I'm a US citizen. I got the famous Red Stamp back in Jan 2015 (20 months ago) at Vientiane. Since then, I've been back to the US for 10 months.

 

I am told despite the passage of time, Vientiane will not give me a new SETV. Might Penang be a bit more reasonable?

Edited October 27, 20169 yr by jackspade

You should be OK in Penang, assuming you have not had several previous visas from there. You would likely be OK in Vientiane if you replaced your passport.

All the time you've a red stamp in your passport it would be best to avoid Laos. Penang should be ok even with the stamp.

Get a new PP, problem with Vientianne solved and ok to get a new TV there, nobody can say 100% for certain you will not have issues at Penang or indeed anywhere

 

"Should be ok" is not a definite

4 hours ago, darrendsd said:

Get a new PP, problem with Vientianne solved and ok to get a new TV there, nobody can say 100% for certain you will not have issues at Penang or indeed anywhere

 

"Should be ok" is not a definite

 

Nobody can say for sure that getting a new passport would solve his problem in Vientiane. That is why I used the word "likely" when suggesting that option. If someone recognizes him, the consulate is capable of checking back. Indeed, while this would still be unlucky, I consider it a higher risk than him being rejected in Penang because of a stamp from Laos.

With the amount of people who pass through there there would be zero chance of him being recognized especially as he was last there 20 months ago

 

When applying there you don't even see the staff who stamp the Passports, you give your PP in at the counter and they are stamped inside in the office

 

To me getting a new PP is the safer option but of course we all have different views

On 10/28/2016 at 9:23 AM, darrendsd said:

With the amount of people who pass through there there would be zero chance of him being recognized especially as he was last there 20 months ago

 

When applying there you don't even see the staff who stamp the Passports, you give your PP in at the counter and they are stamped inside in the office

 

To me getting a new PP is the safer option but of course we all have different views

 It is not about him getting recognised doing a Laos application again (!), it is about them thumbing through the passport looking for total number of visas issued in LAOS as a tourist applicant ( I guess) and any red stamp....and they DO check for that.

Edited October 29, 20169 yr by freedomnow

14 minutes ago, freedomnow said:

 It is not about him getting recognised doing a Laos application again (!), it is about them thumbing through the passport looking for total number of visas issued in LAOS as a tourist applicant ( I guess) and any red stamp....and they DO check for that.

 

Maybe you should read my post again? I advised him to get a NEW Passport

 

If he gets a new Passport there will obviously be no Laos stamps in it 

2 hours ago, darrendsd said:

 

Maybe you should read my post again? I advised him to get a NEW Passport

 

If he gets a new Passport there will obviously be no Laos stamps in it 

Yes, I thought you meant 2 options...try going back with same passport or get a new passport. Sorry !

If you are still in the states, why not get a SE tourist visa from one of the honorary consulates there?  It would be easier and save you a trip.  And you can save the Penang trip for a new SE tourist visa.

Edited October 30, 20169 yr by 4evermaat