Suggestions regarding voided visas

[tushar28]

Hi there

 

I am Tushar Andriyas, and had applied twice for a visa to go to Thailand. The first one was a multiple entry ED category visa (to pursue a post doctoral fellowship in Chulalongkorn University), while the latter one was a single entry tourist visa (in a span of few weeks). The ED category visa was put on hold as additional documents were needed by the embassy, which I did not have at that point. These documents are listed below:

PROVIDE CHECKLIST OF EMPLOYMENT WITH SIGNATURE OF APPLICANT.........ORIGINAL INVITATION LETTER FROM THE INSTITUTE IN THAILAND,,,,,,,,,,,POST DOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP CONTRACT WITH THE UNIVERSITY IN THAILAND.....

 

I contacted the Chulalongkorn University (which had granted me the Post Doctoral Fellowship) for the additional documents duly signed by the concerned authorities, but could not get it since i would have to be present in Thailand for the same. 

 

The university then suggested that I should apply for a one month tourist visa and then fly to Thailand to get the documents required for the ED category visa. But my tourist visa application has not been accepted either. 

 

Kindly help me as to what to do in such circumstances as any further visa applications not be entertained by the embassy, leading to another void visa.

 

I know that past behavior cannot be used to gauge the coming future but I have also been a regular traveler to Thailand since 2015 and have never overstayed my visa duration on any occasion (I can furnish all the past visits if requested).  

 

If possible, can I please be directed to a website which indicates after how much time can I reapply for any kind of Thai visa? I am really scared of travelling to Thailand on a visa on arrival as going through forums, I have found that passports with voided visas are red flagged by the embassy for some duration of time. 

 

In such circumstances, is it advisable to fly in and apply for a visa on arrival?

 

I am really hoping that some light can be shed on the issue and will really appreciate any help in this regard. 

 

Sincerely,

Tushar

[BritTim]

What is your nationality?

[ubonjoe]

It appears the a big error you made was attempting to get a multiple entry non-ed visa which caused them to ask for more documents.. You should of applied for a single entry non-ed visa that would of allowed a 90 day entry that could of been extended at immigration.

Did you pay the fee for the visas and then they were stamped void after being disapproved.

The void stamp is often ignored by immigration when you enter the country. If said canceled that would be different.

It would help to know where you applying for the visas. I aware of location where they make it very hard to get visa and often do the void stamp.

There is no restrictions to apply for another visa unless the embassy or consulate where you apply has there own rules about it.

You could enter on a 15  visa on arrival and lose nothing if the application was not accepted since they are free now. You can apply for it online here. http://en.evisathailand.com/ I am not sure though what you would be able to accomplish with only 15 days of stay.

 

[tushar28]

Hey guys,

 

Thanks for the expedite replies. I am an Indian citizen. I have previously applied for a 30 day tourist visa through the VFS and Delhi embassy in 2015, which I got without any hitches. I am aware that evoa is free until the end of this month and I am really thinking about trying that route. But like Khun Ubonjoe said, I am not sure if the university will be able to process the documents required for an ED category visa. It might also be risky as many posts indicate of the passport being flagged by the embassy for immigration. Any ideas if that is the case?

 

Its really valuable to note that the embassy asks for additional documents for a multiple entry ED visa. I will keep a note of that.

 

I did pay the fees on both the occasions and got back the passport with the visas stamped voided.

 

At any rate, I have never had such issues before this time and was really surprised to find about the visas being voided. 

 

By the looks of it, VOA is a viable route right? I will also carry my previous passport which indicate the times have traveled and flew back on the prescribed dates when the visa would expire.

 

Any other suggestions?

 

Khob khun krap,

Tushar

[ubonjoe]

A tourist visa allows a 60 day entry. Perhaps you got a transit visa before that allows a 30 day entry before.

I suspect the tourist visa application was denied because your application for non-ed being denied.

There have been many reports of people having problems getting visas in India. Many have lost the fee they paid after the visa sticker was done and then stamped void.

You would not be able to change a 15 day visa on arrival to a 90 day non immigrant visa (category ED) at immigration. 

A embassy or consulate cannot flag your passport in anyway that would be be a problem for entry to the country.

[tushar28]

About the tourist visa being voided, my guess from reading online is that 

1) I indicated that I am unemployed.

2) That I have a Thai friend who I will stay with.

 

A question about applying through the same embassy in the near future. Khun Joe mentioned that the tourist visa might have been voided because of a void ED visa. How much bearing do void visas have on future visa applications if all the documentation is in proper order?

 

Thanks again

[ubonjoe]

39 minutes ago, tushar28 said:

How much bearing do void visas have on future visa applications if all the documentation is in proper order?

That is hard to predict.

I suspect if you tried to apply for a single entry non-ed visa it would not be a problem. 

[thecyclist]

Chulalongkorn University is a prestige institution :Any letter from them that you have been granted a fellowship, and that required documents are being processed and will be issued soon might do do the trick at the embassy in New Delhi, at the very least a TV, if not a single entry non-immigrant visa. 

[ubonjoe]

8 minutes ago, thecyclist said:

Chulalongkorn University is a prestige institution :Any letter from them that you have been granted a fellowship, and that required documents are being processed and will be issued soon might do do the trick at the embassy in New Delhi, at the very least a TV, if not a single entry non-immigrant visa. 

The problem when applying for visas in India is that the application are not done at the embassy or one of the consulates there. They can only be applied for at one the 2 agencies. They accept the application collect the fee and send them to the embassy or the consulate designated for the part of the country they are in.

It appears the problem with his application is that he was trying to apply for a multiple entry non-ed visa.

[JackThompson]

On 4/14/2019 at 1:54 AM, tushar28 said:

The university then suggested that I should apply for a one month tourist visa and then fly to Thailand to get the documents required for the ED category visa. But my tourist visa application has not been accepted either. 

My next step would be to contact the university, and inform them that the Thai Consulate in your country will not allow you to get a Tourist Visa to enter the country, and would it be possible for them to send the original documents you need for the ED Visa?

 

Then, when applying for ED again, specify single-entry, but include those docs (those two seem like standard requests for a single or multiple) and include a cover-letter explaining that you were following the instructions given by the school with the previous two visa-applications, and provide a contact-person at the school they can call if they have any additional concerns.

 

If the school will not assist with the documents, your only course would seem to be entering VOA (good luck), then getting the docs from the school, returning to your country, applying again for the ED Visa, then coming back.  If the school personnel realize this is the situation, perhaps they would be more willing to take the time to send you the documents required for you to get the visa.

[tushar28]

8 hours ago, tomazbodner said:

I would ask the university staff to help with what's necessary, possibly request them to contact embassy to confirm this is a genuine case

Well, with the scholarship award letter, the university indicated that they can only provide limited assistance with regards to visa formalities.  

[tushar28]

2 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

They can only be applied for at one the 2 agencies. They accept the application collect the fee and send them to the embassy or the consulate designated for the part of the country they are in.

It appears the problem with his application is that he was trying to apply for a multiple entry non-ed visa.

You are right Khun Joe. I did apply through the VFS services (I can't apply directly at the embassy). Also, that I applied for a multiple entry ED visa. 

[tushar28]

43 minutes ago, JackThompson said:

If the school will not assist with the documents, your only course would seem to be entering VOA (good luck), then getting the docs from the school, returning to your country, applying again for the ED Visa, then coming back. 

Well, I guess that is the only resort left Jack. May I ask why do you say good luck for d VOA? Can there be any complications related to entering Thailand through a VOA with two voided visas?

[JackThompson]

13 hours ago, tushar28 said:

Well, I guess that is the only resort left Jack. May I ask why do you say good luck for d VOA? Can there be any complications related to entering Thailand through a VOA with two voided visas?

Honestly, I do not know about the VOA risk good or bad.  Bangkok airport immigration's policies are not reliable / stable.  In theory, the voided visas should not matter - only your past visit history, plus you having the required money ticket-out, and hotel-booking (not sure if the hotel-booking is an official requirement, but I would have it).

If the school emailed you to ask you pick up the docs in person, I would print out that email, and show it only if immigration makes any issue when you apply for your VOA.  Also bring anything else you have from the school regarding your acceptance. 

It is unfortunate the school will not send (DHL) the additional documents necessary to apply for the visa.

[varun]

This has become unnecessarily complicated due to multiple mis-steps on your part.

Two best options at this moment:

 

1) Travel to Thailand on a 14-day VOA, collect the necessary documents from the university, go back to India and re-apply for a single-entry ED-visa.

2) Ask the university to mail you the necessary documents by courier - it is still not clear why the university wants you go all the way to Thailand for this

 

It only makes sense to go for the sole purpose of document collection, if the university will pay for your air ticket. 
Otherwise I will re-think whether it even makes sense to accept a fellowship at the university.

If they are being unreasonable now before you have even started work, it will only get worse from this point.