What are the best visa options for an Iranian expat in Thailand with an expiring education visa?

Question

Dear expats, i have an iranian friend who needs advice; his ed visa is running out and he has two options:
1)pay 18k and get another 6 monthd extension, although he will stay here only till feb
2) visa run to nieghboring countries, to change for tourist visa (would be his second tourist visa, the other one from jan this year)

The problem is the iranian passport is quite weak, so he is afraid of the visa run. Any advice, any place recommended for visa run? Thanks!

Ask Thailand · Answer

An Iranian expat in Thailand is facing a decision as his education visa (ed visa) is about to expire. He can either pay 18,000 THB for a six-month extension, or he can attempt a visa run to neighboring countries to apply for a second tourist visa, which may be complicated due to his passport's perceived weaknesses. Community responses suggest that Iran is not on the Visa on Arrival list, making border runs problematic, and that obtaining a tourist visa might require strict documentation, potentially being too risky. Many comments recommend that the safest option is to opt for the extension instead of risking a visa run.

Robert ******* · Answer

[mention redacted] Please do not discriminate on this page. I deleted your comments. Don't do again.

Robert ******* · Answer

So if you love to give advice to go somewhere, better prepare to pay all the travel expense for that person if your advice is totally incorrect. Check before you give advice or just scroll to another question if you have no clue. If you just like to comment something, use other Facebook pages.

Robert ******* · Answer

As the same in Penang or Malaysia

Robert ******* · Answer

NO tourist visa in Laos.

Benjamin ****** · Answer

That's a good question.

1. Iran is NOT on a Visa on Arrival or Visa Exempt list, so a border bounce won't be possible [url redacted]%20on%20Arrival/VOA.pdf

2. According to the attached list from KL, Persians need to return back to Iran to get a visa - IF they are applying from KL. I don't know about other embassies though. EDIT: Same policy exist in Laos, so that isn't an option either.

3. I don't know what the requirements are to get a visa from people from Iran. Sadly, the Embassy's website in Iran isn't that helpful :( [url redacted]

4. In other countries, they are strict about getting a tourist visa, and want to see 6 months bank account balance, a return flight, etc. See [url redacted]

for an example of the requirements.

The safest would be to get the extension, getting a tourist visa is too tricky I think.

Jeremy ******** · Answer

If he waits until January his 2 visa land border runs resets

Vincent *************** · Answer

Imho you give the answer already. Would you take the risk to do a visa run if you already know it’s weak? Some people like to live on the edge though

What are the best visa options for an Iranian expat in Thailand with an expiring education visa?

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