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Can I apply for a visa to Laos in person while in Thailand, or should I consider other options?

Visa Application Laos Visa E-Visa Thailand Expats Immigration Business Visa Visa Alternatives

Nov 26, 2024

a day ago

Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

I own a business in the US and currently in Thailand but heard I can go to Laos and apply in person. It says I don’t qualify for e-visa.  Do I still upload my documents or head to a print shop and print all these requested documents?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

Currently, Laos does not offer an e-visa option, and all visa applications must be made in person with prior appointments. However, appointments are fully booked, making it difficult to secure a spot. Expats are advised to consider other locations like Vietnam or Taiwan for easier and quicker visa processing options.

โจ ******

Come singapore

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Paul *******

How can you qualify for an e-visa in Laos if they haven't moved over to the e-visa platform yet? Once it begins on January 1, 2025 and you seek to apply for a visa from Laos, then you will qualify.

In the meantime, choose another location...Laos isn't the easiest or best, not to mention all slots for Vientiane being fully taken.

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Andi ***********

I have a question on Taipei. When you applied In Taipei did they ask why you were applying there?

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Wesley ********

@Andi **********

for me they asked why I was applying there

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Andi ***********

@Wesley *******

i had heard from someone they were asked. What answer did you give ?

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Wesley ********

@Andi **********

just an honest one.

It took me 3 days , and the interview took me by surprise. My guess is they are trying to find out who is genuine and not. I came from a work permit to tourist visa to DTV, so they seemed to want to confirm many things to make sure I wasn’t cheating the system or planning to work illegally.

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Wesley ********

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Paul *******

@Andi **********

When are you finally going to apply? I hope you are able to go soon. Better go now, before things tighten up further and before the e-visa system goes into effect.

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Andi ***********

Dec 19th I'm going, yes things are tightening up ..I have majority of stuff done ..you did not inc tax returns?

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Paul *******

@Andi **********

No tax returns.

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Andi ***********

Did you hear about the new Thai Elite Bronze visa 650K ? it is clearly in reaction to the DTV and work for non-Thai companies is ok. Big reduction in cost bit not sure it is enough to detract from the DTV.

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Paul *******

@Andi **********

I did. I'm wondering, do you get a 5 year stamp on that, or only 1 year per entry?

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Andi ***********

i believe it is one year and multi entry ..

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Paul *******

@Andi **********

OK. So that means you get a 1 year stamp on each entry and the visa is valid for 5 years right? At least, that's the way I understand it works.

Thus a little more attractive than the DTV but not sure if I would spend 650K on it. Now if the 20 year one only cost that much, I'd say it would be worth it as you receive other perks too.

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Andi ***********

yes. this direct from the site "Remote Work Allowed: Both the DTV and Thailand Elite Visa allow remote work for foreign companies, but not for Thai employers. Also, acquiring a Thai work permit is prohibited while holding either of these visas."

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Paul *******

@Andi **********

Oh, that's late but good luck!

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Andi ***********

it is the earliest I can get there, seems many people there similar time, a lot of hotels fully booked 19-24

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Paul *******

@Andi **********

Well, it's just before Christmas so the holiday crowd will be traveling.

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Andi ***********

Ok, seems those with previous working visas in Thailand get more of a grilling, I get the impression also they are very focused on genuine applications and ensuring who they approve are working as they say they are.

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Andi ***********

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Paul *******

@Andi **********

No, they didn't.

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Andi ***********

ok. Thanks

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Andi ***********

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Jared *********

Other easy options are Vietnam, Jakarta or Taipei. Fast and finished within 1 to 5 days. I did mine in Taipei

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Andi ***********

@Jared ********

How was your experience applying with Taipei?

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Jared *********

@Andi **********

I posted about my experience in early October.

Overall it was a decent experience. Mine took two days because they wanted a supervisor to review my documents that afternoon before they took the fee. And I had to do a little interview to explain some things.

My company in USA is a C-Corp and I provided EIN doc, Articles of Incorporation, etc but no city business license. Had to walk them through that as they seem to prefer city biz license and weren't familiar with the state and federal level documents.

Bank docs were easy. We looked up the exchange rate and wrote the Thai baht equivalent next to the USD balances.

They did look at the bank statements to see income coming in. I wrote a letter from my company to the embassy about my work and allowed to work remotely

I had an METV when I went. They asked if I flew to Taipei specifically to apply for the DTV and I said yes.

One note - the printing services at FamilyMart and 7-11 are great! Very convenient and inexpensive

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Andi ***********

@Jared ********

Thanks, so your experience in line with other similar applicants. Taipei seems very consistent.

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Andi ***********

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John *******

Laos has not yet moved to e-visa, but will be in the coming months. This is why it says you don’t qualify right now. It is currently only in person, with appointment, however all appointments are booked. You would need to check daily and see if a slot opens up (unlikely). If you want an in person visa process, suggest Taiwan. Evisa - Indonesia or Vietnam.

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Da ****

Forget Laos and go for Vietnam and do the evisa application right after arrival… takes maybe 5 days. plenty of reports here in the group. its probably one of the best options right now

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Will ************

You need an appointment in Laos, as it is moving to Evisa ALL available appointments are booked up

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Will ************

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