TV advice requested, back to back from Vientiane

[Yoshaavan]

Hello,

 

I have read many of the threads about this but I didn't see this specifically. Hoping someone with a similar history can relay some info.

 

I have been in Thailand 4 years on tourist visas, aside from a summer spent in my home country.

There are a total of 4 TV's issued from Vientiane. I have had zero issues getting them there, and it has always been very easy.

One in 2013 and 2015. And 2 this year. Mar 2016, and Aug 2016.

In between those last 2, I did a border hop to Singapore to get a VE. (and was questioned at length at BKK before she reluctantly let me in, so no more visa exempts for me !!! ).

So,  I don't have a back to back situation already in there.

My last TVs will look like- VTE, (VE-SNG), VTE and now hopefully another VTE.

 

I would like to go back to Vientiane next week for my next TV(and probably last). It is the most convenient and best option for me to go there.

 

Does anyone with experience think I may be denied the visa there ?

 

----related questions----

If I am denied the visa, and the visa is marked as such, will I be able to jump over to another country and get a visa, even with a denied stamp in it ? (HCMC, Penang, ?)

If I do get the visa , and am denied entry at the Thai border(via Nong Khai), what are my options for entering another port ?

 

thanks

[BritTim]

I would suggest going to Savannakhet instead. Most likely, Vientiane would issue you a visa, but there is a good chance they will also put a stamp in our passport to say no more easy visas from now on. That could be troublesome in the future. It is likely Savannakhet will issue you a visa without so much as blinking.

 

If you are denied (unlikely in Vientiane or Savannakhet) that would probably be without any stamp, just an informal refusal to take the application. You could then try elsewhere, though other consulates can also see your visa history and have their individual criteria on whether to issue you a visa.

[elviajero]

1. Usually they will decline to accept the application rather than take your application/money and deny the visa. It is possible that they will give you another visa but stamp your passport to say they require proof of address and finances if you apply in the future. That stamp may or may not affect you getting visas elsewhere.
2. If you do get a visa it is highly unlikely that you'll be denied entry at Nong Khai. If you were, it would probably be done unofficially, and you would probably be able to enter at another crossing.

[flyingdoc]

Sounds like good advice!

[seancbk]

If you went to Vientiane now and applied it would only be 2 back to back visas issued from there.

I was there 90 days ago and got a second tourist visa giving me 2 back to backs like you and had absolutely zero issue.

 

UbonJoe is the member who can give you more definitive advice.   But I'd say you'll be fine.

 

 

 

[TerrylSky]

I've recently gotten a tourist visa in Savanalahket and extended it. I did this twice this year. Now, I'm about to go to Ho Chi Min City for another tourist visa. This will be the third time this year. Is this a problem? Is there a limit? I can bring my house deed and land lease, and some financial documentation if necessary.  Wondering how many times a year I can do this. Sorry if I neglected to see this issue in earlier postings. Khap khun nakhrap.

[seancbk]

Under Thai Law there is no limit to how many (tourist) visas you can have in a year, or indeed in multiple years.  

Getting visas back to back from the same Thai consulate can sometimes be an issue, but it depends on the individual consulate.

Having financial proof to show you are able to live in Thailand without needing to work might be useful although I have never (in 8 years living here) been asked to show any financial proof or ever been asked what I do here.

 

 

[Yoshaavan]

Thank you all for the replies, it's really appreciated.

 

--seancbk-- It's true this is my first actual back to back visa. I wouldn't even hesitate to go back to Viantiene, except that my last 2 TVs are from the same office (with one VE in the middle), making this 3 visas with a pause in the middle.

 

I have been looking in going to Savannakhet and although it still isn't too bad of a trip , it appears to be less convenient. Last times I would fly into VTE , and the return I take a van from Nong Khai to Udon airport. Not very expensive but there is no way I'm sitting on a bus for 10 miserable hours or however long. Every part of this trip to Savannakhet is longer and more costly than the same thing to Vientiane (so far it seems that way from reading this forum , if that's incorrect please let me know). Nok Air has a fly'n'ride that would suit me best. Either way it's 2 nights in Laos.

 

I always fly, but I now insist on doing a land crossing back in Thailand because of the possibility of getting denied where I wouldn't want to be in DMK and be forced to fly somewhere. In the case of a land denial I can simply walk back to the hotel. I am being overly cautious I know. But 2 hours of questioning by the IO at BKK who told me she wasn't letting me back in will do that to you :)

 

I'm hoping maybe some others have a bit of input, before I make any bookings.

 

Thank you

[BritTim]

7 hours ago, TerrylSky said:

I've recently gotten a tourist visa in Savanalahket and extended it. I did this twice this year. Now, I'm about to go to Ho Chi Min City for another tourist visa. This will be the third time this year. Is this a problem? Is there a limit? I can bring my house deed and land lease, and some financial documentation if necessary.  Wondering how many times a year I can do this. Sorry if I neglected to see this issue in earlier postings. Khap khun nakhrap.

 

Your first SETV from Ho Chi Minh City will not the a problem (in spite of visas from other locations) as long as you meet their requirements. The most important is confirmed flight tickets both into and out of Thailand.

[BritTim]

1 hour ago, Yoshaavan said:

Thank you all for the replies, it's really appreciated.

 

--seancbk-- It's true this is my first actual back to back visa. I wouldn't even hesitate to go back to Viantiene, except that my last 2 TVs are from the same office (with one VE in the middle), making this 3 visas with a pause in the middle.

 

I have been looking in going to Savannakhet and although it still isn't too bad of a trip , it appears to be less convenient. Last times I would fly into VTE , and the return I take a van from Nong Khai to Udon airport. Not very expensive but there is no way I'm sitting on a bus for 10 miserable hours or however long. Every part of this trip to Savannakhet is longer and more costly than the same thing to Vientiane (so far it seems that way from reading this forum , if that's incorrect please let me know). Nok Air has a fly'n'ride that would suit me best. Either way it's 2 nights in Laos.

 

I always fly, but I now insist on doing a land crossing back in Thailand because of the possibility of getting denied where I wouldn't want to be in DMK and be forced to fly somewhere. In the case of a land denial I can simply walk back to the hotel. I am being overly cautious I know. But 2 hours of questioning by the IO at BKK who told me she wasn't letting me back in will do that to you :)

 

I'm hoping maybe some others have a bit of input, before I make any bookings.

 

Thank you

 

For the trip to Savannakhet, assuming you are starting from Bangkok, there are really two main alternatives I suggest. Both alternatives use the same approach for the return journey, but they differ in going to Savannakhet.

 

To take the return first, use the Fly-Ride service from Mukdahan (Thai side of the border) provided by Nok Air (more choices) or Air Asia. The Fly-Ride service involves a minibus transfer to one of the closer airports, connecting with a flight to Don Muang. It is similar in a way to the Udon Thani return from Vientiane, but with fewer flight options and an hour or so longer.

 

Going, unfortunately, the early morning fly-ride service arrives too late to apply the same day you arrive in Savannakhet. Thus, if you use fly-ride in both directions, you are looking at two nights in Savannakhet rather than only one. Because the timing works out so well, I really think a VIP overnight coach from Morchit to Mukdahan is worth considering. Definitely, I think the extra money worth it rather than taking one of the cheaper buses. Savannakhet is not an exciting town, and for me one night there is enough.

 

In summary, the Savannakhet option may not be quite as convenient in travel terms as using Vientiane, but (from Bangkok, at least) the difference is not huge.

[Ronuk]

11 hours ago, TerrylSky said:

I've recently gotten a tourist visa in Savanalahket and extended it. I did this twice this year. Now, I'm about to go to Ho Chi Min City for another tourist visa. This will be the third time this year. Is this a problem? Is there a limit? I can bring my house deed and land lease, and some financial documentation if necessary.  Wondering how many times a year I can do this. Sorry if I neglected to see this issue in earlier postings. Khap khun nakhrap.

Why would you take house deeds and land lease and ask for a Tourist visa. Do you not think that tells them something?

[JackThompson]

On 11/10/2016 at 6:12 AM, Ronuk said:

Why would you take house deeds and land lease and ask for a Tourist visa. Do you not think that tells them something?

 

Well, there is that strange stamp they put in visas at Vientiene and Penang when applying for one-too-many visas at their consulates, that says "Proof of Residence and Income may be required next time."   That said, I have never seen a report of anyone attempting to jump that bar by supplying proof; most just get a new passport before trying that consulate again. 

 

The way I interpret this is, they don't want bums or illegal workers; a long-term lease plus proof of finances shows the applicant is definitely not a bum, and less-likely to work.  I think it is a mistake to try to read into the whole "how long can you be a tourist," with regard to Tourist Visas (except at the Poipet crossing).  Visa Exempts are another story, however, and no one who visits frequently or stays for several months should try to use those, IMO.

[elviajero]

2 hours ago, JackThompson said:

 

Well, there is that strange stamp they put in visas at Vientiene and Penang when applying for one-too-many visas at their consulates, that says "Proof of Residence and Income may be required next time."   That said, I have never seen a report of anyone attempting to jump that bar by supplying proof; most just get a new passport before trying that consulate again. 

 

The way I interpret this is, they don't want bums or illegal workers; a long-term lease plus proof of finances shows the applicant is definitely not a bum, and less-likely to work.  I think it is a mistake to try to read into the whole "how long can you be a tourist," with regard to Tourist Visas (except at the Poipet crossing).  Visa Exempts are another story, however, and no one who visits frequently or stays for several months should try to use those, IMO.

I think you are misinterpreting what the Embassy/Consulate are asking for. I think you'll find that they simply want proof of where you are living; as in hotel bookings or private accommodation. As @Ronuk has intimated providing evidence that you have a more permanent connection to Thailand might not be the smartest move when applying for a Tourist Visa, and could go against you.

[Yoshaavan]

I wasn't sure where to ask this, I assume tagging this onto my thread was ok.

 

I will be going to Savannakhet just to be safe. Flying in direct Lao Airlines.

On the return, I am going Nok Air fly'n'ride.

The van leaves Mukdahan at 17:00.

 

Is that plenty of time to get from the Thai embassy , through customs to the van pickup ?

 

(There is a later van at 18:00 which is an extra hour of van time to a different airport.)

[elviajero]

7 minutes ago, Yoshaavan said:

I wasn't sure where to ask this, I assume tagging this onto my thread was ok.

 

I will be going to Savannakhet just to be safe. Flying in direct Lao Airlines.

On the return, I am going Nok Air fly'n'ride.

The van leaves Mukdahan at 17:00.

 

Is that plenty of time to get from the Thai embassy , through customs to the van pickup ?

 

(There is a later van at 18:00 which is an extra hour of van time to a different airport.)

Yes, that should be plenty of time to get from the Consulate to Mukdahan.

[BritTim]

4 hours ago, Yoshaavan said:

I wasn't sure where to ask this, I assume tagging this onto my thread was ok.

 

I will be going to Savannakhet just to be safe. Flying in direct Lao Airlines.

On the return, I am going Nok Air fly'n'ride.

The van leaves Mukdahan at 17:00.

 

Is that plenty of time to get from the Thai embassy , through customs to the van pickup ?

 

(There is a later van at 18:00 which is an extra hour of van time to a different airport.)

 

Although you will not need it for a 17:00 van, if you were trying, say, for a 15:30 or 16:00 pick-up, they will agree to meet you at the bridge rather than you needing to go in to the Ploy Palace Hotel. The van passes close to the bridge on the way to the airport, and this is no real problem for them as long as you are there when they arrive at the bridge. If short of time, this saves about 30 minutes.