There hasn't been a Penang post in awhile so I just wanted to let everyone know the Penang embassy is now requiring all tourist visa applications include proof of onward travel (within 87 days, 3 days short of 3 months) and proof of at least ten days reservation at a hotel. (This according to banana visa service at least.)

 

Penang used to be so easy, this is probably my fifth time through here for a tourist visa and a few of those were back to back's. Looks like those days are over for now. Also, no more free visas. I missed that by one damn day!

 

I bet Laos is way easier. But this is part of the 'adventure' isn't it eh? Not knowing what one embassy will be lie from the next. You want uniformity and predictiblity? Go to a boring country then. (I'm being facetious.)

See http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/968935-penang-setv/ for a discussion on this. TLDR: the requirements you list do not appear to apply if you attend the consulate yourself, rather than using an agent, at least for certain applicants.

2 hours ago, landgabriel said:

I bet Laos is way easier

 

Savanahket, Laos now requires the same.  Vientiane, Laos is apparently not requiring this, yet - there was one report that they did, but others to the contrary.

Edited March 2, 20179 yr by JackThompson

10 hours ago, landgabriel said:

Also, no more free visas. I missed that by one damn day!

Free tourist visas was extended until August.

 

12 minutes ago, elviajero said:

Free tourist visas was extended until August.

 

Keep up, there has been changes since then

 

 

Edited March 2, 20179 yr by darrendsd

2 minutes ago, vinniekintana said:

So...are TR visas still free or not?

They are not free.

2 minutes ago, vinniekintana said:

Is the return ticket necessary also?

Mixed reports on that. Some say tickets or hotel reservations.

Also reports that if applying in person they may not be needed.

hey all!

 

so the visas are not free in Malaysia?? I got my last one in HK in February and it was free... Malaysia makes their own rules?. I am going to Penang in august just before the visa-free fee finishes. Has anyone got a visa in Penang RECENTLY which they had to pay for even though it is supposed to be free?

27 minutes ago, Mickster58 said:

hey all!

 

so the visas are not free in Malaysia?? I got my last one in HK in February and it was free... Malaysia makes their own rules?. I am going to Penang in august just before the visa-free fee finishes. Has anyone got a visa in Penang RECENTLY which they had to pay for even though it is supposed to be free?

Not free at any location unless from one of the listed countries here.

 

considering going it alone for tourist visa from Penang this month. Mixed reports are hardly encouraging though... Seems strange they would ask for 10 days hotel stay proof from the visa run services, but not from independent travellers..  

 

Any more recent reports on Penang guys?

Any update on this? I have quite a few visas in my history, but not penang for a while.

Hoping the agent situation is as easy as it was before.

 

Ideally they can prepare all onward travel etc docs...

9 hours ago, leonardjones625 said:

Any update on this? I have quite a few visas in my history, but not penang for a while.

Hoping the agent situation is as easy as it was before.

 

Ideally they can prepare all onward travel etc docs...

I posted a detailed report recently: