Currently , where is the best place to get a SETV?

[Fixit89]

Hello all! I am asking for a friend who only has one tourist visa in Thailand and stayed only about 4-5 months more or less he said this year. So one setv and 2 visa exempts (us citizen).

 

ive laid this out to him :

 

Laos is a no go due to the q’s , and appointments etc.

I was reccomended to Vietnam my last go around , but I later found out that the consulates there have a history of denying people and voiding visas for normal folks for unexplained reasons. So, I couldnt reccomend Hanoi or hcmc at all for anyone!

 

Basically I’m looking for a consulate that has a low rate of denials , and or reasons to void a visa. I know that they are obviously clamping down on foreigners lately, so I’m unsure as to where I should point my friend.

 

where is the best to go as of late 2019 and as per history at the consulate?

 

if anyone has any pointers as to where he should go, please recommend to me!

 

thank you all here at TV!

[ubonjoe]

Vientiane Laos requires an appointment but if he has enough time to do the appointment 2 or 3 weeks in advance he can get one.

If goes on Tuesday or Wednesday the lines are not all that long.

The consulate in Ho Chi Minh City does not have a history of denying application as long as you have the correct paperwork.

[lamyai3]

12 hours ago, Fixit89 said:

Laos is a no go due to the q’s , and appointments etc.

I was reccomended to Vietnam my last go around , but I later found out that the consulates there have a history of denying people and voiding visas for normal folks for unexplained reasons. So, I couldnt reccomend Hanoi or hcmc at all for anyone!

The comments about Vietnam are actually more descriptive of Phnom Penh, I doubt your friend would have any problem in HCMC or Hanoi with only one previous tourist visa. Laos is doable if well organised with an advance booking in Vientiane, or prepared for queues in Savannakhet. KL is also an option regionally.

[BritTim]

Vientiane, if you can get an appointment, Savannakhet on Tuesday or Wednesday (avoid Monday or Thursday, but Friday great if willing to spend the weekend in Savannakhet).

Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are usually fine, as long as you meet the requirements.

Yangon, but you need a Myanmar visa (best is to get an evisa online)

Kuala Lumpur (see http://www.thaiembassy.org/kualalumpur/en/services/99059-Applying-for-Visa-to-Thailand-at-the-Royal-Thai-Em.html)

Hong Kong is good, but expensive hotels for anything decent.

 

Avoid Phnom Penh and (for tourist visas) Penang.

 

While it should not yet be an issue for your friend, in the future entering Thailand by air may be a problem if he has spent more than about six months (especially if almost unbroken) in the country. At the current time, entering at most land crossings is OK, but most consulates are not convenient for entering Thailand by land.

[MadMuhammad]

Had a friend go to HCMC after 2 back to back VE + extensions and they gave him an SETV no questions asked. 10weeks ago

[DrJack54]

If currently in bkk then Saigon for sure. Quiet consulate. Strict but helpful. Not busy. Minimum 2 days, but why rush saigon. Excellent chill joint. Only issue..being USA needs visa. Can obtain online "approval letter" for visa on arrival. PM if details required. I visit Vietnam every 3 weeks