pepper402

Does anyone know if I can get a Thai drivers license with my LTR visa? I don't (yet) live in Thailand but could use a friends address if needed. If it's possible, how would I go about doing this and how long would it take? Thanks

Thai Los Angeles Consulate took 3 business days to process and approve my e-visa! I had difficulty making the $1,600 payment and needed to have Chase fraud department on the line when I submitted my payment. I submitted my application over the weekend and received the approval letter this morning (2 1/2 business days!). I might have expected such a quick turnaround from the Swiss Consulate. I thought I was going to get a fancy sticker to put in my Passport. Maybe I will get one in the mail. I presume I now take my e-visa approval letter, get on a plane to Thailand, and show Immigration who will put an ugly stamp in my Passport. Am I missing anything?

@TaiMaiTai, I just applied for the e-visa at the LA Consulate and had the exact same questions! And also wondered why any of this should matter. I supplied all required documents and "estimated" some of the other information such as where I will be staying and my flight information. The hardest part (which should have been the easiest part) was paying the $1,600. All of my credit cards and debit cards were declined. I had to complete the transaction with Chase fraud department on the line manually overriding the purchase. I'll report back as soon as I hear anything that might be helpful for you. - Pepper

Still beaming from my recent LTR approval, I created an account with these guys: https://www.thaievisa.go.th/ I had to upload Passport, drivers license and other information and proceeded to payment ($1,600). I failed... I tried several credit cards - all of them declined. I talked to the fraud department at Fidelity Visa who told me that they could not override/approve this purchase because the recipient was a high risk / high fraud user. Any suggestions on how I can pay for my e-visa? Hopefully the website is legit and I didn't just give a fraudster all of my information.

Approved! For the second time... My first application submitted early September was approved, but I got a new Passport and was unable to upload my new Passport, and BOI claimed there were technical problems and couldn't revise my approval letter with my new Passport number. I was told to submit a new application with my new Passport information. My second application was submitted Nov 8 and finally (after several phone calls to BOI) approved yesterday Jan 5. Good luck to everyone still trying to get their LTR.

Just wanted to provide another status update: Sept 01 - Submitted application with all required documents including insurance information Sept 27 - Received approval for LTR (there were several requests for additional documents. I mostly just re-uploaded the same documents) Oct 20 - Received new Passport and tried (unsuccessfully) to delete old passport and upload new one. Oct 21 - Had a friend in Thailand call BOI to ask them to change the passport number on my approval letter. BOI agent said that due to technical difficulties, they couldn't do that and suggested I submit a new application Oct 22 - Submitted new application with exact same documents that were previously approved and new Passport information. Nov 27 - Still waiting... Status shows pending. Sent four emails explaining situation and my friend called them to expedite. BOI agent said that he will get right on this and it should be approved ASAP. Dec 14 - Still waiting... Status shows Consideration by Government agencies (whatever that means).

Just wanted to provide a status update: Sept 01 - Submitted application with all required documents including insurance information Sept 27 - Received approval for LTR (there were several requests for additional documents. I just re-uploaded the same documents) Oct 20 - Received new Passport and tried (unsuccessfully) to delete old passport and upload new one. Oct 21 - Had a friend in Thailand call BOI to ask them to change the passport number on my approval letter. BOI agent said that due to technical difficulties, they couldn't do that and suggested I submit a new application Oct 22 - Submitted new application with exact same documents that were previously approved and new Passport information. Nov 27 - Still waiting... Status shows pending. Sent four emails explaining situation and my friend called them to expedite.

Sorry, I didn't say this very clearly... My former employer is giving me a retiree pension that on a gross basis just meets the $80 requirement. I submitted a letter from them attesting to my pension income which meets the BOI requirements. And I submitted a copy of a payment stub from the bank that makes my pension payments as further proof of my retiree pension. I'm goin to resubmit the same documents and thank them for bringing this to my attention - not sure what else I can do. I don't currently live in Thailand so I believe I am the ideal candidate for this new program but if they make it too difficult/unreasonable - I'm not going to pursue this.

Frustrating... I submitted a new LTR application with exactly the same documents and information as my previous application which was approved except for a new passport. I just received this: Dear LTR Applicant, Your application is on process. In this regard, we would like to request additional information/documents as follows: 1. Please show official certificate of pension fund from your government. What is an "official certificate of pension fund"? I previously submitted a letter from my pension administrator which was accepted. I don't have a government pension. I have a feeling if I stamped my letter with "Official Certificate" that it would be accepted.

For those of you unable to revise your application with a new passport: A friend of mine talked to a BOI representative today and he suggested (until the developers can fix this) that you submit a new application. If your application was previously approved, attach the exact same documents. Also, on my application, I check "single" and it converts it to "widower" (hope that's not an omen)

Pib, I had the same problem. I was approved late last month but just got a new Passport and asked BOI to revise my approval letter before going to the Los Angeles Consulate for the e-visa. I was not able to delete/update the main passport page. I've written to them twice and -- no response and no revision to my approval letter.

Pib, I was also asked to provide documents that were already uploaded onto the BOI visa system. Instead of pointing out that the documents were already there, I thanked the analyst for bringing to my attention the missing documents and uploaded EXACTLY the same documents again. They were subsequently approved. Remember, this is Thailand and you are the one who wants a visa. Good luck!

Misty, which US Consulate did you go through? How much are they charging? Can you please confirm that with the e-visa you don't have to visit the Consulate? Thanks. I have written to the LA Consulate and they are non-responsive.

I got my new Passport! USA and it only took 3 weeks expedited. I sent this email: Dear Sir/Madam, RE: LTRWP22XXXXXX I have a new Passport #XXXXXXXX. I tried to upload my new Passport but cannot change the information on my Application for Qualification Endorsement with my new Passport information. Please change my application to reflect my new Passport (see attached), issue me a new approval letter with the revised Passport information, and notify the Thai Embassy/Consulate in Los Angeles so that I can collect an E-Visa. Thank you!!

Sounds like you have close to $8 Million in your account (based on the S&P dividend yield). Nice! I applied for the Wealthy Pensioner and submitted income statements from some employers. The analyst at BOI seemed to indicate that he was looking for pension income and not work income. Presumably you will be able to use dividend income if you are applying for the Wealthy Global Citizen. Good luck!