Hello,

I have tried to research this topic as much as possible before posting....but specific information about anecdotes at the Chicago Consulate seem sparse and I'm looking for any potentially relevant information that help ensure I'm successfully issued a METV.

 

My situation:

• I currently have 4 visa-exempt stamps; two from a 4 week trip in March 2017 (out to Cambodia and back) and two from a 5 week trip in July 2017 (out to Myanmar and back). I spent 5 days out of Thailand each time via airports without any overstays.
• I am planning to return to Thailand on 1 December 2017 using a METV.
• I am finalizing a rental agreement through Siam Real Estate for a 6 month lease.
• I am 30 years old and presently unemployed (or between jobs or whatever...). But have been fortunate in previous job placement and have saved my money.

 

I numbered the questions below to help remove ambiguity when referencing them.

 

Bank statements

1) I've seen hints that statements need to be notarized for some visas. Does the METV require this?

2) My banks are purely online banks and I don't receive paper statements. Can I just print my statements on a random printer or does the bank need to send me "official" statements?

 

Employment Verification

3) Like I mentioned, I'm not currently employed. I read reports that some visa issuing locations in the US and UK ignore the employment requirement if sufficient proof of funds is available. Anyone know about the Chicago consulate? Or in general how well this holds up? I called to ask and the person who answered agreed with the sentiment but wasn't entirely convincing. I can prove liquid funds over $50,000USD.

 

Airline Tickets

4) I have a one-way ticket from ATL to HKT. Do I actually need tickets showing multiple entries? I can buy a round trip ticket to somewhere nearby if you think that might help.

 

Miscellaneous

5) Any other general advice/information relevant to my situation is welcome.

 

Finally, the Chicago Consulate is about 3 hours from me but I am planning to drop off and pick up in person. I perceive some advantage to this over mail since I don't strictly meet the requirements. I also plan to make more calls to the consulate to maybe get more or better information on these questions directly. I'll post back what I hear.

 

Thank you in advance.

Unless someone here who has recently received an METV from Chicago, or attempted to do so, can state otherwise ...

 

On Bank-Statements:

Reports from METV recipients in the USA reported that printouts were ok.  The balance on one bank-statement must not drop below the min-threshold for the last 6 months.

 

On Employment Verification:

The rules are, letter from your employer or proof of self-employment (retirement-pensions have worked for some).  I would not think it too expensive to "become self-employed," to meet this requirement.  Consulate personnel need something to cover-their-***, with the MFA - to "check the box," as it were.

 

On Air-Tickets:

You may need at least one throw-away ticket leaving Thailand within the first 60-days of arrival.  The Chicago consulate should be able to tell you if this is necessary.  Check flights to KL from Phuket for low-cost options.

 

Circling back on this...my METV application was approved in Chicago today.

 

This is despite the absence of employment verification and literally writing "unemployed" as my occupation on the application.

 

Along with my one-way ticket in to Thailand, I submitted a round trip flight to Vietnam and back for late January.

 

They didn't bother keeping my hotel reservation or passport picture page copy for the application.

 

Despite them advertising a 1-2 day turnaround, it took a little longer; dropped off application on 9th and picked up passport/visa on 14th.

 

As a potentially particularly anecdotal note, the consulate employees I worked with seemed quite curt...made for some nice awkward discussions with them.

 

Best of luck to anyone on the same quest.

Thanks for the update.  I think this (below) got you past the "employment" hurdle:

On 10/18/2017 at 5:37 AM, abstractsight said:

I can prove liquid funds over $50,000USD.

 

that's my guess as well. definitely thank you for your input.