Hi guys,

I've been here over a year on a tourist visa but have just started a new job and need to change to a non-B asap.

My school has written a letter to the MoE already saying I will go to Phnom Penh to obtain my non-B and I have all the paperwork ready. However, the company I usually travel to Cambodia with for visa trips said it's a 3-day trip to change to a non-B and it costs 12,000B...

People have since said other countries can be cheaper but my school can't/won't change the letter as obviously the MoE already assumes it will Phnom Penh. Also, friends of mine have changed to non-B by going straight to immigration in Bangkok and paying 2,000B or less! My school say this is illegal?

If it really has to be Cambodia (Phnom Penh) that I visit now, is there an easy way to do it that won't cost 12,000B?

Thank you!!!

K.

You go to PP yourself and don't use a visa service (which I suspect is leaving you at a hotel on border). But how cheap you can live will be the question as believe the 12k is all inclusive. Be prepared to remain several days at this is normal at that location. You visit Consulate and submit paperwork and collect yourself. Cost for single entry visa will be 2,000 baht (or approx in local currency).

Why don't you go to immigration and try to do it there? If they'll do it, it's not illegal. If they won't, all it cost you is the time to go there.

If I go to PP myself, can I get a bus straight there or is it flight only?

If I go to immi in BKK, will the MoE still grant me a tourist visa as I and they already have letters stating PP?

Thank you.

MOE has nothing to do with granting visa - you mean Immigration and only they can answer your question. In general they do not accept letters not addressed to them.

Not sure if there is any international bus service but believe getting inside Cambodia at major crossings is not a problem.

You can get there by bus, you don't need to fly. Mini van from Khao San road 3/4 hours to border. Then bus from Poipet to Phnom Penh takes 9 hours. Cheap guesthouse for the night then next morning go straight to immigration with all your documents, photo's and cash. You should get your passport back within a few days (you can definately pay for things to move faster!) there you go, done!

Do you have a work permit to hand in with the letter?

Please let us know what you decide to do and how it works out for you.

Thanks and good luck

the cheapest way:

minibus to border B220

share Camry to SRP US6

Bus to PNH US6 (was some time ago, maybe increase)

So that is about well less than B600 although you will need a room in SRP (a/c and cable US10).

Fast and easy!

NEVER EVER TAKE ANY TRANSPORT FROM KSR. Minivan leaves to border @ 8am from side of Century Dept Store/Victory monument. Share taxi at the roundabout in Poipet and bus to PNH at bus terminal in SRP.

Edited January 25, 201214 yr by bangkokburning