riorobc023 Posted September 23, 2016 Share Posted September 23, 2016 Unfortunately we are no longer able to get a METV in MIAMI! So now i have to go about my days and think about doing visa runs every 3 months!! As an American where is the best place to travel to get a single entry tourist visa? I know malaysia i don't need a visa to enter as well as hong kong, although i don't know how the Thai Consulates are in that country. I've been to Laos, Vientienne and that was pretty damn busy. The next place i go i would like to explore the area around it thanks everyone 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
londoedan Posted September 23, 2016 Share Posted September 23, 2016 Consider Denpasar Bali - nice place to spend a few days and the Consulate there is rarely busy (in 4 visits, I've seen 2 other people). 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elviajero Posted September 23, 2016 Share Posted September 23, 2016 If you want to apply in Malaysia the best place is the Consulate in Penang. They don't require flight/hotel bookings etc. You can also use an agent (not expensive) if you don't want to spend time applying yourself. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riorobc023 Posted September 23, 2016 Author Share Posted September 23, 2016 1 hour ago, londoedan said: Consider Denpasar Bali - nice place to spend a few days and the Consulate there is rarely busy (in 4 visits, I've seen 2 other people). 1 hour ago, elviajero said: If you want to apply in Malaysia the best place is the Consulate in Penang. They don't require flight/hotel bookings etc. You can also use an agent (not expensive) if you don't want to spend time applying yourself. @londoedan - fantastic, thanks for the recommendation. Do they require flight/hotel booking? @elviajero - Thanks for the recommendation , i was originally planning to go to penang, and its definite that i need a thai consulate that doesnt require a flight/hotel booking! thanks guys 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elizabethay Posted September 23, 2016 Share Posted September 23, 2016 Great, very helpful! Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
londoedan Posted September 23, 2016 Share Posted September 23, 2016 Yes Denpasar ask for flights in and out, hotel bookings for at least a week and proof of funds in a bank account. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riorobc023 Posted September 23, 2016 Author Share Posted September 23, 2016 2 hours ago, londoedan said: Yes Denpasar ask for flights in and out, hotel bookings for at least a week and proof of funds in a bank account. Are there many other places alike penang/vientianne that don't ask for flights/bookings etc ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubonjoe Posted September 24, 2016 Share Posted September 24, 2016 10 hours ago, riorobc023 said: Unfortunately we are no longer able to get a METV in MIAMI! So now i have to go about my days and think about doing visa runs every 3 months!! You could apply by mail to the embassy in Washington DC. Send application by express mail with a prepaid express mail envelope for the return. 5 hours ago, riorobc023 said: Are there many other places alike penang/vientianne that don't ask for flights/bookings etc ? Savannakhet Laos or Hong Kong perhaps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riorobc023 Posted September 24, 2016 Author Share Posted September 24, 2016 25 minutes ago, ubonjoe said: You could apply by mail to the embassy in Washington DC. Send application by express mail with a prepaid express mail envelope for the return. Savannakhet Laos or Hong Kong perhaps. good to know, passport is already in the process of coming back to my house. next time i'll have to do that! thanks for the advice Joe. i'il have to get in about 6 months Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phuketrichard Posted September 24, 2016 Share Posted September 24, 2016 (edited) Kota Bharu, Penang ( use an agent) in Malaysia ...nothing needed other than a photo Yangon Anywhere in Laos Phnom Pehn ( use an agent) $50 2 nights or $65 next day and u can get 3 in a row ....nothing needed other than a photo Edited September 24, 2016 by phuketrichard 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BritTim Posted September 24, 2016 Share Posted September 24, 2016 Vientiane, Savannakhet, Penang, Kota Baru, Hong Kong, Yangon (SETV next day with just photo and money). Phnom Penh with an agent is OK, but takes longer. Most (all) locations will limit the number they will issue to the same applicant, though changing your passport will often reset their count, as they usually only look at your passport and do not use their system to check back (seemingly inconvenient). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ulic Posted September 24, 2016 Share Posted September 24, 2016 HCMC, (Saigon) Vietnam was fast, efficient and no problem. Cheap flights when booked in advance. 2,300 baht all in when I did the trip last May. Vietnam is cheap and interesting. Lots of reasonable options. Try them all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BritTim Posted September 24, 2016 Share Posted September 24, 2016 7 minutes ago, Ulic said: HCMC, (Saigon) Vietnam was fast, efficient and no problem. Cheap flights when booked in advance. 2,300 baht all in when I did the trip last May. Vietnam is cheap and interesting. Lots of reasonable options. Try them all. Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi are nice options at quiet consulates, and have the standard next day processing. However, they now have extra requirements (flights in and out of Thailand and, possibly, financial proof) that the locations I listed do not impose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThaiWai Posted September 24, 2016 Share Posted September 24, 2016 Is it not possible to get an METV elsewhere in the US if Miami won't provide one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubonjoe Posted September 24, 2016 Share Posted September 24, 2016 13 minutes ago, ThaiWai said: Is it not possible to get an METV elsewhere in the US if Miami won't provide one? The embassy in DC and the official consulates in New York, Chicago and Los Angles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riorobc023 Posted September 24, 2016 Author Share Posted September 24, 2016 10 hours ago, phuketrichard said: Kota Bharu, Penang ( use an agent) in Malaysia ...nothing needed other than a photo Yangon Anywhere in Laos Phnom Pehn ( use an agent) $50 2 nights or $65 next day and u can get 3 in a row ....nothing needed other than a photo 10 hours ago, BritTim said: Vientiane, Savannakhet, Penang, Kota Baru, Hong Kong, Yangon (SETV next day with just photo and money). Phnom Penh with an agent is OK, but takes longer. Most (all) locations will limit the number they will issue to the same applicant, though changing your passport will often reset their count, as they usually only look at your passport and do not use their system to check back (seemingly inconvenient). @phuketrichard Awesome thanks for your response! Why do you recommend using an agent as opposed to not? @BritTim Good to know thanks for that tid bit . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johpa Posted September 24, 2016 Share Posted September 24, 2016 On 9/23/2016 at 7:22 AM, elviajero said: If you want to apply in Malaysia the best place is the Consulate in Penang. Also great food options in Penang, including some world class Indian food. Penang use be one of two locations nearby to get any visa, the other being Kota Baru. Not sure if Penang retains the charm of yesteryear, but reports do indicate the food is still very good. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BritTim Posted September 24, 2016 Share Posted September 24, 2016 2 hours ago, riorobc023 said: @phuketrichard Awesome thanks for your response! Why do you recommend using an agent as opposed to not? @BritTim Good to know thanks for that tid bit . It is best to use an agent in Penang as (i) the consulate is inconveniently located and two return taxi fares costs more than am agent; and (ii) you can and it saves queuing in the hot sun. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riorobc023 Posted September 24, 2016 Author Share Posted September 24, 2016 Thank you once again to you both! Will keep kota baru in mind as well. @britTim could you recommend an agent / agency to use to help me out for this process? thanks! i'm not too keen in waiting out in the hot sun, its worse on me then others I'm sure of it ha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elviajero Posted September 24, 2016 Share Posted September 24, 2016 Jim's place https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jims-Place/151258461691517 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BritTim Posted September 24, 2016 Share Posted September 24, 2016 26 minutes ago, riorobc023 said: Thank you once again to you both! Will keep kota baru in mind as well. @britTim could you recommend an agent / agency to use to help me out for this process? thanks! i'm not too keen in waiting out in the hot sun, its worse on me then others I'm sure of it ha Personally, I stay in the Chulia Mansion Hotel (highly recommended) and use their recommended agent (30 MYR) who they will ask to come by the hotel if you like (or it is about a 5 minute walk to their premises). I do not the agent's address in front of me right now. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyone Posted September 24, 2016 Share Posted September 24, 2016 15 hours ago, ubonjoe said: The embassy in DC and the official consulates in New York, Chicago and Los Angles. I've had good luck with the consulate service in Los Angeles. Was missing a bank document with last visa app. Their visa section guy (Bernard Rhein) emailed me. I replied next day with the document. Two hours later got a reply informing me it was approved and scheduled for mail-out next day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phuketrichard Posted September 25, 2016 Share Posted September 25, 2016 5 hours ago, craftyone said: I've had good luck with the consulate service in Los Angeles. Was missing a bank document with last visa app. Their visa section guy (Bernard Rhein) emailed me. I replied next day with the document. Two hours later got a reply informing me it was approved and scheduled for mail-out next day. not really nearby Thailand LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riorobc023 Posted September 25, 2016 Author Share Posted September 25, 2016 On September 24, 2016 at 4:34 PM, craftyone said: I've had good luck with the consulate service in Los Angeles. Was missing a bank document with last visa app. Their visa section guy (Bernard Rhein) emailed me. I replied next day with the document. Two hours later got a reply informing me it was approved and scheduled for mail-out next day. Nice. Its unfortunate because even though i live about 30 minutes away from miami, i might have to consider DC next time. . When i did do METV in Miami not long ago they processed it in two days and sent it out, and got it the next day. Its taking longer this time because i applied on a thursday and the consulate is closed on saturday/sunday. So i should have it soon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
torrow Posted September 27, 2016 Share Posted September 27, 2016 What's the best travel options for Kota Bharu please? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BritTim Posted September 27, 2016 Share Posted September 27, 2016 (edited) 23 minutes ago, torrow said: What's the best travel options for Kota Bharu please? Probably best is to fly on Air Asia via Kuala Lumpur. It is also possible to take the train to the Thailand Malaysia border at Sungai Kolok, about an hour from Kota Bahru. The train is a looong trip. Your embassy probably also advises against it, because it goes through the restive Southern provinces. Edited September 27, 2016 by BritTim 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
torrow Posted September 27, 2016 Share Posted September 27, 2016 1 minute ago, BritTim said: Probably best is to fly on Air Asia via Kuala Lumpur. It is also possible to take the train to the Thailand Malaysia border at Sungai Kolok, about an hour from Kota Baru. The train is a looong trip. Is there a bus or van from Hat Yai? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BritTim Posted September 28, 2016 Share Posted September 28, 2016 On 9/27/2016 at 6:39 PM, torrow said: Is there a bus or van from Hat Yai? Yes. Less comfortable and more expensive than the train, but an option. Mostly, I would only take the bus if flying to Hat Yai and the timing was all wrong for the train. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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