Obtaining A Double Entry Visa in Cambodia / Laos After Multiple 30 Day Back to Back Land Crossing

[TheSpade]

Hey,

I arrived in Thailand about 10 months ago on a double entry visa. That expired at the end of December last year.

Since then I've been doing 30 day border runs to Cambodia and crossing right back over immediately after with a visa run company.

I have 5 back to back 30 day visa exempt stamps in my passport from the same border.

If I was now to fly to either Cambodia or Laos and apply for a double entry (or even a single entry if they are currently being strict) at the Thai embassy would I likely encounter any difficulties?

Would they see the back to back border runs and think it strange?

My thinking is that they might think I'm working in Thailand (I'm not I have funds to support myself) and not want to grant me a visa.

Any insights? Any embassy that would be a better choice than the other because they are less strict?

Thanks.

[ubonjoe]

They normally don't make a problem for back to back border runs.when you apply for a tourist visa.

You can get a 2 entry visa in Vientiane or Savannakhet Laos. You apply the morning of one day and pickup your passport the next afternoon.

PP Cambodia only does single entry visas and it takes up to 4 days unless you use an agent.

Having some financial proof helps when you make an application. A Thai bank book showing some transfer into the country or bank statement from bank form outside the country showing ATM withdrawals would be accepted.

[TheSpade]

They normally don't make a problem for back to back border runs.when you apply for a tourist visa.

You can get a 2 entry visa in Vientiane or Savannakhet Laos. You apply the morning of one day and pickup your passport the next afternoon.

PP Cambodia only does single entry visas and it takes up to 4 days unless you use an agent.

Having some financial proof helps when you make an application. A Thai bank book showing some transfer into the country or bank statement from bank form outside the country showing ATM withdrawals would be accepted.

Hey thanks for the information, good to know that PP is only doing singles.

So I guess Laos would be a better option.

I don't have a Thai bank account but I could maybe print off a statement from my UK bank showing I have funds.

[ubonjoe]

Vientiane will be the best travel wise.

The print out attached to your application would help.

[slipperylobster]

Returned just today from a Visa run in Vientiane. My passport is full of border crossings everywhere. However, after four back to back land runs at Nong Khai, I then flew to the Philippines and back in...receiving 30 days. That expired yesterday, so my curiousity took me back to Vientiane for a double entry visa. At first, the immigration officer had to ask somebody a question, as he pointed to my previous four land run stamps...and then to the fly in stamp, flying in from the Philippines. I almost gave up hope....but then....they took my money and he confirmed I wanted the double entry visa.

Today I picked it up....and I got the letter explaining the new policy of requiring additional documents to clear up the fact that I was not working and what my status was. On the actual Visa was a handwritten note saying that next time I must provide a Certificate of Residence and Proof of Income...which I do have.

Here is a question.....

I get two entries. So now, in sixty days, I return to Laos..and then back to Thailand for another sixty days. Do I need to bring those Certifications with me after the first sixty days...or do they mean I must bring them when I apply for a new Visa ....after the two entries are finished (120 days)?

Irregardless...I will be applying for an OA visa next time.....in 120 days...and will be bringing all the appropriate forms anyways.

[ubonjoe]

You will not need the paper work to use your second entry. Just when you apply for your next visa.

You can get a 30 day extension of your 60 day entry at immigration before you go out for your next entry.

Where do you plan on applying for a OA visa. You can only get that in your home country or country of legal residence.

You can get a a single entry non-o in Vientiane with nothing more than your passport to prove you are 50 or over. And then do an extension of stay at immigration based upon retirement.

[slipperylobster]

You will not need the paper work to use your second entry. Just when you apply for your next visa.

You can get a 30 day extension of your 60 day entry at immigration before you go out for your next entry.

Where do you plan on applying for a OA visa. You can only get that in your home country or country of legal residence.

You can get a a single entry non-o in Vientiane with nothing more than your passport to prove you are 50 or over. And then do an extension of stay at immigration based upon retirement.

Ok.. single entry non o... and worry about that in six months. thanks joe. I will do the double entry and two extensions for now.