Do I need to rent an apartment in Thailand before applying for a destination visa, and are there alternative options?

@Paul ******

Good advice ✅

@Martino ******

I would double check the account thing, I think i read that Vientiane wants the money in an account that‘s in your own name.

@Martino ******

Sadly, you may have to transfer 500K over and keep it there just for the application. If you do this, obviously you'll be using Jakarta, Ho Chi Minh or Taipei and not Laos and definitely not Malaysia.

Also, present 6 month statements just in case. You could also present the business account statements as well, though probably not necessary.

Once you have your visa, transfer the funds back over to your business account.

@Martino ******

No problem at most consulates and while Vientiane might be OK with it if you can document it came from your business account it's a bit iffy.

I like Laos as a country a lot but I wouldn't insist on going there for a visa. The staff at the Thai embassy are among the least friendly in the region.

Another reason I like going to Laos is that I can drive there with my own car, which I do each and every time I visit Laos. It saves me money, I have my own transport once I'm there and I feel superheroic driving a car with foreign plates there (OK maybe not, but it's kinda cool). I know my way around and can get to the Thai consulate without needing to use any GPS.

However, even so, I am not waiting until November to apply for my visa. I'll be jumping on a plane to Taiwan and exploring what for me will be a new country as I haven't visited there since I was a toddler and making a bit of a trip out of it.

Always nice to see a new country.

@Paul ******

Superhero in Laos. Nice 😁

@Bernie *******

Haha, I was kidding. Actually, as much as I enjoy driving across the bridge to Laos, I've done it so many times it's not special anymore. Still, to me, there's obviously something a bit different, traveling to Laos/Cambodia, which I can drive to, compared to countries further afield, which require you fly.

Sadly, due to Laos' proximity to Thailand, it's large number of applicants and strong relationships with agents, the rules for applying for any visa there are a little stricter than in countries further afield.

@Martino ******

Something like that. When I made the appointment, it said I can't cancel, have to wait until after the appointment date to make a new one.

@Martino ******

In my opinion, I would say Vientiane has a combination of positive and negative stories, unlike Ho Chi Minh, Taipei and Jakarta, which are overwhelmingly positive.

Appointments for Vientiane are usually booked around 2 weeks in advance.

Unless you have 500K or more parked in your account for 3 months or more, I'd choose a different consulate.

@Martino ******

Regarding authentication, this isn't necessary at most SE Asian consulates but I've heard it's a requirement in Malaysia and possibly Laos as well, another reason to not use Laos.

They'll definitely want to see the funds in your personal account too.

@Martino ******

Even then, the financial requirements are the same. Trust me, choose a consulate where they're not so fussy about the financials. Laos and Malaysia are the wrong choices.

I have an appointment for Laos but I'll be skipping it because I made it too early. You can't cancel appointments for Laos, you have to wait until after the date has elapsed and then schedule a new one.

In the meantime, i've decided that I'll most likely go to Taipei where no appointment is required.

Phnom Penh is another good choice and no appointment required but 1 week processing time and they're moving to the e-visa system in October (probably late in the month) so go there soon, before it's too late.

@Paul ******

you can cancel appointments in Laos, I did it twice because docs weren‘t ready yet

@Bernie *******

Really? The system told me that I can't cancel. Have to wait until after the appointment date has elapsed. They used to allow cancellations but the whole system was being abused by agents (same in Yangon).

HCMC on the other hand allows cancellations.

@Paul ******

If you click on „My appointments“ or so, then you can select your appointment and cancel. After that you can make a new one.

@Bernie *******

The system told me otherwise. Anyway, I don't really care as I'm not going to use Laos. I might if I could wait until late November, but I can't wait that long...

It was 3 weeks ago though. Maybe it changed.

@Martino ******

Aha yeah in that case get yourself to Jakarta! It happens to be closer to where you are than Laos anyway.

Even Taipei wouldn't be that much further from KL compared to Vientiane or Savannaket, but Jakarta is great too. No appointment needed either but again, go soon.

E-visa coming shortly!