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How long does it take to process a Thai visa in Ho Chi Minh City?
Thai VisaVisa Processing TimesNon-Immigrant ED VisaHo Chi Minh CityVisa Appointment AvailabilityExpat Visa Advice
Mar 2, 2023
3 years ago
Penny ********
ORIGINAL POSTER#hochiminhthaivisa
Hi all! I'll be going to Ho Chi Minh this month to get my one year, Thai-ed visa processed. Just figuring out dates, and wondering if anyone knows or has experience about how long it takes to process? (i.e one working day, or 2, or 3?)
FYI, I saw a post about online appointments being booked up until 29th March. I just looked now and 2 appointments on the 23rd had become available (I took one of them), which they weren't yesterday. So it might also be useful to keep checking the site, in case new appointment spaces open up.
Hi all! I'll be going to Ho Chi Minh this month to get my one year, Thai-ed visa processed. Just figuring out dates, and wondering if anyone knows or has experience about how long it takes to process? (i.e one working day, or 2, or 3?)
FYI, I saw a post about online appointments being booked up until 29th March. I just looked now and 2 appointments on the 23rd had become available (I took one of them), which they weren't yesterday. So it might also be useful to keep checking the site, in case new appointment spaces open up.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The processing time for a Thai visa in Ho Chi Minh City has recently changed; it now takes two working days as of March 6, 2023. Typically, the Ho Chi Minh Consulate only issues single-entry Non-Immigrant ED visas, which permit a maximum stay of 90 days. Users are encouraged to regularly check for appointment availability online due to fluctuating schedules.
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Tod *********
@Penny *******
and the reason you don't want to go to Vientiane (with an appointment booked) or Savannakhet (which is walk up service) is why? Those are FAR easier consulates to pull 90 day Non-ED visas from (or they have been known to be before covid anyway 😕 )Penny ********
ORIGINAL POSTERIt turns out that my school normally processes ed-visas in Thailand, and have therefore never required police check certificates. But they've been informed this is no longer possible, and it's better to apply abroad. Therefore, they weren't aware of extra documents required abroad - and didn't inform me. It's only when I checked the embassy websites today that I realised myself.
I'm now currently looking at Phnom Penh, as they do not stipulate police clearance certificates for ed visas (only for university students). And so that looks like a better option.
If I'd been aware of this a month ago, it would have been fine and I could have gotten the certificate. But at the moment, I have 9 days left on my current visa (and cannot extend). So I'm just trying to find the best option.
I'm now currently looking at Phnom Penh, as they do not stipulate police clearance certificates for ed visas (only for university students). And so that looks like a better option.
If I'd been aware of this a month ago, it would have been fine and I could have gotten the certificate. But at the moment, I have 9 days left on my current visa (and cannot extend). So I'm just trying to find the best option.
Penny ********
ORIGINAL POSTERHey Tod, yes I'm ok with that. I'm more concerned with whether they'll issue it or not - without requiring the police clearnance certificate (I've been informed this document takes 2-4 weeks in Thailand, and I have to leave by the 12th March). I'm going to go the police station tomorrow anyway, just in case. But I don't think there'll be time for it to be processed before I go.
Tod *********
@Penny *******
read the processing time carefully unless I'm mistaken Non-Immigrant Type visas are FIVE WORKING DAYS in Phnom Penh
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Tod *********
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Penny ********
ORIGINAL POSTERThat's a great idea, thanks Tod 👍
Tod *********
if your school said use HCMC then use it. I was just wondering was all.
No idea what that means, pre-covid TONZ of people uses both vientiane and savannakhet for their 90 day ED visas without issue. Maybe have your school call them and see
No idea what that means, pre-covid TONZ of people uses both vientiane and savannakhet for their 90 day ED visas without issue. Maybe have your school call them and see
Reply to
Tod *********
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Penny ********
ORIGINAL POSTERWell initially I had a flight booked for HCMC anyway, and the staff at the school I'm applying for my ed-visa with, confirmed it was a good option to go to.
There's still time to change though. Would you recommend Savannakhet? I thought it looked like a good option, but there was some wording on the website that confused me. It says
"Those who apply visa without residence in the Lao PDR must submit their applications, through the academy and the Thai Authorities concerned, to the Department of Consular Affairs of Thailand."
I assumed this meant that only people with Laos residence can apply there. Is this not the case?
I've also learnt that the police check here can take 2-4 weeks, which is going to make things a bit trickier. So, Savannakhet also looks like a good option as they don't explicitly have it in their doc. requirements.
There's still time to change though. Would you recommend Savannakhet? I thought it looked like a good option, but there was some wording on the website that confused me. It says
"Those who apply visa without residence in the Lao PDR must submit their applications, through the academy and the Thai Authorities concerned, to the Department of Consular Affairs of Thailand."
I assumed this meant that only people with Laos residence can apply there. Is this not the case?
I've also learnt that the police check here can take 2-4 weeks, which is going to make things a bit trickier. So, Savannakhet also looks like a good option as they don't explicitly have it in their doc. requirements.
Reply to
Penny ********
Reply
Robert *******
I wonder if you get a 1 year Non Immigrant ED Visa.
I would say you can only get the Single Entry Non Immirgant ED visa which gives you once a 90 day stay, but if you get the 1 year stay, please show us the stamps.
7. Period of Stay:
Holder of this type of visa is entitled to stay in Thailand for a maximum period of 90 days.
From their website:
I would say you can only get the Single Entry Non Immirgant ED visa which gives you once a 90 day stay, but if you get the 1 year stay, please show us the stamps.
7. Period of Stay:
Holder of this type of visa is entitled to stay in Thailand for a maximum period of 90 days.
From their website:
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Penny ********
ORIGINAL POSTERThanks Tod 🙂 The Thai HCMC embassy has literally changed it's doc. requirements again today. Now they're not asking for the police check, but there's an extra document (related to private institutions) that they require. It's quite confusing 🙃.
Penny ********
ORIGINAL POSTERThanks Robert. That was my mistake. I meant 90 day (which I can extend in thailand every 90 days for one year). I am a bit worried now though, as the all the Thai embassies list 'Criminal Record check' as a doc. requirement. And my school seems to know very little about this. It would be a massive pain for me to now get this from U.K.
Penny ********
ORIGINAL POSTERGreat, thanks Robert! I've actually been here almost 3 months, so it would be a Thai record check that I require. Thanks so much. Phew!
Tod *********
@Penny *******
you can also get that police clearance up in Chiang Mai too. post on a chiang mai group asking where that office is up there for it
Reply to
Tod *********
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Robert *******
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Robert *******
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James ********
Is this for an Ed Visa for a Thai University or Thai language school or Muay Thai training?
Do you have the required documents addressed to the HCMC Thai Consulate in support of your application for the Ed Visa ?
Do you have the required documents addressed to the HCMC Thai Consulate in support of your application for the Ed Visa ?
Penny ********
ORIGINAL POSTERHi James, yes they have provided me with all of the documents. And I confirmed with them in advance that I'll be going to HCM to process the visa.
James ********
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Penny ********
ORIGINAL POSTERThanks so much James. I'll make sure to do that, and I'll also keep this page updated if anything of use occurs.👍
James ********
@Penny *******
thank you... Safe travels and Enjoy your visit to HCMC Saigon. It's one of my favorite cities in SE Asia.Reply to
James ********
Reply
James ********
You have your appointment..
But for our members...
But for our members...
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James ********
@Penny *******
Good Luck with your visit to HCMC Thai Consulate. Read carefully their list of requirements for the Ed Visa. They are strict. Meet the requirements and you will get the Ed Visa for 90 days stay on arrival. Further 90 days extensions of stay are with documents from your school and Thai Immigration office.Reply to
James ********
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Lloyd ********
"Processing times:
One working day (From Monday 6 March 2023, the processing time for visa and legalization will be 2 working days)"
One working day (From Monday 6 March 2023, the processing time for visa and legalization will be 2 working days)"
Penny ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Lloyd *******
Thanks for that! Yes, after posting my question, I saw that info on the website. I'll factor in at least 2 working days then. Don't want to leave anything to chance :)Reply to
Penny ********
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Lloyd ********
HCMC only issues a single entry Ed visa, not a year one
Penny ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Lloyd *******
Ah yes, my mistake. I understand that once back in CM, I'll have to visit one of the immigration services every 90 days.Reply to
Penny ********
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