Ready to apply for Tourist Visa for 1st trip - it seems several changes have been made. Please help.

[JimmyJ]

I first looked into this about a year ago, and I've now booked my round trip ticket from the US to return in 3 months from departure.

Interested in living in SE Asia so will spend the time looking for an area I like, as well as visiting 2 neighboring countries for the same purpose.

 

 

Went to http://www.thaiconsulatela.org/ -

the Thai Consulate Los Angeles, and it seems some things are a bit different from when I looked at this previously.

 

1) " Fee for Tourist Visas for single entry is GRATIS from December 1, 2016, through February 28, 2017.  Multiple-Entry Tourist Visa (METV) is still $200."

 

It seems the website hasn't updated for about a year.

Is there currently a fee for the Single Entry Tourist Visa?

 

2) I remember that previously for the Multiple-Entry Tourist Visa (METV) it required a police report.

I no longer see this listed.

http://www.thaiconsulatela.org/service_visa_detail.aspx?link_id=32

 

3)

     "Thailand Launches the Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (METV) scheme starting November 13, 2015 - Double and Triple Entry Tourist Visas no longer available...

 

Purpose of visit
- For tourism (pleasure) purposes only (Category “TR”)

 

Validity of visa
The validity of the visa is 90 days for a single entry visa (enter within 90 days from when the visa is issued) or 180 days for a two-entry or three-entry visa (must use both entries within 180 days from when the visa is issued - i.e. enter Thailand two times or three times depending on the visa within 180 days from when the visa is issued) - (each entry stay up to 60 days).

 

Period of stay
Travelers with this type of visa will be permitted to stay in Thailand for a period not exceeding 60 days at any time for each entry. The period begins on the date you arrive in Thailand."

 

http://www.thaiconsulatela.org/service_visa_detail.aspx?link_id=32

 

The way I am reading this is that both the Single and ME are valid for one 60 day period (for each entry for the METV).

So is the Single Entry (SE) only valid for one 60 day stay now?

IIRC it was possible to renew the SE for an additonal 30 days, I believe without leaving the country. Is that still possible?

 

4) It states that for both SE and ME: " 1 application form [Download] (alll sections must be completed and signed by the applicant...).

The application form asks for:

 

"Countries for which travel document is valid". I guess the "travel document" referred to is my passport?

I don't understand how to answer this (and why they are asking)?

 

EDIT - Just realized they are probably asking for the issuing country (USA in this case)?

 

 

"Proposed address in Thailand".

I guess the address of my hotel reservation for my arrival night?

 

"Name and address of Local Guarantor" and "Name and address of Guarantor in Thailand".

??? No idea what to do here?

Seems like that's more for a Visa application for people going to Thailand for a job?

But the instructions are "(alll sections must be completed and signed by the applicant...)

http://www.thaiconsulatela.org/pdf/visa_application.pdf

 

Thanks much for help with this.

A very confusing website and visa application instructions.

 

[BritTim]

1) A single entry tourist visa costs US$40.

3) A single entry tourist visa allows a single 60-day stay. Any tourist entry can be extended for a further 30 days a single time for 1,900 baht (about US$60) at an immigration office inside Thailand.

4) Countries for which passport is valid is almost certainly 'All' in your case. Standard passports from some countries, and emergency travel documents from almost all countries, restrict the countries the passport can be used to travel to. The address is not important (your hotel address is fine). Just use 'Self' for the guarantor fields. You do not need any independent guarantors.

 

Note: if only planning to stay in Thailand for 30 days at a time, visa exempt entries (entering Thailand without a visa) may be the best solution, especially when traveling by land. One thing to watch out for, though, especially for travel from the US to Thailand, is the airline may want to see an onward flight out of Thailand within 30 days if you do not have a visa. I suggest you have a single entry tourist visa for your initial entry, but rely on visa exempt entries for your local travel in the region and return to Thailand.

[JimmyJ]

Thanks for the quick response.

 

I'm going to apply about 2 weeks before departing, so a total time of 3 months and a bit less than 2 weeks total from the time I get the SE visa until my departure flight back to the US from Thailand.

 

So I assume I need to reserve a cheap flight out of Thailand to a neighboring country with a departure date within 3 months from when my visa gets issued and send a copy of that with my visa application, so that the Thai Consulate issuing the visa sees " 1 copy of airline ticket (confirmed onward ticket – showing flights into and out of Thailand...".

(so it doesn't appear I'm planning on overstaying by 2 weeks).

 

Do you feel that is necessary?

[mahjongguy]

If you get an SETV, it will allow you to request entry at any time from the date of issue up to midnight of the Enter Before date (three months). Once admitted you will have permission to stay for 60 days which can be extended for 30 days more. The visa validity dates and the Admitted Until date are on unrelated timelines.

[JimmyJ]

Thank you for pointing this out - it seems they should be ok with my applying for the visa as is.

(I had thought it begins date of issuance and the stay has to be completed within 3 months of issuance).

[thinkingman]

For a tourist visa, you will need a ticket out of Thailand within 60 days of arrival.  Extensions are at the discretion of immigration. You will need the confirmed departure within 60 days to get your Tourist visa. 

 

If you are going 90 days plus, I would suggest 60 day single entry tourist visa, with a trip to a neighboring country for a day or so, then return on visa exempt, with a ticket out in 30 days, then maybe extend and get another ticket for maybe 120 days in total. Airline enforcement is inconsistent (except on flights from the US, where they follow the rules).

 

Maybe you will decide to cancel/abandon the flights and apply for an extension before your 30/60 days runs out.

 

Further, US departure airlines (UA, KE, DL) don't really understand the visa rules at check in, so I would suggest that you have the ticket out in 30 days if visa exempt or 60 days if on tourist visa, or expect to spend an exciting, fun-filled and stressful hour explaining to them that return tickets are not required for tourist visas, which explanation and reference to the ITAA posted rules they may or may not accept. Plus, they are professionals in rules and you are a rookie. Or, you can try to book a cheap AirAsia ticket on your phone from the airport. Best of luck to you and the Red Sox!

 

Thai embassy DC does not answer phone or email, so unless you drop off at an honorary consul or official consulate, give it a month. Use USPS tracking to lessen the stress. (To be fair, Thai embassy DC did call and leave a message when I forgot to include a stamped return envelope with my last application.)

[PoorSucker]

1 hour ago, JimmyJ said:

Thank you for pointing this out - it seems they should be ok with my applying for the visa as is.

(I had thought it begins date of issuance and the stay has to be completed within 3 months of issuance).

Your entry must be made within 3months, your stay can be infinitive 

[PoorSucker]

1 minute ago, thinkingman said:

For a tourist visa, you will need a ticket out of Thailand within 60 days of arrival.  Extensions are at the discretion of immigration. You will need the confirmed departure within 60 days to get your Tourist visa. 

With any kind of visa you don't need a ticket out of the kingdom. 

This only applies if travelling on a visa exempt entry. 

[JackThompson]

2 hours ago, PoorSucker said:

With any kind of visa you don't need a ticket out of the kingdom. 

This only applies if travelling on a visa exempt entry. 

Correct as to entry-procedures.  But some consulates do require you purchase a flight-out within 60 or 90 days (depends on the consulate) before they will issue the Tourist visa to be used for entry. 

 

2 hours ago, thinkingman said:

Further, US departure airlines (UA, KE, DL) don't really understand the visa rules at check in, so I would suggest that you have the ticket out in 30 days if visa exempt or 60 days if on tourist visa, or expect to spend an exciting, fun-filled and stressful hour explaining to them that return tickets are not required for tourist visas,

If you have a Tourist Visa you don't need to show a flight out to board the flight.  Easier to talk to a supervisor (should not take an hour) than to buy a wasted ticket for this - though one should always arrive early to handle possible ignorance, etc. 

 

For entering visa-exempt - yes, you do need a flight out to board (selectively enforced - but a valid rule).

[Khun Ed]

I have a few years left before I qualify for a retirement visa. I have monthly payouts to my bank with out having to work. I have been entering Thailand on a tourist visa  for the last 2 years. Suddenly I got a red stamp in my passport in Penang saying I may be turned down next time. Does any one know if that is from all Thai consulates abroad? I was under the impression you could have unlimited entries on a tourist visa...

[BritTim]

15 minutes ago, Khun Ed said:

I have a few years left before I qualify for a retirement visa. I have monthly payouts to my bank with out having to work. I have been entering Thailand on a tourist visa  for the last 2 years. Suddenly I got a red stamp in my passport in Penang saying I may be turned down next time. Does any one know if that is from all Thai consulates abroad? I was under the impression you could have unlimited entries on a tourist visa...

You would be well advised to apply for a new passport, so consulates cannot see the red stamp. Most consulates in the region will likely not issue you any further tourist visas when they see the red stamp. From what I understand, Savannakhet will, but you will need to show proof of at least US$1,000 in a bank account.

 

There are no absolute limits on the number of tourist visas you can receive. However, consulates each have their own policies which typically involve limits (either from the specific consulate, or total tourist visas in your passport, sometimes ignoring those from distant consulates such as your own country). Further, although there is no limit in law, some Thai immigration officials believe there should be, and may hassle you (looking for excuses to deny entry) if it appears you are using tourist visas to live in Thailand. (You will also get hassled by certain members here who have the same opinion as those immigration officials.)