Where to go for initial non-inmigrant B visa

[Gotalaugh]

Our school has always advised new yeachers to get their initial non-immigrant B visa in KL or Vientiane as it always worked smoothly with a 2 or 3 day turnaround from handing in the application to receving the visa.

 

However, now we have been informed that all Thai embassies in nearby countries are switching to evisa application systems but you need to be in the country when you apply and receive the visa and it will take 10 days or more.

 

Have we misunderstood or does anyone have any advice? Ten days minimum or maybe more makes it prohibitively expensive for teachers to stay that amount of time abroad and us without teachers.

[OneMoreFarang]

I think the problem is that you can't rely on any of the information.

About 1.5 years ago I was in Phnom Phen to get a visa. On the outside of the embassy was written information about how long it will take. I think it was 7 days for a Non-B visa. I received my visa within that time.

And then I had to go again, maybe 6 months later. The same information was still outside on the embassy. When I applied for my visa at the counter, they told me then I should come back in 4 days to pick it up - contrary to what was on the notice.

Websites seem to be updated even less.

I would try to call them to get information.

 

 

[DrJack54]

3 hours ago, Gotalaugh said:

Have we misunderstood or does anyone have any advice?

It's a concern. 

Places such as Savannakhet etc requiring payment to be made at consulate. 

No online payment available. Ridiculous.

Also we don't have clear indication of how long the process will take. 

Anything longer than 5 days is unpleasant to say the least. 

Don't see an easy solution.

[Briggsy]

The schools normally learn pretty fast what works and where is a good place to go. Remember they have to put together a lot of the application documentation for you so they don't want to waste their own time or your time.

 

The issue now is that there is a large scale change occurring in the visa application process at nearby consulates so the school won't know how it is going to pan out. In fact nobody does until it actually happens.

 

Prepare for the worst (2 weeks in Vientiane) and hope for the best.

[AgMech Cowboy]

For a legit Non-B, Penang or Singapore would be my 1st choices, but Singapore is expensive to stay, so maybe Vietnam...
Personally, from my recent experiences... I'd talk to an agent.

[DrJack54]

1 hour ago, AgMech Cowboy said:

For a legit Non-B, Penang or Singapore would be my 1st choices, but Singapore is expensive to stay, so maybe Vietnam...
Personally, from my recent experiences... I'd talk to an agent.

Maybe I have incorrect information.

I had impression Singapore was not preferred option.

Personally big fan of Saigon so that would be my preferred option.

Laos last on list as thinking introduction of eVisa not as simple as Vietnam. 

[Gotalaugh]

11 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

I think the problem is that you can't rely on any of the information.

About 1.5 years ago I was in Phnom Phen to get a visa. On the outside of the embassy was written information about how long it will take. I think it was 7 days for a Non-B visa. I received my visa within that time.

And then I had to go again, maybe 6 months later. The same information was still outside on the embassy. When I applied for my visa at the counter, they told me then I should come back in 4 days to pick it up - contrary to what was on the notice.

Websites seem to be updated even less.

I would try to call them to get information.

 

 

Yes, I'll see if I can get through to any relatively nearby embassy by calling. Thanks

[OneMoreFarang]

6 hours ago, AgMech Cowboy said:

For a legit Non-B, Penang or Singapore would be my 1st choices, but Singapore is expensive to stay, so maybe Vietnam...
Personally, from my recent experiences... I'd talk to an agent.

I was a couple of time in Phnom Phen. I liked it over there. And it's not too expensive.