Going to Bangkok for 6 months. (Visa question)

[ArtxVandelay]

Alright, so I'm going to go with a 3 Entry visa. I live in Maryland, so the closest Embassy is in DC. I don't really have a way there, so I guess I'll have to mail in. How do I do that? And how is it paid for?

Also, in your opinion, what is the least amount of money that I'd need for just food? Thanks

[ubonjoe]

Alright, so I'm going to go with a 3 Entry visa. I live in Maryland, so the closest Embassy is in DC. I don't really have a way there, so I guess I'll have to mail in. How do I do that? And how is it paid for?

Also, in your opinion, what is the least amount of money that I'd need for just food? Thanks

Info here: http://www.thaiembdc.org/dcdp/?q=Visa_Application

You pay with a money order.

How much it costs for food depends upon on where and what you eat. It could be from 100 baht to1000 baht per day or more.

I could make it on 100 baht or less but you may not be able to.

[beano2274]

Suggest you find out where your GF lives, how much she pays for food, how will she pay in the future will she rely on you to take her to Fuji or MK Gold or upmarket places.

The job offer might not work, what is your plan if it doesn"t, where is the money going to come from.

you say you must go to Thailand, why is there a must? you gonna marry her or something, then the costs just rocketed.

[ArtxVandelay]

My girlfriend lives in Bangkok (not exactly sure where), but if anything, I'll be relying on her. I have friends and family that would be willing to help me if I really need it, and I do some occasional side work online, which I could fall back on while I'm there if I couldn't get a job.

[beano2274]

My girlfriend lives in Bangkok (not exactly sure where), but if anything, I'll be relying on her. I have friends and family that would be willing to help me if I really need it, and I do some occasional side work online, which I could fall back on while I'm there if I couldn't get a job.

are you able to live with her? or do you need to find accommodation? If you need somewhere to stay do you have the deposit money?

1000 US is not that much.

[ArtxVandelay]

I'm going to be living with her, rent free.

[arunsakda]

Let us know how it works out with your visa and air ticket.

[ArtxVandelay]

Sorry after not posting for awhile. I have decided to wait until I had enough money to where I think id be alright. I think I'm going to book my flight for 4 months instead of 6, and then change it to 6 if I can get a job.

[ArtxVandelay]

Another question.

I'm applying for the visa now, it says I need to include a copy of my plane ticket. Is this required? I was trying to wait until later on to buy my ticket since I don't have a set date of leaving.

[ubonjoe]

Another question.

I'm applying for the visa now, it says I need to include a copy of my plane ticket. Is this required? I was trying to wait until later on to buy my ticket since I don't have a set date of leaving.

You are probably applying for your visa a bit early if you do not know when you are leaving. The visas validity starts from the date it issued.

The embassy website says this "A copy of round-trip ticket or itinerary".. You could make up an itinerary or contact them to confirm what they want..

[ArtxVandelay]

Well it says online that visas can take up to 2 months to be processed, so I wanted to do it now just in case.

[ubonjoe]

Where do you see 2 months. From: http://www.thaiembdc.org/dcdp/?q=Visa_Application

"Mail Service Applications are usually processed approximately within 5-10 business days from the time of receipt in the Visa office. (not including mailing time)"

[ArtxVandelay]

A friend of mine that traveled around south east Asia said it can take 2 weeks to 2 months. I'm glad it doesn't take as long. I was worried.

[ArtxVandelay]

So I didn't realize how long it takes to get a passport. What is the best thing to do in this situation? Should I use one of the express passport things?

[ubonjoe]

It seems that routine passport applications are taking 4 to 6 weeks in the states.

You can pay $60 extra to get expedited service. Info: http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/passports/information/processing-times.html

[ArtxVandelay]

Thank you. I wish I would of known it takes so long.

[arunsakda]

I just spoke to a good friend last night who applied for US passport renewal by mail from Guam.

Not in a rush, no expedite fee. He got it back in 2 weeks. Sounds like they have caught up with the backlog

but a first time passport might take longer?

[ubonjoe]

This from webpage I posted a link to.

ROUTINE SERVICE As of (Thursday September 4, 2014), we are processing routine applications in approximately 4-6 weeks from the time of application.

[ArtxVandelay]

Thought I'd update this thread. I just got my passport. I'm leaving for Thailand on the 13th, but still kinda stressing about the visa. The one thing that I kept getting mixed answers to is if I can go to the Thai Embassy and get my visa in one day. And I'm also kinda confused about the whole picture thing, I hope my local CVS knows what I mean when I say I need a visa picture.

[ubonjoe]

Do you have any of the photos left that you got for your passport. Those would be fine for the visa application form.

You will not get the visa on the same day you apply. If I recall correctly it is next day service.

The embassy website is down so at the moment that source of info is not available.

[ArtxVandelay]

They took my picture like 3 times, but I think I threw them away. If I were to go there, would they mail it to me? I live 3 hours away from the closest embassy, so I would hate to have to make 2 day trips up there.

[ubonjoe]

I am sure you could arrange for them to mail your passport back to you.

You can apply for your visa by mail. You do not have to go there in person to apply.

[ArtxVandelay]

Well I'm leaving in two weeks, so I figured going there would make it go quicker.

[ubonjoe]

Take a prepaid express mail envelope with you when you go to apply and ask them them to send your passport to you.

You are a little to close to your departure date to do it by mail.

[Apiwan2]

$1,000 won't last 6 months even if you eat on the street and stay in a low cost guest house

[IMA_FARANG]

1. Getting a job. Almost certainly NO. You need a Work Permit and anyhow you will not be able to work on a tourist visa. So you should not expect to be able to work ..... at least not legally.
2. I don't want to scare you, but you will almost certainly find it will cost you around $500 a month in Bangkok to live.
3. To get a double entry tourist visa ... or any tourist visa.... contact the nearest Thai embassy or consulate near you and talk to them.
4. They MAY ask you to provide evidence of the funds needed to live in Thailand.
5. The airline you use MAY want you to show them an "out of country" ticket before they let you board your flight.
6. Personally, I wouldn't come to Thailand without a ticket to return home if you need to or if you run short of funds.
7. Even if somehow you do get a job, as I said very unlikely and not legal, your salary will only be at best about half of what you would expect in the U.S.
8. I would, if I could bring an internationally accepted Credit Card (Master Card, Visa, etc.) with $3000 on it you can to live on.

Yes, it is possible, and it would be an adventure. At 22 you should be able to handle it, but you need to have common sense and be careful.

The rule of traveling is that people usually bring to many clothes and not enough money.

Seriously.

[ubonjoe]

1. Getting a job. Almost certainly NO. You need a Work Permit and anyhow you will not be able to work on a tourist visa. So you should not expect to be able to work ..... at least not legally.
2. I don't want to scare you, but you will almost certainly find it will cost you around $500 a month in Bangkok to live.
3. To get a double entry tourist visa ... or any tourist visa.... contact the nearest Thai embassy or consulate near you and talk to them.
4. They MAY ask you to provide evidence of the funds needed to live in Thailand.
5. The airline you use MAY want you to show them an "out of country" ticket before they let you board your flight.
6. Personally, I wouldn't come to Thailand without a ticket to return home if you need to or if you run short of funds.
7. Even if somehow you do get a job, as I said very unlikely and not legal, your salary will only be at best about half of what you would expect in the U.S.
8. I would, if I could bring an internationally accepted Credit Card (Master Card, Visa, etc.) with $3000 on it you can to live on.

Yes, it is possible, and it would be an adventure. At 22 you should be able to handle it, but you need to have common sense and be careful.

The rule of traveling is that people usually bring to many clothes and not enough money.

Seriously.

Every thing you wrote about has been discussed in this topic already.

A return or onward ticked is not required if you have a visa. The airline will not ask for one.

[ArtxVandelay]

Does anyone know how strict they are when it comes to proving adequate funds? My bank takes for ever to transfer money, so while trying to combine my money into one bank, my account doesn't show at least 700$ (about 550$ right now). Could I show them a bank statement from a week ago? Or show them bank statements from 2 banks? Or even just show cash? Thanks. Planning on going Tuesday or Thursday.

[paz]

Does anyone know how strict they are when it comes to proving adequate funds? My bank takes for ever to transfer money, so while trying to combine my money into one bank, my account doesn't show at least 700$ (about 550$ right now). Could I show them a bank statement from a week ago? Or show them bank statements from 2 banks? Or even just show cash? Thanks. Planning on going Tuesday or Thursday.

No proof of funds is required.

[ArtxVandelay]

Alright, went to the Thai Embassy in DC, here's my experience.

I left my house on the Eastern Shore of Maryland at about 8am. Because of traffic, I arrived in DC at just before noon, and found the Embassy. After finding it, I decided to drive around the area for a bit since the website said they closed at 12:30, but reopened at 2. While waiting, I saw a woman leaving the embassy with a dog, and decided to make small talk with her. After telling her why I was there, she said that they closed for the day at 12, and I would have to come back tomorrow. After talking to her a bit more, she said that if I had everything in order, they could just do a drop off for me. While getting everything sorted I mentioned that I would need a dual entry since I plan on staying for 120 days. She said they would not give me a dual-entry visa unless I gave an explanation for why I needed a dual-entry, but only had a ticket entering Thailand once. I had planned on making a trip to my girlfriend's mother's house, who lives on the border on Thailand and Cambodia, when I had to give my border run. So I explained that as my reasoning for having to enter the country twice. They had me write a letter explaining. After handing it to them, they just gave me a receipt and told me to come back Tuesday, without really giving me a straight yes or no.

Overall, the people working there are very nice and helpful, although there is a slight bit of a language barrier, they are very patient.