Laos Visa Run

[Flatlander]

This is where it gets confusing for me. I am on a tourist visa extension. The extension will end in a week so I am preparing to do a visa run. The original tourist visa that I extended here in Bangkok was attained at the Thai embassy in Laos. I have been told that I should not go to the Thai embassy in Laos again, but rather should do a "border run" for an additional tourist visa and avoid a Thai Embassy, that you can only do visas through the embassies twice a year. Any suggestions as to what I should do at this point??? Thanks.

[Mario2008]

Look at you visa stamp from the embassy, does it say single or double? They might have given you a double entry. Meaning that after using up the first entry you can leave Thailand and can come right back again to get a second entry.

Beware that if it is a double entry visa, you should enter Thailand for the second time before the "use before" date on the visa.

[Flatlander]

Look at you visa stamp from the embassy, does it say single or double? They might have given you a double entry. Meaning that after using up the first entry you can leave Thailand and can come right back again to get a second entry.

Beware that if it is a double entry visa, you should enter Thailand for the second time before the "use before" date on the visa.

The visa stamp has under the number of entries an S, single. The enter before line says 18, Mar 2009. What would my best option be at this point? Does this mean I cannot go to Laos for a visa extension? I really appreciate the help.

[Maestro]

An extension, you get at an immigration office, and you say you already got the extension on the permission to stay after you entered with your tourist.

For a new tourist visa, not an extension, you have to go to a Thai consulate. You mentioned Laos, and Vientiane is not a bad place to get it.

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Maestro

[Lite Beer]

Go to Vientienne Laos and get another Tourist Visa. There are no limits and you can even get a double entry if you want. Another good thing is that Tourist Visas are free at the moment.

[Flatlander]

Go to Vientienne Laos and get another Tourist Visa. There are no limits and you can even get a double entry if you want. Another good thing is that Tourist Visas are free at the moment.

I was told there is a limit to the number of tourist visas you can acquire per year from the consulates in Laos and you can't do two in a row from the same consulate. Is this true? From what you say I take it that it is not. Thanks for the feedback.

[Lite Beer]

Go to Vientienne Laos and get another Tourist Visa. There are no limits and you can even get a double entry if you want. Another good thing is that Tourist Visas are free at the moment.

I was told there is a limit to the number of tourist visas you can acquire per year from the consulates in Laos and you can't do two in a row from the same consulate. Is this true? From what you say I take it that it is not. Thanks for the feedback.

Luckily you heard wrong. There is no limit.

[ozzieovaseas]

Look at you visa stamp from the embassy, does it say single or double? They might have given you a double entry. Meaning that after using up the first entry you can leave Thailand and can come right back again to get a second entry.

Beware that if it is a double entry visa, you should enter Thailand for the second time before the "use before" date on the visa.

Hi Mario,

Was great to hear you post this advice as a definate..it seems hard to get all the info from immigration websites or indeed any thai sources. Just to be sure can you please verify my plans below:

1. Get original double entry tourist from Laos.

2. Stay 60 days.

3. Extend for 30 days at sathorn road imm....

4. Leave the country before 30 days are up.Need only exit to cambodia or any other border.

5. From Cambodia i can then re-enter thailand at any time (get re-stamped) to activate the second entry and get another 60+30?

All true?

I really appreciate your advice as ive been back and forward over this and still non the wiser!!

[Maestro]

All true. That’s exactly how it works.

You don’t have to wait until the last day of your 60-day permission to stay to apply for the 30-day extension. Even if you apply early you lose nothing; the 30-day extension is added to the end of your 60-day permission.

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Maestro

[ozzieovaseas]

All true. That's exactly how it works.

You don't have to wait until the last day of your 60-day permission to stay to apply for the 30-day extension. Even if you apply early you lose nothing; the 30-day extension is added to the end of your 60-day permission.

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Maestro

Thanks Maestro, a great help.

I was actually thinking that i would have to make the trip to Cambodia and re-enter thailand BEFORE the 30 day extension expires but as long as im out of the country i could theoretically stay in cambodia a few weeks.

Do you know if there's any time limit placed on when i can re-enter and use the second entry?

[Lite Beer]

All true. That's exactly how it works.

You don't have to wait until the last day of your 60-day permission to stay to apply for the 30-day extension. Even if you apply early you lose nothing; the 30-day extension is added to the end of your 60-day permission.

--

Maestro

Thanks Maestro, a great help.

I was actually thinking that i would have to make the trip to Cambodia and re-enter thailand BEFORE the 30 day extension expires but as long as im out of the country i could theoretically stay in cambodia a few weeks.

Do you know if there's any time limit placed on when i can re-enter and use the second entry?

You have to Re Enter before the "Use by" OR "Enter Before" date on your Visa.

[ozzieovaseas]

thanks very much litey..all clear now