Is Penang becoming stricter with issuing tourist visas, and what alternatives do you recommend?

I did Penang two months ago just remember to take anything that might be needed, I had flight out of Thailand booked just in case, and rental agreement ( take copies as you don't get them back)

I used Jim on Chulia street, costs only £10 more but no hassle for yourself dropped my Documents on Tuesday morning, had them back by 2.30 wednesday

Hcmc in Vietnam is easy to get a visa at

I've been in Chiang Mai on medical visas for the better part of a year now. They are issued for a maximum of 90 days at a time. You will need a medical certificate and a medical report from the doctor/hospital by which you are being treated, plus there's an immigration form (entirely in Thai; I can send you a blank copy, if you need it) that must be filled out by your doctor. Your doctor must state for how long you will be unable to travel. Every page of the medical documents must have the hospital's official stamp on it. Please note that the 90 (or however many you are approved for) days of the visa validity will begin on the date on which the medical certificate was issued, not the date on which you apply/are granted the visa, so don't get the certificate too far in advance.

Medical extension the hospital has to provide you with documentation requesting it. It's possible for sure but not trivial, you'd want to be seriously unable to travel and have a hospital willing to back you up on that. Your first step in asking about it would be the hospital you are being treated at.

Prepare on non-existent wifi besides Coworking spaces and terrible mobile data. I am here right now :) Besides that it's a lovely place to spend 2-3 days in.

No, it's still easy, you just need a ticket out of Thailand, but they now have a limit of 200 applications a day, so use a visa agent, it only costs small money.