JepSoDii
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Posts posted by JepSoDii
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On 4/19/2018 at 2:03 AM, darrendsd said:
These days it's not just about which Embassy is the easiest to get a visa at it's also about avoiding problems when you enter again at the Airport
The places mentioned will involve coming back through the Airport, if you are planning to stay here longterm stick to Laos, yes it's boring but with land entries on a TV you have a lot lot less chance of having issues
If you are planning to stay here longterm you can easily get 2 more SETV's in Vientiane, after that switch to Savannakhet
I'm planning what will be an 18-24 month stay, beginning early Dec 2017. I was hoping to minimize my chances of a red stamp, or delay it by switching locations each time. Does it work like that?
I also wanted to save the easiest for last, eg, I want to visit some of the moderately difficult places like Phnom Penh, Kuala Lumpur, etc, before eventually doing the easer places like Hong Kong, Saigon, and Savannakhet. Is that a strategy that improves things?
And finally, I'm also willing to break he SETVs up by leaving the country and doing 30+30 re-entries in between SETVs. Does that help?
I plan to use Chiang Mai airport where feasible.
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On 4/19/2018 at 1:21 AM, lkv said:
Phnom Pehn will work with your current history.
You will need a bank statement with over 1000 dollars on it (obviously the more the better) and a ticket into and out of Thailand. Plus picture.
Go via agent only at a cost of 50 USD (40 USD visa fee +10 USD service charge), 3 day turn around i.e. apply Monday morning before 10 am via agent pickup Wednesday afternoon after 4-5 pm from agent.
The agent will take care of the application form, you do not need to complete that nor sign it.
The one I am on right now is from Phnom Pehn. Agent Lucky Lucky but there are others similar.
Thanks for that, and just to triple check with you again, you think Phnom Penh will issue an SETV immediately after the following history, beginning 02 Dec 2017:
air entry, 30+30
land entry SETV, 60+30
land entry visa exempt (in Thai 8 days)
out of Thailand 8 days
air entry, 30+30
After that, if I fly to Phnom Penh, they will, you believe, have no problem issuing another SETV even though I will have quite obviously been essentially "living" in Thailand for 7+ months by that time?
Anyway thanks again for replying, and clarifying. Appreciate it.
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2 hours ago, ubonjoe said:
You pick up your passport the next morning "Collection : Next working days. between : 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m."
On the page it takes you to after selecting your home country on this page. http://www.thai-consulate.org.hk/web/3015.php?s=4296
It can be difficult to get a visa there.
Thank you very much, ubonjoe. I guess I won' try at Manila. Are Phnom Penh and Kuala Lumpur any better?
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22 hours ago, Nick ZepTepi said:
Hong Kong
Only need photocopy of your passport & HK entry stamp.
Next day service return in the morning.
I've had 2 back to back no questions
Thanks. So you're saying you can actually pick up in the morning instead of waiting until the afternoon?
How about Manila? Anyone know how strict they are?
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13 hours ago, elviajero said:
There is a limit of two visas exempt entries per year at any land crossing. A SETV entry does not count towards the visa exempt entry limit.
Thanks Elviajero, for clearing that up.
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In mid July, I’ll need to get another SETV to avoid back-to-back airport entry stamps (extended by 30 days). Basically I’d like to know which consulates aren’t strict in 2018 with regard to issuing a 2nd SETV in one year. I prefer to go somewhere else besides just Vientiane and I’m wondering if any of you know which consulates in the region (other than Vientiane) are not likely to deny a 2nd SETV in just under 6 months. I’ve essentially been living in Thailand since early Dec 2017. Here is my chronology:
2017
02 Dec: Arrival BKK airport, 30 day stamp + 30 day extension
28 Jan: Arrival Nong Kai land borer, w/ 60 day SETV + 30 day extension (valid til 27 Apr 2018)
(planned)
27 Apr: Arrival Mae Sai land border (day-trip from Chiang Mai), 30 day stamp
4-11 May: Not in Thailand
12 May: Arrival, BKK airport, 30 day stamp + 30 day extension
10 Jul: Need new SETV—where to go?
So to recap, by 10 July I will have made two (2) 30+30 airport entries sine Dec 2017, and two (2) land arrivals, one (1) of which was an arrival with an SETV.
So where should I go besides VTE? I'm willing to go anywhere recommended, though I’m particularly curious about the level of difficulty in my places of preference: Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Saigon, Hong Kong, Phnom Penh. Any advice would be very much appreciated.
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Does this strict enforcement apply to all land crossings? Or only those when arriving with visa-exempt entries? In other words, if one of your land arrivals is done with an SETV (like from Vientiane), does that count against your two land entries per year limit?
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On 7/17/2017 at 10:27 PM, ubonjoe said:
I don't think a person with a Thai Elite PE visa would be asked to show it.
I don't think so either, but but there's nothing to prevent an immigration clerk from doing so.
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On 4/12/2017 at 7:10 AM, BigKahuna said:
Asahi is better.
It is good beer. But is it cheap in Laos?
And since I haven't been in Thailand in a while, isn't it like 45-50 baht?
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On 3/28/2017 at 6:36 AM, zyphodb said:
Also real wine at far more sensible prices than Thailand
hear hear. Cambodia especially, and Laos, too, have very reasonable wine import taxes. That's 2 of 3 Indochina. Not sure how expensive wine is in Vietnam or how bad it's taxed.
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no proof of funds ? and maybe it would be helpful to learn which countries' passport you hold....
I have heard the METV is the visa that required proof of funds. Anyone know how common it is to be asked for proof of funds on SETV applications?
Proof of 20K Baht is being asked for in Vietnam currently (along with flights in and out), and was asked for somewhat recently in Cambodia (which requires exiting flight) - though not by all agents. It could also be asked for at Immigration when entering. Note that you need cash or travelers checks at immigration, and bank-statements for the consulates who ask.
My question to the OP - do you have other Thai Visas and/or exempt stamps in your passport? If so, recent and/or consecutive?
Only 20k THB total is asked (sometimes for a 60-day visa that could be extended up to 90 days? That's small potatoes. Thanks for answering. The exiting tickets are nuisance but can be dealt with. Thanks for answering.
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no proof of funds ? and maybe it would be helpful to learn which countries' passport you hold....
I have heard the METV is the visa that required proof of funds. Anyone know how common it is to be asked for proof of funds on SETV applications?
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Could be wise to leave the easiest as an option in case you need a fast visa in the future. Say you are not feeling very well or some such. A three month 'ed' visa could also break any chain.
Do you mean, an ED visa breaks the chain of what would otherwise be back to back SETVs, e.g., breaking the chain is ideal? So an SETV, 3-month ED, wash rinse repeat continuously, is ideal?
And people are suggesting Savvanakhet is the easiest?
Another point, I didn't know there was a 3 month ED; I thought it was issued for up to a year, but you had to check in every 3 months and it could be cancelled anytime by an immigration officer.
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The METV is so absurd that I wonder if it was some kind of 'ASEAN' requirement for member countries to offer a multiple entry tourist visa. But the Thais dont want it so have deliberately made it so impractical and inconvenient that very few will apply for it.
Sorry but this is utter nosense. It is a Thai policy and really, perfectly in keeping with the current government's stated desire to "clean up" their image and only appeal to certain types of tourists. Hugely inconvenient for many of us, but there you have it. This is what they want to do with their country.
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Are people experiencing the same stringent requirements with the single-entry visas? Or are those still as easy to get as ever?
Stringent how? Because they would prefer people who have a job and a little money in the bank?
Um, yes. "How" should be obvious. By every definition, the new requirements are stringent compared to the old requirements. And as for people who have jobs to which they would return, well, most of those are presumably people would be best served by SETVs. So it's pretty obvious to most people the METV is not desired by only those who have a job and money in the bank, and the new rules are indeed more stringent to anyone who wants the METV.
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Are people experiencing the same stringent requirements with the single-entry visas? Or are those still as easy to get as ever?
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Thanks for that, it is encouraging. I may be able to do "self assessment tax" whatever that is. Education, if there are some flexible schools like you say, then that's possible. I'm not likely to go to Samui, except maybe for a month or so, but maybe some of those schools would do Skype sessions if they are flexible. And, I saw somone posted a cheap AirAsia flight to Melbourne. That's always possible. Thanks again, jspill.
Melbourne doesn't ask for the employment requirement, and thankfullly it seems a bit more than anecdote as their own website doesn't state the residency or employment requirements either.
Consulates elsewhere have alternatives for the self-employed like a copy of self assessment tax.
It is officially 8 hrs/week for the Ed visa yes, in practice though is a different matter. Not sure about Chiang Mai but I know some Samui schools are still being very flexible.
Have you weighed up the cost of an ED Visa + School Fees + 90 Day Extensions + Exit the country every year to get a new visa against the Thailand Elite visa which will give you 5 years (possibly almost 6) with yearly extensions without having to leave the country for 500,000 THB?
No I haven't. But I guess I shouldn't, shouldn't I? I could probably come up with 500k if necessary, and if you really don't need to leave every 90 days or check in with immigration after 60 days (I don't know any specifics about the Elite visa program). Then again, if I was to commit to 5 years, I'd probably want to spend some money on school and learning the language.
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Whats wrong with Ecuador?
Nothing is "wrong" with Ecuador, per se. I like being in a mountain city with cooler air and able to drink tap water, but I never intended to stay here. I'm glad I'll have the chance to travel around a bit and learn some Spanish, but I like Thailand better and I have lots more friends there.
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Thanks for that, it is encouraging. I may be able to do "self assessment tax" whatever that is. Education, if there are some flexible schools like you say, then that's possible. I'm not likely to go to Samui, except maybe for a month or so, but maybe some of those schools would do Skype sessions if they are flexible. And, I saw somone posted a cheap AirAsia flight to Melbourne. That's always possible. Thanks again, jspill.
Melbourne doesn't ask for the employment requirement, and thankfullly it seems a bit more than anecdote as their own website doesn't state the residency or employment requirements either.
Consulates elsewhere have alternatives for the self-employed like a copy of self assessment tax.
It is officially 8 hrs/week for the Ed visa yes, in practice though is a different matter. Not sure about Chiang Mai but I know some Samui schools are still being very flexible. -
After 18 months living in Chiang Mai (I had back-to-back tourist visas July 2013 - Jan 2015), I left Thailand (for Ecuador) 12 months ago, hoping to wait out the visa silliness, and come back about mid-2016 when I hoped things would return to "normal," so to speak. But I've just now heard about these new requirements, and it seems it's harder for people like me ("digital nomad") to "live" in Thailand on a near-permanent basis, at least on tourist visas.
So, just to summarize my understanding of the new regulations, as a US citizen, I can still arrive on a 30-day tourist stamp, but if I want to stay in Thailand longer (e.g., 6 months, and get a METV, I must:
- Either go home or to a 3rd country Thai consulate (not Vientiane; and Melbourne is the closest Thai consulate anecdotally known to accept citizens of 3rd countries).
- Show bank balances with an average of over $7k USD (fluctuations acceptable) for the past 6 months.
- Have a letter from employer of some sort (stating what? That I am employed?).
If I can't meet the above (and I can't meet 2 of the 3--I'm self-employed but don't own a company)
- Somehow get a 1-year non-immigrant B visa (which I have heard isn't common). or
- Be willing to study Thai. Is it still 8 hours per week minimum?
Am I wrong on any these points? If no, any ideas or suggestions?
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Just keep it.
Ha! Why keep it if l'm leaving?
I agree it would be worth keeping if I remain in Thailand full-time, but I'm probably not going to, so I'd just as soon unload it rather than deal with keeping tabs on it when I'm not around.
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I really depends on your location...I'm in CM and I just put my 1 year old Nouvo for sale here for 43K...hope it will sell around this mark...
I am too, and will be very curious to know if you end up selling it for that--do you mind following up with us to say what it sells for? I'm still a few months from selling and leaving leave full-time residence in Thailand, so I won't be competing with you.
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Wantan, that's the kind of anecdote I was hoping for, thank you. With approaching 6000km, I doubt mine would be worth much--if any--more than the 38k you paid for yours, so it seems like 35-40k is the target range. Thanks for this information.
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Anybody have a sense of the used/resale value of these bikes? I'm thinking about selling my SX. Mag wheel version (bought for 59.5k iirc) . . . Aged 11.5 months, 5,700 km, great condition, no accidents.
Any idea what this would reasonably be worth if I sold it now?
35-40,000 Baht imo
Thanks for your answer. Given that I paid about 60k and the bike seems to be selling for 61k now, I was hoping 45,000 baht was a reasonable expectation for just 5700km, but if you're right, that's too much to wish for. I'd be taking a big depreciation hit, over 33% in less than one year. Maybe people don't want to buy used unless they can save at least 20k.Thanks for answering.
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Best Alternatives to Vientiane for a 2nd SETV in 2018? (& maybe 3rd)
in Thai Visas, Residency, and Work Permits
Posted
Okay thanks for that assessment. If HK is easy, would it be better to hold off on that, not do it in July but perhaps save it for October? Manila will be avoided. Since the semi-difficult places like Kuala Lumpur and Phnom Penh will presumably get only harder the longer I live here, wouldn't it be better to do one of those next (asap) and then postpone the easier places like HK, Saigon and the Laos locations until after I've been on too many SETVs and exhausted my other options?