Hi

I am writing on behalf of 2 of my very good friends who are in a bit of a pickle at the moment. They are both US citizens. He is a Baptist preacher and his wife teaches part time for free in the church's community hall (which is also their house). They are not eligible for a a Non B visa or a missionary visa. We have discussed these options.

However, to cut a long story short, last year they received a 1 year Non O from Penang with no problems. Yesterday, KL refused them a multiple entry, and they only got a single entry Non Immigrant (I presume it was an O type).

Without telling sob stories or pulling on heart strings, these 2 committed Christians work extremely hard and if times are tough, they must pay the church hall rent out of their own pockets. They won't admit it, but I think they're down to running on fumes. They sold their own house In California just so as they could rent a small hall and start a church and youth group etc.

The question is, where is the best place for them to get a Non Immigrant O (1 year) visa in the area? I told them Perth in WA is probably the only choice.

If this is so, could anyone please give more info on applying in Perth. Can it be done in 1 day? Are US citizens alowed to apply there?

Many thanks .

Agree Perth is their only choice, they won't get one in Asia. If they can work under the patronage of a registered charity they migh be able to get a non-O visa as volunteers and subsequent yearly extensions based on that, but than they could also get one based on missonary work.

Americans can get a visa in Perth. Last report was that you can get visa the same day applied for. But with flight schedules it would probably mean a 2 night stay.

Air Asia probably has the cheapest flights via KL.

Report on Perth visa here: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Non-Visa-Run...ml&hl=perth

Edited August 25, 200916 yr by ubonjoe

Thanks Joe. Good to see you back. Thanks also, Mario but they cannot get a missionary visa (for some reason).

However, another question to my original one above.

If I were to lodge over B100,000 (temporarily!!) in to his bank a/c, would KL issue them a 1 year visa 'to visit friends'?

Thanks

Edited August 25, 200916 yr by jamesjdaly

No. Kl would not do any such thing.

The problem for a visa based on missonary work or volunteering is that they are not connected to an organisation in Thailand. If they were, they could apply though that organisation. They could set up their own charity, but I don't know about the legal hoops and cost.

I don't think the money would make any difference in KL. They will not give a visa to visit friends.

How did they get their O in Penang.

The way it sounds the are not affiliated with the Baptist church other than him being a preacher. If they could get a letter from some kind of religious organization they probably could get the visa without a problem. Does the Baptist church have an office here that could possibly help them?

I remember him telling me that he could not get a visa for a missionary because of the church. Maybe the quota was up, or his church is not represented in Thailand, or some other logical and (legal!!) reason.

So, Perth will issue a visa simply to visit friends in LoS with no require,ment of proof of funds in a bank anywhere?

I suspect Penang must have been aware of there activities and issued on that basis; rather than the visiting friends reason. Did they present the same case at KL that they had presented in Penang last year? Why did they use KL this time if Penang was easy last year?

I really don't know why they went to KL this year. He e-mailed me earlier today telling me KL refused it. They are not clued up on visas and I suspect Penang was closer by train (they live in Phuket)

I recall some discussion about showing a bank book or a letter from somebody here as a guarantor (you?). Look through the topic I posted for a bit more info.

I think the consulate in Perth will be helpful if they are informed what they are doing here.

Joe

Do you think they should tell Perth they are (technically) working here, or just spin a yarn about visiting friends?

Evidently they must of told Penang what they were doing the first time to get a visa or they would not of gotten one.

If it was me I would make a good story about what they are doing. I don't think the consulate (remember it is an honorary consulate) will really care about the work factor.

No matter what, though, I think it's Perthbound for them!!

Thanks to all for your help and input.

At the moment Singapore Air have a promotion from 1st Oct - 31 Dec BKK > Perth > BKK for 17,200 baht with all Tax, min 3 days stay....

Air Asia is bit cheaper but there are conditions, one being must stay 5 nights !!

You must stay 5 nights? Where does it say that? Thanks.

The Flight at the dates I asked about [There are other flights and times but I did not ask about these]

18:00........Suvarnabhumi > Kuala Lumpur International........ Air Asia........AK 747

23:50........Kuala Lumpur International Perth [PER] ...........Air Asia.......AK 271

Return

04:50........Perth {PER} > Denpasar Bali (DPS) ...............Air Asia..........AK 8621

11:55........Denpasar Bali (DPS) > Suvarnabhumi ...........Air Asia.......... AK 3678

Total Price 16,272 baht, with condition the minimum stay was 5 nights...

So as I see it 'Singapore Air' is a better deal if anyone want to go between 1st Oct - 31 Dec 2009....

For the time and date I want to go 'Royal Brunei Air' looks much better.. @ 17,862 baht with all tax. + this is 1x ticket.. + can stay 3 nights in Perth

Air Asia is 4x tickets, as I understand you must go through Immigration in KL and Denpasar + then pay there Passanger departure tax in both places + collect and re check-in baggage in both places. after all this you have saved about 200 baht on the flights.... No Not for me + really cost more as you must stay 5 nights..

Just looked on Air Asia website

Not the same route back, and even cheaper 15,938 baht, says nothing about the 5 nights ??? So no idea..