that pretend to be friendly if they think I’ll pay a restaurant bill or something. Met my friend about 5 years ago when he was working in the same place as my partner. We’re about the same age. Been to football with him, restaurants / Thai bars / nightclubs, visit each others houses, day trips with him and his family, etc. Always asks when I’m back if out of the country, offers to pick me up / drop me off at airport if he’s not working, brings me little gifts if visiting my house. To pre-empt the cynics amongst you, this friend always wants to pay his way despite a big disparity in earnings. I think he gains face by paying whereas I like to pay because I earn more so normally whoever gets to the bill first.

I got an METV from London. For 3) I can confirm travel history wasn’t part of application and I didn’t get any follow-up request for it. I think it was required previously. Partial answers for 1) and 2)… 1) I don’t know if you need to show the £5k for full six months but doesn’t need to be 6 separate statements or for current account with ‘normal’ transactions. I provided a single bank statement from a savings account that only showed interest being added over the six months. 2) Letter is still requested in application but don’t know if you can upload another document instead. I have my own business so just wrote a note myself that I signed myself. Also maybe worth mentioning that there was another thread recently where someone was told to get a non-o when they had a valid METV when flying into DMK. I’m hoping just isolated incident but who knows?? Good luck

This is a bit concerning. I’m on an METV with a week in Singapore in March and flying to/from Don Mueang. Had METV last year and probably been in Thailand longer than OP over the two years. What are my options? I’m under 50, not married so O visa not available and work back in the U.K. or elsewhere for about 4 months a year so ED visa not an option either. Thought METV was a good fit. Could get an Elite but are there any guarantees an IO wouldn’t have a problem with that given METV should be valid?? Will report back if I run into issues after Singapore.

Did the bounce at Chiang Saen today. Short version: Very easy. Took about 1.5hrs and cost $40US plus 250baht. Long version: Arrived at Thai immigration about 11am. Stamped out. Walked down to jetty and bought a boat ticket for 100baht. Boat left immediately. Walked from jetty to Laos immigration. Showed passport and given visa on arrival form plus Laos arrival / departure slip (similar to Thai TM6). Filled out forms leaving sections on where staying blank and returned to next window along with passport photo and $40US (could use 2000baht instead). Stamped in and could go on into Laos but I just turned around. Filled out departure part of slip. Handed slip and passport to outbound window to get stamped out. Walked down to the jetty and bought boat ticket for 150baht this time. Boat left immediately again. Walked from jetty to Thai immigration. Completed TM6 arrival slip Gave TM6 to arrival window along with passport and printout of METV to get stamped into Thailand for another 60 days. All done by 12.30pm. Possibly Malaysia or Japan or somewhere more exciting for longer next time when burning season starts in the North. 😖 Hope useful report.