What Is Really Going On At Vientiane?

[visawalker]

There is so much confusing information on this site about tourist visa in Vientiane and the criterion for rejection I would really like to get to the truth about it as I need to stay in Thailand for another 6 months.

Recently there was a post that refuted the 3 strikes and you're out theory propagated by maestro. In that post is was declared that they are only looking at the past 12 months in your passport and a phone number at the Thai embassy in Laos was included so you could call them to find out if you qualify for a visa before going there but I forgot to watch that post and cannot find it now has it been deleted?

It seemed to be the only post on this site that was credible as allot of it is mostly hearsay and judgmental condemnation of visa runners.

Recently(two weeks ago) a friend came back from Vientiane and said that they did not even look at his passport or care how many visas he had previously and no one else seemed to be having a problem either...

Is it that a thousand people every month are getting a visa with no problem and one or two have a problem and the one or two are the ones who get onto this website and complain about it?

I would also like to know if Savannakhet or Pnom Phen are giving double entries.

Edited March 9, 2011 by visawalker

[gotlost]

After March 31 you wont have to worry.

[PoorSucker]

Phnom Penh are giving double entries.

[visawalker]

Ha ha I wonder what happens if you get there on march 30?

[Tod Daniels]

I made a post in the other Vientiane Thai visa thread where said I called two well known visa run services;

Philip at Quick Thai Visa Run - Quick Thai Visa Run

Claudio at Thai Visa Service - Thai Visa Service

They BOTH said this was not an isolated incident by any means. Much more scrutiny is being paid to how many times you've previously gotten Tourist Visas in Vientiane.

In fact both of those guys recommended; rather than have a customer chance it (in situations where they've got a few visas from Vientiane), just use the alternate service they provide; which takes you to the border of Cambodia where you camp out in a hotel for two days while your passport is sent by courier to the Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh and back. Unless Im mistaken, I believe they can get double entry. Rather than go on my word alone, Id call and check with either of em.

These are two completely different, yet very well known visa run companies here in Bangkok who lug hundreds of people a month to get visas for Thailand. If they dont know whats what they lose customers. Given their advice was the same; I'd take the info as comin' from pretty good sources.

Edited March 9, 2011 by tod-daniels

[TacoBoy]

I am not saying these Visa services are a scam. But "Beware".

Using a Visa Service is risky. If the stamp and/or Visa you get from them is a forgery, you run the risk of going to jail, deportation, and hundreds of thousands of baht in legal fees.

A similar circumstance happened in Thailand nearly 10 years ago with some services back then offering to get you Visa's or stamps for a service fee. Altho these services were offered while you waited in Thailand for your passport, the Visa's and stamps did not really come from legitamate sources.

Not sure if these Visa services are indeed any differnet than what occured nearly 10 years ago with them getting fake stamps and visa's. Even tho they are outside Thailand, be careful that the service you are using is truly a direct agent dealing in fact with the Thai Embassy or Conulate as an agent for you and on your behalf.

And that using an agent is legal.

Edited March 9, 2011 by TacoBoy

[Tod Daniels]

BOTH of those companies are Visa RUN Services. That is they run you out of the country to get your visa. They're also both well established companies so I believe the 'risk' is indeed minimal.

They can't even be compared to the 'wink and a nod' we'll get your stamps while you wait in Bangkok totally bogus "services" which went on not all that many years ago when people were getting endless 30 day visa exempt stamps. That'd be like comparing rotten apples to fresh oranges, or insert your own analogy here (_____).

And yes, there were a LOT of bogus stamps being acquired years ago, but I haven't seen or heard of very many instances of it recently.

FWIW: Even Jack's Golf offers this '2-day-camp-out' at the casino on the Cambodian border and then sends your passport up to Phnom Penh type of dealy. I don't think there's a visa run company that's been in business longer than that one here in Bangkok. ..

BTW: I'm not affiliated with ANY visa run service, I just find out the info to offer recommendations to people on who to contact and where to go.

[visawalker]

I have no visas at all from Vientiane ever and no visas at all for more than a year back so I should be ok to go to Vientiane while its still free?

[NanLaew]

Now that you have stated that your passport is 'virgin', go to Vientiane and get a double TR visa for free.

Edited March 9, 2011 by NanLaew

[visawalker]

Now that you have stated that you passport is 'virgin', go to Vientiane and get a double TR visa for free.

Well this is getting interesting... its not exactly "virgin" since I got about three single entries in penang but nothing in the past 12 months. Does that qualify as virgin?

Edited March 9, 2011 by visawalker

[jdinasia]

Now that you have stated that you passport is 'virgin', go to Vientiane and get a double TR visa for free.

Well this is getting interesting... its not exactly "virgin" since I got about three single entries in penang but nothing in the past 12 months. Does that qualify as virgin?

Vientiane will probably be OK for you.

Your friends that stated they went and that their passports were not even looked at were telling fibs, since you turn your passport in one day and come back the next to pick them up, how would they know what scrutiny they were given?

[lujanit]

A friend of mine recently (approx 3 weeks ago) was refused a Non B in Vientiene even though he had the documents he has previously used for a Non B. In addition he was refused a double TV. He managed to get a single TV.

For information to anyone here who is thinking of going to Singapore for a TV there is a notice in the foyer stating that anyone with back to back TV's in their passport will be refused a further TV. The notice goes on to explain that the Thai Immigration believes that numerous people who are in Thailand on TV's are working illegally.

[visawalker]

A friend of mine recently (approx 3 weeks ago) was refused a Non B in Vientiene even though he had the documents he has previously used for a Non B. In addition he was refused a double TV. He managed to get a single TV.

For information to anyone here who is thinking of going to Singapore for a TV there is a notice in the foyer stating that anyone with back to back TV's in their passport will be refused a further TV. The notice goes on to explain that the Thai Immigration believes that numerous people who are in Thailand on TV's are working illegally.

Nobody is going to Singapore!

There there is a million posts about this kind of stuff its like pollution Im trying to get some clarity here.

[CNXSTEVE]

A friend of mine recently (approx 3 weeks ago) was refused a Non B in Vientiene even though he had the documents he has previously used for a Non B. In addition he was refused a double TV. He managed to get a single TV.

For information to anyone here who is thinking of going to Singapore for a TV there is a notice in the foyer stating that anyone with back to back TV's in their passport will be refused a further TV. The notice goes on to explain that the Thai Immigration believes that numerous people who are in Thailand on TV's are working illegally.

Nobody is going to Singapore!

There there is a million posts about this kind of stuff its like pollution Im trying to get some clarity here.

Good luck with the snotty attitude, people on here give their personal experiences whereas a visa agency might give you definitive information.

[ozzieovaseas]

A friend of mine recently (approx 3 weeks ago) was refused a Non B in Vientiene even though he had the documents he has previously used for a Non B. In addition he was refused a double TV. He managed to get a single TV.

For information to anyone here who is thinking of going to Singapore for a TV there is a notice in the foyer stating that anyone with back to back TV's in their passport will be refused a further TV. The notice goes on to explain that the Thai Immigration believes that numerous people who are in Thailand on TV's are working illegally.

Nobody is going to Singapore!

There there is a million posts about this kind of stuff its like pollution Im trying to get some clarity here.

The advice you've already been given can't get any clearer. From what you have said, your visa history is pretty minor as far as visa runs go. The issue is with those who have had lots of back to back double entries,and are obviously living in the country and posssibly working illegally (as far as the authorities are concerned anyway)

After having a 12 month break away in another country, you shouldnt have any problems at all..my opinion anyway

[hgma]

after march 31 no worries??

did i miss something

pls fill me in

hgma

After March 31 you wont have to worry.

[Lite Beer]

after march 31 no worries??

did i miss something

pls fill me in

hgma

After March 31 you wont have to worry.

Tourist Visas are free until March 31st.

[NanLaew]

after march 31 no worries??

did i miss something

pls fill me in

hgma

After March 31 you wont have to worry.

Tourist Visas are free until March 31st.

...with the qualifying assumption that after all visas become a revenue stream ie. they start charging for them, they will be issuing them willy nilly... or at least with less denials. However, the use of the dreaded 'red stamp' saying no more visas can be issued in any one passport cannot be ruled out. They have your money after all!

[ericthai]

A friend of mine recently (approx 3 weeks ago) was refused a Non B in Vientiene even though he had the documents he has previously used for a Non B. In addition he was refused a double TV. He managed to get a single TV.

For information to anyone here who is thinking of going to Singapore for a TV there is a notice in the foyer stating that anyone with back to back TV's in their passport will be refused a further TV. The notice goes on to explain that the Thai Immigration believes that numerous people who are in Thailand on TV's are working illegally.

There got to be more to the story about your friend not getting a "B" visa. I was just in Vientiene about the same time and got my "B" visa. I gave them all my papers they looked over them and told me I was missing the recent tax form called my office and got it faxed in, no problem, the girl at the place was nice and very helpful (very cute too!)

you guys are saying after March 31st it wont be an issue anymore, are you sure about that? If that's true and they only want money then shouldn't they be issuing "B" visas for 2000B all the time without really looking over the paper work. Hope you guys are correct and it's back to business as usual for all the Tourist visa runners.

[lujanit]

A friend of mine recently (approx 3 weeks ago) was refused a Non B in Vientiene even though he had the documents he has previously used for a Non B. In addition he was refused a double TV. He managed to get a single TV.

For information to anyone here who is thinking of going to Singapore for a TV there is a notice in the foyer stating that anyone with back to back TV's in their passport will be refused a further TV. The notice goes on to explain that the Thai Immigration believes that numerous people who are in Thailand on TV's are working illegally.

There got to be more to the story about your friend not getting a "B" visa. I was just in Vientiene about the same time and got my "B" visa. I gave them all my papers they looked over them and told me I was missing the recent tax form called my office and got it faxed in, no problem, the girl at the place was nice and very helpful (very cute too!)

you guys are saying after March 31st it wont be an issue anymore, are you sure about that? If that's true and they only want money then shouldn't they be issuing "B" visas for 2000B all the time without really looking over the paper work. Hope you guys are correct and it's back to business as usual for all the Tourist visa runners.

My friend has a number of Non B visas in the past year (HK, Penang, Singapore). The reason for so many is that it has taken quite some time to get BOI approval for the project for several reasons. When he went to Vientiene he took the normal documents he had used previously. He was told that they required more documentation, actually quite a lot more. I have seen the list. He was told that without the extra documentation he was not eligible. To clarify further I have just used the same documentation he used originally in Singapore and received a Non B visa.

In fact you can now get a Non B without leaving the country if your project has BOI approval, however the number of documents to achieve this is 21 as opposed to the number I used in Singapore (5) and that which Vientiene asked for (14). In addition if you are going to apply for a Non B in BKK you have to do it within 14 days of entering the country otherwise you must leave the country.

[visawalker]

A friend of mine recently (approx 3 weeks ago) was refused a Non B in Vientiene even though he had the documents he has previously used for a Non B. In addition he was refused a double TV. He managed to get a single TV.

For information to anyone here who is thinking of going to Singapore for a TV there is a notice in the foyer stating that anyone with back to back TV's in their passport will be refused a further TV. The notice goes on to explain that the Thai Immigration believes that numerous people who are in Thailand on TV's are working illegally.

Nobody is going to Singapore!

There there is a million posts about this kind of stuff its like pollution Im trying to get some clarity here.

The advice you've already been given can't get any clearer. From what you have said, your visa history is pretty minor as far as visa runs go. The issue is with those who have had lots of back to back double entries,and are obviously living in the country and posssibly working illegally (as far as the authorities are concerned anyway)

After having a 12 month break away in another country, you shouldnt have any problems at all..my opinion anyway

I was in Thailand for 12 months making border runs not out of the country

Previous to that I got three back to back in Penang

Edited March 10, 2011 by visawalker

[lostpacket]

So what is the safest bet for those with back to back TV's?

My original double TV a little less than year ago was from the Thai Consulate in Chicago. The next double was from Vientiane. I have to leave at the end of next month for another double entry.

I was think KL or Penang would be the best bet.

Edited March 10, 2011 by lostpacket

[lostpacket]

Well scrap Penang. Looks like they only issue single entry visas and have a 3 times back to back limit.

[CMTourist]

I'll add a single anecdotal account in case it helps as I got back last night from Vientiane.

Had about 3 years worth of tourist visas in one passport and fortunately for me it was completely full and I needed a new one just as this policy in Vientiane about limited back to back TR visas changed.

The new passport I made a mistake at Mai Sai and ended up doing two walk acrosses which meant that the stamp where they transfer the old visa on exit and write in the old passport number into the new passport had the visa type as WALK.

Vientiane was very busy, but that may have been due to the day before being a Women's day and the consulate being closed. I met a few people who hadn't known and had had to stay an extra day. I saw ticket numbers in the high 400s.

The guy at the desk I'm sure recognised me, but only asked me to clarify which hotel I was staying at in Laos.

Next day got a double entry TR with no red warning stamps or anything else like that.

I turned up late and saw maybe 100 people get their passports back. A few were frowning, but I only know for sure about one older Japanese man who queried why he'd only got a single.

Anyway, a single anecdotal tale isn't that useful, but when they add up hopefully we all get a better idea of what is going on. (Because the Thai government can't simply publish the rules!)

[visawalker]

I'll add a single anecdotal account in case it helps as I got back last night from Vientiane.

Had about 3 years worth of tourist visas in one passport and fortunately for me it was completely full and I needed a new one just as this policy in Vientiane about limited back to back TR visas changed.

The new passport I made a mistake at Mai Sai and ended up doing two walk acrosses which meant that the stamp where they transfer the old visa on exit and write in the old passport number into the new passport had the visa type as WALK.

Vientiane was very busy, but that may have been due to the day before being a Women's day and the consulate being closed. I met a few people who hadn't known and had had to stay an extra day. I saw ticket numbers in the high 400s.

The guy at the desk I'm sure recognised me, but only asked me to clarify which hotel I was staying at in Laos.

Next day got a double entry TR with no red warning stamps or anything else like that.

I turned up late and saw maybe 100 people get their passports back. A few were frowning, but I only know for sure about one older Japanese man who queried why he'd only got a single.

Anyway, a single anecdotal tale isn't that useful, but when they add up hopefully we all get a better idea of what is going on. (Because the Thai government can't simply publish the rules!)

It is usefull because its first hand experience not hearsay about somebodies friend that went there and it corresponds with what I have heard lately and what I believe , that they are only looking at the past 12 months. If you got more than 3 stickers in your passport in the past 12 months you will probably not get a double entry or anything maybe but if you got less than 3 Im pretty sure you will get a visa.

If you saw a 100 people get their passports back it means they are not as strict as allot of people are saying in this forum. They usually weed you out right at the window before they accept your passport and if they are going to reject you it will probably be in that moment. It is unlikely they will accept your passport and then not give you at least some kind of visa even if it is at least a single entry.

I have been in Thailand 8 years and have studied this forum pretty extensively and unfortunately most the information here is outdated. I believe some very relevant post and topics have been deleted as well. They just seem to mysteriously disappear.

There is far too much vague, outdated information for example maestros collection of topics about getting a visa in the region. Its a well meaning idea and I don't mean to criticise the intention but unfortunately most of that information is so out of date that it is useless at least for tourist visas.

Someone recently came back with very clear criterion direct from embassy personnel in Vientiane that they are only looking at the past 12 months and gave a phone number to check with the embassy before coming but that topic has mysteriously disappeared. If I am wrong someone please show me where it is.

[FarangGirlinKorat]

Now that you have stated that you passport is 'virgin', go to Vientiane and get a double TR visa for free.

Well this is getting interesting... its not exactly "virgin" since I got about three single entries in penang but nothing in the past 12 months. Does that qualify as virgin?

the first time i went to vientiane for a thai tourist visa, i had one tourist visa from the thai embassy in chicago and one from phnom penh. in between, i had done border runs 4 or 5 times.

the person a the thai embassy in vientiane asked what i was doing in Thailand. I told him that I was dating a Thai man and that we were soon to be married. which was true.

he asked if i was working. i said no. which was true.

he told me he didn't believe that i was working and didn't believe that i had a Thai boyfriend.

i told him i had substantial savings in the US and I offered him bank statements as proof. he did not even look at them.

I gave him my Thai fiancee's phone number and he called and spoke to him for about 5 minutes.

finally he gave me a tourist visa, but he wrote all over the page in my passport (in thai) something to the effect of "i do not believe this woman is not working. i believe she is staying in thailand and working illegally. do NOT give her another visa unless she first goes back to the US for at least 6 months."

jerk.

after that visa, i went to phnom penh once and had no problem and then was married and have had a thai spouse visa ever since. when i applied for the non-o thai spouse, the clerk (in bangkok) read what the guy from vientiene wrote and laughed a bit but didn't seem to care.

i would never go back to vietiene or send anyone i know there unless i was sure that they had changed their entire staff (which i doubt).

phnom penh was easy both times i went there.

chok dee na.

[bangkokcitylimits]

After March 31 you wont have to worry.

why ???

[visawalker]

Now that you have stated that you passport is 'virgin', go to Vientiane and get a double TR visa for free.

Well this is getting interesting... its not exactly "virgin" since I got about three single entries in penang but nothing in the past 12 months. Does that qualify as virgin?

the first time i went to vientiane for a thai tourist visa, i had one tourist visa from the thai embassy in chicago and one from phnom penh. in between, i had done border runs 4 or 5 times.

the person a the thai embassy in vientiane asked what i was doing in Thailand. I told him that I was dating a Thai man and that we were soon to be married. which was true.

he asked if i was working. i said no. which was true.

he told me he didn't believe that i was working and didn't believe that i had a Thai boyfriend.

i told him i had substantial savings in the US and I offered him bank statements as proof. he did not even look at them.

I gave him my Thai fiancee's phone number and he called and spoke to him for about 5 minutes.

finally he gave me a tourist visa, but he wrote all over the page in my passport (in thai) something to the effect of "i do not believe this woman is not working. i believe she is staying in thailand and working illegally. do NOT give her another visa unless she first goes back to the US for at least 6 months."

jerk.

after that visa, i went to phnom penh once and had no problem and then was married and have had a thai spouse visa ever since. when i applied for the non-o thai spouse, the clerk (in bangkok) read what the guy from vientiene wrote and laughed a bit but didn't seem to care.

i would never go back to vietiene or send anyone i know there unless i was sure that they had changed their entire staff (which i doubt).

phnom penh was easy both times i went there.

chok dee na.

What year was this?

Edited March 13, 2011 by visawalker

[bangkokcitylimits]

2 weeks ago I was in VTE and was denied a double entry, got a single and warning 'it's the last time', it was the young Lao lady at the submit desk at the backside who decided this.

Forgot to ask the 'service guys' outside it they can bypass this problem, maybe if you pay to have them do the procedure it helps ?'

[KoratFarang]

Phnom Penh are giving double entries.

They did not what to give me a dobble in Phnom Penh or my cambodian gf. so we told them we did not want a visa and both went to the thai embasy in laos and we both got a dobble there with no problems.

This was 2 weeks ago

Edited March 13, 2011 by KoratFarang