I am a resident of Texas, and would like to apply for a 60-day tourist visa. I have the following questions:

1. Texas has an honorary consul-general in Houston, Texas. Can I apply for a Thai visa there, or do I need to go to a regular consulate (Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington DC, New York)?

2. If I can NOT apply through the honorary consul-general in Texas, does it matter to which of the regular consulates I apply?

3. Do I need to show a confirmed round trip ticket when I apply? Is this a requirement at all consulates (for example, los angeles does not mention it in their required list of documents, but the travista website lists it as a requirement for their Thai visa service).

4. I plan to stay for 90 days - extending my 60 day visa with the local immigration office in Thailand for another 30 days once I get into Thailand. Will the fact that I buy a 90-day return ticket cause me a problem when I enter Thailand on a 60 day visa?

Thanks for your help.

http://www2.thaiembd...ar/default.aspx

Thats the one I used to use it explains everything you need to know. They wont care about the bank statement , and you can go to that site and find a list of consuls just use the one thats closest to you, most people mail it in not go personally .... Your ticket won't be a problem as it's obvious enough what you are doing. All tickets are electronic so no one has a return ticket to show imigration in Thailand at the airport so they don't care or ask anymore and really never did anyhow.

It was really more of an airline issue as the Airlines were not supposed to allow people on the plane who's visa and ticket didn't match up and in theory were responsible to pay your flight back home if you had a problem but even the airlines don't care anymore because imigration doesn't care.

Edited September 16, 201213 yr by MrRealDeal

Texas honorary consul-general in Houston, Texas can issue the visa and they are great to deal withy.

Lefty

Here's some info, have been "friendly" in the past.

Visa application procedures , Houston Texas.doc

You may also consider a non-immigrant visa since those are generally easier to obtain prior to entering Thailand. It is a good idea to have your visa sorted before coming. I flew out of Dallas and the guy at the counter almost wouldn't let me go because my return flight was past the date a normal 30 day stamp at the airport would permit. I had to speak to another person and the original guy still insisted on making another phone call to a higher up before he decided to let me go. I wanted to go to the consul in Dallas beforehand but after making phone calls to the three different numbers I found online and each time speaking to someone that had no clue what I was talking about I gave up. It sounds like people on here have had better luck with Houston. Good luck!

Any consulate can be used and onward ticket is not required by Thailand or airlines if you have a visa.

The Thai consulate in Houston will surely issue you a single entry tourist visa with no problems.

From what I 've heard too, they are one of the more friendly Thai consulates....Loa Angeles being however one of the less friendly ones, at least by reputation.

I would definately try Houston first.

A single entry tourist visa gets you a "permitted to stay in Thailand until"....date...stamp on arrival of 60 days and can be extended at the local immigration in wherever your staying in Thailand for another 30 days.

The extension fee is 1900 Baht.

Some consulates want to see "proof" that you have the funds to live in Thailand for at least the period you intend to be staying in Thailand. In the U.S. that generally means convincing the Thai consulate you can afford the trip, But just be aware the consulate may ask that question when you apply for the visa.

I would go on their website, find the telephone contact number, and ask them what their requirements are for the visa before you visit them to get the visa.

Probably Houston will also do a visa by mail....use registered mail because you'll have to send your passport if you do it by mail.

You shouldn't have any problem getting on the flight from the airline....because you will have a visa when you check in. So there's usually no requirement for any return ticket WITH a visa.

If you try to travel WITHOUT a visa, that's when the airlines often ask for a onward ticket. With a visa, it shouldn't be a problem.

You may also consider a non-immigrant visa since those are generally easier to obtain prior to entering Thailand. It is a good idea to have your visa sorted before coming. I flew out of Dallas and the guy at the counter almost wouldn't let me go because my return flight was past the date a normal 30 day stamp at the airport would permit. I had to speak to another person and the original guy still insisted on making another phone call to a higher up before he decided to let me go. I wanted to go to the consul in Dallas beforehand but after making phone calls to the three different numbers I found online and each time speaking to someone that had no clue what I was talking about I gave up. It sounds like people on here have had better luck with Houston. Good luck!

How is a non-imm easier to obtain than a tourist? I got a tourist visa in dallas- a double 60 day entry visa- and all I needed was my passport, photos, application form, and fee. The office in Dallas is in a suite of other offices. They have a receptionist that handles everyone, so she is not specialized in visas. And when she goes to lunch or takes a break, there's another person that covers for her. If you have a question, leave a message for the consular to call you back. He's very good about it. And I got my visa the next day (Independence Day!).

To the OP, I would compare prices between a double 60 day entry and a single entry plus 30 day extension. And if you decide to go to a neighboring country, you will need a reentry permit on top of the single entry, whereas you can split you can use the traveling to activate the second entry. Just went to Mae Sai for my second entry this past weekend!

Good luck!

You may also consider a non-immigrant visa since those are generally easier to obtain prior to entering Thailand. It is a good idea to have your visa sorted before coming. I flew out of Dallas and the guy at the counter almost wouldn't let me go because my return flight was past the date a normal 30 day stamp at the airport would permit. I had to speak to another person and the original guy still insisted on making another phone call to a higher up before he decided to let me go. I wanted to go to the consul in Dallas beforehand but after making phone calls to the three different numbers I found online and each time speaking to someone that had no clue what I was talking about I gave up. It sounds like people on here have had better luck with Houston. Good luck!

Why is a non-immigrant visa easier than a tourist visa. There are certain requirements for a non-o were as the tourist is for a trip lasting longer than 30 days.

The Thai consulate in Houston will surely issue you a single entry tourist visa with no problems.

From what I 've heard too, they are one of the more friendly Thai consulates....Loa Angeles being however one of the less friendly ones, at least by reputation.

I would definately try Houston first.

A single entry tourist visa gets you a "permitted to stay in Thailand until"....date...stamp on arrival of 60 days and can be extended at the local immigration in wherever your staying in Thailand for another 30 days.

The extension fee is 1900 Baht.

Some consulates want to see "proof" that you have the funds to live in Thailand for at least the period you intend to be staying in Thailand. In the U.S. that generally means convincing the Thai consulate you can afford the trip, But just be aware the consulate may ask that question when you apply for the visa.

I would go on their website, find the telephone contact number, and ask them what their requirements are for the visa before you visit them to get the visa.

Probably Houston will also do a visa by mail....use registered mail because you'll have to send your passport if you do it by mail.

You shouldn't have any problem getting on the flight from the airline....because you will have a visa when you check in. So there's usually no requirement for any return ticket WITH a visa.

If you try to travel WITHOUT a visa, that's when the airlines often ask for a onward ticket. With a visa, it shouldn't be a problem.

Portland is very friendly when she aske for proof of funds just sent a bank statement with my deposit amt. no hassels

You may also consider a non-immigrant visa since those are generally easier to obtain prior to entering Thailand. It is a good idea to have your visa sorted before coming. I flew out of Dallas and the guy at the counter almost wouldn't let me go because my return flight was past the date a normal 30 day stamp at the airport would permit. I had to speak to another person and the original guy still insisted on making another phone call to a higher up before he decided to let me go. I wanted to go to the consul in Dallas beforehand but after making phone calls to the three different numbers I found online and each time speaking to someone that had no clue what I was talking about I gave up. It sounds like people on here have had better luck with Houston. Good luck!

HC Forest Smith is a lawyer as well as Honorary Consul. He is very good about returning calls and if one makes an appointment, he usually issues a visa within a few minutes. I have used him over many years and as long as I make an appointment he his always very helpful and fast.

Here is link for up to date list of Honorary consulates in US with contact info. http://thaiembdc.us/wordpress1/

Edited September 18, 201213 yr by ubonjoe