In This Situation, Need For Tourist Visa Or Not?

[Mightycabage]

Hi all,

I understand the visa on arrival thing as I've been through Thailand several times, but I've never had to get a visa before.

In November 2011 I plan on staying in Thailand for about 6 weeks, going in to Laos (overland) for a week to meet my brother, and then coming back to Thailand for another 6 or so weeks.

Is the only way to do this with a double entry 60 day tourist visa? I was not able to find a double entry 60 day tourist visa online to apply for. I'm 25 years old and I hold a US passport.

Thanks.

[moe666]

Get in touch with the Portland Consulate and talk to the lady who runs the show there. You may need to show some bank statement that you can support yourself as well as a travel sch. to justify a double entry tourist visa. She can have it back to you in a few days and she will let you know everything you need to submit. I donot know the number off hand but google is your friend

[Mario2008]

Per above.

A double entry tourist visa is the best. Alternatively you can get a new toruist visa while you are in Laos (In Vientianne or Savanakhet).

[Mightycabage]

Thanks for the replies. I contacted the Portland Consulate by phone, got their answering machine saying that they're only open during the morning hours of the day and also provided their email address, so I emailed them. Hopefully I'll have an answer soon as to whether I'll be able to apply for a double entry 60 day tourist visa.

[Mightycabage]

Ok so here's the situation as of now. Thai-or.com took a while to reply to two of my emails but I got answers. While I wait for their reply to my next question, I figure I could probably get help from you fine people faster.

So I was told by thai-or.com to apply for two 60-day tourist visas. Then they told me that the visa is only valid for 90 days from the date of issue. If I apply for two visas now and get them, by the time I'm finished with my first visa, the second one will already be expired.

1. Does this mean that I must apply for the visa right before my trip?

2. And how long does this process take for the visa to be issued?

3. Also, How certain is it that I will get the visa? (are applications often rejected?)

Here is my plan: Fly to BKK November 30, go to Laos for a week (to meet my brother) around January 4th (practically a waste of a 60-day visa but what other option do I have?), Return to BKK January 12th and use my second 60-day visa.

4. Does this mean I must apply/become issued my visas maximum of 90 days before January 12? This would be around October 12. Meaning, would I have to apply for my visas after October 12 for my second visa to remain valid until January 12? I suppose that should leave enough time for me to be issued the visa before November 30, but my only concern would be question 3, if for some reason my visa is rejected.

I hope this all makes sense. Thank you for taking the time to read!

[Lite Beer]

The Visa will be valid for 90 days from date of issue.

Meaning you must make your second entry before that date.

That seems to fit in with your plans.

Apply in he second half of November.

[Mightycabage]

I think if I apply in the second half of October both of my visas will be valid for 90 days meaning until the end of January (assuming they are issued in the end of October).

Thanks for the reply. Do you have answers for my questions # 2 and 3? - How long does the issuing process generally take, and what is the likelyhood that my application might be rejected? Much appreciated.

The Visa will be valid for 90 days from date of issue.

Meaning you must make your second entry before that date.

That seems to fit in with your plans.

Apply in he second half of November.

[lopburi3]

If doing by mail expect it will get back within a week. No reason for it not to be approved.

[Lite Beer]

If applying by post you should get your Passport back within a week.

Highly unlikely to be turned down.

[Mightycabage]

If doing by mail expect it will get back within a week. No reason for it not to be approved.

If applying by post you should get your Passport back within a week.

Highly unlikely to be turned down.

Perfect. Thank you for the quick responses!

[Mightycabage]

If doing by mail expect it will get back within a week. No reason for it not to be approved.

If applying by post you should get your Passport back within a week.

Highly unlikely to be turned down.

Ok so I might be staying in Thailand for less than 30 days before I meet my brother in Laos, then I'll be coming back to Thailand for 6 weeks in which case I'll be needing the 60-day tourist visa. In this case I would only need one 60-day visa. How do I make sure that immigration doesn't use my 60-day visa the FIRST time I enter Thailand? I would only want a 30-day "visa on arrival" when I first enter Thailand, but I'll have that 60-day visa in my passport.

[Mario2008]

You can ask nicely if to not use your tourist visa, but current policy is that they will use the visa if you have one. So you probably need to apply for a new tourist visa in Laos or just apply for a double entry tourist visa.

[steve187]

your best bet would be to apply for a double entry tourist at the beginning of November, you will be covered for both trips and the 90 expiry should not be a problem, the cost involved is small.