Answered3 years ago

What are the best options for an Indian passport holder considering a visa run from Thailand to Laos?

Thai Visa Exemption Visa Run Nong Khai Border Indian Passport Visa Regulations Thailand Immigration

Chom ******

asked Feb 10, 2024

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Hi, I asked similar question before so sorry for asking again but just wanted some advice. I have an Indian passport. I was planning to do a visa run at the end of my 30 day exemption+30 day extension through the Nong Khai border but recently came across something called as a border bounce but not sure what are the advantages/disadvantages. Considering that I have already flown to Thailand multiple times in the last year(spent 4.5 months cumulatively last year), what would be the best choice for me? I am not interested in a visa agency because they are too expensive and it sounds rather uncomfortable being crammed in a van for 10 hours+. 

- Go to Laos for an hour or so and come back to Thailand(Nong khai border) under the 30 day visa exemption. 

- Spend a night in Laos and come back to Thailand(nong khai border) under the 30 day visa exemption. 

- Go to the Thai embassy in Laos and get a 60 day tourist visa and come back through the nong khai border. This would mean that I would need to spend atleast 2-3 days in Laos waiting for this visa. I have booked an appointment already just to be safe.

Answer summary

The user is seeking advice on the best visa run options for an Indian passport holder planning to travel from Thailand to Laos. They are considering three options for re-entering Thailand after their 30-day exemption period: a quick border bounce (day trip), spending a night in Laos, or obtaining a 60-day tourist visa from the Thai embassy in Laos. They also mention their prior travels to Thailand and express concerns about using a visa agency. Community comments provide insights on the visa exemption rules and potential issues with multiple entries.

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Stephen ******

Didn't the thai government say that indians and Chinese do not need a visa to stay in Thailand i may be wrong but its worth checking out

3 years ago

Chom ******

Yes, I entered Thailand in Dec’23 on visa exemption.

I haven’t done any border/visa run this year. It will be my first visa run this year.

Yet, I was still told to fly and not come via land. I think trying visa exemption again has very high chances of denial so I have applied for a visa at the embassy but I have 0 confidence right now via both airports and land(after the lady told me not come through here).

3 years ago

Brandon ************

@Stephen *****

they're still limited to 2 land border entries without a visa just like everyone else that gets visa exempt

3 years ago

Jan ******************

“Foreigners under the Visa Exemption List who are entering Thailand via border posts at Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Malaysia without securing a prior visa will now be granted 30-day visa exemption stamp TWO times per calendar year, from January 1 to December 31.”

*********************************************************************

3 years ago

Chom ******

@Jan *****************

so if we get visa exempt, border bounce would make more sense as it saves time and money? Or am i missing something?

3 years ago

Jan ******************

@Chom *****

Border bounce gives you another 30 days + 30 days as you know and can be done all in one day. Visa run gives you 60 days + 30 days but takes you to Ventiane for a couple of days as you also know.

3 years ago

Jan ******************

@Chom *****

Yes, and as you see in the text and the link from the Thai Embassy in my first answer above, it’s allowed to do two border bounce with visa exemption by road in a calendar year. And you haven’t done any this year so it should be no problem to cross the Nong Khai border and get a new exemption at the same day.

3 years ago

Chom ******

@Jan *****************

so if I understand it correctly, the only difference between them is 30 days vs 60 days.

It doesn’t really decrease the chances of denial at immigration?

I always thought that getting a visa at the embassy decrease the chances of any potential problems at the border checkpoint irrespective of the number of days.

3 years ago

Brandon ************

As long as you haven't already entered 2 times at a land border in 2024 using visa exempt, you shouldn't have any issues at Nong Khai, even leaving and returning the same day. That's probably the easiest border in Thailand as far as allowing people to enter without issues.

3 years ago

Chom ******

@Brandon ***********

so basically I can skip visa agencies and still return to Thailand on the same day through thr nong khai border?

They wouldn’t create problems even though I have already spent 60 days here(and 4 months last year)?

Last time when my passport was eligible for VoA(15 days), I read on the internet that Nong Khai border allows VoA but the Laos immigration did not let me go and asked me to get a proper visa first because if they reject VoA, then I would be sent back.

3 years ago

Chom ******

@Brandon ***********

Also it would be fine to not go through a visa agency, right?

3 years ago

Brandon ************

@Chom *****

VoA and visa exempt are completely different. Nong Khai is known as being a great place to do a border bounce

3 years ago

Chom ******

@Brandon ***********

okay, then I will probably consider just going to Laos for an hour or so.