Report On Getting A Tourist Visa In Hong Kong

[bexny]

Hi everyone,

As this forum has been so useful for this sort of information, I thought I'd share my latest experience of applying for a tourist visa at the Thai consulate in Hong Kong this morning.

Submitted the following this morning:

USA passport (brand new, never been used to enter Thailand)

Copy of passport details page

Copy of HK entry stamp

1 passport photo

On my application I asked for 2 entries and wrote 120 days for intended length of stay. The official told me that in order to receive 2 entries, I would need to show a confirmed plane ticket back into Thailand. Which I don't have, as I am planning on overland travel. Had I known earlier, I would have booked a refundable ticket. But it was getting close to their 12:30 cutoff time for visa application submission so I had no time to run off to do so. I settled for the single entry visa, 300 HKD, picking it up tomorrow morning.

I do have to mention that this official was quite nice and even suggested that I book my ticket and come back tomorrow to apply. However, I need my visa tomorrow due to personal time constraints.

A smooth and efficient experience overall. In and out in less than 20 minutes.

Hope this helps someone out there!

[rkidlad]

Thanks. I am going in 10 days. What exactly do you mean about the flight into Thailand?

I need proof of a ticket leaving Thailand 90 days after I enter?

[bexny]

The way I understood it, I needed to show him a ticket into Thailand to justify needing that second entry. He said "confirmed air ticket going back to Thailand." I think the safest way to approach this would be to present a ticket showing that you will leave Thailand before your 60 days are up, and then a ticket going back in after that date.

[rkidlad]

Okay, thanks a lot.

[JimGant]

Good for the Thai consulate HK. At least they've figured out how to minimize the inconvenience for legitimate tourists applying for a visa.

If just a single entry tourist visa, no need to show an exit (or entry) ticket, as the OP found out. I guess HK figured out single entry tourists aren't the homesteaders that do same-day border runs with their 2 or 3 entry tourist visas.

And if a second entry is requested.... just ask for the airline ticket that brings you back for that second entry. No need to see the exit ticket for trip one -- as MFA is smart enough to figure out that somehow you will have exited Thailand in order to return for trip two. And they couldn't care less if that's by 747 - or canoe.

Not fullproof, as legitimate tourist trekers around SE Asia can be inconvenienced in certain scenarios. But so too homesteaders (which I haven't quite figured out why MFA and Immigration are so against.....although, I guess, they perceive them as 'gaming' the system....).

But contrast HK with Los Angeles:

1 copies of airline ticket

(confirmed onward ticket – showing flights into and out of Thailand. Either paper ticket or confirmed e-ticket is acceptable. Itinerary is NOT accepted. If applying for 2 entries, ticket must show 2 entries into Thailand.

Considerate that they want to see your ticket for entry one into Thailand -- I guess they don't want you to waste money on a visa if you really don't plan to come to Thailand....