How Much Time And Money, For Visa Run Chiang Mai-vientiane?

[PeaceBlondie]

I am applying for full time job as a teacher in Chiang Mai, which would require a change from an O retirement visa that is extended, to a B visa on which I can get a work permit. Maybe it can be done in Chiang Mai, maybe not. So, what about a visa run to Vientiane?

How much to fly from CNX to airport in Vientiane? Can I go by bus? How much for incidental taxis, a decent guest house, farang food? How many days? What is the chance I will get refused, even if I have what should be the right paperwork in hand? What other important point have I overlooked?

Thanks.

[sjaak327]

Flight from CNX to Vientiane is not cheap, only Lao air flies this route, will cost you around 4 to 5000 baht single. A cheaper option would be to fly with Nok Air to Udon Thani (three times a week, so check their schedule) and take the mini bus to the friendship bridge and a taxi from the Lao side to Vientiane, total time would be around 3 hours.

Decent guesthouse for 500 baht, Lao food is dirt cheap, Farang food I wouldn't know, as I don't eat that whilst in Laos.

[aazA]

I am applying for full time job as a teacher in Chiang Mai, which would require a change from an O retirement visa that is extended, to a B visa on which I can get a work permit. Maybe it can be done in Chiang Mai, maybe not. So, what about a visa run to Vientiane?

How much to fly from CNX to airport in Vientiane? Can I go by bus? How much for incidental taxis, a decent guest house, farang food? How many days? What is the chance I will get refused, even if I have what should be the right paperwork in hand? What other important point have I overlooked?

Thanks.

Hi i got a retirement visa changed to B visa in vientiane no problem,get the paperwork from the school.take to emmbassy early, pick up next day after 1pm cost 1,900 baht .

[lopburi3]

I believe you obtained a new non immigrant B visa.

[aazA]

I believe you obtained a new non immigrant B visa.

Long story,ended up on 3 month overstay,pattaya refused to change non B back to 1 year extention.

Got in touch with sunbelt and after much paper chasing and bkk imm wanting proof of income from uk which i could not provide.

Bkk imm settled for 1 million baht deposit letter from my bank and overstay fine of 20,000 baht ouch.

But i must say the ladie at BKK IMM, was very helpfull and sunbelt very reliable .

[abdulrahman]

I am applying for full time job as a teacher in Chiang Mai, which would require a change from an O retirement visa that is extended, to a B visa on which I can get a work permit. Maybe it can be done in Chiang Mai, maybe not. So, what about a visa run to Vientiane?

How much to fly from CNX to airport in Vientiane? Can I go by bus? How much for incidental taxis, a decent guest house, farang food? How many days? What is the chance I will get refused, even if I have what should be the right paperwork in hand? What other important point have I overlooked?

Thanks.

Flight to Udon with NokAir and bus to Vientiane is the best option,and not so expensive.There are buses from ChiangMai to NongKhai,but is a very long time,well over 10 Hs that you have to sit in the bus,wouldn't recommend to a friend!

Taxis=tuk-tuk,around the city,if you speak some Thai,30-40 Baht,many Guesthouses a little back from the Mekong,by reasonable prices,around 500 Baht,cannot be more precise,long time I used them.Lao food very good and cheap,lots of French,Italian,Indian restourants,mostly cheaper as in Bangkok,on the Riverside and near.Pay the Lao visa in $,save 400 Baht.

Have a good trip. Beer Lao!

[poolie]

Sorry to jump in here but i'm looking at the Nok Air flight from Bangkok arriving at Udon at 07.00hrs. Is there sufficient time to get from the airport to the consulate to drop my passport off? I've heard rumours about the gates closing early if its too busy!

Cheers

[PeaceBlondie]

Thanks to all the responses so far. I see that the flight from Chiang Mai to Udon Thani costs about 4,800 round trip. One night in Vientiane with 3 meals, maybe 900 baht. Expenses I am unsure of include

Visa for Thailand, non-immigrant B, probably 1,900 baht. In case all goes awry, I will get a reentry permit on my existing O visa before I leave, single re-entry, 900 baht.

Land transport, Udon Thani and return, unknown.

Entry visa for Laos, unknown.

So, roughly 9000 baht to get a visa which may make me legal to work in Thailand, plus other expenses for a work permit.

Tomorrow, I may try to ask an officer at Immigration and/or the Labour Dept. if it can be done locally. Then, hope I can find an employer who not only wants to hire me, but who knows how to issue me the right documents for the first stamp from Labour and the B visa from an embassy. I have my doubts it can or will happen.

[PeaceBlondie]

GOOD NEWS! But first, I apologize for starting a new thread, since I just found a very long thread that answers most of the questions.

I went to CMai Immigration today, and the guy there said I can do it locally. They wear Lanna traditional clothing on Friday, as I do, so I could not tell what rank he was. But, he thought about it, and he seemed quite confident. That may save me over seven thousand baht, countless kip, and three days of traveling abroad. What a relief. Now, to see if I can secure a decent job....