A bit of a quandary

[Baht Simpson]

I'm in the last few days of my one month extension to a 60 day tourist visa issued at Vientiane. The extension expires 27th July at which time I will have to leave the country. I intend to go back to a retirement option that I had for 8 years before. The problem is that I will have the 800,000 bht + for retirement purposes but not until 10th/11th August.

The obvious solution would be to renew the TV once more then convert to the Non-Imm O but I have the dreaded warning stamp saying that another TV may not be issued next time.

So my questions are:

i) Should I take a chance and attempt another TV and explain the situation and hope they accept?

ii) If they refuse would I be granted a Visa Exempt entry at immigration or would I be stranded in Laos? I only need another couple of weeks before I could apply for a Non Imm O.

It's really frustrating that I'm short just a few days. I'd appreciate your help on this problem and maybe some other solution that might be possible.

Kevin

[mango124]

I was few days short of the required time of 800k deposit and was refused retirement extension when I went for 90 day reporting but thought it worth a try!

[ubonjoe]

Unless you have had several in the recent past you could do a border hop for a visa exempt entry. Or do an out and back by air to get one.

[Baht Simpson]

Unless you have had several in the recent past you could do a border hop for a visa exempt entry. Or do an out and back by air to get one.

I've had no Visa Exempt entries in my passport, just 3 TV's and before that several retirement extensions.

So Visa Exempts are treated separately from the TV's and the fact I have the warning stamp won't preclude me getting a VE for one month? If so then I will just border hop at Vientiane. That will cover me until 10th.

What about the conversion to a Non Imm O? I will be able to do that from a VE, yes?

[ubonjoe]

Unless you have had several in the recent past you could do a border hop for a visa exempt entry. Or do an out and back by air to get one.

I've had no Visa Exempt entries in my passport, just 3 TV's and before that several retirement extensions.

So Visa Exempts are treated separately from the TV's and the fact I have the warning stamp won't preclude me getting a VE for one month? If so then I will just border hop at Vientiane. That will cover me until 10th.

What about the conversion to a Non Imm O? I will be able to do that from a VE, yes?

Tourist visa do not count for doing visa exempt entries. You will have no problem doing a border hop at Nong Kai for a visa exempt. You will only get 15 days unless your are from a G7 country (can be extended for 30 days at immigration).

You can apply for a single entry non-o visa at Vientiane without a problem. All you will need is your bank book showing at least 800k baht.

[darrendsd]

You will have no problems getting a VE, if you are in or near to BKK then Cambodia would be nearer then Nong Khai

[Baht Simpson]

Unless you have had several in the recent past you could do a border hop for a visa exempt entry. Or do an out and back by air to get one.

I've had no Visa Exempt entries in my passport, just 3 TV's and before that several retirement extensions.

So Visa Exempts are treated separately from the TV's and the fact I have the warning stamp won't preclude me getting a VE for one month? If so then I will just border hop at Vientiane. That will cover me until 10th.

What about the conversion to a Non Imm O? I will be able to do that from a VE, yes?

Tourist visa do not count for doing visa exempt entries. You will have no problem doing a border hop at Nong Kai for a visa exempt. You will only get 15 days unless your are from a G7 country (can be extended for 30 days at immigration).

You can apply for a single entry non-o visa at Vientiane without a problem. All you will need is your bank book showing at least 800k baht.

That's terrific. I'll do that for the VE. I have a U.K. passport. I'll make sure I have plenty of cash with me too. I presume no onward flight ticket is required.

[Baht Simpson]

You will have no problems getting a VE, if you are in or near to BKK then Cambodia would be nearer then Nong Khai

I live in Mae Sot about 5km. from the border but sadly they don't do in/out border hops unless you have a visa so it's down to BKK and up to Nong Khai for me I'm afraid.

[ubonjoe]

You will have no problems getting a VE, if you are in or near to BKK then Cambodia would be nearer then Nong Khai

I live in Mae Sot about 5km. from the border but sadly they don't do in/out border hops unless you have a visa so it's down to BKK and up to Nong Khai for me I'm afraid.

I think the Cambodia border is closer than Nong Khai. You could do the border hop there.

[Baht Simpson]

You will have no problems getting a VE, if you are in or near to BKK then Cambodia would be nearer then Nong Khai

I live in Mae Sot about 5km. from the border but sadly they don't do in/out border hops unless you have a visa so it's down to BKK and up to Nong Khai for me I'm afraid.

I think the Cambodia border is closer than Nong Khai. You could do the border hop there.

Thanks Ubonjoe. I'll have a look at that.

Kevin

[elviajero]

Unless you have had several in the recent past you could do a border hop for a visa exempt entry. Or do an out and back by air to get one.

I've had no Visa Exempt entries in my passport, just 3 TV's and before that several retirement extensions.

So Visa Exempts are treated separately from the TV's and the fact I have the warning stamp won't preclude me getting a VE for one month? If so then I will just border hop at Vientiane. That will cover me until 10th.

What about the conversion to a Non Imm O? I will be able to do that from a VE, yes?

Yes you can do a conversion to a non 'O' visa/entry from a VE entry. You need at least 15 (maybe 21) days remaining of your permission to stay. You could get a 30 day extension of the VE entry if required.

If you are prepared to travel to Nong Khai that is probably the better option. You could get a bus to Nong Khai via Phitsanulok/Khon Kaen/Udon Thani rather than going via Bangkok. Even though the Cambodian border is closer to BKK those border points are more likely to arbitrarily deny VE entry.