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How long should I stay in Laos before returning to Thailand on a tourist visa?
Visa RulesTourist VisaThai ImmigrationVisa ExtensionNon-O VisaMarriage RegistrationVisa RunVisa ExemptVisa Processing Time
Feb 16, 2026
2 months ago
Russell ************
ORIGINAL POSTERHi, i arrived on a 60 day tourist visa which I have extended by 30 days in Korat immigration, if I go across to Lao how many days would you recomend before returning to thailand. All due to a mess up with registrating my thai marriage, thanks in advance for any information.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is currently on a tourist visa in Thailand that has been extended. They are considering traveling to Laos and want advice on how long to stay there before returning to Thailand. Respondents emphasize the importance of visa history, suggesting a minimum stay of three nights in Laos to ensure a smoother re-entry and to account for any immigration officer scrutiny. There are also suggestions to explore the possibility of applying for a Non-O visa based on marriage or other options depending on individual circumstances.
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Sean *********
Read somewhere it is taking a week or more to get a visa at the thai consulate
Charles ***********
I would visit travel-pilot.com and check “visas” section and ask Captain Charlie your particular situation for advice
Nongnuch ********
Russell Muggeridge . . watch out! Many scammers out there that will try to pull your hard earned money outta yer nose
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Nongnuch ********
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Nongnuch ********
Russell needs his Swedish marriage documents legalized by the Thai Embassy Stockholm.
He can apply by the e-visa system to a 90-days Non-Imm-O Family Visa, using the original Swedish marriage documents.
He however cannot use these for applying for anything inside Thailand, and he cannot use them for an application to the visa in any country outside of Thailand, EXCEPT in Sweden.
He enters Thailand on a 90-days Non-Imm-O Family Visa, and then get the Thai embassy legalized documents “co-legalized” by the MfA in Bangkok.
After this he can get the marriage registered on any Amphur office.
This is the ONLY way to get his marriage centrally registered inside Thailand.
For the application to the 1-year extension of stay on Immigration, he needs to show a freshly printout of the Kor Ror 22 or 2 (whichever applies) from the local Amphur.
Even an old Kor Ror 3 rose bordered marriage certificate alone is not enough a proof on Immigration, to show that the marriage is still upheld and existing
He can apply by the e-visa system to a 90-days Non-Imm-O Family Visa, using the original Swedish marriage documents.
He however cannot use these for applying for anything inside Thailand, and he cannot use them for an application to the visa in any country outside of Thailand, EXCEPT in Sweden.
He enters Thailand on a 90-days Non-Imm-O Family Visa, and then get the Thai embassy legalized documents “co-legalized” by the MfA in Bangkok.
After this he can get the marriage registered on any Amphur office.
This is the ONLY way to get his marriage centrally registered inside Thailand.
For the application to the 1-year extension of stay on Immigration, he needs to show a freshly printout of the Kor Ror 22 or 2 (whichever applies) from the local Amphur.
Even an old Kor Ror 3 rose bordered marriage certificate alone is not enough a proof on Immigration, to show that the marriage is still upheld and existing
Dennis *********
Next year?
John **********
What went wrong with registering your Thai marriage? If you have the marriage certificate it might be worth applying for the 90 day Non-O visa in Laos assuming you can sort whatever is wrong in 90 days
Russell ************
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *********
The swedish Embassy in Bangkok have recently stopped verifiying swedish marriage certificats so cant register at the consulate must go back to swedenJohn **********
@Russell ***********
so it's not a Thai marriage certificate but a Swedish one? You could still use it to get 90 days Non-O at a consulate outside of Thailand. You might also want to look at getting a 90 day Non-O based on being over 50 which you can then extend inside Thailand for 12 months based on retirement. Would give you lots of time to sort things out, you'd just need a re-entry permit if you leave during the 12 months. While you need more money in the bank the retirement option is actually less hassle unless you plan to work inside ThailandNongnuch ********
@John *********
he needs his swedish marriage documents legalized by the Thai Embassy Stockholm. Then enter Thailand on a 90-days Non-Imm-O Family Visa, and get them co-legalized by the MfA in Bangkok. After this he can get the marriage registered on an Amphur. This is the ONLY way to get his marriage centrally registered inside Thailand. For the application to the 1-year extension of stay, he needs to show a freshly printout of the Kor Ror 22 or 2 (whichever applies) from the local Amphur. The Kor Ror 3 alone is not enough proof on Immigration, of a still existing marriageRussell ************
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *********
thanks very much for your advice much appriciated, but i have work commitments in Sweden will apply for NonO with in the next 2 yearsReply to
Russell ************
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Alice ******
@John *********
for example if he can't sort out his marriage non O vida in that 90 days, then what will be next?John **********
@Alice *****
he has to leave againAlice ******
@John *********
leave to where? And he can't use free tourist visa after 90 days finishes, to back to Thailand because already used all tourist visas.Graham ******
Alice Chin There is no limit to the number of Visa Exempt entries which is not a free visa, it is visa exempt
Alice ******
Graham Seal what is mean Exempt? It costs money?
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Alice ******
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Bazaar******
It depends on your recent history of travel in Thailand..
And of course you are always at the discretion of the Immigration officer you are dealing with on the day..
You should have an exit ticket out of Thailand within 60 days and also the 20,000 Thai Baht cash or foreign currency equivalent in case you are asked..
I would stay minimum 3 nights in Laos or use a visa run agency
And of course you are always at the discretion of the Immigration officer you are dealing with on the day..
You should have an exit ticket out of Thailand within 60 days and also the 20,000 Thai Baht cash or foreign currency equivalent in case you are asked..
I would stay minimum 3 nights in Laos or use a visa run agency
Russell ************
ORIGINAL POSTERBazaarAsia57 no recent history and extension finishes 4th march,also have ticket home 31st march
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Russell ************
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Graham ******
Did you really pay for a tourist visa? Your chances of an easy re-entry depends upon your visa exempt entry history for the last 12 to 18 months.
Doug *******
Graham Seal Are they looking back as far as 18 months now?
Graham ******
Doug Olson your full history is there when your passport is scanned and there are no new year resets
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Graham ******
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Russell ************
ORIGINAL POSTERGraham Seal have no visa exempt entries and visiting thailand for the first time in 3 years
Ian **********
Russell Muggeridge In that case you should be fine returning visa-exempt. Reports from Nong Khai say they were told to be out for at least 2 days, but there is no official time, and as you were not visa-exempt you may be let straight back in. You will have to ask at the border you use. If you have a marriage certificate you could apply for a Non O based on marriage in Laos. Many people do not realise a temple marriage is not legal and you have to actually get married at the Amphur (register office). They call it registering the marriage but it is the legal marriage ceremony. Anything outside of the Amphur is only a religious blessing.
Russell ************
ORIGINAL POSTERIan Morrison thanks for the advice , officially married in sweden
Graham ******
Russell Muggeridge You need that marriage registered in Thailand then (local Amphur) for it to be used for Immigration purposes
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Graham ******
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