Extend Visa In Laos?

[hanzilavoka72]

I'm a Singaporean. I have use up my 60 days visa and recently i just have another extension of my visa for 30 days till 18 Jan 2010. Problem is i need to stay in thailand until 16 Feb 2010 due to personal matter. Can i do a new extension in Laos? Can i do an extension before the 30 days expire? Can i travel to laos by Bus? Can anyone help?

[thaiphoon]

You can obtain new tourist visa from embassy/consulate abroad which would give you a new 60 day stay. Or fly out/back into Thailand at end of current permission to stay and obtain 30 day visa exempt stamp on entry. You would only get 15 days visa exempt entry if entering the Kingdom by land border.

Knowing your location would help in providing travel information.

[hanzilavoka]

Is that mean if the 15 days going to expire i can go to the border again and get another 15 days?

[lopburi3]

You must cross into another country and return to obtain the new 15 days.

[Mario2008]

Yes, you could do it again and get another 15 days.

[thaiphoon]

2 x 15 day border runs will not see the Op through to 16th Feb due to the way the days are counted by immigration. He will be one day short:

18th Jan Border run. 15 days = 1st Feb

1st Feb Border run. 15 days = 15th Feb

To stay legal the options are therefore either to obtain new 60 day tourist visa or obtain 30 day visa exempt stamp by travelling out/back by air (30 days from 18th Jan = 16th Feb) or 3 x 15 day border runs.

Or the Op accepts by doing 2 x 15 day border runs he will go onto 1 day overstay with the risks associated with that should he be detained by the police (albeit small).

[hanzilavoka]

2 x 15 day border runs will not see the Op through to 16th Feb due to the way the days are counted by immigration. He will be one day short:

18th Jan Border run. 15 days = 1st Feb

1st Feb Border run. 15 days = 15th Feb

To stay legal the options are therefore either to obtain new 60 day tourist visa or obtain 30 day visa exempt stamp by travelling out/back by air (30 days from 18th Jan = 16th Feb) or 3 x 15 day border runs.

Or the Op accepts by doing 2 x 15 day border runs he will go onto 1 day overstay with the risks associated with that should he be detained by the police (albeit small).

Thanks so much to all of you here Is ok i just need two border run than i'll go back singapore. I can leave at 14 Feb no problem. Ok last question.

The nearest border is it laos? or which is the nearest? Any idea how much is the bus fare from bangkok to there?

[lopburi3]

Cambodia and there are organized runs from Bangkok for about 2,000 baht (which includes everything). Check classified of newspapers for contact numbers. It may even be less for Singapore passport holder.

[JL777]

Hi there, when i came to bkk on Nov, my passport was only chop with 1mth visa, i went to burma to chop passport but was given a 15days visa. Is it better that i fly out of bkk & come back again or go border again is better?

[thaiphoon]

When you arrived you entered on 30 day visa exempt entry (not a visa). Land crossing will give you 15 day visa exempt entry (not a visa). Depending on how long you intend to stay will determine your plans. Flying out/back will give you 30 day visa exempt entries. But if planning to be here for a while would suggest you obtain tourist visa from embassy/consulate abroad. They are currently free. That will give you 60 day permission to stay on entry which can be extended for a further 30 days at Thai immigration (fee 1900 baht). Or go to Vientiane and obtain double entry tourist visa (currently free). With extensions and a border run in the middle that will give you nearly 6 months stay.

[hanzilavoka]

Ok thanks everyone here again. I know what to do now. I just need to extend till Feb than i'll go back with my thai girlfriend to Singapore and married there. After married in Singapore we will come back to BKK in March hope i can apply for 1 year visa till than. I heard is not easy to have a 1 year visa or PR in Thailand. Have to spend a lot of money than able to get one. Is it true?

[thaiphoon]

Once married, you can apply for extension of stay based on marriage to Thai, if you meet the requirements. Financial requirements being 400k in Thai bank for 2 months prior to first application or 40k/month income. You can renew your extension every year at Thai immigration subject to meeting requirements. If starting the process from tourist visa or visa exempt entry, you must have at least 21 days left on your permission to stay to go through the conversion process to extension of stay.

Or if money is tight you can apply for multiple entry Non-O visa on basis of Thai wife at embassy/consulate abroad. KL requirement is sight of passbook with 100k+ balance, but reports indicate visas are being issued with less funds first time round. You would have to do border runs every 90 days.

For PR you will need 3 years extension of stay to apply as well as paying substantial taxes in Thailand. More information can be found here.