YOUR COMPLETE GUIDE TO FILLING OUT THE NEW THAI EVISA APPLICATION FEBRUARY 2024
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- čas přidán 11. 02. 2024
- I originally posted this video in November, 2023 when the new evisa application became available. In that video I suggested that there were three alternatives for the ticket you could submit for an METV:
1. one-way ticket from your home country to Thailand (or a sequence of tickets from your home country to Thailand if you are making stops before you arrive in Thailand).
OR
2. round-trip ticket from your home country to Thailand and return from Thailand for your home country
OR
3. one-way ticket from your home country to Thailand plus an onward ticket from Thailand to another country.
Since publishing that video, I have gotten a number of comments from people who used alternatives 2 and 3 and had their visas denied. These people were asked by immigration to submit additional tickets.
I have concluded that alternative 1 is what Thai immigration wants. So, in this revised video, I state clearly that you should provide ONLY a one-way ticket (or sequence of tickets) from your home country to Thailand. It is risky to use alternative 2 or 3. I felt that this information is important enough to warrant a new version of the video.
And here is an important WARNING:
Viewer AIMasterClass told me that he applied to the Thai embassy in Vienna, Austria. He supplied only a one-way ticket to Thailand as I recommend in this video. The embassy sent an email asking for an additional ticket for his SECOND entry into into Thailand and for bank statements. I thought this was very strange, but you should be aware that SOME embassies may ask for more than a one-way ticket to Thailand and they MAY ask for bank statements (although this does not appear in the eVisa application). If this happens to you, please comment below. I will probably make a video about this.
--------------------------------
Without any announcement that I know of, Thai immigration has introduced a significantly simplified evisa application. Not only is this application simpler, but is also appears that the same application is now being used by all of the embassies/consulates, which was not the case in the past.
Please comment if you find any errors in the video.
FOR FAMILIES:
For families, each member of the family must fill out a separate application and obtain a separate visa. For item 3 of the supporting documents section, children don't have a drivers license, so, according to the NY Consulate, you can upload your drivers license instead.
Here are some useful links:
Countries for which evisa is supported:
www.thaiembassy.com/thailand-... (I can't guarantee the correctness of this list)
Countries for which visa exemption and visa-on-arrival are supported:
image.mfa.go.th/mfa/0/zE6021n...
Apply for e-visa: www.thaievisa.go.th
Apply for visa extension: • The Absolutely Complet...
Get a cheap throwaway onward ticket: • A Super Hack for your ...
Stay in Thailand for almost 9 months on an METV: • Stay In Thailand For A...
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Fantastic video! Very informative!
Thank you Echo Tango!
I would like to add that i am going there in 1 week for a 60 day tourism visit, staying at my girlfriends house visiting her. I submitted on your recommendation from earlier videos the closest i have to a drivers license, a regular ID Card picture as proof of my current location, and i submitted a letter of invitation. To my suprise it worked and i recieved the 60 day visa within 48h here in sweden.
Hi Anders, yes, they will definitely accept a state-issued ID if you don't have a drivers license. 48 hours is pretty fast! Congratulations... and happy travels!
godsend video, literally no other person on the internet addresses some of this information. Great guide
Lense, Thank you so much!!! ...Bob
@@robertsultan2550 do you think the multi entry visa is worth it? I do want to stay in thailand as long as possible, but it only lasts for 6 months? cant i just do border runs with the single entry also?
also after my 6 month multi entry expires, can i just apply for another one no problem?
@@lenseofficial Good question. You can stay for nearly 9 months on the METV. The trick is to re-enter Thailand just before your METV expires. As long as you get stamped in while the METV is still valid, you can stay for the two months indicated by the entry stamp... and then you can extend by another 30 days. So, you get nearly 9 months. see czcams.com/video/CQ9bGAckxbA/video.html
If you get an SETV, then you must leave after 90 days, and you can't re-enter on that SETV. You would have to re-enter on a visa exemption. Immigration has been cracking-down on the use of these visa exemptions for long stays in Thailand. So, definitely, for you, the METV is the best way to go. No question about it....
When your METV expires, you can apply immediately for another, but you MUST travel to Thailand from your home country... so you can't just go to a neighboring country... hope that helps... Bob
@@robertsultan2550 absolute legend, thanks so much mate
Very clear & complete, Robert. Thanks!
Thank you Anthony, I was really trying to capture everything I've learned in one video... happy travels... Bob
Hi, Robert! What a mess. I came down with food poisoning this week so I was unable to take my return flight to JFK
on Thursday. And worse still, I am now overstaying my METV. I've been told that I should go Thai Immigration prior to my departure date, pay the fine & clear everything up but I'm not clear where to go. Comments?@@robertsultan2550
Thanks Bob. A useful update as usual. When I flew into Bangkok from the UK with my METV the immigration officer asked to see my boarding pass as well as my e-visa. He stamped me in with 60 days and wrote the flight number and 'e-visa' on the entry stamp in the passport.
That's interesting. I checked my passport and, sure enough, next to the stamp, the agent wrote my arriving flight number and the number of the passport page that contains my retirement visa. I never noticed this before... Bob
Did they ask you for a return ticket?
@@marynarkwNo.
Thankyou. Problems uploading. Malaysia has such an easy entry, i find this frustrating.
Hi Kevin, what problem did you have uploading? I haven't gotten many comments about people having problems uploading, particularly since the Thai eVisa improvements of September 2023. How did you resolve the problem? This info may help others. all the best... Bob
Thank you Rob, this was super helpful. Id like to note though that I applied for a Multiple Entry tourist visa from sydney, I sent them the one way ticket from here in the application, however I also emailed them to ask if a one way ticket is okay. They replied that I need a return ticket, so I sent them that by email and they approved me (it took about 9 working days). Yay!! Hope that helps someone. Really glad you are doing this Rob
Hi Sabbe, It's great that you got the METV, but my recommendation to everyone is that for an METV, you just supply the one-way ticket. If you hadn't asked, they would have just accepted the one-way ticket without question. They only asked for the return ticket because you asked them. Normally, on an METV, they just want the one-way ticket... and if they ever want more from you they will ask for it by email... it't best not to volunteer anything extra... but I'm VERY happy that this worked out well for you... next METV, try just sending them the one-way ticket... there won't be a problem... all the best!!! ....Bob
@@robertsultan2550 One way tickets are much more expensive than the return ones. So how do you separate a return ticket (e.g. Emirates) so you send them just one way ticket?
@@marynarkw What a great question! In general, yes, a round trip is cheaper than buying two one-way tickets. In some cases, like JAL I found individual cases where this wasn't true, but on an airline like Emirates, it is true. When I'm getting an METV, I'm planning to stay at least 8 months to get the most out of my visa. I generally don't know exactly when I'm returning to the US, or what airport in Thailand I'll want to fly from. So, for me, I would not want to lock myself into a return ticket even if it's cheaper. However, on some airlines, the return ticket can be changed for a reasonable fee. I still prefer to buy the tickets separately.
But, let's say you really do know exactly when you want to return, and you want to return from the same airport where you arrived, maybe BKK. Then you could save money, maybe a lot of money, by buying the round trip. In my experience, if immigration sees your return ticket with the METV application, they will immediately see a red flag. From their perspective, you are saying that you plan to remain in Thailand for 8 months. They expect you to leave Thailand within 90 days (and return to Thailand). So, you are telling them that you are planning to overstay the visa. This is crazy, of course, but this is what they think. They will then ask you for an additional ticket to prove that you are leaving Thailand within 90 days. It opens a big can of worms. Quite a number of people have experienced this.
Or, as you suggest, you could show only the portion of your r/t ticket that is your flight TO Thailand. I looked at some old r/t tickets that I had to see if this is possible. I'd say YES. The ticket is generally a .pdf. If you have a .pdf editor, I think you could simply delete the portion of the ticket that shows the return. Nowhere on the tickets that I looked at does it say that it is a round trip. So, I'd say that you could delete the portion of the file that describes the return. Immigration might verify your ticket via the airline databases, so there is some risk, but I think you'll be okay. You could even take a screen shot of just the portion of the ticket that describes the trip TO Thailand. You could submit this .jpg. So, looking at r/t tickets that I've bought in the past, I think you could easily edit the file so it looks like a one-way ticket to Thailand.
But, for me, I like to keep it simple. I always buy the one-way ticket to Thailand. I'm willing to pay the extra money for the flexibility of my return and avoiding any red flags on the eVisa application.
If you prefer buying the r/t and don't want to edit the file as I described, I would include with my application a cheap onward ticket to a neighboring country dated within 90 days of your arrival.
And, this advice changes if you're applying to the Rome or Vienna embassies. They will ask for a second ticket TO Thailand as proof that you actually need a MULTIPLE entry visa. In that case, you should probably supply a r/t ticket to a neighboring country within the 90 days (in addition to your ticket from your home country to Thailand).
Hope this helps. I should really do a video on this question. All the best... Bob
Okay, so your my new guide to Thailand :)!!!! Is there a visa agent that you recommend using in Thailand?
Yes, I used TMT visa in Phuket and was very satisfied with them. But I don't know about agents in other locations. www.tmtvisaservicephuket.com Maybe others seeing this can recommend agents in other locations... good luck! ...Bob
Robert, first off, as a fellow (American) blogger/ videographer, kudos on creating a very clear video on a very convoluted and confusing subject. A few questions please: We are NOW in Vietnam, coming to Thailand July 25 from Hanoi. For the Single Entry Tourist visa, when it says “location,” can we still use this E-Tourist visa if we are coming from Vietnam and NOT the US? We are full time nomads and rarely go home. We have a reservation in Pattaya for a 90 day stay, so our plan was to get the 60 days and then the 30 day extension. Thanks in advance. I can tell you really take your position seriously based on your responsiveness.
Thank you Norm for your very kind words! Now the bad news... Unfortunately, the eVisa requires that you supply a ticket from your HOME country to Thailand. You have two options. The first is that you could go to a Thai embassy/consulate in Vietnam, or go to a visa agent, and apply for a single entry tourist visa the old-fashioned way. I haven't done this myself, but I believe you can do it. You should be able to get 90 days (60 + 30) that way. The other alternative is to enter Thailand from Vietnam on a 30 day visa exemption, get a 30 day extension, then leave Thailand and return to get another visa exemption. You increase the chances of this working if you stay out of Thailand for a few nights when you do this. You are likely to get a warning not to use another visa exemption this year, but you should be able to get in this way. Doing the crossings by air also helps. If you can get the visa in Vietnam, that's probably simpler and safer. If you do this, let me know how it goes... and let me know if you have more questions about this... good luck! ...Bob
@@robertsultan2550 Boo, but I promise not to shoot the messenger! We’ve hit 43 countries since we left the US in 2019, and Asia is such a PAIN with visas! We just left Malaysia, and they recently eliminated the need for Americans to get a visa, thank God, and the Vietnam process has become much more user friendly. Anyway, thank you again for the guidance and also for your expediency. We looked at the option to go to the Thai Embassy, they only have one, in Hanoi, and we were thinking to go there the last few weeks before we go if necessary. If we have a good shot at getting the visa in 10 days or less, then it’s not such a bloody nuisance. Your idea of just staying for 60 days, doing the 30 day to start, and getting an extension makes sense. Can we get an extension at the beginning, ie, our first few days in Thailand? I am “assuming” that extra 30 days plugs into the end. And I promise this is the last question! asknormb@gmail.com if that is easier.
@@TravelYounger I think you'll be fine doing the second exemption. And yes, you can get the extension as soon as you arrive in Thailand (unfortunately, there's no way to get it at the airport). The rule is that you can get an extension as long as there's less than 45 days days left on your current stamp-in. So, with a 30 day exemption, you can get the extension immediately. And it doesn't matter when you get the extension, you still get a full sixty days (30 + 30)... have fun... Bob
@@robertsultan2550 Thanks again, Bob, that is exactly what we will do.
Thank you Rob. Very clear and helping. I was just wondering for people like me that already have a room rented in Thailand (with the TM30), how does it work to declare ? I came back for a few weeks in my country and still have my contract valid. What do you recommend to specify ? Can I upload my TM30 without any risks ? I mean, I leaved without noticing my room owner, i'm wondering if this can conclude in any issues. If so, I can upload a friend residence and have an invitation letter if needed. Best
Hi DCM, I wouldn't provide the TM-30. A TM-30 is really only valid while you are staying at a property, so it might raise a red flag to immigration if you supplied a TM-30 but weren't actually staying at the property (while in your home country). I would just indicate on the eVisa form that you are staying at a residence, supply the name of the owner of the property with contact info if you have it, and the address of the property. You could upload the contract if it has this info. I don't think an invitation letter is needed. I'm pretty sure you should be okay but immigration will ask you for additional info if they want it. ...I think that should work for you.... all the best... Bob
@@robertsultan2550 Thank you very much Rob. I will not mention about any TM30. I have an additional question regarding the delay of deliverance of the METV : do you have any insights of the average time that it takes ? I'm french by the way. Best.
@@mdcm5586 Based on what I've been seeing in the comments, I'd say that most people are getting approvals within two weeks. It does depend on the particular embassy/consulate. The NY consulate generally approves visas within a few days, but other embassies are slower. I'd say that 2 weeks is pretty safe, 3 weeks very safe... good luck... Bob
Single tickets are much more expensive than return.
Anyone knows how to separate return ticket (Emirates ) so I will show Immigration only my way to Thailand during a METV evisa application?
Hi Mary, I was going to make a video about your question and I noticed that my answer to this question disappeared so I'll try to recreate it.
Yes, in general two one-way tickets cost more than a round-trip. On Emirates that difference can be quite large. On JAL I found no real difference. I generally get one-way tickets because I don't want to be locked into a return date, particularly when that return might be eight months out. I also don't like being locked into a return airport.
But many people do know the date and airport of their return and want to purchase a round-trip between their home country and Thailand. I have been suggesting strongly that those applying for an METV supply only a one-way ticket to Thailand. If immigration sees a return ticket dated more than 90 days after your arrival, they infer that you are planning to stay more than 90 days in Thailand. That is, you are planning to overstay your visa. That's crazy, of course, as you will be doing border runs every 90 days, but many people have discovered that their METV will be denied on this basis.
If you do submit a round-trip ticket, you could also submit an inexpensive ticket from Thailand to a neighboring country, dated within 90 days of your arrival, to show that you are leaving within 90 days.
Note that the Rome and Vienna embassies are an exception. They want you to supply a ticket to Thailand, plus a second ticket to Thailand (this can be from a neighboring country). I believe they do this as a demonstration that you do need an METV (versus an SETV) because you are making a second entry into Thailand. This is a particularly silly requirement.
If you do purchase a round-trip ticket, it would be reasonable to just provide immigration with your ticket TO Thailand, but not the return, assuming that the two are easily separable . You are generally supplying the ticket as a .pdf emailed to you by the airline or agent. Looking at some of my old tickets, it is certainly possible to edit the .pdf with a .pdf editor, to show only the ticket to Thailand. No place on the tickets I looked at did it actually say that it was a round-trip ticket. So yes, you could edit the .pdf to provide only the ticket TO Thailand. There is some possibility that immigration would use the ticket number to actually look up your ticket in a database of flights. So, they could determine that you actually purchased a round-trip. It seems unlikely to me, however, that they would check. If it was me, I would try this.
I hope this helps, and I'm going to put together a quick video on this.... all the best... Bob
Thank you for the effort you put into making this video. I have another question. I do not live in my home country (Iraq), but I am a resident and living in another country (Libya). I will be traveling to the Philippines with my family for vacation and we are planning to travel to Thailand from the Philippines. My wife and children have no problem with the visa issue, as there are Filipino citizens, I applied for the e-visa from the country I live in (Libya) but unfortunately it was cancelled? For your information, I did not submit my ticket from Libya to the Philippines, I only attached my ticket from the Philippines to Thailand! Could this be the reason why my order was cancelled?
Hi Omar, I'm sorry this happened to you. Yes, the ticket you submit must be from the country where you apply (Libya) to Thailand. A ticket from Libya to the Philippines plus a ticket from the Philippines to Thailand is acceptable. Thai immigration doesn't care how long you stop in the Philippines. So, I'm pretty sure this is the reason why you were denied. You could try resubmitting with the two tickets. When I tried submitting as if I'm from Libya, it told me to submit to the Thai embassy in Rome. I'm assuming this is where you submitted. I hope this works out for you... all the best... Bob
Factually calm and detailed video explained, great!
...At the E-Visa website it seems not to be possible to change the email-adress. Changing password etc. works, but not the email adress (at the top, right: "Individual" - "Account information" - "Profile information" - "Edit")
Is it necessary to create a new account if I want to safe my new email adress? Or could it make problems to have two accounts while ordering a new e-visa later? There are no solutions about that problem in the net.
hello DailyNetUser, yes, I believe that you can't change the email address on the account. Just create a new account using the new email address. I don't believe that you will have ANY problem doing this. Each eVisa application is processed distinctly so the embassy/consulate to which you apply won't be confused. Thai immigration does maintain a database with details of all your visits and visas, but that database is not associated with your eVisa account. It is associated with your passport information. That's the database that they check when you enter Thailand. So, no worries, create an account with your new email address and you will be able to submit new visa applications... all the best... Bob
@@robertsultan2550 Hello Bob, thank you very much for your useful competently informations! ...Best wishes from Germany :)
@@dailyNetUser You're very welcome! enjoy your travels!...Bob
Great video. I question the METV stay process. How to stay 9 months when your visa expires 6 months. I emailed a visa contact which said. Each time you enter the country you get a 60-day stamp which can be extended for an extra 30 days at the local immigration. If you play this well you can indeed stay up to 9 months in the country. I asked him about going to immigration 1 time at end of 6 months. He did not understand. Below is what I found for 2 option.An example of nearly 9 months. Stamped in with your first 60 days (then exit and return), now another 60 days (exit and return), another 60 days (exit and return before ‘Enter Before’ date) then apply at the Thai immigration office for an extension.
Above you left the country 3 times and extended once at immigration. Is there 2 options to get 9 months. Thank you.
Hi Cindy, and here's how to do it. czcams.com/video/CQ9bGAckxbA/video.html but what you described sounds correct. You can stay ALMOST 9 months. The 'almost' is needed because the METV expiration date of an METV is 180 days from that date that the visa is issued, not the date that you arrive in Thailand. So, if you enter Thailand ten days after the visa is issued, you can get around 9 months minus ten days. It's a great deal... enjoy.... Bob
Hi Robert. Do you need the TM30 form to extend the visa? I’ve heard different things. Thanks.
Hi R D, normally you don't need the TM.30 form to extend, BUT a TM.30 must have been filed for you by the owner of the place where you are staying. If you're staying at a hotel, hostel, or guesthouse, this is done for you for the length of your stay by the owner without you even knowing. There's an app or a website for the owner to do this reporting online. If you're staying at a private residence or an AirBnB or similar, you want to make sure that the owner HAS filed the TM.30 on your behalf. When you extend, immigration checks online to see it a TM.30 has been filed on your behalf. If it hasn't, they will send you back to the owner of the residence to have them submit the TM.30. I once stayed at a guesthouse where the owner had forgotten to do the reporting. I had to go back to the guesthouse and have the owner fill out the online TM.30 form. If the owner normally fills out PAPER TM.30 forms, and he hasn't done this, he could fill out a paper TM.30 and you could bring it with you to immigration with your application for the extension.
But, the short answer is that you don't need to submit a TM.30 with the application for extension. All the best... Bob
@@robertsultan2550 Thank you!
@@RD-om3nj You're welcome... all the best! ...Bob
Hi bob, I have a METV and are leaving to go to Cambodia tomorrow! Do I need to do anything for reentry into Thailand e.g a re-entry permit or a printed copy of my METV is sufficient!
Thanks,
Sam
Hi Sam, No, all you need is the printed copy of your METV and your passport. (Re-entry permits are not needed for tourist visas, I have a retirement visa, so I must have a re-entry permit when I re-enter Thailand). ...have a great time in Cambodia. I'm a big fan of Siem Reap and Angkor Wat... happy travels... Bob
@@robertsultan2550 great thank you. We are going to Siem reap and are going to Angkor wat as well!
@@robertsultan2550seriously? My goodness Bob! What I’m learning from your channel is absolutely priceless! That’s almost 4K thb saved! I was sure I needed a re entry permit with the METV!
@@kohtime Hey! Great! If you see me walking around in Thailand (it happens), you can buy me a beer... enjoy! ....Bob
@@robertsultan2550 sounds fair to me :) I like you’re thinking Bob!
what are the fees for different types of visas?
multiple entry, etc
Hi David, I should put this in the description. It's $40 US for the Single Entry Visa and $200 for the Multiple Entry. The Multiple entry is expensive but it allows you to come and go as you please, and you can stretch it out to almost 9 months czcams.com/video/CQ9bGAckxbA/video.html. Enjoy... Bob
Thanks for the vid I followed and got my METV back within 1 working day. I never added an onward flight as suggested, would you recommend getting a disposable onward ticket for immigration?
HI RD, Congrats on the fast visa. Do not get a disposable onward ticket for immigration. They definitely won't ask you for this if you have an METV, and if you show them a disposable ticket, you may create complications. So, you're good to go. Have fun! ...Bob
@@robertsultan2550Nice one, thanks!
@@robertsultan2550 Nice one, thanks! Is the visa the letter they sent in the email? It doesn’t look very visa-ish...
@@RD-om3nj It's not the email itself, there's an attachment. You want to print the attachment. Have fun... Bob
Yes they can ask you for a return ticket. They asked me.
Hey again bob, quick question... When I extend my METV in chiang mai later this year after the inital 60 days for the extra 30 days should I visit the immigration on the last day? I heard whatever day you extend its 30 days from the day you go immigration? I thought it would just add onto your 60 days. slightly confused.
Hi Connor, I can answer this question definitely. It absolutely doesn't matter what day you go to immigration. The stamp you get will be for 30 days after the expiration of your 30 day stamp. So, there's no penalty for doing it early. The only restriction is that you can't get an extension if you have more than 45 days left on your current stamp. So, when you get stamped in for 60 days, you need to wait for 15 days before you apply for the extension. But, the date you go to immigration does not affect the expiration date of your extension. It's always 30 days after the expiration date of your 60 day stamp. Enjoy... Bob
@@robertsultan2550 Once again Bob thanks for the crystal clear information ✌️ appreciate everything you do.
@@connormackay4901 Hey Connor, thanks so much!!!
@@robertsultan2550 Hi Bob, have you seen these sudden changes in Visas coming into effect from the 1st June? I'll be awaiting your video explaining everything 😂 Hope you're well my friend! Connor..!
@@connormackay4901 Hey Connor, thanks for the heads up! I knew nothing about this. Looks like the big change is that visa exemption will be 60 days instead of the current 30 days (that's pretty big!), and there are similar improvements for visa on arrival. But it also looks like a bunch of changes in other types of visas. I guess I'll have to start looking at this. I just arrived back in the US for my yearly visit and am very jet-lagged. I already want to be back in the land of smiles... thanks again for letting me know... stay tuned for the video... all the best... Bob
Hi Rob i would like to let my dates open i'm not sure when i will travel exactly is it possible to choose for example from 1 june to 1 sep and for single entry or i have to select fixed dates lessa than 30 days stay period ! Thanks in advance
Hi Diaa. The single entry visa allows you to stay for 60 days and it can be extended another 30 days once you are in Thailand. BUT you need to have your ticket before applying for the visa, so the departure and return dates are generally fixed. However, it your dates change (and you have a changeable ticket) Immigration doesn't care exactly when you arrive. So, you can change your arrival and departure dates. You will still get stamped in for 60 days (extendable by another 30 days) when you arrive. So, you can change dates if your ticket allows this. If you're staying less than 60 days, you could consider just arriving on a visa exemption and then you are completely flexible. The visa exemption is discussed in the video... let me know if you have further questions... all the best... Bob
Thank you Rob for quick response and your informations , keep going we are waiting your videos
@@diaamonir6350 Hey, Thanks!!!
I mistakenly submitted 2 applications, I went ahead and paid for 1. How do I delete the other one?
Hi Edwin, you don't really need to delete it. They don't consider an application 'submitted' until it is paid for (in spite of what the screens say). But, if you haven't paid for it yet, you can delete it. Just login and go to the 'dashboard'. You should see the application that hasn't yet been paid for. Just click on the tiny box to the left of this application, and click on the icon of the trash can that is on the right. Let me know if you have any problem doing this and I can provide more specific info. But the easiest alternative is just to do nothing. They won't look at an application that hasn't been paid for, and it will eventually be automatically deleted... all the best... Bob
For single entry E-Visa Would be ok submit at point 4. Travel Booking the one-way thicket and as return the throwaway onward thicket?
Hi Mauro, That's exactly right. You provide a one-way ticket from. your home country to Thailand, plus a ticket from Thailand to any other country (an onward ticket). You don't need to actually use that onward ticket. good luck... Bob
@robertsultan2550 But if the onward ticket last only 48 hours even if I apply the visa uploading the thicket on my application the same day, If the Embassy process it after 48 hours they will see on the website of the airlines that thicket doesn't exist anymore.... some embassy take long before to start to process the visa....
@@user-rs1fc4rp3w Hi! Traditionally, 'throwaway ticket' is a real ticket, generally to a neighboring country like Laos or Cambodia, that is cheap enough that you may not really use it (that is, you might throw it away). But it's a real ticket. That's what you should provide to immigration as your onward ticket.
What you get from bookonwardticket.com is more like a 'vanishing ticket'. I would never send a vanishing ticket to immigration. The vanishing ticket is good to use when you need something immediately and no one will look at it the next day. So, you get to the border entering Thailand overland from Laos. At the border, they ask to see an onward ticket to show that you will be leaving thailand. You could show them a vanishing ticket from bookonwardticket.com and you should be okay. They won't be looking at it tomorrow. The most common use is when you get to the airport going to Thailand, and the airline says that you need an onward ticket (air canada has done this). You can get a $10 ticket from bookonwardticket.com and show them this. But, I would never actually send a vanishing ticket to immigration with a visa application. So, you're absolutely correct, never send a vanishing ticket to immigration, provide an inexpensive, but real, onward ticket... it's a good point for others to note... all the best... Bob
Oh Ok ! A bus ticket would be fine as a thicket to exit from Thailand? @@robertsultan2550
A BUS ticket to leave the country would be ok to complete the E-Visa application? @@robertsultan2550
Im very sure a Document indicating your current location is a selfie of you in front of a local store/government building or similair, proving that you physically in your home country when submitting the visa application. A picture of your drivers license do not prove that you are physically in your home country at the time of application.
Anders, no they are very clear that they want your drivers license. They don't care if you're in your home country at the time of your application. You can be anywhere in the world. But the application contains a ticket from your HOME COUNTRY to Thailand, so they know that you are traveling from your home country. The only time you should submit anything other than your drivers license is if you don't have one. In that case, they will accept a document like a lease or a deed that has the address of your residence. But, a drivers license or other state issued ID is what they want. They use it to determine whether you are applying to the correct consulate/embassy. In the US, for example, the drivers license indicate your state of residence, and that determines which of the four consulates/embassy to which you should submit your application... happy travels... Bob
@@robertsultan2550 I submitted a letter from my local doctors surgery with my address on.
I have three children who I’m also applying for their visas.. since they obviously don’t have driver’s licenses or IDs, would their passports suffice? I’ve researched but can’t find any info on this.. Thank you for your time!
Hello Woman. I forgot to put this information in the video, so I put it in the description of the video above:
FOR FAMILIES:
For families, each member of the family must fill out a separate application and obtain a separate visa. For item 3 of the supporting documents section, children don't have a drivers license, so, according to the NY Consulate, you can upload your drivers license instead.
Hope that helps. I'm sure your kids will have a great time... all the best... Bob
thank you so much! extremely helpful!
@@robertsultan2550
Is it still possible for a U.S. citizen to get a single entry tourist visa in a country adjacent to Thailand? I did that every 90 days from 2014 to 2018 and never had a problem with Thai immigration.
Hi Jason, I haven't done this myself, but I believe you can still do this. I always pictured that is was a bit of a hassle getting the Thai visa in a neighboring country, but if you've done this in the past, I'm guessing it's not bad. However, if you know in advance that you'll be doing this, it does seem easier to start out with an METV obtained via evisa in the US. You would still need to do the border runs every 90 days, but you wouldn't need to visit the Thai embassy in the neighboring country. If you did this, you could stay close to 9 months on the METV (with a couple of border runs) czcams.com/video/CQ9bGAckxbA/video.html
But, the simple answer to your question is yes. As far as I know you can still do this... enjoy! ...Bob
The problem with this Evisa stuff is, it's done online. Most of us older folks like me just cannot get through the pages and pages of requirements, and then add upload and downloading to many of the questions, and I'm completely lost. It is easier to just get the automatic 30 exempt visa on arrival and then extend it after you get there at IT Square Laksi Plaza and arrive early around 8:00 AM. I think too much is ending up online. Most of my life I did without it,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Hi Dan, I'm going to push back a bit. I'm 76 and I do not find the new application difficult to understand. Most folks my age, and a bit older still have all their marbles and don't have a problem with this kind of information. The new application is also MUCH simpler. Filing online is also easier that the old way of assembling paper applications and sending immigration your physical passport in a self-addressed envelope. I find the online application to be so much easier than the alternatives.
Yes, if you're coming to Thailand for 60 days or less, then a visa exemption plus an extension is certainly a good way to go, but the days of staying in Thailand on repeated visa exemptions are over. Immigration will no longer allow you to do this repeatedly via border runs. You can get away with it once or twice but they have been cracking down... all the best... Bob
Well I went back to a flip phone because I had a Samsung Galaxy S10e and the battery needed to be replaced in 6 months. But you half to hire someone to put the battery in because they glue it together and also glue the battery in the phone. After having that done a week later it crashed and stop working. But I liked where I could just travel to Portland and go to the Royal Thai Honorary Consulate General and they would just stamp your passport. During Covid we tried to use the Evisa website and after a couple hours we just had to give up on that,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,@@robertsultan2550
When I tried to apply for evisa from Cambodia, it said I need to switch to a country that support the facility or something to that effect. So, I just went ahead and switch to my home country. I'm now in Thailand. The only supporting documents I showed them is copy of the evisa, copy of the return ticket and copy of my bus ticket.
Hi Edwin, so it sounds like you come from a country for which visa exemption is supported, but you were physically in Cambodia. You submitted your eVisa application to the embassy/consulate in your home country and you supplied a bus ticket from Cambodia to Thailand, instead of a ticket from your home country to Thailand. I'm surprised your eVisa was approved. Normally they require a ticket from your home country to Thailand. I think you got lucky. Most often this would be denied. I think it shows that it's worth trying these things to see what immigration will do. Thanks for letting me know about this. All the best... Bob
@@robertsultan2550 I was going to just buy another onward ticket from the US to Cambodia and tell them US does not stamp you citizens back in on arrival
@@edwinodus I want to make sure I understand. You submitted the eVisa application to a Thai embassy/consulate in the US (your home country) and you provided a ticket from the US to Cambodia plus a bus ticket from Cambodia to Thailand. You happened to have been in Cambodia when you did this. This is perfectly valid, and they approved this. But, you only actually used the bus ticket from Cambodia to Thailand, since you were in Cambodia. And you're right, I just returned to the US a few days ago for a brief visit, and they did not stamp my passport. i always wondered if doing this would work, and you have now demonstrated that it does! Nicely done! ...Bob
@@robertsultan2550 No, I was going to present an onward ticket from the US if they had ask before approving my evisa because I picked the Cambodia land border
@@edwinodus So, you're saying that your home country is the US, and you submitted your eVisa application to an embassy/consulate in the US, but you didn't give them a ticket from the US to Thailand? Is that right? I'm really surprised they approved this. Normally they really want to see a ticket from your home country to Thailand. It's interesting. If this really works, it's certainly a good way to get the benefits of an eVisa without having to return to your home country. If anyone reading this comment has done something similar, let me know... all the best... Bob
I am dreading the e-visa process due to the following: in both '22 and '23 I applied for visas for me and my wife. In '22, we had to reapply (losing the $$), due to the inclusion of a Zero (0) in place of an "O" in our last names. I bit the bullet and reapplied, carefully documenting each step with screenshots. Those applications were successful. In '23, wary, I documented the process with screenshots, but also determined that it was, in fact, impossible for a zero to be inputted. Those applications were rejected, so, again, we lost money and had to reapply. I called the LA consulate, but got no explanation or recourse, of course. So we'll see if this year's applications will go through the first time.
Hi Mike, I think you wrote to me earlier about the 'zero' problem. My guess is that if this was the NY consulate, they would have just corrected the problem. I lived on the west coast for a while and used the LA consulate. They are not as responsive as the other consulates. I think you may have better luck this year. With the new simplified application form I'm hearing fewer stories like yours... so good luck, and keep me posted on what happens... all the best... Bob
@@robertsultan2550 I don't recall ever discussing my e-visa history online, but my 82-yr old memory is fallible! Thanks for your response, and I will note how things will go once done in October. Thanks, again.
@@Mikermacleod In that case, someone else had exactly the same problem with zero vs. the letter 'O', which is quite likely. Interesting... all the best... Bob
I thought you had to show evidence of financial stability for six previous months for METV application? Got a little caught up on this as I thought the address details needed to be on my bank statements
Hi Kohtime, they dropped all financial requirements when they revised the application in September, 2023. You don't need to supply any bank statements now. So, that should be good news.... enjoy... Bob
@@robertsultan2550 would you happen to know if that applies to the Uk application? Its a bit of a minefield
@@kohtime Yes, this DOES apply to the UK application. No longer any requirement for bank statements. So... this makes life easier... all the best... Bob
@@robertsultan2550 thank you so much Bob! Absolute life saver :)
On a separate note I am re-entering Thailand on the 14 Feb from Malaysia by crossing the land border at Padang Besar. I will present my METV as usual which expires on the 18 Feb. Fingers crossed there are no issues as it's within date and therefore still valid.
Hi BB. This is of interest to me as I may do the same route. If you would I'd like to know how you got on at Padang Besar please. Also did you print out your metv or just show the email version? Cheers
@@robmanabouttown3298 All went ok at the border crossing. It's quite a busy station with travellers going both directions. There was quite a long wait to cross into Thailand at the time due to some issue with the Thailand bound train or the availability of immigration staff (or both!). It was never made clear. The train to Hat Yai cost 50 Baht or the equivalent in Malaysian Ringit - cash only. There were buses or minivans available at Pedang Besar station that took you across the land border / immigration crossing and onto mainly Hat Yai and a few other places (can't remember the cost). Tickets were being sold from small stands within the station. If you're taking the train to Bangkok make sure you book your tickets well in advance as they are normally sold out. Don't get to Pedang Besar expecting to buy a ticket on the day to Bangkok. Good luck.
Thanks BB. Did you show a print out of the metv or just the digital version?
On a side note.... Where I used to work they called me BillyBob or BB 🤣🤣
@@robmanabouttown3298 I showed them the printout of the METV. I always carry hardcopies with me otherwise your passport and phone disappears into the booth and I'd rather keep my phone with me. I'm sure they only want to see a hardcopy. The people in front of me were entering visa exempt and they were having to scan their fingerprints. However the immigration officer did not ask me to scan my fingerprint. I asked why and he pointed at the visa and said a few words in Thai, so I moved on. I entered 14 Feb with a 60 day stamp and an exit date of 13 Apr.
Do you need to have 200,000 thb in bank for the Metv thanks.
Hi Warrior... no, you don't need any money in the bank. For an METV, there are no longer any questions. about your bank account. ...all the best... Bob
Thank you so much bob. Are you always about in Thailand as I would like to meet up one time and get you to help me with the extension and other bit. Was thinking of staying in pattaya but might change my mind and go to Krabi or Phuket thanks
@@WarriorWatchClips Hi Warrior. I do spend most of the year in Thailand. I've been spending most of my time in Phuket because I've been taking Thai classes at a language school in Patong. But, I also spend time in Bangkok, Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan and other places in Thailand. Personally, I like Phuket better than Krabi or Pattaya (I've been to all these places). Send a message when you get here and if we're in the same place, we can meet up. I've actually met several of my subscribers. Interestingly, none of these meeting were planned, people just recognized me from the videos... all the best, and enjoy your travels... Bob
what if im going to stay in a gym? can i put their address and everything ? or should i lie saying that i stay in a hotel and then im going to the gym? i dont think the gym gonna make a paper if i say that i stay on private property. thanks
Hi Tenone. For the 'accommodation type' specify 'private residence ' or maybe 'dormitory' if the gym has dormitory style sleeping. Then provide the information the form asks for. BUT, you must make sure that the gym files a form TM.30 with immigration covering the length of your stay. You can't do this yourself, the gym must do it when you arrive. If the TM.30 isn't filed, you and/or the gym could get into trouble. I don't think the gym will have a problem filing the TM.30. This is the same procedure you must follow if you stay at someone's house or an AirBnB.
Lying about the hotel stay won't get you anything. Thai immigration knows that you are in Thailand after you arrive and they will expect to see a TM.30 report for every night you stay. If you stay in a hotel, hostel, or guesthouse, this is done for you. You don't even know about it. If you lie about staying at a hotel, immigration will know because they won't see a TM.30 for your stay.
So, just have the gym submit the TM.30 for you. I suspect they've run into this before. If the gym won't do the TM.30, I suggest getting a really cheap room at a hostel so the hostel can do the TM.30 reporting for you.
Let me know if you have more questions about this... all the best... Bob
@@robertsultan2550 do they need to do it before I arrive ?
@@tenone8076 It's normally done within 24 hours of your arrival. I'm not sure it can be done in advance. But, you should make sure ahead of time that they are willing to do this, and that they know how to do this. They can file a paper TM.30 form with local immigration or it can be done with an app. It's not difficult for them to do. And, I think immigration will give them a grace period if they have any difficulties filing. Immigration just wants to catch people who stay for a long time but don't report their presence.... Bob
@@robertsultan2550 yes I understand, I already sent them a message. Thanks for your help bob 🙏
@@tenone8076 You're very welcome. If you're staying at a gym, I'm guessing that you're going to be working on your Muay Thai. Good luck to you! ...Bob
I can only agree with the previous comments: thank you very much for this great, helpful and to the point video. I followed your instructions exactly when I applied for my METV last week. Would love to share my experience with you. Two days after submission, two documents were requested:
1) Flight itinerary of your second trip TO Thailand (it is required for a multiple-entry visa), fail to provide this document will result in your visa application being granted for SINGLE entry.
2) A copy of CURRENT bank statement with minimum balance of 5000EUR
I have submitted the documents later. My e-visa has been approved in the meantime.
AI Master... I made this video specifically because many people who supplied a return or onward ticket with an METV were asked to provide additional tickets (that is, a 3rd ticket). You can go back and read the comments on my original video which described several alternatives (see the description of this video for a list of these alternatives. I explain why I made the new video). People who supplied only a one-way ticket had NO problem. I have always supplied a one-way ticket to Thailand for an METV. So, your comment is very important information. What embassy/consulate did you apply to? What country are you from? If you were asked for a bank statement then you certainly did NOT apply from one of the many countries for which the eVisa application has been updated. The updated form definitely does NOT ask for any bank information. So, if your country of origin doesn't use the new application, this will be very important information for my viewers. Before making this video I collected comments from many subscribers indicating that their country HAD adopted the new application. So, please let me know what country you're from? ...thank you so much... Bob
@@robertsultan2550 Hi Bob, to be honest, I was surprised too. As you recommended, I only uploaded a one way ticket to Thailand and a hotel booking for the first weeks. I am from Austria and my embassy is in Vienna, Austria.
To be honest, I almost expected that at least the question about the bank statement would come up (I've often read that after uploading, a mail is often sent for the request of this document). I was also surprised that a second ticket was requested for entry to Thailand as well.
Best
@@theaimasterclass Thank you so much for this information. I'll have to make a video to let people know... all the best... Bob
@@robertsultan2550 You are welcome. Yes, please do that. I really appreciate your content and find it incredibly great how much information you get to the point. Your videos are great. Best
Hi, thank you for the feedback. I'm wondering if you allow me : the "Flight itinerary of your second trip TO Thailand" has to be from your home country, or you can provide a ticket from a near country ? I guess that they would firstly request the ticket of departure from Thailand then, am I right ? Best.
This information is obsolete as of 10/04/2024 but not far from being correct. I was not asked any questions regarding an exit plane ticket to extend my visa for one month.
David, I really have no idea what you mean here. This video explains that you can extend your stay by a month, but that involves an entirely different application process (which I describe in another video). You must fill out the form TM.7 and go to immigration once you are in Thailand to get that extension.
What I say clearly in this video is that for an SETV, you MUST have a return or onward ticket. For an METV you must NOT supply a return or onward ticket. For the SETV, immigration assumes that you will get a 30 day extension, so they will allow your ticket to be dated up to 90 days from your arrival.
I also say that the airlines sometimes don't understand this 90 day rule for an SETV and they sometimes don't understand that for an METV you don't need to supply a return or onward ticket. I say that the airline MAY ask to see an onward ticket, so I suggest you check in advance with the airline.
The video is extremely clear about what questions you are asked in the application since it goes through every question. If you are talking about questions that you might be asked on arrival in Thailand, the video is very clear that all you need is your boarding pass, your passport, and your visa. You will NOT, in general, be asked other questions, although immigration, might, at their discretion, ask you for anything they want.
If you think there is ANY obsolete information in the video, please QUOTE exactly what I say in the video that is incorrect. I want people to be able to rely on the information in my videos. I don't believe that there is ANY inaccurate or obsolete information in this video. ...Bob
Wouldn't putting single when actually divorced be a red flag for them? Seems that would be cause for further investigation or simply a denial. I don't know why it would matter but they are asking for some reason.
Hi Mike, I'm divorced, I've always put single and had no problem. I figure that if you're divorced, you're also single, and you can only pick one. I suspect that they don't care. All the best... Bob
@@robertsultan2550 thank you for the reply. I'm looking forward to Thailand. Hey, what's the deal with getting insurance while renting a 125cc scooter.
I can't figure that out.
Sorry Mike, I can't help you with this one. I never rent scooters, but maybe one of my other viewers can help you. I'd just advise you to always wear a helmet. In places like Patong Beach, the police WILL stop you. And they do check that you have the proper papers (but I'm not sure what these are). Subscribers, can someone answer Mike's question? ...Bob
@@robertsultan2550 Thank you
@@078249 safety wing travel insurance
Hi Bob I am currently sorting out my METV visa. I can confirm what @theaimasterclass said . I'm travelling from Slovakia and I'm dealing with the visa through the Thai embassy in Vienna . They required me to show proof of 5000 euros in my account and a second ticket TO Thailand . I have no idea why they want the second ticket . But nothing can be done. I sent it to them and I will see if they will issue me a visa.
Stanley, thank you SO MUCH for telling me about this. It is very good to have confirmation of @theaimasterclass' experience. It's such an unusual case. There is CLEARLY an individual agent at the embassy who simply does not know the current requirements. This is the ONLY embassy that I'm aware of so far where this is happening. I might actually try to contact Thai immigration in Bangkok to find out what's going on. I'll plan to make a video on this, although, at the moment, people who apply to the Vienna embassy don't have much choice. Please let me know if you get the visa... and I wish you good luck with this... Bob
@@robertsultan2550 I get my visa today 😊 even tho they wanted extra documents 😊 everything was done expressly quickly in two days 😊