Any quick answers would be appreciated for the following dilemma . . .

I'm in the process of registering a company here but my visa on arrival is due to expire the 10th of this month. What would be my best options for extending my visa long enough until the registration is complete?

Cheers,

Tip

It sounds like you have a 30 day visa exempt entry not a tourist visa. The longest extension you can get is 7 days. One option is a border run to get a 15 day entry unless you fly out and back would give you another 30 days. Or make a trip to nearby consulate and get a single entry tourist visa which would give you 60 days on entry which can be extended for 30 days at immigration.

Thanks, Ubonjoe. Next logical question . . . how many times can I get 15 day visas by making border runs to Cambodia? I'm assuming once, but it's worth asking. If that's the case then . . . I would drive to Cambodia to get an extra 15 days, then fly to Vientiane to apply for a 60 day tourist visa (making sure it won't be during a Thai holiday ). Does anyone see any hangups with Plan A?

There is no limit on 15 day entries but they will ask questions about what you are doing after several of them. If you are set on flying for your visa you might consider other locations. Flights to KL for example are overall cheaper (check Air Asia for fares) than to Vientiane normally and there is no need for a visa when going to Malaysia. Vientiane is a location of choice for those wanting to save money because they can travel overland cheaper than by air.

There is no limit on 15 day entries but they will ask questions about what you are doing after several of them. If you are set on flying for your visa you might consider other locations. Flights to KL for example are overall cheaper (check Air Asia for fares) than to Vientiane normally and there is no need for a visa when going to Malaysia. Vientiane is a location of choice for those wanting to save money because they can travel overland cheaper than by air.

Excellent info on the multiple border crossings to Cambodia. I'm expecting the registration to be complete within 45 days so this option is by far the best (I'm only 2 hours drive to the border).

I'll have to check fares but a Laotian friend of mine is coming into Bangkok next month, then flying to Vientiane (forget the name of the airline) for approx. ฿6,000 / person. Thai Airways quoted him ฿15,000 / person. For ฿6,000 I wouldn't complain about sitting in the back of the bus.