Tourist Visa Run To Vientiane With Almost Full Passport

[xenon12]

I got a German passport (4 empty pages left) and want to apply for a new double entry Thai tourist visa. I got 6 Thai tourist visas already in there. Probably I gonna get refused in Vientiane. I've been around to many countries in the region and returned a few times to Germany.

I already got a new and unused passport, with which it seems I would have better chances applying.

When I leave Thailand, could Thai immigration simply transfer my current visa to my new passport and stamp me out on my new passport? They might or might not wonder why I want to 'start' my new passport altough I still got 4 pages left. They would probably know I'm doing this to better my chances at the embassy.

Or alternatively, should I ask at the Laos immigration if they could stamp me in on the new passport (and invalidate the old one)?

I really want to use the new passport and I think asking at Lao immigration would be best. Or should I first try at out-going Thai immigration as well?

How should I do it?

Cheers to everyone!

p.s. Is the Lao tourist visa on arrival still US$ 33?

[lopburi3]

No you can not change passports on a land border crossing - you would have to use air transport at least to the other country.

[JohanV]

Well, all respect to lopbiri3, but I just did exactly that.

I had a new Swedish passport delivered to the Swedish embassy in Bangkok. I had my last type-O 90day period stamped in into my old passport, and I needed the new visa I was to get in Vientiane to be in my new passport as my old would soon expire. Nong Khai Immigration office transferred my stamps and visa in 20 minutes to the cost of 20 baht, after which I stamped out of Thailand using my new passport.

There was, however, a detail in this that you seem to differ on.. ..my old passport was maculated ( by holepunching ) at the Swedish embassy while picking up the new one, so in my case, I had no choice.

I guess that might be somewhat important; that you can assure the immigration that you will never ever use your old passport again. So, perhaps you should offer to maculate your old passport and let them watch you doing that, or perhaps ask them ( the Nong Khai Immigration office ) to do that for you.

And, to answer you last question: I was explicitly told by a helpful immigration officer that the Lao immigration will NOT accept using any passport that does not have a valid exit stamp from Thailand. Thus, if you want to change, you will have to do it before leaving Thailand, or you will be refused entry to Laos.

Good luck

[LuckyLew]

If you have a new passport

Your old passport is no longer valid

As soon as they issue you a new passport

Your old one should no longer work

You should be able get deperture stamp in Thailand

and then when you apply for a VISA at Laos crossing

you can get the LAOS visa in your new passport

[lopburi3]

We were talking about dual passports and that was what I addressed. You can not switch nationality passports or use an alternate passport at a land crossing (with very few exceptions). If you have a replacement passport, as you did, then yes the exit is made on the new passport no problem as old passport is not valid.

[xenon12]

At the time I picked up my new passport in Germany I still had a valid Indian visa in the old one that I wanted to use, so they didn't invalidate it. I had to sign a paper that I'd not commit any fraud with it. That's why now I have an old (currently in use), and an empty new one.

Could the Thai immigration at border refuse invalidating the old one because there are still empty pages left? He might sense that I'd like him to start the new passport only in order to have better chances with my tourist visa application in VT.

And, to answer you last question: I was explicitly told by a helpful immigration officer that the Lao immigration will NOT accept using any passport that does not have a valid exit stamp from Thailand. Thus, if you want to change, you will have to do it before leaving Thailand, or you will be refused entry to Laos.

When the Thai side doesn't invalidate the old passport, then I still think the Lao immigration could just do it: I would arrive with valid exit stamp in old passport, then ask them to invalidate it and start the new one.

[Maestro]

Xenon12, when an old passport gets replaced with a new one the normal procedure would be to go to your local immigration office and get the permission of stay (arrival stamp) transferred from the old to the new passport. However, with a permission to stay based on entry with a tourist visa, some tourista just go to the border with both passports and generally the border checkpoint will do this transfer of entry stamp to the new passport, then stamp you out on your new passport.

[lopburi3]

You have two valid passports - immigration would not normally transfer anything in such a case and you would have to exit with the passport with entry in it.

[bangkokburning]

If you have a single Indian visa I would be shocked if India would consider it valid if in another pp. Not saying they won't - India being India I would be shocked. If you do not have a multiple 5-10yr don't bother to have it transferred. If you do (home country) - LOADS of paperwork and US66. I'm thinking you need to have the visa in the pp you are utilizing.

I think you could POSSIBLY get away with swapping your pp out on a pop across the border (Aran) - but possible - I would not bet on it at Vientiane/Nong Khai. Things move much slower.

Further, I would be really astonished if the Thai embassy did not notice that you were handing in a swapped visa, they scrutinize pp's with aplomb. Further, there is a question - when was the last time you were in Thailand.

Pretty obvious what you are attempting so if they are not game it will surely fail.

I had read people with minimal pages getting visas, but you are pretty much up on that one. 2 pages for Lao visa, 2 pages for Thai visa.

Personally, I think a ticket HOME might help enormously.