Visa rules for Lao citizen

[AventurasEnMadrid]

My girlfriend is from Laos, where we currently are (I'm a Brit). I would like to spend time with her in Thailand.

 

I know Lao citizens can get 30 day tourist visa on arrival to Thailand. Can they extend their tourist visa at an immigration office without leaving Thailand?

 

Furthermore, is it easy for a Lao citizen to get an educational visa in Thailand, granting her a longer visa? I would like her to study English and basic IT.

[ubonjoe]

I am not sure what the situation is for getting a visa or a certificate of entry at the Thai embassy in Vientiane.

I suggest you contact the consular section about it. http://vientiane.thaiembassy.org/en/consular/visa.php

Laotians do qualify for a visa exempt entry under a bilateral agreement that at this time if for 45 days. But they are not allowed to apply for a 30 day extension due to being under a bilateral agreement for their entries.

The best option may be a single entry tourist visa that allows a 60 day entry that can be extended for 30 day.

To apply for a non-ed visa at immigration requires enrollment in a formal school such as a university. 

Both of you will need a certificate of entry (COE) to enter Thailand and as far as I know entries can only be done at designated land borders crossings. Application for the COE is here. https://coethailand.mfa.go.th/

Both of you will need $100,000 covid 19 insurance valid for the length of stay you get on entry.

See: https://www.tipinsure.com/CovidRegional/product_detail

A negative covid test is also required to enter the country. The certificate of it must not be older than 72 hours before departing Laos.

Edit: Just found a announcement that the consular section is closed.

Embassy contact info here here: http://vientiane.thaiembassy.org/en/embassy/address.php

Edited July 7, 2021 by ubonjoe

[AventurasEnMadrid]

Thank you kindly @ubonjoe