Knock Back In Vientianne For Non Immb

[james777]

Armed with all the supporting documentation from my new employer - a small International School in Pattaya - I just wasted my time and especially the money on a trip to Vientianne to obtain my Non Immigrant B which was for my WP application later. The embassy in Vientianne was knocking back teachers who did not have a Teacher's License. One farang young woman was in tears, and I was and am still angry over the cost and wasted trip. So who made the mistake?

I challenged the clerk about not being able to obtain a Teacher's License until a Work Permit was issued - but I am not sure if I was correct, although it kinda makes sense (but, hey, I've lived and worked here in LOS for 3 years and know the score on that logic!). Also my previous Thai employers were universities where I did not need a Teachers License.

The clerk was insistent that the school should have provided the License even though all the other documentation was in order.

I have been working for this 'school' for over two weeks and had to wait until the school holiday before they would give me the contract, letters etc. to do this trip. I also have not had a pay day yet, so the cost of the trip was a big difficult expense for me.

One thing that I am suspicous of and would like to know is, if Vientianne has a reputation for being difficult, how can they seemingly have different requirements for any/all other Thai consulates/embassies - as was implied by the clerk there, who said they have this order from the Ministry of Education that all Non B applicants have to have a copy of their License to apply for the Non B.

Catch 22 yet again?

Or was my school in the wrong in not providing me with the License first? Or was I wrong in going to that Embassy? Previously Penang and Singapore were efficient and I had no problems at all.

What do I tell my school tomorrow? I am pretty certain they couldn't give a **** about my lost money, so should I challenge them on the fact that I have been working for them illegally, with their full knowlege as a way to perhaps force them to cough up the cash for the next, hopefuly successful, run?

By the way, does anyone know why the hel_l all visa applicants in Vientianne have to stand in the sun? Has anyone ever complained to the Immigration Department about that fact? It's an appalling arrangement considering the climate and the negative impression any newcomer arranging to travel into Thailand would get from that makeshift lean-to they call an application section!

[taxexile]

as a way to perhaps force them to cough up the cash for the next, hopefuly successful, run?

good to see you have managed to retain your sense of humour after your jaunt to laos and your spell in the heat.

please amuse us again with details and expenses incurred on your next trip.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Laos Thai Embassy is and has long been considered inhospitable. A TV search would have told you that

[mouse]

Laos Thai Embassy is and has long been considered inhospitable.  A TV search would have told you that

I have not been there in many years but, can remember that having paid one of the "providers" that hang out in front, thus I had no difficulty when others with the same paperwork did. Makes you think does it not.

To lend further credence to my theory, I remember buying my wife's Schenken Visa to Europe, years ago after she had been laughed out of a particluar European Embassy.

As for getting the school to cough up the money for the next trip......... Good luck. Holding your illegal employment over their heads means nothing to them, for under the law you are the violator, they pay their hush money elsewhere, usually with the big guys, making them immune to such nusiances. Walk careful!

Edited October 24, 2005 by mouse

[lanny]

By the way, does anyone know why the hel_l all visa applicants in Vientianne have to stand in the sun? Has anyone ever complained to the Immigration Department about that fact? It's an appalling arrangement considering the climate and the negative impression any newcomer arranging to travel into Thailand would get from that makeshift lean-to they call an application section!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Have they changed the set up again? I haven't had to make a visa run to Vientiane for over a year but I made several runs before that.

The new location is certainly an improvement over the old place down in town. There, it was usually better to be out in the sun. Inside wasn't too bad but waiting on the porch was not good. True, you were out of the sun but there was no air movement and it became pretty steamy.

At the new location, I never had to wait outside too long, once the gate was opened. Once inside, we were seated in a covered veranda which never seemed a problem to me.

[Judge]

I had the exact same problem about 7 years ago and wasted a buch of money and time also.

The Doc is right, NEVER go to Vientianne for a non-immigrant visa.

[james777]

So is it true that different embassies and consulates have differing paperwork requirements for visas? I would have thought (again, I must remember this is Thailand) that there would be a standard throughout the planet. After all, anything less than that is totally absurd.

Edited October 24, 2005 by james777

[james777]

Thanks for the responses, but I am still in the dark regarding whether the License is a prerequisite for a Non Imm. B application!

I need to know so as to get my employer organised.

btw: I was aware that Laos has a bad reputation. Reason I went that way was other teachers in the school said recently that they had no problems, and also a recent posting on this forum gave the same assurance, and I followed that posting's route..actually saving more money by flying via AirAsia to Udon Thani(1,500 baht each way) (I figured I could save by staying one night in Udon Thani and the next in Vientianne, Thai hotel being better quality and better value.

I did use a visa service there and they tried to sort it all out for me - which I didn't mention before - result of their expertise was no better than if I had done it myself. They just accepted what the clerks said, so I returned immediately to Udon T with them and flew back very miffed

So I am back to square one

[EVO]

This is the new rule for some reason. I know of 4 teachers turned down over the last two weeks for a non-b visa.

Like you said, TIT.

[james777]

This is the new rule for some reason. I know of 4 teachers turned down over the last two weeks for a non-b visa.

Like you said, TIT.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks for your reply.

Is that news only regarding Vientianne, or does it apply to to other embassies/consulates? In other words is it a new rule/requirement for a Non Immigrant B application.

Add two more to your list. When I got to work this morning a new Philippina teacher came back from Vientianne with the same story as mine. However, I did find out that as a member of ASEAN, Philippinas don't have to pay to enter Laos. So her trip was $30 less than mine!

[richard10365]

I have been to Vientiane embassy many times. Usually for a tourist visa and once for a Non-Immagrit-O visa.

I have never had a problem with them. They were always very helpful and courteous.

Their outdoor office never really bothered me.

But hey,....if you think they are bad, try going to Cambodia to get your visa. The embassy in Phonom Phen is the one where the tell you not to come back.

[nongsau genie]

So is it true that different embassies and consulates have differing paperwork requirements for visas? I would have thought (again, I must remember this is Thailand) that there would be a standard throughout the planet. After all, anything less than that is totally absurd.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I got my non b from consulate in Savannakhet, Laos, all they asked 1. letter of employment from your school 2. transcript and diploma 3. your school registration 4. and fee for visa 2000.00b

[Ijustwannateach]

Everything points to the Vientiane consulate becoming more and more huffy and unfriendly about paperwork. In the early days when I was here they would issue the non-imm.B on a "proper" school's say-so, but the school had to be on the "list" (whatever that meant). Seems like they're tightening things up now and requiring the school to make a significant paperwork investment (and also show that you as a teacher meet some relatively low benchmark qualifications, like having a degree or "equivalent" plus TEFL or equivalent experience). I know it must be frustrating now to jump horses in midstream, but it will make things better all around for teachers and schools in the future here by cutting out the least presentable imposters from the workforce.

"Steven"