Thai Tourist Visas For Laos Nationals

[brewsterbudgen]

I recently met a Laos national who is on her second tourist visa for Thailand. Does the Consulate in Vientiene treat Laos nationals any differently when it comes to issuing back-to-back or numerous Tourist visas? Obviously any Laos girls who are long-term tourists in Thailand shouldn't be working as employment is prohibited, but one suspects this might not be case Is this something the authorities are very bothered about?

[PoorSucker]

There is reports that ASEAN country member are not given back-to-back visas in Vientiane.

Contact TV member tropo about this issue.

[brewsterbudgen]

There is reports that ASEAN country member are not given back-to-back visas in Vientiane.

Contact TV member tropo about this issue.

That's interesting. I looked in her passport and she had two visas (both issued in Vientiene), one used and the other still valid. Not sure if they were literally back-to-back but I'm sure they were pretty close.

[thaiphoon]

There is reports that ASEAN country member are not given back-to-back visas in Vientiane.

Recent reports certainly suggest a more stringent criteria for visa issue to SEA nationals (and visa applications being rejected at Vientiane), but some back to backs have been issued.

[lopburi3]

Believe that is third country, not citizens of Laos, that have had issues.

[xerostar]

We have a young Lao lady age 24 working as a domestic help here in Uthai Thani.

She has had many back to back (one month) tourist visas over the last couple of years.

She had been working on a fish farm down south. Her border runs were to Malaysia.

My step son invited her to come and stay with us.

I didn't know anything about it until she arrived here but the TW had OK'd it because she needed the help.

The young lady had to visit home in Vientiene to collect the required papers, then my wife

arranged a two year working visa with no need for border runs.

It was arranged at the provincial employment office.

Two thousand baht in fees and a visit to immigration in Bangkok.

I assume that having a Thai sponsor makes all the difference.

Another curious thing: This young lady's passport shows only one name!

I thought somebody had made a mistake, but apparently it's quite common.

I wonder how the authorities in western countries deal with that?

Last name: Smith

First name: ........

Then if the whole family emmigrates:

Mr ....... Smith

Mrs ....... Smith

Then 4 children all named "......... Smith"

[jubby]

There's probably a reciprical agreement of some sort. I do know a Laos national who gets 30 days back to back for Visa exempt entries so doesn't bother with Tourist Visa's. We would get just 15 days So things maybe different for Tourist Visa's also. No harm asking someone at immigration I suppose ( Definately don't ask a Laos official ) . If she's going to work I believe its easy to get a work permit so no Visa or even passport necessary.

[petertucker48]

My Laos GF is getting back to back Tourist visa in Savannakhet for over a year now, just pay ฿1000.

[TerryLH]

"If she's going to work I believe its easy to get a work permit so no Visa or even passport necessary. "

They get 30 days without a passport. For anything longer they need a visa and a passport.

[jubby]

"If she's going to work I believe its easy to get a work permit so no Visa or even passport necessary. "

They get 30 days without a passport. For anything longer they need a visa and a passport.

I suppose we're getting a bit off topic. but I know quite a few on workpermits without passports or Visa's

[brewsterbudgen]

"If she's going to work I believe its easy to get a work permit so no Visa or even passport necessary. "

They get 30 days without a passport. For anything longer they need a visa and a passport.

I suppose we're getting a bit off topic. but I know quite a few on workpermits without passports or Visa's

And I would guess there are quite a few Laos nationals with a visa, but no work permit, working in the popular tourist areas.