I just picked up a tourist visa in Penang (my 4th in 18 months), and stamped on the visa is: "Proof of residence in Thailand and proof of financial income are required next time".

 

Now, I tend to meander across south east Asia, centred on Thailand, relying on tourist visas, but never before have I had one of these stamps. Can someone tell me what it means? Thanks.

 

Australian passport, and I don't have a permanent residence in Thailand, I move around.

Thanks for sharing

 

Many of the local surrounding embassies/consulates can sometimes ask for proof of finances and hotel bookings. This is to prove you are a tourist, and not working illegally. 

 

The wording on the stamp is a little strange in saying proof of residence, as being a tourist u wont have it! 

 

Next time you apply print out a bank statement and make a (cancelable) hotel booking for a few weeks at least. They sonetimes want to see a flight ticket out of thailand within 60 days also. 

 

This stamp is also applied to applicants in Vientiane if you have 2 or 3 from their consulate previously. 

 

I have yet to read a post here where a person successfully showed "residence and income" and received another visa from a consulate who applied this marking (though I suspect it does happen).   But people have reported receiving that stamp at one consulate, then subsequently obtained additional Tourist Visas from different consulates.

 

Consider the meaning as, "Do not come here for another visa until you get a new passport."  The consulates only go by what they see in the passport presented, when deciding whether to issue a new visa.

 

I would suggest, if trying other consulates, to be prepared to show proof of address (or hotel booking) and non-Thai income / bank account with $1K USD or more in it.

 

Thank you for the report.  it is good to know you can get 3 before receiving that stamp at Penang.

 

15 minutes ago, jonw8uk said:

The wording on the stamp is a little strange in saying proof of residence, as being a tourist u wont have it!

 

The "residence" request reflects the fact that they know this is a visa used for long-term tourists who live most of the time in Thailand.  Note there are no restrictions on how many days you can stay in Thailand on Tourist Visas (though this could always change).

So, the advice is go to another visa office, with $, flight ticket, and a hotel booking?

 

:) I like a few weeks in Penang.

If you want to try again in Penang try  using an agent. There are reports that for a bit more than normal the can get the problem taken care of.

Or as said make a trip somewhere else for the visa. If you wanted to make a trip during the 60 days you could get a re-entry permit to keep them valid.

I always use an agent, Jim at Jim's Place. Used him for years on an off, never had this before :(. 

 

I take your point about "a bit more". Thanks.

I just posted a xucessful SETV visa run at Hong  Kong on thos forum topic today (29  December).

I was not asked fro residemce info in Thailand nor showed proof of funds as not asked.

However, just in case  I had peoof of those with me.

Just wasn't  asked for any of that stuff.

No visa fee for a SETV in Hong Kong either hntil; 28 January ar Thai consulate here.

They will be closed 1 January and 2 January for New Year's holiday.

 

2 hours ago, JackThompson said:

The "residence" request reflects the fact that they know this is a visa used for long-term tourists who live most of the time in Thailand.

No it doesn't. They are simply asking for proof of where the person is going to be staying. i.e. Hotel booking.

2 hours ago, Ianatlarge said:

So, the advice is go to another visa office, with $, flight ticket, and a hotel booking?

 

:) I like a few weeks in Penang.

You could try Penang again, and as long as you can provide proof of address and your income there's a chance you'll get another.

 

There are few, if any, reports of people with these stamps getting another visa because they tend to apply elsewhere rather than take the chance.

 

Expect three visas from the same embassy/consulate to be the likely limit, but for now reaching the limit at Penang shouldn't stop you getting them elsewhere. Although with that stamp in your passport it's worth having a hotel booking and proof of your income wherever you apply.

Maybe Vientiane next time, though last I heard, no agents. One had to apply in person for the coveted tourist visa of Thailand. Sigh. 

Just typical! Tourist visa and want to be in Thailand! Just travel around? Maybe just read what the rules say before get a visa. immigration control, border control is the ones that do these checks, not the ones that issues your visa mostly. It´s up to you to know what you apply for, not up to Thailand.

4 hours ago, Ianatlarge said:

I always use an agent, Jim at Jim's Place. Used him for years on an off, never had this before :(. 

 

I take your point about "a bit more". Thanks.

Any change big Jim needs to increase profit margins as well?

4 hours ago, Get Real said:

Just typical! Tourist visa and want to be in Thailand! Just travel around? Maybe just read what the rules say before get a visa. immigration control, border control is the ones that do these checks, not the ones that issues your visa mostly. It´s up to you to know what you apply for, not up to Thailand.

 

Ive read the above post many times now, and maybe I'm stupid, but I'm yet to understand your point? I get the feeling you're trying to have a go at someone or make a point about something, but it really isn't clear. Now that you're sober would you like to try again? 

8 hours ago, JackThompson said:

This stamp is also applied to applicants in Vientiane if you have 2 or 3 from their consulate previously. 

 

I have yet to read a post here where a person successfully showed "residence and income" and received another visa from a consulate who applied this marking (though I suspect it does happen).   But people have reported receiving that stamp at one consulate, then subsequently obtained additional Tourist Visas from different consulates.

 

Consider the meaning as, "Do not come here for another visa until you get a new passport."  The consulates only go by what they see in the passport presented, when deciding whether to issue a new visa.

).

Do they take into consideration how long ago your last visa was made? For example if you get 2 or 3 in 2014 but go back for another in 2017

6 hours ago, funplayer said:

Do they take into consideration how long ago your last visa was made? For example if you get 2 or 3 in 2014 but go back for another in 2017

 

I had multi-month breaks (out of Thailand) between my Vientiane stamps, and received a warning-stamp after a 7 month break in Cambodia - so, evidently, they counted the old ones.  I'd hope they would not count 3-year old stamps, but I suppose it depends on how fast they do it - whether they even look at the dates. 

 

If it is a discussion in-person with them upon application, you could point out the dates.  In the case of getting the warning-stamp, however, it is done while you are gone - no mention in-advance or upon-pickup.

1 hour ago, JackThompson said:

 

I had multi-month breaks (out of Thailand) between my Vientiane stamps, and received a warning-stamp after a 7 month break in Cambodia - so, evidently, they counted the old ones.  I'd hope they would not count 3-year old stamps, but I suppose it depends on how fast they do it - whether they even look at the dates. 

 

If it is a discussion in-person with them upon application, you could point out the dates.  In the case of getting the warning-stamp, however, it is done while you are gone - no mention in-advance or upon-pickup.

 

 

is it only me that thinks that is bizarre? I mean if they are worried about people working illegally here how could they even suspect for one minute that someone could possibly work under these circumstances?

Thanks for all the information. 

I will have a word with Jim, but it looks like I will be visiting Vientiane or Savannakhet next time. Jesus, all I want is a quiet and undignified retirement! Not hassles.

Even at Vientiane, they requite you to give a valid address ,

When applying they even give you a piece of paper stating that if you havent given a full address of where you will be staying, then the visa will be refused .

   It seems to be one of those forms where you have to write something , but it doesnt really matter what you write, just dont leave it blank

43 minutes ago, Ianatlarge said:

Thanks for all the information. 

I will have a word with Jim, but it looks like I will be visiting Vientiane or Savannakhet next time. Jesus, all I want is a quiet and undignified retirement! Not hassles.

 

Assuming you meet the financial requirements get a letter of residence from your nearest immigration office.

I don't have a permanent address. I can get a hotel booking, but that is it.

Is there a formal financial requirement?

Any address will do ^

2 hours ago, Ianatlarge said:

Thanks for all the information. 

I will have a word with Jim, but it looks like I will be visiting Vientiane or Savannakhet next time. Jesus, all I want is a quiet and undignified retirement! Not hassles.

Can't you get a retirement visa and a multi re-entry visa, then you can base yourself in Thailand as a retiree and go as often as you please to the neighboring countries, returning to Thailand as often as you like. This is what I do and have done for the past decade. I live in Thailand on a retirement visa and go often to Vietnam, Cambodia, Lao, Malaysia, Australia.

 

Seems to me you are on the wrong visas. You talk about "retirement" but have been on tourist visas. Thailand has made it crystal clear they don't want foreigners using tourist visas and 30-day stamps for purposes other than tourism.

 

So get on the correct visa and enjoy your quite retirement.

10 minutes ago, TSF said:

Can't you get a retirement visa and a multi re-entry visa, then you can base yourself in Thailand as a retiree and go as often as you please to the neighboring countries, returning to Thailand as often as you like. This is what I do and have done for the past decade. I live in Thailand on a retirement visa and go often to Vietnam, Cambodia, Lao, Malaysia, Australia.

 

Seems to me you are on the wrong visas. You talk about "retirement" but have been on tourist visas. Thailand has made it crystal clear they don't want foreigners using tourist visas and 30-day stamps for purposes other than tourism.

 

So get on the correct visa and enjoy your quite retirement.

 

can you explain why isn't someone who " goes often to Vietnam, Cambodia, Lao, Malaysia, Australia " and returns in between those times to Thailand  a tourist?

 

18 hours ago, jonw8uk said:

Thanks for sharing

 

Many of the local surrounding embassies/consulates can sometimes ask for proof of finances and hotel bookings. This is to prove you are a tourist, and not working illegally. 

 

The wording on the stamp is a little strange in saying proof of residence, as being a tourist u wont have it! 

 

Next time you apply print out a bank statement and make a (cancelable) hotel booking for a few weeks at least. They sonetimes want to see a flight ticket out of thailand within 60 days also. 

 

The immigration people want to get off their asses, and track down the people who are hiring these illegal workers instead of hounding tourists all the time. but again that probably can't happen as a lot of the bosses hiring illegal workers are "connected".

18 hours ago, JackThompson said:

This stamp is also applied to applicants in Vientiane if you have 2 or 3 from their consulate previously. 

 

I have yet to read a post here where a person successfully showed "residence and income" and received another visa from a consulate who applied this marking (though I suspect it does happen).   But people have reported receiving that stamp at one consulate, then subsequently obtained additional Tourist Visas from different consulates.

 

Consider the meaning as, "Do not come here for another visa until you get a new passport."  The consulates only go by what they see in the passport presented, when deciding whether to issue a new visa.

 

I would suggest, if trying other consulates, to be prepared to show proof of address (or hotel booking) and non-Thai income / bank account with $1K USD or more in it.

 

Thank you for the report.  it is good to know you can get 3 before receiving that stamp at Penang.

 

 

The "residence" request reflects the fact that they know this is a visa used for long-term tourists who live most of the time in Thailand.  Note there are no restrictions on how many days you can stay in Thailand on Tourist Visas (though this could always change).

 "it is good to know you can get 3 before receiving that stamp at Penang".

Don't be too sure about that, they can and will change their rules when it suits them.

1 minute ago, possum1931 said:

The immigration people want to get off their asses, and track down the people who are hiring these illegal workers instead of hounding tourists all the time. but again that probably can't happen as a lot of the bosses hiring illegal workers are "connected".

 

Ive thought the same; if they fined any business 1mil thb per illegal worker the problem would disappear instantly. 

 

They could walk into most any school/factory and find them easily enough. I wonder why they dont

15 hours ago, Get Real said:

Just typical! Tourist visa and want to be in Thailand! Just travel around? Maybe just read what the rules say before get a visa. immigration control, border control is the ones that do these checks, not the ones that issues your visa mostly. It´s up to you to know what you apply for, not up to Thailand.

I would say it is up to Thailand, they are the ones who allow the different immigration offices and consulates to make up their own rules, if they had the common sense to have their rules as to which visa is required for what purpose,  give a copy of these rules to all the IOs and consulates. Do this then the genuine tourists could have a rule book telling them what is required, then it would be up to them to apply for the right visa or whatever, instead of wondering which IO or consulate they have to apply to.

3 minutes ago, jonw8uk said:

 

Ive thought the same; if they fined any business 1mil thb per illegal worker the problem would disappear instantly. 

 

They could walk into most any school/factory and find them easily enough. I wonder why they dont

Probably because they know the bosses of these schools and factories, and are getting their palms greased.

11 hours ago, jonw8uk said:

 

Ive read the above post many times now, and maybe I'm stupid, but I'm yet to understand your point? I get the feeling you're trying to have a go at someone or make a point about something, but it really isn't clear. Now that you're sober would you like to try again? 

Yes, the Poster needs to "Get Real". You are not stupid, read his last sentence, I have had my say on it.

3 hours ago, Ianatlarge said:

Thanks for all the information. 

I will have a word with Jim, but it looks like I will be visiting Vientiane or Savannakhet next time. Jesus, all I want is a quiet and undignified retirement! Not hassles.

Don't we all, but this is Thailand, and even for allowing all the unnecessary Immigration hassles, the good here still outweighs the bad.