Hello! 

 

I and my companion were planning a vacation together in Thailand. I am visa exempt,  but he is from Lebanon and requires a visa. He submitted all the required documents, application, recent machine-readable passport, round trip tickets, hotel reservation, papers from school proving that he is a student, bank statement with proof of sufficient means, etc and copies of thereof, and he still was denied visa. He has NEVER been in Thailand before, so no immigration infringements from him. What could be the reason for visa rejection and what can be done about it? He was applying through the embassy at Beirut

Visa applications are determined on an individual basis and dependent on many circumstances and requirements.

 

To ask how or why is really impossible to answer, that is the decision of the Thai immigration officer concerned and you should direct your questions for that specific case to them/ the office that handled the application.

Are there any Interpol red notices out for your partner...have they been involved in the conflict in Syria in some capacity that may have got them on some international watchlist?

 

Has your partner traveled outside Lebanon before...do they have a record of traveling abroad and returning to Lebanon? If not, this could be a reason to deny a visa.

Edited August 27, 20169 yr by OMGImInPattaya

6 minutes ago, OMGImInPattaya said:

Are there any Interpol red notices out for your partner...have they been involved in the conflict in Syria in some capacity that may have got them on some international watchlist?

 

Has your partner traveled outside Lebanon before...do they have a record of traveling abroad and returning to Lebanon? If not, this could be a reason to deny a visa.

No, he's clean, not involved in anything lol.

 

He has studied in a UK university though a couple of years ago; would that suffice? 

19 minutes ago, CharlieH said:

Visa applications are determined on an individual basis and dependent on many circumstances and requirements.

 

To ask how or why is really impossible to answer, that is the decision of the Thai immigration officer concerned and you should direct your questions for that specific case to them/ the office that handled the application.

They have given no reason when asked.

6 minutes ago, shinezu said:

No, he's clean, not involved in anything lol.

 

He has studied in a UK university though a couple of years ago; would that suffice? 

They have given no reason when asked.

Studying abroad and then returning home may not be enough; often countries want to see some history of going abroad and returning home...of course, this presents something of a "chicken and egg" problem. As already said, the reasons for a visa denial are often a mystery and the issuing authorities often provide no reason.

 

Just remember, there are are many alternative places in SE Asia for a nice holiday...Malaysia and Bali come to mind. Their gain will be Thailand's loss.

Edited August 27, 20169 yr by OMGImInPattaya

11 minutes ago, OMGImInPattaya said:

Studying abroad and then returning home may not be enough; often countries want to see some history of going abroad and returning home...of course, this presents something of a "chicken and egg" problem. As already said, the reasons for a visa denial are often a mystery and the issuing authorities often provide no reason.

He has traveled to EU as a tourist before as well. In that case, would it be advisable to try and reapply, providing proof of prior travels?

Are here any travel agents in Beirut that offer visa services that may give a better chance of a successful application? Obviously a more expensive course of action, if available. Good luck anyway. 

Just go to Cambodia and Vietnam, better and cheaper.

Thailand may be being very cautious about issuing visa's in what are known  "Gateway Countries" for ISIS wanna-bees.  Lebanon has been a transit point for many.

I assume he applied at the honorary Thai consulate in Beirut since their is no embassy there.

He could try applying  at the embassy in Riyadh that is responsible for Lebanon.  http://www.thaiembassy.org/riyadh/en/services/2230