Last two SETV from Phnom Penh, Cambodia

[Najinsky]

1 - August 2017 - In PP 

 

Single Entry Tourist Visa

 

After a long time of various Cambodian travel agents informing me that they can’t arrange Thai Visas anymore, when I checked again last year, the situation had changed, and they were able to do so again but with additional document requirements.

 

Documents required:

 

Passport to be sent to Thai Embassy in PP. Check in to your hotel first as you have to show your passport.

 

Fee $40-45 (4 working day service) depending on agent (includes agent fee). Note, 4 working days means if you apply Monday morning you might get it on Friday afternoon. Applying later may add a weekend to the process. They offered an express service but I didn’t try it.

 

Application form - filled in with agent but now requires some extra ‘odd’ details.

 

1. Name/address/contact details of Thai Sponsor. Seems odd for a Tourist Visa but I just used my ex-girlfriend’s detail as we are still on speaking terms.
2. Name/address/contact details of Cambodian (local) Sponsor. The agent put their details here.

 

Bank Statement - I saved PDF from my online bank statement and emailed it to the agent. I wasn’t especially happy about this, but they insisted it is now needed.

 

Evidence of future flight out of Thailand.

 

1. I explained that I would next be exiting Thailand via a land border, but they said it had to be a flight.
2. They said that maybe I could supply fake details, because I had white skin, and they wouldn’t be checked. I think this alludes to extra scrutiny being given to applicants from African countries.
3. I asked if they could book a fully refundable flight to get the itinerary and then cancel it later. They were not keen to do this, but I got the feeling I could have made some progress here.
4. Eventually I booked a cheap Air Asia deal I thought I might be able to use but ultimately just had to eat that cost and didn’t get a chance to use the flight.

 

Result: Got a SETV after 4 working days.

 

2 - November 2017 - In Seam Reap

 

Single Entry Tourist Visa

 

This time I used an agent in Siem Reap called ePerfect, around the corner from Pub Steet, far side from river.

 

The process was the same as above except they were willing to create a flight itinerary for me at no extra cost. The process was a bit longer because the Passport had to be sent to PP and later returned to Siem Reap.

 

One complication was it was Loi Kathrung festival and Thai Embassy was closing for 4 days. There was just time for a successful application but it didn’t happen and a period of silence ensued.

 

When they reopened I found out they wanted an additional document:

 

Evidence of Address in Thailand - For this they wanted a confirmed hotel booking and contact telephone number for the owner/manager. But as I rent an apartment I chose instead to send a copy of my last rent payment receipt and my landlady’s mobile number.

 

Result: Got a SETV after about 2 weeks! I gave the agent a $5 tip for all the extra work and making the flight itinerary for me.