Thai E-Visa

**misskit** · 20-02-2023, 09:20 AM

A pain in the butt from the get-go.

I applied for a NON-OA visa last summer by the new E-Visa system. Though the website initially said apply two weeks before the visa needed it turned out to take a lot longer and had many glitches to getting the documents they wanted in the format they wanted. I ended up coming in to Thailand on a tourist visa waver then flying out to Singapore and back once the notification came that the visa had been issued.

When I came back in from Singapore, I had the documentation the Thai embassy sent stating I was given a NON-OA multiple entry visa. It took a while to get though immigration in Bangkok because they didn’t really know what to do and they also needed to see proof of my insurance again, even though I had to provide it for my E-Visa. Also, they didn’t give me a full year because my required insurance had started a month prior because of the visa delay. So sorted. I am in. BUT, there is no multiple entry stamp in my passport. There is nothing but an arrival stamp dated 11 months out.

This looks suspect to me and I go to immigration twice and question them about the lack of a re-entry stamp. They convince me all is right and that I am allowed to come and go without need for a re-entry stamp.

Since I have been to Japan twice. It has been a bit of hell convincing the airline in Japan that I am allowed into Thailand without a visa, re-entry stamp, or flight ticket out. Luckily, I was so suspect of the whole E-Visa thing that I carry that documentation from the Thai embassy with me when I travel. After much confusion, twice I have been let on the plane bound for Chiang Mai.

Thank goodness I had that documentation. I needed it again coming into Chaing Mai both times. Took me three times as long to get though immigration for I was taken out of line to the supervisors desk. The second time I noticed they have a sign saying if you have an EVisa, they need to see the embassy document. PLUS, they had to see my proof of insurance again. Each time I get a regular entry stamp dated out a year.

What a debacle. I feel like I am the guinea pig.

Anyways, if any of you get a Thai E-Visa in the future, make sure you carry your letter from the Thai embassy as well as proof you have insurance every time you leave the country. No one anywhere knows what to do when you show up without a re-entry stamp.

**S Landreth** · 20-02-2023, 11:40 AM

Originally Posted by misskit

Anyways, if any of you get a Thai E-Visa in the future, make sure you carry your letter from the Thai embassy as well as proof you have insurance every time you leave the country. No one anywhere knows what to do when you show up without a re-entry stamp.

Good to find out now. Thanks

By the end of next month I should have another O-X

**Norton** · 20-02-2023, 01:02 PM

Originally Posted by S Landreth

By the end of next month I should have another O-X

Used up all 10 years?

**S Landreth** · 20-02-2023, 01:34 PM

No.

When I went to a Thai immigration office here to extend (?, get the other 5 years) my O-X they were surprised. Not the ones you meet at the front desks (90 day officers), but the supervisors behind them.

They were curious because they had never seen an O-X and were not sure how to handle my request. I brought all the documents needed with me. Yearly insurance and untouched funds in the bank (5 years worth of support for both).

They requested a telephone number and said they would call me when they had an answer.

About 3 weeks went by. Another visit.

They had forgotten about the request. But a couple of weeks later they had an answer. Here’s a hoop, here’s another hoop and another hoop. One of these hoops was outside of what was required back home.

Time constraints. So, I’ll do it when I get back to the states.

No big deal. Once every 5 years.

**Norton** · 20-02-2023, 08:13 PM

Originally Posted by S Landreth

Here’s a hoop, here’s another hoop and another hoop. One of these hoops was outside of what was required back home.

Ok, I see. Typical in many offices. Hoops that suddenly disappear with an incentive bonus.
Yep, do a new one in the US.

**Seekingasylum** · 25-02-2023, 03:15 PM

So utterly typical of the Thai. They introduce a measure but fail to provide for its implementation nationally except in a haphazard, incoherent, incompetent, half arsed fashion rooted in ignorance and stupidity.

They couldn’t organise a piss in a urinal.

**malmomike77** · 25-02-2023, 04:04 PM

Originally Posted by Seekingasylum

They couldn’t organise a piss in a urinal.

they can actually, usually for 2thb

**S Landreth** · 25-02-2023, 06:09 PM

^5 baht. 10 baht if you’re going to use the shower

Service stations – free. However, there’s a tip box.

Originally Posted by Seekingasylum

So utterly typical of the Thai. They introduce a measure but fail to provide for its implementation nationally.....

Not only here in Thailand. More later.....

**malmomike77** · 25-02-2023, 06:25 PM

^ 2 thb for pee, 5 thb if you want to leave a deposit in our local

**S Landreth** · 26-02-2023, 06:11 AM

Originally Posted by S Landreth

Originally Posted by Seekingasylum

So utterly typical of the Thai. They introduce a measure but fail to provide for its implementation nationally

Not only here in Thailand. More later.....

Continued…

The Thai embassy; in the states, where I am assigned to go are also lacking guidance on how to proceed with extending an O-X visa for the remaining 5 years.

And why I made the remark to Norton that....

No big deal. Once every 5 years.

because there is no link at their website to extend the last 5 years to a 10 year O-X visa.

How the Thai Embassy promotes the O-X....

Purpose of Visit: This type of visa may be issued to applicants aged 50 years and over who wish to stay in Thailand for a period of not exceeding 10 year without the intention of working. Holder of this type of visa is allowed to stay in Thailand for 5 years each time (total 10 years).

I have all the documents ready (except for the criminal record/background check and the medical certificate showing no prohibitive diseases which I have to do in the states) to send via email shortly after I arrive back home.

I would like to add. The personnel I have dealt with at the Thai embassy over the years have been wonderful. They might have overlooked adding a link to extend the O-X visa and why I plan on sending a copy of my O-X when I have to upload my visa to them, hoping it’ll jog someone's memory.

**Shutree** · 26-02-2023, 02:46 PM

Originally Posted by misskit

Thai E-Visa

A pain in the butt from the get-go.

What is the supposed advantage of the E-Visa?

**misskit** · 27-02-2023, 07:40 AM

You don’t have to go to an embassy to apply for a visa. The application and payment are done online.

There doesn’t seem to be a lot of Thai embassy staff to answer the phone or see people applying for visas in person. This may be the new normal for applying for a visa outside of Thailand.

**Shutree** · 27-02-2023, 10:08 AM

Originally Posted by misskit

You don’t have to go to an embassy to apply for a visa. The application and payment are done online.

There doesn’t seem to be a lot of Thai embassy staff to answer the phone or see people applying for visas in person. This may be the new normal for applying for a visa outside of Thailand.

I see. Thanks.

**taxexile** · 27-02-2023, 10:22 AM

It is possible in the UK for those with problems using the e visa online clusterfuck to contact embassy staff through facebook.

They gave me helpful advice when the system went rogue with my application.

**S Landreth** · 22-03-2023, 04:50 AM

Originally Posted by S Landreth

By the end of next month I should have another O-X

Originally Posted by S Landreth

I have all the documents ready (except for the criminal record/background check and the medical certificate showing no prohibitive diseases which I have to do in the states) to send via email shortly after I arrive back home.

Soon.......

**Bonecollector** · 22-03-2023, 10:31 AM

^ probably a good thing

The first time I came with an EVisa, the immigration officer said where is your visa pointing at one of my old visa stickers. I was the one who had to educate him about the new system and explained to him that all my visa info was on this sheet of paper and he just needs to scan it 55555 It was all in good spirit and we both had a laugh about it, I joked for him to give me a 365day stamp and he joked backed, sorry, stamps this long only come in 364days 555

**S Landreth** · 28-03-2023, 04:56 PM

Originally Posted by S Landreth

By the end of next month I should have another O-X

Doesn’t seem like it’ll be by the end of this month. They have my flight information so there’s no need to hurry.

An update.

In the long stay visa (O-X) manual, it shows.......

Effective from 31 October 2019, the applicant must be medically insured for the entire period of stay in Thailand with the following coverage:

– Outpatient benefit with a sum insured of not less than 40,000 THB, and
– Inpatient benefit with a sum insured of not less than 400,000 THB

However, at their e-visa website it doesn’t ask for any proof of insurance. Must have been overlooked. But I was ready when they wrote to me yesterday and requested proof. I gave them this years policy AND the past 5 years policies.

I think they were happy with all the attachments I sent with the original application and don’t think there will be any other issues or requests for more information.

**misskit** · 28-03-2023, 05:29 PM

Originally Posted by S Landreth

Doesn’t seem like it’ll be by the end of this month. They have my flight information so there’s no need to hurry.

Ha! They had my flight information also. Still late.

Be sure to take your insurance policy or your insurance card with the date of expiration to show at immigration. Papers from the embassy granting the e-visa also needed.

**S Landreth** · 22-04-2023, 02:35 PM

Later today. The drawn-out story.

**S Landreth** · 23-04-2023, 09:58 PM

She’s celebrating. It was stressful.

Went for the O-X, but settled for the O-A this year because I wouldn’t change one item. The embassy called and spoke to both of us pleading with us to change that one item so I would receive the O-X.

The file I kept for the O-X.

The embassy recently updated their link/s for the O-X.

That one item and why I wouldn’t change it, later.

**Topper** · 23-04-2023, 10:17 PM

^ so they were wanting the money?

**S Landreth** · 23-04-2023, 11:02 PM

^Nothing like that. Both women from the embassy we spoke to were sweethearts and trying to help. I’ve known one (I think it was her) for years.

**S Landreth** · 01-05-2023, 01:22 AM

Where it all fell apart

The one item that gave me trouble, which wasn't shown on the Thai DC embassy website (E-Visa). They did request that I show them proof of insurance, which I did.

Effective from 1 October 2021, the applicant must be insured for the entire period of stay in Thailand with the following coverage:
– Health insurance must cover Covid-19 disease with the total sum insured of no less than 3,000,000 THB or $100,000 per policy year

I am and have been insured under the old rule which requires 400,000.00 baht of coverage.

The Embassy did request further information that was out of the ordinary (from a previous application 5 years ago) and it has updated its O-X requirements recently.

With the help of a poster here at TD I was able to obtain that insurance policy required. HOWEVER, the Thai Embassy requested I ask the insurance company to add themselves to a list I wasn’t aware of (The Thai Embassy update Non – Immigrant Visa "O - X" (10 years) - Health Insurance for Long Stay Visa in Thailand).

I wrote the embassy back and told them I didn't think the insurance company would comply. And sure enough, they wouldn't but did apologize to me and told me they would refund me my money.

Why the refund....... Every e-mail I/we sent to the Thai insurance company (at least 5) referenced an O-X Visa and they acknowledged it.

Whatshername wrote to all the insurance companies on the O-X list and all returned notes telling her they would be happy to help. Please fill out the application.

The few applications we looked at got me thinking,.....Red Flag! Some of these applications asked about prior insurance companies we had filled out applications for. I didn't want to risk getting on a chit list.

Anyway, everyone who responded from the insurance company I used was helpful. I wasn't going to ask for the money back and would just apply for the O-A this year.

I wrote the Thai Embassy back (telling them the insurance company would not add themselves to the O-X list but would refund my money back) and told them what I was going to switch to an O-A Visa and that's when we received the call.

Both women from the Thai embassy tried to coax us both into requesting the refund and apply with a new insurance company.

Towards the end of my next visit to Thailand, I'll get with an O-X approved insurance company, fill out an application, get the exams if required and get a policy I'll use for an O-X next year.

Although this learning curve is complete (could have been avoided if the embassy would have shared this link Non – Immigrant Visa "O - X" (10 years) - Health Insurance for Long Stay Visa in Thailand from the beginning),.....applying for an e-visa request every 5 years will be less stressful than applying every year.

**Seekingasylum** · 01-05-2023, 11:22 AM

The O - A non immigrant visa for visiting wife requires no such insurance requirement, and obtaining my retiree extension this year, the tenth in my current cycle of residence following my O-A visa issue, took around 30 minutes including waiting time at the modest cost of 1900 baht.

I simply do not understand why folk fall for these silly visa alternatives and their cynical insurance scams rewarding insurance companies giving kickbacks to government apparatchiks, nor do I understand why people think applying for a retiree extension themselves is an onerous proposition. Presumably, they are a little bit stupid or deficient in some capacity or other.

**Topper** · 01-05-2023, 01:18 PM

Originally Posted by Seekingasylum

Presumably, they are a little bit stupid or deficient in some capacity or other.

Or have enough money to be lazy....

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