Tourist Visa In Ho Chi Minh

[tatahu]

I would like to get a 2 month tourist visa at the Thai Consulate in HCMC. I have a Canadian passport.

I am concerned about being refused because of 2 recent 60 day tourist visas which were each extended

for 30 days. I understand that this has been a problem at the Penang Consulate.

Does anyone know about HCMC?

I entered Thailand at the start of October on a 60 day visa, and extended for 30 days in December, exiting before expiry.

I returned in mid-February on a 60 day visa, extended mid-April, and would like to exit on the last possible day.

Is HCMC known to refuse in such cases?

Also, how many days are required for processing?

Thanks in advance.

[lopburi3]

Have not heard of any Consulate using the Penang criteria. But believe they will require show of air tickets to obtain a visa. Believe it is next day service.

[PhilHarries]

^ Yes, last year used the HCMC Consulate and you drop it off in the morning and pick it up next day (afternoon) and they want a copy of your air ticket.

The consulate was also very quiet, two people when I dropped off the app and nobody when I picked it up.

[tatahu]

Thanks for the replies.

The website for the Thai Consulate in HCMC, which I checked last night, includes this warning under the Tourist Visa section:

>> IMPORTANT NOTE: Foreign nationals who stayed in Thailand for a maximum stay of 30 days for each entry with a total period of stay exceeding 90 days within 6 months counting from the date of the first entry to Kingdom are not permitted to re-enter to Thailand. They have to wait for another 90 days before re-entering Thailand. <<

Since a tourist visa issued by an embassy or consulate is for 60 days (for many nationalities including mine), does this provision limiting one to 90 days within 6 months ONLY apply to visas-on-arrival (15 days by land and 30 days by air)? Can anyone confirm that this is the approved or defacto reasoning?

For clarification, I sent an e-mail to the HCMC consulate address listed on the website, and it was returned as undeliverable. Would immigration in Bangkok offer authoritative guidance on this issue in a reasonably accessible manner?

I understand that Penang seems to be a problem spot for some visa types. Is it the case that I would be refused a tourist visa from the Penang consulate because of a ban on consecutive periods of stay with tourist visas, or is there another commonly enforced policy?

Any additional reports of recent experience in HCMC and clarification of Thai tourist visa policy in this particular case would be appreciated.

[lopburi3]

That provision was rescinded over a year ago (when they made land border crossing 15 days instead of 30 days). There is no such restriction.

[thaiphoon]

Penang policy is currently to refuse issue of another tourist visa to anyone who has a previous tourist visa extension. But any embassy/consulate can refuse to issue a tourist visa if they believe the applicant is not a genuine tourist.