Hi there,

I'm a Canadian that have been living in Thailand for about 3 years straight. My passport has a mix of 30 days stamps and proper Penang Visas.

This month, I have done my 3 consecutive stamps and am ready for a proper tourist Visa single entry.

My question is:

Is it hard to get from Laos or is it exaclty the same as in Penang?

I've heard unconfirmed rumors that they sometimes refuse to give you a tourist visa from Laos at the embassy if you have 3 stamps, is that just BS or is it true?

I would really like to know because I can't afford to get stranded in Laos with a 7 day "get out of Thaiand for 90 days" visa!

Cheers!

PS. I phoned the embassy in Vientiane and the clerk told be that the procedure is to dropp off the passport in the morning and pick it up the next day in the afternoon, that's just like in Penang, is that true?

Excellent Laos Border run info here.

This info is not for Vientiene, but for Savannakhet in Laos.

Edited March 15, 200719 yr by bkkmadness

Hi there,

I'm a Canadian that have been living in Thailand for about 3 years straight. My passport has a mix of 30 days stamps and proper Penang Visas.

This month, I have done my 3 consecutive stamps and am ready for a proper tourist Visa single entry.

My question is:

Is it hard to get from Laos or is it exaclty the same as in Penang?

I got mine Tourist Visa in Vientiane, no problem.

I've heard unconfirmed rumors that they sometimes refuse to give you a tourist visa from Laos at the embassy if you have 3 stamps, is that just BS or is it true?

I have more than 3 stamps. After that had a 90 days tourist visa, (60 days + 30 days extension), and again had another 90 days tourist visa 2 days ago.

I would really like to know because I can't afford to get stranded in Laos with a 7 day "get out of Thaiand for 90 days" visa!

Cheers!

PS. I phoned the embassy in Vientiane and the clerk told be that the procedure is to dropp off the passport in the morning and pick it up the next day in the afternoon, that's just like in Penang, is that true?

Yes, submit in the morning before 12:00 noon, and collect next day afternoon, 13:00 pm.

Pattaya8 , you will have no problem in Vientane .

Procedure is same , apply before 11.00am , pick up Visa the next day.

As a Canadian you have to pay THB 1,700.- for a Laotian Visa on Arrival.

Thank you visarunner and everyone!

So the 3 consecutive Cambodain stamps don't make things harder? In any embassy?

I mean is it easier to get a toursit visa after let's say one stamp versus 2 or 3 stamps?

Or is it irrelevant as long as it's under the maximum of 3?

Edited March 15, 200719 yr by pataya8

Thank you visarunner and everyone!

So the 3 consecutive Cambodain stamps don't make things harder? In any embassy?

I mean is it easier to get a toursit visa after let's say one stamp versus 2 or 3 stamps?

Or is it irrelevant as long as it's under the maximum of 3?

I have nearly the same history as you, but my first 2 1/2 years consisted only of Visa Exemption stamps. In November I got a tourist visa from Penang. When that expired in February, I did one visa exemption stamp.

Last week I went to Vientienne, Laos to obtain a new tourist visa. I got it without any problems or even any questions asked. Show up at the embassy early (8:25 will do). Drop off your application, pay your money. Return the next day at 1:00pm.

There seem to be no restrictions at all regarding tourist visas, provided you don't look like a low-life, drug-addicted scumbag.

You can have no stamps or a dozen stamps - it makes no difference. Vientiane has become easier than before with tourist visa issue and has shelved the "don't come again stamp".