Just got SETV in London...

[Sexy Couple]

....and it was a chunk more difficult than last year.

As many have said, you now need to apply online first and then print out the application with bar code along with all the supporting documentation and either post it in or go in person.

We had to take:

• Application Form
• Proof of Residence (we took Council Tax Bill)
• Proof of Funds (Bank Statements for 6 months)
• Proof of Travel (Airline booking)
• Proof of Accom (AirBnB bookings)

The documentation requirements on the website are a bit ambiguous about the 'proof of funds' and we had the impression that either bank statements or payslips would be OK, but they were turning away people with only payslips at the embassy.  We were unsure though about what level of funds we were trying to evidence.

Also, on the day we were there about 50% of the people were turned away for various reasons, mainly because they had the old form in their hands and hadn't applied online first.

All of this for a 60d SETV.

It should also be noted that our airline return date was well outside the 60d because we're planning on travelling around Cambodia and Vietnam but we haven't made these plans yet and it wasn't queried.

We intended going for an O-A at first and just travelling in and out of the country as we desired, then we fell back to an METV but settled on an SETV in the end because everything else just seemed like too much effort & risk of not getting it even though we're pretty sure that we qualify for all of them (with the exception of specific health insurance) . 

As a result, we will almost certainly spend less time (& money) in Thailand and more time with the neighbours.  I'm not going to whinge about that but this visa process does seem to be an own goal when tourist revenues are down.


M&C x

 

[leeds]

All that hassle for 60 day tourist visa,easier to get visa waiver on arrival 30days extend at immigration for extra 30 1900baht or if you want to travel outside Thailand,leave when you want and get another visa waiver when returning either by air or at a boarder crossing,not a problem as long as there's no history of  to many visa waivers,no wonder the place is dead when you have to produce all thatshit just for a two month break.

[Sexy Couple]

4 minutes ago, leeds said:

All that hassle for 60 day tourist visa,easier to get visa waiver on arrival 30days extend at immigration for extra 30 1900baht or if you want to travel outside Thailand,leave when you want and get another visa waiver when returning either by air or at a boarder crossing,not a problem as long as there's no history of  to many visa waivers,no wonder the place is dead when you have to produce all thatshit just for a two month break.

Agreed, and we would have done that, but our first visit is about 75 days so it's 60+30 extension for us.

[Stevebilbong]

On 29/11/2019 at 18:22, Sexy Couple said:

As a result, we will almost certainly spend less time (& money) in Thailand and more time with the neighbours.

Correct...now you’re getting with the program.

Unfortunately for us who like to stay here it’s getting harder every year.