Can I apply for a Non-B visa in Vietnam while waiting in Thailand?

Nov 27, 2024
2 months ago
Andy ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi everyone,

My wife is about to give birth and I need to change my visa to Non B and need to apply outside.

Is it possible for me to go somewhere like Vietnam, apply online and fly back to Thailand while my visa is getting approved? Or do I need to be in Vietnam while I wait for the result?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The inquiry is about whether it's permissible to apply for a Non B visa outside Thailand (specifically in Vietnam) and if one can return to Thailand while awaiting approval. The responses clarify that it's generally required to remain in the country where you apply until receiving the visa. Some users noted the risk of visa refusal if exiting Thailand right after applying. Others suggested a strategy of border hopping to minimize time spent outside Thailand, but pointed out potential risks involved.
Bart **************
If you go back to Thailand immediately after applying, your visa will not be activated upon return. It will only get activated when you cross a border again after your visa is approved. So indeed you could do a little "hack", apply for the visa, come back, and then bounce a border when it gets approved, to minimize your time out of the country (in exchange for doing two trips).

It is however not entirely free of risk; sometimes visas are refused if you leave the country from where you applied. They could notice if you entered Thailand. I do not know the embassy in Vietnam's standards on this.
Andy ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bart *************
Do you happen to know which embassies nearby are a bit “lazier”? Meaning less diligent? As mentioned i really do not want to skip the birth of my chimd
Bart **************
@Andy *******
I have no clue.
Brandon ************
The requirement is that you are in the country from the time you apply until you receive the visa. They don't know where you are, but there have been recent reports of embassies asking for proof of your location again a few days after the application was submitted. So far I've only seen that reported for the DTV visa, but it could potentially happen for any visa.
Andy ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
thank you so much! what would a proof of location look like?
John **********
@Andy *******
I've seen people being requested to show all passport pages as a means of ensuring you haven't left the country
Severe *********
@Andy *******
I’ve heard you can also do a selfie with the day’s newspaper
Bob **********
@Andy *******
an entry stamp to the country or a letter from your hotel
Brandon ************
@Andy *******
the initial application you usually show the entry stamp in your passport. For follow-up I've seen hotel booking and letter from hotel.
Andy ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
so i could just show a random hotel booking right?
Brandon ************
@Andy *******
don't know. Depends on what the embassy requires if they ask. They might require a letter from the hotel stating that you are currently staying there
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