Many of us choose to stay on Koh Phangan a little longer and sometimes permanently, for whichever reason we all have to go and get the correct visa and the location of choice to do this seems to be Penang in Malaysia!
We’ve got our bombastic friend Jim who helps us there and the place is full of culture, heritage, street art and great food!
There has been some updates and changes recently so here’s exactly what you need for the embassy in Penang;
TOURIST VISA
1. Copy of your confirmed flight ticket out of Thailand
2. Proof of accommodation booking in Thailand (guest house /hotel/bungalow/ house rental agreement)
EDUCATION VISA
1. Bank statement (from your home country or Thai bank)
NON B * For 3 month visa
1. Copies of your company papers
2. Original WP3
3. Original Invitation Letter
Copy of Employment Contract
D.B.D.
NON B * For 1 Year visa
Copies of your company papers
Work Permit with minimum of 8 months validity left
Original Invitation Letter
Copy of Employment Contract
D.B.D.
O VISA (Dependant)
Copy of marriage certificate
Birth Certificate
Wife/Husbands ID card (with signature - copies accepted)
House book
Thai bank book showing balance of 200,000Baht minimum
NON O (RETIREMENT)
Letter from your government assuring income of minimum 60,000Baht per month
Thai bank book showing balance of 400,000Baht minimum
The list has recently changed for the people who will receive a FREE tourist visa, this is up to the 31st of August 2017. The list of countries are as follows;
Andorra
Bhutan
Bulgaria
China (including Taiwan)
Cyprus
Ethiopia
Fiji
India
Kazakhstan
Latvia
Lithuania
Maldives
Malta
Mauritius
Papua New Guinea
România
San Marino
Saudi Arabia
Ukraine
Uzbekistan
Everyone else has to pay!
Also if you are studying with KPT Language School, they recently issued this statement;
As of 1st of March 2017, all applicants for an ED visa in Surat Thani must provide a police criminal history check.
The history check should be obtained at your country’s embassy.
Please prepare a police criminal history check certificate in addition to a bank statement showing 50,000 baht in your account before applying at KPT Language School.
Please contact them for any information needed.
We hope this helps and enjoy your stay on Koh Phangan!