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Can I apply for a tourist visa in Laos after entering Thailand multiple times on exemption?

Jun 15, 2018
8 years ago
Miao ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi,

I hold a Vietnam passport and am eligible for 30-day exemption entry. This year, I have entered Thailand 2 times via land and 1 via sea crossing. I guess I was lucky immigration officer still allowed me to enter via Laos land crossing when I already used up the limit by entering 2 times (by sea an land) before that. Now I want to stay here for the next 6 months and apply for a tourist visa:

1. The latest entry given via the land border crossing through Laos. Can I still exit by land to Vientianne from Nong Khai and apply for tourist visa there?

2. Is it cheaper to apply for a single-entry or multiple-entry visa?

3. Once granted a visa, can I enter via land crossing or have to fly in?

Thanks for your advice
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user, holding a Vietnam passport, inquires about the possibility of applying for a tourist visa after multiple entries into Thailand under the 30-day exemption. They ask whether it is permissible to exit to Laos and apply for a tourist visa there, if applying for a single-entry or multiple-entry visa is cheaper, and what the entry requirements are for someone who has been granted a visa. Community responses clarify that Vietnam passport holders are not restricted to two 30-day entries, confirm that it is possible to exit by land and apply for a visa in Laos, and explain that only residents in Laos can obtain a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa.
Tod *********
Vietnam is NOT on the list of countries that can only get TWO 30 day visa exempt entries in a calendar year. You can (in theory) get as many as you want by land.
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Thomas ********************
Be aware of this Hannah

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Miao ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Before going there I called Vietnam embassy in Vientianne and they also said possible. So then I decided to give it a shot...
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Thomas ********************
Well, the wording is "Citizens from... are advised..." :)
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Tod *********
@Hannah ****
strange :O especially seeing as vietnam is on the list of countries that can't use the thai consulate in Vientiane :/ Oh well, glad it worked out.
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Miao ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thomas Lindegaard Jensen The officer was right. I have just been granted TR single-entry visa in Vientianne.
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Thomas ********************
Interesting. Best of luck with it.
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Miao ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Thomas *******************
Officer from Promenada told me I can apply for tourist visa from countries outside of Thailand. I don't necessarily need to apply from Vietnam.
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Thomas ********************
Look at the picture. It says people from the list of countries "are advised" to apply for tourist visa in their home country. Not sure what that means for you. But be sure to update if you find out.
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Miao ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Thomas *******************
Hi Thomas, what do you mean Vietnam is still on the list in Vientianne?
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Thomas ********************
I was in Vientiane recently, and checked that Vietnam is indeed still on the list. So, the question is what they mean by "are advised".
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Thomas ********************
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Robert *******
You can leave by land border and apply for a tourist visa. The Multiple Entry Tourist Visa is only available for residents in Laos. If you have a visa you can cross by land border, the rule for maximum 2 land border crossings is only for Visa Exempt Entry (entry without visa).
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Robert *******
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