I am in HCMC (Saigon). Went to the Thai consulate today and wanted to apply for a tourist visa. Was told that I need to show an airline ticket if I even want to apply for a visa. Furthermore, has to be a round trip ticket showing a departure from Thailand "to your country." I don't know if "to your country" was the Vietnamese person's poor attempt at explaining the rules or if she literally meant I have to show proof of going back to my country even though I am not departing from there. I had thought applying for a tourist visa only required a passport and filling out the form (?).

On top of that I saw a big, new notice on their reception window about some caution, dated Sept 10th (today), stating numerous foreigners are illegally going to Thailand for reasons of employment and shall therefore have their visa renewals rejected, or something like that. Poor wording but it didn't look pretty. This will be my first tourst visa application ever (had several short visa exempt trips though), but I get the nervous feeling that even if I buy two tickets and jump through their hoops they still might reject me. They weren't very good at explaining the rules, and she didn't even tell me it had to be roundtrip ticket until I got down the street and called them back and asked.

Edited September 10, 200916 yr by Portlandstone

Asking for airline tickets is normal in Vietnam. Sometimes only out of Vietnam in HCMC; but that notice may have changed things there too.

Bare in mind too that once you've made your application and paid the fee, the fee is unrefundable even if you don't get the tourist visa.

You could head to Phnom Penh. I believe it's not difficult to get single entry tourist visas there at the moment..

I went to HCMC Thai consulate 4 months ago and applied for a double entry visa (back when it was free) They did not ask for a flight out of HCMC but did require that I show that I was flying out of Thailand during the 90 days of first entry, walked across the street printed out iteniery of my upcoming flight to Philippines and they gave me the double entry, no problem. Maybe it just depends who you are dealing with or what their mood is.

Normal for this office to request flight info, I just went back to my hotel and used the Internet to print out an airline itinerary showing I was leaving Thailand on a future date. Then I handed the printed itinerary to them and they handed me my passport and visa 10 seconds later.

Edited September 11, 200916 yr by gosompoi

I went to HCMC Thai consulate 4 months ago and applied for a double entry visa (back when it was free) They did not ask for a flight out of HCMC but did require that I show that I was flying out of Thailand during the 90 days of first entry, walked across the street printed out iteniery of my upcoming flight to Philippines and they gave me the double entry, no problem. Maybe it just depends who you are dealing with or what their mood is.

Oh am I glad I found "you guys." Does anyone know if I can get a One Year Multi Entrance Non Imm B visa in HCMC? I could fly back to Hawaii, USA and get one, but this is closer/more convenient/cheaper. Much thanks,

Keoki

Do you have a work permit?

If you have at least 8 months validity on your WP, go to KL.

Edited October 4, 200916 yr by PoorSucker

Do you have a work permit?

If you have at least 8 months validity on your WP, go to KL.

Sorry I forgot to mention that in fact I do have a work permit. And have had one for several years. I believe I went to KL on my 1st w/p but would have liked going someplace new etc. Thanks for the feedback.

K

Not many places will issue multi-entry Non-B in the region. Reason is because they expect you to apply for extension of stay based on employment at Thai immigration. As said, KL will issue. Penang too I believe will issue if company has 8 million baht registered share capital.