Hi,

I came here on a 30-day Visa exception on arrival (NZ passport) intending to see a school and get a 6-month ED Visa. Because the school was closed over Christmas, by the time I worked out which school I wanted I only had 14 days left on my visa on arrival.

The school told me this wasn't enough time to process the application so I would need to leave, re-enter (presumably with another 30 days) then they could send off my application (with my passport showing I had enough time left). Then they would approve the paperwork for me to be able to then go to Laos to get my 6-month ED Visa.

Anyway, whats the best way to get another 30 days so I can get this school to send off the papers. Best place to fly to from Chiang Mai. Do I need to stay for 2+ days? Which country? etc

Thanks

You can get a 30 day extension from immigration for 1,900 baht.

Note that once you have the paperwork you will need to apply in a neighbouring country for an ED-visa. They will not convert it at imigration as the school seems to think.

Oh really, I can get another 30-days without leaving on just a on-arrival visa exception?

Yeah, understand I need to apply and spend 2+ days in Laos.

Since August 29th of last year you can get a 30 day extension for a visa exempt entry.

Oh really, I can get another 30-days without leaving on just a on-arrival visa exception?

Yeah, understand I need to apply and spend 2+ days in Laos.

" on-arrival visa exception?"

Just to clarify, it is not a "visa on arrival" or a "visa exception," it is a visa-exempt-entry, i.e. you were granted permission to enter & to stay for 30 days without a visa.

You can apply for the extension of your permission to stay a week or so before it expires without losing anything from the 30 + 30 days. It is definitely not recommended that you wait until the last day, especially in Chiang Mai where the immigrations office has queues forming by sunrise from what we hear.

Edited January 7, 201511 yr by Suradit69

Thanks for the tip. Glad I asked here. And yeah "visa exemption" was what I meant. Thanks for clearing up the terminology though.