How long does a Laos visa run extend a Thai visa?

Visa Run Thai Visa Laos Visa Visa Extension Border Crossings Thai Immigration Rules

May 3, 2023

2 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Anyone know how long a Laos visa run will extend a Thai visa?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The discussion clarifies that a visa run to Laos does not extend an existing Thai visa. If you go to Laos for a new visa, you will need to apply for it and its duration depends on the type of visa you get. Alternatively, if you perform a border bounce, you will be entering Thailand under a visa exemption for 30 days, not extending your visa.

Stuart *********

Not sure what you’re asking here. If you’re talking about a “visa run” as in going to Savannakhet or Vientiane to get a new visa or just doing a “border bounce” and entering Laos to then re-enter Thailand on an exempt entry.

If the former it won’t extend any visa. You buy another one. How long that would give you depends on which visa it is.

If the latter then again you’re not extending a “Thai visa” you’re just entering visa exempt on a free stamp for 30 days.

2 years ago

LS *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Stuart ********

staying overnight in Vientiane getting stamped at the immigration office there and returning to Thailand 24 or 48 hours later. So this will just give me another visa on arrival for 30 days ?

2 years ago

Kool *******

@LS ****

don't get hung up on semantics. Yes, going to the Thai Embassy in Vientiane, after you make an online appointment will let you buy a new single entry 60 day tourist visa, that you can then extend inside Thailand for another 30 days.

2 years ago

LS *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Kool ******

yeah that's my problem. Semantics always boggle me. I like straight to the point rules / law.

Thanks everyone! This makes me better informed.

2 years ago

Reply to

LS *****

Stuart *********

@LS ****

Again you’re not extending any Thai visa. If you’re from a visa exempt eligible country you’re just getting a new 30 day free stamp.

2 years ago

LS *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Stuart ********

ok thanks. I guess the days when doing this procedure and getting 3 more months are over?

2 years ago

Stuart *********

@LS ****

If you’re from Brazil, Peru, Argentina or Chile then you can get 3 months off a bounce. For the rest of us (exempt eligible passport holders) you’ll get 30 days on entry and can extend once for 30 days using the visa exemption entry.

Be aware that there is a limit of two exempt entries via a land border per calendar year.

2 years ago

Bobby ***********

@Stuart ********

what’s a bounce and what about from USA? I want 3 months. Thx!

2 years ago

Shane *****

@Stuart ********

what is the limit by air arrival?

2 years ago

Graham ******

@Shane ****

no limit but you will get pulled aside eventually