2 more TV's required. How to avoid red stamp?

[torrow]

I need 2 more TV's before I qualify for a retirement visa. I have 3 TV's in my passport since 2016 - Savanaket, Penang & Vientiane, all extended plus 2 VE entries.

 

First option: Go back to Penang but what are the risks of a red stamp there now? If I got a red stamp, would I have trouble getting a TV from Vientiane.

 

Second option: Only 2 TV's from Laos, I guess I would have no problem at Vientiane, then go to Penang. What are the risks of a red stamp from Vientiane? I assume this would also increase the risk of a red stamp from Penang.

 

Finally. apart from renewing passport, what are the TV options with red stamp?

[ubonjoe]

1 hour ago, torrow said:

Second option: Only 2 TV's from Laos, I guess I would have no problem at Vientiane, then go to Penang. What are the risks of a red stamp from Vientiane? I assume this would also increase the risk of a red stamp from Penang.

 

Vientiane will not be a problem since you only have one from them. You could probably get both of the visas you need there.

[elviajero]

Red stamps aren't usually issued until you've had 3+ from the same place. I can't see Penang issuing you with a warning stamp based on your history. Any warning stamp could have an impact at other embassies/consulates, but the embassies/consulates seem mostly interested in the number of visas issued by themselves.

 

Getting a red stamp doesn't mean you can't have another visa, but you might be forced to shop around. Given your age I don't think you'll have a problem.

[Briggsy]

Don't sweat, I have 9 TV's in my current passport and another 7 to go till I can get the retirement extension.

 

Can you fulfil the Savannakhet requirements if you are wary about Vientiane and Penang? Also, Hong Kong may be possible. There are trip reports on here.

[SicTransit]

Hong Kong tends to give a verbal warning before issuing a visa instead of red stamping your passport, at least this has been the experience this year.

[torrow]

6 hours ago, Briggsy said:

Don't sweat, I have 9 TV's in my current passport and another 7 to go till I can get the retirement extension.

 

Can you fulfil the Savannakhet requirements if you are wary about Vientiane and Penang? Also, Hong Kong may be possible. There are trip reports on here.

What are the requirements for Savannaket?

[JackThompson]

9 hours ago, torrow said:

First option: Go back to Penang but what are the risks of a red stamp there now? If I got a red stamp, would I have trouble getting a TV from Vientiane.

From my experience - Vientiane will not issue one if they find a red/warning stamp on any TV in your passport.  And I am also almost 50 years, showed money, etc.  But I was able to get another TV from Savanahket with a red-stamp from a non-Laos consulate.

 

If you only need 2 more, you don't have to worry about a red-stamp on the 2nd one.  You could even do a border-bounce for a Visa-Exempt after that (at a friendly land-border), for a bit more time.

 

2 minutes ago, torrow said:

What are the requirements for Savannaket?

If you can qualify for Savanahket (flight-out + hotel-booking or rental-agreement + proof of money in the bank), then it is a good choice - short queues and no red-stamp reports. 

 

Otherwise, as others said, Vientiane might not red-stamp you - or maybe at least not until the 2nd one.  Penang seems more likely to count up all the visas (as does Phnom Penh) and red-stamp, from what I've seen and read - while Vientiane is more likely to just count Laos TVs - but that is not a guarantee.

[BritTim]

I would choose Vientiane for the last visa application, but consider Yangon, Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi for the first. You could buy a one-way ticket to Vientiane to satisfy the onward flight requirement for the first visa application.

[dotpoom]

Just shows you how little I know about this stuff (or ever will by the looks of it).

  When I first asked how I get a retirement ext. (when I first arrived on these shores 17 yrs. ago) I was told I had to be over 50 and have 800,000 Bt. in the bank.

   This is the first time I'v heard about having to have 5 TV's (Tourist Visas I presume) and possible red stamps.

  Well..well..well..isn't it all so confusing?

[YetAnother]

16 hours ago, elviajero said:

Given your age I don't think you'll have a problem.

doubtless you are right, might you please amplify on that ?

[BritTim]

1 hour ago, dotpoom said:

Just shows you how little I know about this stuff (or ever will by the looks of it).

  When I first asked how I get a retirement ext. (when I first arrived on these shores 17 yrs. ago) I was told I had to be over 50 and have 800,000 Bt. in the bank.

   This is the first time I'v heard about having to have 5 TV's (Tourist Visas I presume) and possible red stamps.

  Well..well..well..isn't it all so confusing?

My assumption in reading the OP is that he does not yet qualify for a retirement extension, probably because he is 49 years old. He is using tourist visas until he can satisfy the requirements. To me, that is not especially complex or confusing. I do know that some elderly people do suffer from episodes of confusion. A doctor may be able to prescribe medications to help make such episodes less common and severe.

[elviajero]

5 hours ago, YetAnother said:

doubtless you are right, might you please amplify on that ?

Most reports of tourists being questioned on entry seem to be 20/30 somethings. I'd of thought someone close to 50, and with only a few TR's, isn't likely to be of much interest to an IO.

[bazza73]

5 hours ago, BritTim said:

My assumption in reading the OP is that he does not yet qualify for a retirement extension, probably because he is 49 years old. He is using tourist visas until he can satisfy the requirements. To me, that is not especially complex or confusing. I do know that some elderly people do suffer from episodes of confusion. A doctor may be able to prescribe medications to help make such episodes less common and severe.

Very tactfully put.

[at15]

I had a red stamp from penang and had never been to vientiane or anywhere in lao ever. But was refused a visa in vientiane once they saw it. 

[darrendsd]

25 minutes ago, at15 said:

I had a red stamp from penang and had never been to vientiane or anywhere in lao ever. But was refused a visa in vientiane once they saw it. 

This sounds right, the last time I went to VT someone else who had the red stamp from another Embassy was refused also

[andken]

Does anybody know if any of the Thai Consulates around in Asia are issuing double entry tourist visas ? Vientiane used to do the double entry but not anymore from what I understand only single entry now .

[JackThompson]

9 minutes ago, andken said:

Does anybody know if any of the Thai Consulates around in Asia are issuing double entry tourist visas ? Vientiane used to do the double entry but not anymore from what I understand only single entry now .

These no longer exist.  The closest thing is a 'Multiple Entry Tourist Visa' which can be applied for only in your country of permanent-residence and/or passport-country.  Be aware that the conditions to qualify, such as "ongoing employment," make it useless, for most.

[elviajero]

4 minutes ago, Mansinthe said:

If you got the funds its not required to have work. ? if i remember correctly it was at least 5000€ in your bank account.

Proof of work is required a some embassies/consulates even if you have the funds.

[BritTim]

40 minutes ago, Mansinthe said:

On 10/29/2017 at 11:24 AM, JackThompson said:

  Be aware that the conditions to qualify, such as "ongoing employment," make it useless, for most.

 

If you got the funds its not required to have work. ? if i remember correctly it was at least 5000€ in your bank account.

Proof of funds is the most important requirement, usually non negotiable, and the requisite balance must have been constantly in your account for six months. They are often flexible on other requirements. Commonly, if you are not employed, they will want to see something like proof you are retired, or self employed.