Answered7 years ago

What are the fees and potential issues for an Australian citizen getting a Laos tourist visa and re-entering Thailand?

Laos Visa Visa on Arrival Thailand Visa Visa Regulations ED Visa Travel to Thailand

Ryan ********

asked Jul 30, 2019

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Is the Laos tourist visa on arrival fee for Australian citizens USD $35? I'm currently on an ED visa in Thailand which is due to expire on 9th August. I plan to fly to Laos that day, stay overnight and then return to DMK airport in Thailand the following day and get a tourist visa on arrival for 30 days when I get here. After that 30 days is over, I plan on flying back to Australia. Is there any problems I might have?

Answer summary

An Australian citizen currently on an ED visa in Thailand will likely encounter a USD $30-$35 fee for the Laos tourist visa on arrival. Their travel plans involve flying to Laos, staying overnight, and returning to Thailand the next day, seeking a 30-day tourist visa upon re-entry. However, there are risks of entry rejection into Thailand based on past visa history, particularly at Bangkok's DMK or BKK airports. Travelers are advised to consider alternative routes, such as land crossing over the Friendship Bridge from Laos, to reduce potential entry issues.

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Benjamin ******

Ok, with your flight being booked already, the biggest risk is getting rejected on entry to Thailand at either BKK or DMK, depending on how many visas or visa exempts you have in your passport. You may end up getting rejected, and hopefully sent back to Laos. If that happens you can either get a tourist visa in Laos to return to Thailand, or if you haven't burned through your two visa exempts, to simply return to Thailand via Friendship Bridge.

7 years ago

Ryan ********

Good I hope they are smart enough to figure out that I'm not trying to bend the rules. I just had some aquaintances recommend that I apply for tourist visa from embassy in Vientiene to get back into Thailand - but I only need 30 days so it seems a much better idea to get visa exempt.

7 years ago

Benjamin ******

@Ryan *******

Then I think you'll be fine. Thai immigration officers are quite smart.

7 years ago

Ryan ********

well my pattern is quite clean. I came here on an Ed visa from thai embassy in australia to do scholarship at the uni for 12 months. That visa will expire and then I'm getting one visa exempt and then going home. I really do not see that as much suspicious

7 years ago

Ryan ********

Ok I've already bought the flight tickets though. I thought a border crossing only gave 15 days visa exempt entry though. Perhaps I could forgo the flight back in and just do a land crossing if it gives me 30 days.

7 years ago

Ryan ********

@Benjamin *****

Ok yes I meant visa exempt. It's where I don't actually need to apply for a visa to stay 30 days.

7 years ago

Benjamin ******

Wait... what do you mean by:

" tourist visa on arrival for 30 days"

In your post? People from your country aren't allowed to have visa on arrivals for Thailand, only visa exempt.

7 years ago

Benjamin ******

No, it's 30 days from people from your country.

7 years ago

Benjamin ******

1. For the Laos visa: A quick search shows $30 USD for people from your country. I'd get $35USD, and have it in multiple of $5.

2. I recommend not flying into Thailand in either DMK or BKK if possible. People have been getting rejected, from posts on here.

3. I do recommend flying from BKK or DMK to Ubon or Udon, take a bus to Laos, cross over via Friendship Bridge, and then cross back the same day or next day. From there, catch the bus to Ubon or Udon, and fly back. Friendship Bridge doesn't ask for the three proofs. Ubon or Udon won't ask for the triple proofs because you'll be flying domestic.

4. The "visa" you'll be getting in Thailand is a visa exempt, not a visa on arrival.

7 years ago