METV for a unique personal situation

[lazlowoodbine]

Hi guys,

 

I've been reading this site for a while but I've never contributed before as I've had nothing to add to the conversations before. I've had a good look around but I've been unable to find answers to my situation on this site or others.  I've tried ringing the Thai Embassy everyday over the last two weeks, but without getting through to anyone.  As I write I've been on hold for 2 hours 30 minutes.  I've also emailed, Tweeted and Facebook messaged the London Embassy with no response.  I'm asking these questions in the hope it saves me a trip to London.

 

My situation is quiet unique so I shall start my explaining.

 

I was born in the UK and hold duel citizenship with Australia, so I have two passports.  However I have stopped work 5 years ago because of an injury in Australia and currently receive an Income Protection Insurance benefits from an Australian company into my Australian bank account.  I moved back to UK three years ago for support reasons.   

 

It would be easier to apply for to the Australian embassy for the METV as my finances are all in AU$ but I've already spoke to them and they've said I can only apply via them if I currently in Australia.  However they've said I can take my Australian passport to the London Embassy and they will process the application.

 

My questions are:

 

1.  If I take both my passports and other documentation to the London Embassy will they be able to process the request as per the Australian requirements or would they use the UK requirements?  i.e. $8000AU in the bank or £5000 and a letter from an employer as per UK rules.

 

If they can only process using the UK requirements:

 

2.  Can I provide evidence of my Australian bank account balance for the visa application with a UK passport?

 

3.  If I am allowed to provide evidence of my Australian bank account, would a minimum balance of AU$8000 be sufficient as per the application for the visa from the Thailand Embassy in Australia?

 

4.  As I do not work I cannot provide a letter from an employer to accompany the application.  Will this be a problem?

 

Many thanks in advance for anyone who can provide any information that may help me.

 

 

 

 

 

[JackThompson]

Hard to say for sure - would just have to try it. 
But I would suppose that proof of funds in Australia would likely work - though you would need the funds at the level as specified by the consulate where you apply (London) at current exchange-rates. 
Proof of receipt of your "Income Protection Insurance benefits" would likely be accepted in lieu of proof-of-work. 

 

[elviajero]

They will process the application based on the London embassy's rules, whether you apply as an Aussie or Brit.

 

You won't get your answers here, but I would agree that it's worth trying.

 

If they decline the METV they should offer you a SETV. You have to leave Thailand every 60/90 days even with an METV and getting more SETV's in the region is fairly easy.

[lazlowoodbine]

Ok that's brilliant. Thank you very much for the replies. It goes a long way to clearing up my questions and knowing which the requirements I'm going to have to meet. I'll post back on here what the outcome is in case anyone else ever has a similar query.

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[Riojasue]

We have always had our METV's from the Liverpool Thai consulate and Sue there is an absolute mine of information. If you ring to make an appointment she can usually answer any queries over the phone to save you a wasted journey. You leave all your paperwork and go back about an hour later and hey - Visa ready.
We have unusual paperwork in that our income is from property so not actually classed as earned income but investment income and Sue sees the whole picture and makes sensible decisions.
If you have to contact the London Embassy it's just not worth trying in a morning. We've waited hours on hold and given up eventually! However this afternoon we got through in about 5 mins.
Hope it works out well. Let us known.


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[ubonjoe]

12 hours ago, lazlowoodbine said:

Ok that's brilliant. Thank you very much for the replies. It goes a long way to clearing up my questions and knowing which the requirements I'm going to have to meet. I'll post back on here what the outcome is in case anyone else ever has a similar query.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
 

I am certain they will accept the equivalent of 200k baht being in a Australian bank to apply for the METV.

To meet the employment requirement you can show proof of your disability instead.

[calexapic]

London embassy answer call between 12 and 2 or something. It says on the website. I have had lovely staff when there in person. Not so much over the phone.

Edited August 30, 2017 by calexapic
Spelling

[DerekMarshall]

Not so unique as you may think. I am in a similar situation in regards to Spain and UK. Making the financial requirement as per bank balance and exchange rates at the time of applying and the government's disability pension income in leu of an actual employment was satisfactorily accepted and the METV Visa obtained no problem. 

[lazlowoodbine]

15 hours ago, Riojasue said:

We have always had our METV's from the Liverpool Thai consulate and Sue there is an absolute mine of information. 

Thanks for the name check.  I'll give her a call and see what she can tell me.

 

 

6 hours ago, DerekMarshall said:

Not so unique as you may think. I am in a similar situation in regards to Spain and UK. Making the financial requirement as per bank balance and exchange rates at the time of applying and the government's disability pension income in leu of an actual employment was satisfactorily accepted and the METV Visa obtained no problem. 

No I don't suppose it is a totally unique situation, probably should have said unusual instead.  Great to hear there's an easy path through the process though.  Thanks for your reply mate.