The Multiple Entry Tourist Visa Topic (METV)

[fireplay]

So if I wanted to mail an METV application to Portland and prove that I was physically in the USA when the application was mailed I would

Buy a copy of the Orlando Sentinel daily newspaper in the morning and sign the from page and put it in with my application and then go to the Post Office for an EMS mailing such that the postmark date and the newspaper front page date were the same.

(Unless you want to say someone could forge my signature.)

I mean that sounds pretty good...The thing is if you are mailing it directly you have a return address and you also have an address it needs to be mailed to...like Orlando.

In my case I had my brother arrive at Mary's office over there on NW Hoyt...with my paperwork money and passport in hand...in this case as soon as my brother left the office he could mail it anywhere...I am sure a mail in job with signed newspaper would suffice...but I don't want to blow out the Portland spot...it's a good deal over there and easy to get visas of all types.

[JLCrab]

I mention above that the gent who said that he would apply from Cambodia was not trying to obscure the fact that he was in Cambodia.

The weather question was just typical of the type question that could be asked (see 'Stokes Interview' for sample questions). After a few more questions, you probably would not be good enough to pull it off if you really were not in Cleveland.

And I personally would never make a "pointless" trip to the USA -- all my trips have a point.

[JLCrab]

So if I wanted to mail an METV application to Portland and prove that I was physically in the USA when the application was mailed I would

Buy a copy of the Orlando Sentinel daily newspaper in the morning and sign the from page and put it in with my application and then go to the Post Office for an EMS mailing such that the postmark date and the newspaper front page date were the same.

(Unless you want to say someone could forge my signature.)

I mean that sounds pretty good...The thing is if you are mailing it directly you have a return address and you also have an address it needs to be mailed to...like Orlando.

In my case I had my brother arrive at Mary's office over there on NW Hoyt...with my paperwork money and passport in hand...in this case as soon as my brother left the office he could mail it anywhere...I am sure a mail in job with signed newspaper would suffice...but I don't want to blow out the Portland spot...it's a good deal over there and easy to get visas of all types.

Yes but they specify that you must be physically in the USA when mailing in the application and when I first mentioned that last month, inquiring minds were quick to ponder: Well how can they tell???

I guess if someone applies in person at an embassy/consulate for another person, the obvious first questions they might ask are: Where is this person right now and why didn't they bring it in themselves?

[fireplay]

Well now we are talking about deception...and i certainly don't recommend that. PDX explicitly states they don't accept passports mailed in out of country. Don't go there if you are doing that!

But if you can be bothered ( I personally need a break from this country and I fortunately have family in Portland) just pop back to the states every year...what is the problem with that?

[JLCrab]

On ThaiVisa it is not called deception but 'work around' and there is a large community looking for just that.

Hopefully by what time -- if ever -- I would want to get a METV, Miami will have its act together and I can just take a drive down there.

[luke000]

JLcrab : Your attempts at deception and trying to be deceptive about your deception are kind of bogging this thread down.

Could we get back on topic?

Legitimate ways to get the METV , rather than ways to get it by deception .

[JLCrab]

I have no need for deception but I like to try to think of how others might try or how the powers-that-be might counter.

... or to paraphrase a comment I made a few years back on a large component of the conversation on here:

I don't qualify for a METV so how can I get a METV.

[phuketrichard]

So if I wanted to mail an METV application to Portland and prove that I was physically in the USA when the application was mailed I would

Buy a copy of the Orlando Sentinel daily newspaper in the morning and sign the from page and put it in with my application and then go to the Post Office for an EMS mailing such that the postmark date and the newspaper front page date were the same.

(Unless you want to say someone could forge my signature.)

Great. We all know the us does not stamp us passports when we go back. But dont ya think they will look at ur stamps and look at exit ones, BEfore they issue the new metv?

Their not stupid :-)

[jacksam]

So if I wanted to mail an METV application to Portland and prove that I was physically in the USA when the application was mailed I would

Buy a copy of the Orlando Sentinel daily newspaper in the morning and sign the from page and put it in with my application and then go to the Post Office for an EMS mailing such that the postmark date and the newspaper front page date were the same.

(Unless you want to say someone could forge my signature.)

Great. We all know the us does not stamp us passports when we go back. But dont ya think they will look at ur stamps and look at exit ones, BEfore they issue the new metv?

Their not stupid :-)

Sadly same can't be stated for many contributions to tv threads

[JLCrab]

So if I wanted to mail an METV application to Portland and prove that I was physically in the USA when the application was mailed I would

Buy a copy of the Orlando Sentinel daily newspaper in the morning and sign the from page and put it in with my application and then go to the Post Office for an EMS mailing such that the postmark date and the newspaper front page date were the same.

(Unless you want to say someone could forge my signature.)

Great. We all know the us does not stamp us passports when we go back. But dont ya think they will look at ur stamps and look at exit ones, BEfore they issue the new metv?

Their not stupid :-)

Sadly same can't be stated for many contributions to tv threads

Their not stupid and they aren't either. Hong Kong does not have an entry stamp and I guess others maybe as well. All your passport would show is the date you exited Thailand.

A Thai Embassy/Consulate could do lots of things including maybe calling a hotline diplomatic courtesy number at the State Department to see about your US entry/exit status but my suggestion was something that you could do to prove that you were physically in the US.

[jacksam]

I

So if I wanted to mail an METV application to Portland and prove that I was physically in the USA when the application was mailed I would

Buy a copy of the Orlando Sentinel daily newspaper in the morning and sign the from page and put it in with my application and then go to the Post Office for an EMS mailing such that the postmark date and the newspaper front page date were the same.

(Unless you want to say someone could forge my signature.)

Great. We all know the us does not stamp us passports when we go back. But dont ya think they will look at ur stamps and look at exit ones, BEfore they issue the new metv?

Their not stupid :-)

Sadly same can't be stated for many contributions to tv threads

Their not stupid and they aren't either. Hong Kong does not have an entry stamp and I guess others maybe as well. All your passport would show is the date you exited Thailand.

A Thai Embassy/Consulate could do lots of things including maybe calling a hotline diplomatic courtesy number at the State Department to see about your US entry/exit status but my suggestion was something that you could do to prove that you were physically in the US.

Yea yea we get your boring take on this thread. You can add Singapore to your list. Ok USA citizen. Go spend week in these places and try and pull off your splendid plan. Fact is USA tourists to los is about 850k ....about same as Australia

Good luck with your deception

[jacksam]

So if I wanted to mail an METV application to Portland and prove that I was physically in the USA when the application was mailed I would

Buy a copy of the Orlando Sentinel daily newspaper in the morning and sign the from page and put it in with my application and then go to the Post Office for an EMS mailing such that the postmark date and the newspaper front page date were the same.

(Unless you want to say someone could forge my signature.)

Great. We all know the us does not stamp us passports when we go back. But dont ya think they will look at ur stamps and look at exit ones, BEfore they issue the new metv?

Their not stupid :-)

Sadly same can't be stated for many contributions to tv threads

Their not stupid and they aren't either. Hong Kong does not have an entry stamp and I guess others maybe as well. All your passport would show is the date you exited Thailand.

A Thai Embassy/Consulate could do lots of things including maybe calling a hotline diplomatic courtesy number at the State Department to see about your US entry/exit status but my suggestion was something that you could do to prove that you were physically in the US.

Might add that you are stating deception re being physically present in USA when in fact you are not. Bit surprised that some of your posts have not been removed when what your suggesting amounts to fraud

[JLCrab]

I am stating the case of being physically present in the USA when you actually are and proving it short of walking into the consulate office.

[MROLL320]

Got a metv yesterday from Hull.. Easy, just did what it said on guide.

Somebody was getting refused and given a single while I was there, not enough funds in the bank. I can't say things were checked throughly, surely things are easily forged with a scanner, a pc and photoshop?

[JLCrab]

Got a metv yesterday from Hull.. Easy, just did what it said on guide.

Somebody was getting refused and given a single while I was there, not enough funds in the bank. I can't say things were checked throughly, surely things are easily forged with a scanner, a pc and photoshop?

Which one reason it is US State department policy, anywhere in the world, a US Embassy or Consulate will not certify as to the authenticity of any document brought into their office.

[JackThompson]

Their not stupid and they aren't either. Hong Kong does not have an entry stamp and I guess others maybe as well. All your passport would show is the date you exited Thailand.

A Thai Embassy/Consulate could do lots of things including maybe calling a hotline diplomatic courtesy number at the State Department to see about your US entry/exit status but my suggestion was something that you could do to prove that you were physically in the US.

Might add that you are stating deception re being physically present in USA when in fact you are not. Bit surprised that some of your posts have not been removed when what your suggesting amounts to fraud

One might not want to "raise a red flag" during an application process - but that is not the same thing as "fraud". There is some person going through the documents to decide whether or not to give you a visa. In that case, the goal is not to make them "stop and think" about some aspect of what is provided, or require them to "ask a supervisor" for advice. As the applicant, your goal is for them to "go through the motions" as robotically as possible. This is why, for example, I try to avoid any "odd" stamps in my passport like "extension denied," etc.

This is to be differentiated from submitting false information = fraud. Fraud could lead to who knows what sort of record with Thai Immigration, if caught, leading to unknown consequences down the road. As someone who plans to retire here in a couple years (when I reach the "magic" age of 50), attempting fraud is not a sane option for me - and would not be for anyone planning to stay long term.

But there is a 3rd option / strategy, which would be to use a permitted method (based upon the stated rules), and provide justification for it. In other words, plan for your application to be taken to a supervisor, and back your case, accordingly. In the case of applying by post (say, from Cambodia), one might have their documents notarized, so that the Consulate could not claim they were not certain the actual applicant had completed them. Perhaps a cover-letter explaining why you are there, overkill-documents on your business / income, etc. In this case, the desired result is, "Oh bleep I don't want to read all of this; Fine, just give it to them," ... so they can get back to the peaceful bliss of their robotic-sleepwalking, again.

[JLCrab]

Easy visa application process from Cambodia:

[Gringogazzer]

Got a metv yesterday from Hull.. Easy, just did what it said on guide.

Somebody was getting refused and given a single while I was there, not enough funds in the bank. I can't say things were checked throughly, surely things are easily forged with a scanner, a pc and photoshop?

So the person being turned down would of had flights & an itinerary as the requirements but now doesn't have a visa to suit said flights/itinerary.

Nice.

[luke000]

I am stating the case of being physically present in the USA when you actually are and proving it short of walking into the consulate office.

Thats right, if you are sitting on a beach in Cambodia and you can "prove" that you are in the USA, then you really are in the USA and that means you are not in Cambodia after all and so you are eligible to get an METV

[jay1980]

Got a metv yesterday from Hull.. Easy, just did what it said on guide.

Somebody was getting refused and given a single while I was there, not enough funds in the bank. I can't say things were checked throughly, surely things are easily forged with a scanner, a pc and photoshop?

Many thanks for taking the time to post!

Could you say what you provided regarding UK employment letter/self employment proof/Tax returns (if anything) please?

[JackThompson]

I am stating the case of being physically present in the USA when you actually are and proving it short of walking into the consulate office.

Thats right, if you are sitting on a beach in Cambodia and you can "prove" that you are in the USA, then you really are in the USA and that means you are not in Cambodia after all and so you are eligible to get an METV

I guess this is all on the Portland consulate tangent? Many other consulates in the USA say nothing about requiring one "be in the USA" at the time of application.

[luke000]

I am stating the case of being physically present in the USA when you actually are and proving it short of walking into the consulate office.

Thats right, if you are sitting on a beach in Cambodia and you can "prove" that you are in the USA, then you really are in the USA and that means you are not in Cambodia after all and so you are eligible to get an METV

I guess this is all on the Portland consulate tangent? Many other consulates in the USA say nothing about requiring one "be in the USA" at the time of application.

Post the passport to the Thai Embassy in NY then , from Cambodia and give the return address as being in Cambodia and just sit and wait for your PP to come back with the METV .enclosed.

[jacksam]

Well you could exit los and park yourself in say singapore. (No entry stamp or visa required) . Then post it to a mate in your home country then he could onpost it to consulate with return envolope then the mate could post it to you. The other requirements might reqire creative thinking.

Or we could wait until they change this silly requirement. Your plane ticket from your country to los will need to be refundable. Most have cancellation fee. With deception there are always hurdles. Geezuz hope for those on setv that the playing field doesnt change. Overstay not my prefered option, but relatively cheap.

[luke000]

Well you could exit los and park yourself in say singapore. (No entry stamp or visa required) . Then post it to a mate in your home country then he could onpost it to consulate with return envolope then the mate could post it to you. The other requirements might reqire creative thinking.

Or we could wait until they change this silly requirement. Your plane ticket from your country to los will need to be refundable. Most have cancellation fee. With deception there are always hurdles. Geezuz hope for those on setv that the playing field doesnt change. Overstay not my prefered option, but relatively cheap.

But after the expense of going to Singapore , staying there for a few weeks , all the risks and hassle of posting your PP to a friend and him posting it to the Consulate and then back again , you may as well just fly home and do it from there .

Its quite clear that the Thai Gov wants people to apply from their home Country ,if fraud and deception is uncovered, they will clamp down on this .

It has also been reported that Thai Embassy's require documents that they didnt state on their website.

Its also been reported that peoples METV application has been refused and all they got was an SETV instead .

All that hassle and pullova, just for a six-nine month visa , whilt you can still go to Laos and get a SETV , valid for three months .

[JLCrab]

I am stating the case of being physically present in the USA when you actually are and proving it short of walking into the consulate office.

Thats right, if you are sitting on a beach in Cambodia and you can "prove" that you are in the USA, then you really are in the USA and that means you are not in Cambodia after all and so you are eligible to get an METV

I have never been to Cambodia and I don't like sitting on beaches. I have made trips to USA every year of about 3 weeks since moving to Thailand except 2012 when was changing houses (in the same town) and in some years made 2 trips or longer trips. I might schedule future trips to coincide with obtaining a METV if that were in my interests but I would never make a trip pointless or otherwise 'just' to get a visa.

So, when applying at some point for an METV, I would not be trying to prove that I was in USA when I was not in USA because I would be in USA and would not have to pretend that I was in USA when I wasn't.

[JLCrab]

I am stating the case of being physically present in the USA when you actually are and proving it short of walking into the consulate office.

Thats right, if you are sitting on a beach in Cambodia and you can "prove" that you are in the USA, then you really are in the USA and that means you are not in Cambodia after all and so you are eligible to get an METV

I guess this is all on the Portland consulate tangent? Many other consulates in the USA say nothing about requiring one "be in the USA" at the time of application.

That's because it's difficult to not be in the USA when you have to apply in person although I guess someone else could apply in-person for you but I don't know that they would accept it -- Portland is now the only honorary consulate that is allowed to accept visa applications by the mail. Portland also says they have a via mail visa processing time of 3 business days whereas the Embassy/Consulates say up to 15 busuiness days.

[elviajero]

There is no problem applying for a visa by post from another country if the information on the application is true. i.e. Present address. It's then up to the embassy/consulate to decide whether or not to issue the visa. I also don't see any problem posting via a friend as long as the applicants actual location is declared on the application.

The existence or lack of exit/entry stamps (of a passport in use) would probably be of little interest to the person processing the application unless it indicated that the person was in a different country than declared on the application.

[JLCrab]

Well since I will soon be hitting the big 6-5 and will be Medicare eligible, I might be visiting the USA more often not less -- and since I usually rent a car at Manchester NH when I visit Vermont, a drive to the 'friendly confines' of the consulate in Boston would not be a big deal. Good report on that one. Other than that, mail away, maybe from Guam, where you might say you were legally in the USA.

[luke000]

I am stating the case of being physically present in the USA when you actually are and proving it short of walking into the consulate office.

Thats right, if you are sitting on a beach in Cambodia and you can "prove" that you are in the USA, then you really are in the USA and that means you are not in Cambodia after all and so you are eligible to get an METV

I have never been to Cambodia and I don't like sitting on beaches. I have made trips to USA every year of about 3 weeks since moving to Thailand except 2012 when was changing houses (in the same town) and in some years made 2 trips or longer trips. I might schedule future trips to coincide with obtaining a METV if that were in my interests but I would never make a trip pointless or otherwise 'just' to get a visa.

So, when applying at some point for an METV, I would not be trying to prove that I was in USA when I was not in USA because I would be in USA and would not have to pretend that I was in USA when I wasn't.

Oh OK. Someone in this thread previously stated that they would apply for a METV from Cambodia whilst sitting on a beach and just pretend to be in the USA , using numerous forms of deception , instead of going back to the USA .

I thought that it was you who posted that, but it must have been someone else .

My mistake

[JLCrab]

No problem -- I'm just a contentious SOB.