METV 6 Month from USA

[Professor J]

Hello Everyone,

 

Newbie here and I'm super confused about this METV 6 month thing. I'm 37, have plenty of money for that requirement. I'm currently unemployed and wonder if that is a negative thing when applying for that visa. The consulate in Los Angeles told me just put unemployed on the application, but I'm afraid of it getting denied for them thinking I have no reason to return back home. I know I need my ticket flying in and my ticket flying out, but when I asked about that they told me I needed my tickets flying out of the country every 60 days. At the end of the conversation before I hung up she asked me for my name, phone number, and where I was calling from...not sure why they needed that, but got me slightly paranoid. I feel like none of the research I have done or found has stated that and every embassy/consulate/IO is giving different stories. Any advice for someone who has recently done this process from the USA and hopefully through the Los Angeles consulate.

[Peter Denis]

Hi,

I am not a US citizen, but I entered Thailand two times before on an METV.

So I looked for the requirements on the LA website

https://thaiconsulatela.org/en/visa/visa-type/tourist-visa-category-tr-multiple-metv/

 

Although an onward flight is not required when entering Thailand on a Visa, it is possible that airport-staff might require an onward flight when boarding.

And I also see it as a requirement on the LA website:

A copy of flight confirmation/reservation, showing going from US to Thailand and leaving from Thailand (The name of the applicant must indicated clearly)

However it is not clear whether they want you to show a booked return-flight at the end of your trip (which can be almost 9 months after METV issue date) or whether they want you to show an onward flight within the 60 days permission to stay the METV will provide you on first entry.

In the latter case it is just a matter of buying a cheap one-way throw-away ticket from Thailand to any international destination (e.g. a HuaHin - KL flight or a DMK - Saigon flight can be bought for approx 35 US $).

Note: The hotel-reservation will be no problem, as sites like booking.com allow you to make such reservations which can be cancelled at no cost.

 

 

[Dmaxx]

Good luck Professor J. 

Also, having a Dr appointment scheduled helps any hickups you may run into. My wife and I are retired young but I have some ongoing medical treatments I require, they seem to be ok with that provided you have an appointment slip. 

Only issue we ever have had was due to the length of our stay they wanted some income proof. My wife doesn't work either. We showed our monthly income of 260,000thb for 10 months of bank statements and 150,000thb monthly Dr bills for 3 years straight the VA pays and that was that. But you must have the income and not trying to work here. Best of luck. As long as you are not freeloading and bringing money to their economy they are very polite and easy to work with. It if you plan to flip flop your dread locks and stank tank tops and back pack looking to teach English your going to hate it here with a passion. GL

[Dmaxx]

@professor J

I just made two trips from my home in Thailand back to the states for some work at the VA. Both times I thought the same as you that you had to have a return ticket. Both times I just booked a one way with Eva and nobody said a word about ongoing or return tickets. 

However, if you must buy a ongoing out of Thailand just book a flight from bkk to Vientiane within 30 days. Now that means you must fly over here visa exempt for 30 days, then extend 30 days. After that just go to Vientiane Thai embassy and apply for your metv there. 

But as far as tickets I just flew from the US no visa twice without any other tickets. Nobody seems to care right now. But like I said if there's an issue book a 45.00 hop from bkk to Vientiane within 30 days of arrival visa exempt. It may delay your wish to to get a metv but times are tough right now with this virus crud and ya gotta do what ya gotta do. The point is to get here then after 60 days either go get a tourist 60+30 day ext. Visa or spend 60 days in Vientiane 30 days 30 ext. Then you can either walk across the border exempt, get a visa at embassy or fly in again. Only in America does that return ticket crud seem to be any issue. My wife and I have flown out and in many times from here in 4 years. I'm only 44 and to young for a retirement visa but I decimate their income requirements so we've done short visas for 4 years. Gotta do what ya gotta do.

If you must, buy an outgoing flight from bkk to Vientiane it cost 45.00$. worry about the metv later just get over here on an exempt and it becomes so much easier. The USA just puts the screws to ya and it's the biggest problem in the whole process. getting out of the states. Once your here you can land border walk across twice in a year with 30 days and 30 day ext. That's 4 months to decide what to do next. We do 2 land crossings (60 days) ext, 2 times (60 days), 2 tourist visas 60 days each, 2 ext. (60 days), and 1 flight to Hanoi or ????? 100.00$ and back same day 30 days exempt and 1 ext. 30 days and that's the year. Then it starts new Jan. 1st. It's actually pretty easy considering you have the cash they don't care. But you must have the income. I can tell you from exp. If you make over 120,000 THB a month you'll never have a problem except this virus issue.  Good luck professor J. Just don't worry about the metv in America ,do it in Vientiane after you come in exempt.

[kkith]

I've done METV's 5 times from the Thai Consulate General Los Angeles. 

 

I can tell you they never denied me.  As long as you show the proof of funds, tickets in and out (does not need to be back to US), fill out the forms, pay your fee and you're good to go.  Are you mailing it in or are you going to the the consulate?

 

I can tell you for certain they never checked my employment letter.  As a matter of fact, I have a feeling they really don't give too much of a <deleted> as long as you have your paperwork in order.  They are just passing the buck to Thai Immigration at the entry points.

 

For me specifically, I bought a cheap one way ticket with airasia to KUL approximately 60 days after my proposed entry date.  I also went on hotels.com and booked a room, printed out the itinerary for the hotel room.  Then cancelled the room.

 

Other times, I did not even show a hotel room, I just told them I had an apartment (which I did) and it was listed on the application form.  I did list a local Thai person I knew on the application form.  They never checked that either.

 

But to reiterate, it's not the consulate you have to worry about, that's the easy part.  I've never heard of anyone get denied a visa.  But I have heard of people getting denied entry regardless of their visa.

[BritTim]

7 hours ago, Dmaxx said:

After that just go to Vientiane Thai embassy and apply for your metv there. 

You can only apply for an METV in your home country. You can apply for an SETV in Vientiane but, unlike in the past, you are not able to indefinitely apply for tourist visas in countries close to Thailand.