Non-imm O Vs Tourist Visa + Passport Question

[DerekP]

Hey Guys,

I'm going to be traveling to Thailand for about six months. I'd like to leave within 3 weeks. I've got a couple questions about my options, and I'd really love it if you guys could help me out =)

1) My understanding is that a tourist visa with 2 entries is each good for 60 days plus a 30 day extension. So on a 2-entry tourist visa, I could stay for a total of 6 months (if I time it right.)

On the other hand, I'd like to be able to stay longer if I so choose to. I'm curious how difficult it is to get a second tourist visa (2-entry if possible) after my first expires. (I don't plan on staying more than a year.)

2) How difficult is it to get a one year Non-Immigrant O? I have no "basis" for applying for one, although I do technically have family in Thailand.

3) I'm currently getting my passport renewed, which would take 3 weeks in and of itself. Do I need a valid passport to get the visa? If so, that would mean I'd have to wait five weeks to get that visa, because it'd take two weeks to get the passport and another two for the visa. (I'd be sending it by mail.)

4) If I sent my application by mail, does that mean I'd have to send my passport as well? (According to the embassy's website, it would seem so - It just doesn't seem very safe, though.)

5) Do I need a ticket out of the country to get a Tourist Visa or a Non-Immigrant O?

And finally, should I fill out the forms and mail the consulate my papers/passport myself, or use a visa service like travisa.com? Physically going to the consulate is probably out of the question, since I'm in SF, they're in L.A, and my schedule is super tight.

Thank you so much for all your help.

Cheers =)

- Derek

[lopburi3]

1. Currently Vientiane will issue two entry.

2. LA will not issue.

3. Yes you need the passport before getting the visa.

4. Yes you must send your passport to have the visa placed in it.

5. If US passport it would not likely be required.

There should not be any problem doing yourself - obtain the forms now and be ready to complete/send when passport received.

[DerekP]

Hi Lupburi,

Wow, that was amazing - I make a post and 10 minutes later I have the answer. Just to clarify ...

1) So in other words, I should get a 2-entry 60 day tourist visa now, once my time is up I'll just do a visa run to Vientiane and get my new visa then and there? (It doesn't take 2-10 days to get the visa processed?)

Thank you very much =)

- Derek

[Crossy]

1) So in other words, I should get a 2-entry 60 day tourist visa now, once my time is up I'll just do a visa run to Vientiane and get my new visa then and there? (It doesn't take 2-10 days to get the visa processed?)

Most consulates in the region take two days, submit day one morning, collect day two lunchtime