Laos Visa Runs

[boobennett]

I currently have a non immigrant cat O visa & was told that a visa trip to Laos would mean an overnight stay to get my 90 day stamp on re-entry & that if I went there & back in the same day I would only get a one month stamp. Is this true?

Also would it be possible to return to the UK when this visa is running out & get another non immigrant cat O back to back with this one.

any advise appreciated thanks.

[jstumbo]

If it is a multiple entry non O, you will get 90 days with each entry.

Yes, you could go back to the UK and get another. If you have a Thai spouse, and 400K baht in the bank somewhere, you could go to Singapore.

[lopburi3]

If you have a valid visa (multi entry non immigrant O) all you need to do is cross border, enter other country and then return (entering visa information into arrival card) and you will receive a 90 day stamp.

If you do not have a valid non immigrant visa and wish to apply for one you would have to submit in morning at Consulate and pick up the next workday afternoon.

[gzu88bv]

I currently have a non immigrant cat O visa & was told that a visa trip to Laos would mean an overnight stay to get my 90 day stamp on re-entry & that if I went there & back in the same day I would only get a one month stamp. Is this true?

Also would it be possible to return to the UK when this visa is running out & get another non immigrant cat O back to back with this one.

any advise appreciated thanks.

If I may add:

No, there is no overnight stay needed. If you have a valid Non-O-Visa all what you have to do is to leave (stamp out) of Thailand, go to the booth of the neighboring country, buy there a visa, get stamped in into that country, then right after that make a U-turn, leave that neighboring country, get stamped out, then go to the booth of Thailand Immigration again and you will receive your 90 days Stamp to Stay. This we call a border run where you do not visit a Thai consulate.

I am a holder of a back-to-back Non-O-Visa, although not from the same consulate. Any such visa is not always a given thing and I learned with the time everything depends on the consulate you are going to apply. I know of consulates in Europe that usually accommodate the applicant, some consulates however try to sell you into something different. So be just prepared for it.

And last but not least, consulates are usually a far better place for visas than embassies.

[Junglejumbo]

Does anybody happen to know what time the border crossing at Nong Khai closes? And if it's still possible to buy a laos visa on entry? Jim.

[mijan24]

The border at Nong Khai closes at 10 pm and thats fine if you time your exit (Thai) enter (Laos) exit (Laos) enter (Thai) to happen before closing time in other words dont expect if you leave Thailand at 9.30 pm to get back to Thailand that night unless you are very very expedient.

Lao visa can be obtained at the Lao border post as you enter no probs except for a hold up if there are plenty of travellers that day at that time - they can also be obtained at the Laos Consulate in Khon Kaen - where you can take the slow 2 day turn around or for an extra 200 baht you can take the 10 minute express service.

Sorry forgot to mention - dont forget your passport photo for the LAO VISA APPLICATION.

Edited March 12, 2008 by mijan24