Visa Run To Vientiane

[andyst]

Hi, I'm trying to get some up-to-date information about the current situation for doing visa runs to Vientiane. I've done a search and the most recent from this site is from about two years ago. Most of the information I can find on Google is pretty old too.

Basically I'm planning on getting a Non-Imm Ed (three month, single entry, but extendable) visa, so I can study in Thailand. I'm already in Bangkok and I plan on going next week - by which time I should have all the relevant documents as the school are preparing them all now. I want to be in and out as quickly and as cheaply as possible. Flights are a bit too expensive for me at the moment, so I am trying to decide between taking either the overnight train to Nong Khai, or the overnight direct bus from Khao Sarn to Vientiane. I want to leave Wednesday night, arrive Thursday morning, do the application then and pick it up on Friday afternoon, and try to be back in Bkk on Saturday morning.

What I'd like to know, from anyone who has any recent experiences is:

- Are there any known problems with getting a Non-Imm visa from Vientiane? (I read a comment from six years ago that they are quite picky about issuing them.)

- Is the time frame I have in mind reasonable? I would hate to be stuck there all weekend if my passport wasn't ready to be picked up on Friday (assuming the Embassy is closed at the weekend).

- Which is the preferable option for the journey? I know the train is probably more comfortable, but the bus service seems to be more convenient - after a long, probably sleepless night on a train, I'm not sure if I'll want to start bargaining with taxi or tuk-tuk driver about getting to my destination.

- Am I likely to spend a few lonely days in a strange place, or are there quite a few people who make this kind of journey that I can probably tag along with?

- Also an approximate budget for this kind of thing would be much appreciated too. I know it varies from person to person, but I have about 10,000 baht set aside for this trip. I would like a decent place to rest my head, maybe with a TV. It is very unlikely I will go out drinking, but will have to eat out a few times. Unlikely to buy many souvenirs, maybe something for the girlfriend, that's all. The only other things I can thing of is transport and visa fees. Does this sound like a reasonable budget?

Sorry for all the questions, but most of the websites I've found that talk about visa runs to Laos just seem to complain about the fact that the bars close at 11pm and that they have to randomly pay some guy 20 baht to get into Laos, but are very sketchy on actual details. Of course, if it is wanted I can put up some of my own observations once I've made the visit if it will help people later. For now I would appreciate any relevant and recent information anybody has that could help me. Thank you very much.

[jdinasia]

Do you have a letter from the school <approved from the MoE> and one from the MoE? if not you can probably save the trip and not go!

If you have the right paperwork .... then you are probably cutting the timeframe a bit close! In most cases you can drop off your passport in the morning and get it back the next afternoon. However if it takes an extra day you are screwed if you go on a Wed! I'd go up Monday night and that way if your bus breaks down or whatever you can still get it done.

Arrive on Tues morning in Nongkhai ... go to the friendship bridge .. exit Thailand (may take an hour may take 10 mins) hop the shuttle over to the Laos Immigration office.Pay your money and wait for a visa (may take an hour may take 10 mins) Cross into Laos and arrange transpo into Vientienne. Get a hotel and wash up and by this time it may be too late to give them your visa application. So ... now you are there on a Tues but have to wait until wed to submit it. You get it in on Wed and HOPEFULLY you get it back on Thus. <I got a non-imm-ed in Cambodia ... put it in on Thus ---- 2 biz day turnaround and really surly staff! so I was there until Monday!

If your paperwork is all good I really would suggest just flying to singapore or doing a train trip south! (see Panang or KL Visa run info) Singapore processed a non-imm-ed for me drop in the morning and pick up the next afternoon .. nice and easy with the correct paperwok!

oh .. BTW ... don't ever take a bus fromKSR if you can avoid it! Get a bus out to Morchit etc!

Edited August 30, 2006 by jdinasia

[andyst]

Hi, thanks for the quick response. I am waiting for the letter for the MoE as we speak - that was the document I referred to in my first post - the school are handling all that for me. I expect to go and see them next week and recieve everything from them. As far as Penang, I was planning to go there, but the woman I spoke with at the school put me off it, saying it's expensive and can be difficult to get the visa - she recommended Laos. I wanted to go to Paneng because I read somewhere you can pay some extra money to be fast-tracked so it's possible to get the visa done in one working day. As for the time frame, I am expecting the documents to come through early next week, so I'll probably not be able to set off on Monday, it's all down to the MoE really.

[lanny]

I've gone to Vientiane for visas several times -- but non-imm B, not Ed.

The cheapest way, I've found, is by train. Second class sleeper, round trip is about 1100 baht. However, you can't depend on the train arriving on time. It is a single-track line between Udon Thani and Nong Khai and you usually have to wait on Udon Thani for a morning south-bound train to clear the track. So, you should either fly or plan on an extra day.

There are a number of hotels and guest houses for $25 or less per night but still clean and quiet. Usually with breakfast included.

[andyst]

What's the situation in Vientiane for waiting? I heard there can be long queues to get the visa there - is this right? Also out of interest, how friendly and helpful are the embassy staff there? A previous poster mentioned that in Cambodia, they're surly - is this the case for Laos too? Thanks.