Which city to go to to arrange my Visa?

[user555]

I am currently in Thailand, on a tourist visa. I should leave Thailand to arrange a non o visa (Volunteer Visa). I deliberate between 3 options: Vietnam, Singapore and Hong Kong. Any recommendations? 

 

[ubonjoe]

I don't recall any reports for getting a non-o visa for volunteering in any of those countries.

I would not recommend Singapore for any visa.

Vientiane Laos might be a better place than any other of the others.

[Crossy]

What is your nationality?

 

Before travelling you should contact your consulate of choice and find out if they will / what they need to issue the visa you require.

 

[user555]

I have 2 passports and would like to get the visa on my UK passport. This means I have to fly to a big airport in order to change the passport I travel with to the UK one. I think there are two option; First is to fly to some other country (Hong Kong, Singapore etc. to change passports) and then fly to Vientiane. The second is to fly directly to Hanoi and do the Visa there.  

[user555]

Any thoughts about Hanoi for this purpose? How is the consulate service there? 

[user555]

Ubonjoe, Crossy and others, I need to decide today.  The advantage of Hanoi - I want to visit the city and there is a direct flight there. 

[BritTim]

Hanoi is friendly and not busy. However, they are inflexible about what they will do and the documents they require. Follow @Crossy's advice and try to contact the consulate to find out what they are able to do.

 

For what it is worth, my impression is that Hong Kong is a great place to apply for any visa they are authorized to issue.

 

It is difficult for people to advise you because there very few people applying for volunteer visas with the correct documentation who have posted here.

[PoorSucker]

If you have proper paperwork from your NGO and have applied for your work permit, Penang is a nice place to fly to.
But you need the WP3, from labour office to show that you have applied for work permit.
Work permit is mandatory even if you don't get paid.

[Crossy]

Off topic posts have been removed.

 

The subject of the off-topic discussion has been corrected.

 

[user555]

Thanks Crossy. 

To make things more complicated, I'm originally from Israel, and this is why I decided not to go to Malasia. I have all the paperwork ready. 

[ubonjoe]

11 hours ago, user555 said:

Ubonjoe, Crossy and others, I need to decide today.  The advantage of Hanoi - I want to visit the city and there is a direct flight there. 

If you have the required documents shown on this page of their website you should be able to a single entry non-o visa.

http://www.thaiembassy.org/hanoi/th/services/1761/27279-Visa-Non-immigration-"O"-Volunteer.html

 

[Crossy]

Good one Joe. Do note the address of the "Visa Section".

 

87 Lý Thường Kiệt, Cửa Nam, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam

[Wallander4]

I got a Non O based on marriage from Hanoi recently - its fast and very helpful staff there. Visa was ready day after. Visa section is just around the corner from Embassy entrance.

[user555]

Thanks everyone. 

I plan to leave Chiang Mai with one passport and enter Hanoi with another. Is there any risk I will face problems with immigration at Hanoi? According to Wikipedia Hanoi airport deals with 17 million passangers each year. 

[ubonjoe]

I see no reason why you would have a problem at Hanoi.

I assume you have checked the visa requirements for your other nationality to enter Vietnam.

[user555]

Sorry guys, a monk from Vietnam recommended me to go to Ho Chi Minh instead.  He said they give a very good service there. Let me know if you think there might be a problem.

Ubonjoe - I will enter Vietnam with my UK passport, this will also allow me to enjoy 15 days in the country without a visa. 

[ubonjoe]

Their requirements are listed here: http://www.thaiembassy.org/hochiminh/en/services/54616-Non-Immigrant-Visa-O----Voluntary-Services.html

[BritTim]

2 hours ago, user555 said:

Sorry guys, a monk from Vietnam recommended me to go to Ho Chi Minh instead.  He said they give a very good service there. Let me know if you think there might be a problem.

Ubonjoe - I will enter Vietnam with my UK passport, this will also allow me to enjoy 15 days in the country without a visa. 

 

There is really no difference between Hanoi and HCMC. They are both efficient, and HCMC seems to religiously follow the directions given them by the Hanoi embassy.