What documents do I need to apply for a 60+30 day visa in Laos after finishing my contract in Thailand?

Feb 6, 2024
10 months ago
Alice *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Good morning,

I've been working in Thailand for the last 6 years (Non-B visa), and when my current contract comes to an end, I'll be finishing up work as I've got a new job in the UK.

Before I go back, I want to spend a few months travelling/relaxing, so I plan to go to Laos (Vientiene) and apply for a 60+30 day visa. Since it's been a while since I did a visa run, I just want to check I've got it correct.

1. My WP/Visa will be cancelled, then I get a 7-day extension to leave.

1. Go to Vientiene to the Thai embassy (with appointment) with these documents

- visa form + 2 photos

- passport + copy of passport

- 3 months bank statements

- plane ticket out of thailand

- itinerary inc accomodation

1. Pick up a few days later.

Then plan is then spend 4/5 days in Laos, travelling down to Pakse and reentrying Thailand at the Ubon boarder.

I had a few questions about the documents.

I've got an old UK bank account with about 1000GBP in it, or I've got a Thai saving account with about 100,000THB. Is one better than the other or do I submit both? Is there an issue with using a Thai bank account?

Do they actually expect a full itinerary w/ hotel bookings for 2 months, or is the first hotel enough? I plan on just bouncing around for a while, no solid plans except at some point going to the beach.

Essentially, my only concern is that I might run into a problem if I submit a Thai account due to work history, they end up thinking I'm want to work on the visa etc etc.

I appreciate any reassurance or advice.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The original poster plans to apply for a 60+30 day visa after finishing a work contract in Thailand. They outline the visa application process from Laos and seek clarification about the required documents. Key points discussed include the necessity of bank statements from either a UK or Thai bank account, the requirement for a travel itinerary, and concerns about potentially being questioned about their work history in Thailand. Community responses provide reassurance and practical advice regarding the visa application, bank statements, and handling the 7-day exit stamp.
James ********
I believe that the OP has the answers needed for her question.

Thanks all for your helpful replies.

Comments Closed
William *******
We just ended my WP on 31 Jan.

We went on 28 Feb to immigration and got the stamp to leave latest on 1st Feb.

Now in Cambodia to apply retirement visa at Thai embassy while visiting friends for few weeks.
Ellie *******
@Georgia ******
, I don't think you would have any problem to apply for SETV at any of the Thai consulate/embassy in nearby countries.

As mentioned, unless you are working for BOI/IEAT company, you have to apply for an extension (for whatever reason) for a 1900 baht fee to get denied and are given 7 days to leave Thailand.

BUT, if you want to travel to Vientiane by land, do NOT get that 7 days stamp as some land borders wouldn't let you leave with that 7 days stamp. Instead, apply for cancellation a few days in advance if your immigration office allows.
Alice *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ellie ******
I wish I had known this before. So, my work will be cancelling my WP/visa on the last day of my contract, and asking for that 7 day grace period to leave. My plan was to then take the bus up Nong Khai at day before the 7-day period expires (trying to stretch my money as far as possible on a budget!) cross via land, and head to the embassy.

Is there any reason why they might say no to leaving if I have that 7-day stamp in my passport?
Ellie *******
@Georgia ******
, that is not a "grace" period. That is the "(up to) 7 days to leave the kingdom" stamp, and you have to pay for that. That is NOT the way to extend your stay (like those Thailand-days-counters do). That is to get time to wrap up your stuff in Thailand to LEAVE. You need to ask the officer at the borders for the exact reason (I doubt they would answer though). If you are going to get that 7-day stamp, you might better fly out.
Alice *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ellie ******
By grace period, I mean the 7 days to leave the kingdom - which will be paid for. Sorry, we are talking about the same thing I just think my choice of words isn't right.

My work have said they will organise this for me, so I don't have to finish work and leave the country on the same day. My question is that does having that stamp (already paid for at immigration) cause issues when then leaving the country via a landborder?
Ellie *******
@Georgia ******
, If they want, they refuse you to leave Thailand there with active 7 days to leave stamp, that means you just cannot leave the country through that land border. You need to go to another border to try, or go to the airport to fly out.
Alex *******
I just applied for a non-0 last Friday in Vientiane, i had used my thai account for statement which i have since 2015 and i did not live in Thailand since 2019, they did not care why i have the Thai bank account yet, they just want to see if you have a minimum of 20,000 thb, your visa will be processed in 2 working days. Good luck!
Bart **************
I wouldn't be concerned about them thinking that you'd still work. Your history in that regard is crystal clean: you worked legally, you cancelled your stuff before getting out, and you have not yet spent any time in the country as a tourist. A story that you'd like to do exactly that now, for 60 days (that's all they can give you at the embassy) would be somewhere in the high end of trustworthiness. Mind you, they also receive applications doing their third back to back fully maxed out TV there. If you are concerned, maybe add a bit of an itinerary and a few more bookings than your first. Adding Thai bank account statements should yield no problems because it is no secret to them that you worked in Thailand. That your money is here should be expected.

Minor detail: you said that you'll 'get' 7 days. To my understanding, this is only the case if you apply for an extension that you can't obtain, leading to a denial. That gives you 7 days to leave the country. A friend of mine got this from his employer, but if I'm correct, most do not, and so you have to get it by yourself (or leave on the exact day your employment terminates).
Alice *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bart *************
Thanks for the info. Work are organising everything for me, including that 7-days from the denial - so I'm not too worried about that.

I've got a flight booked back home, a job offer email from the UK, enough money in my bank account and I can book a few hotels no problem. Hopefully that's enough?
Bart **************
@Georgia ******
should be.
John **********
There is no such thing as a 7 day extension. That is an "extension denied" stamp, which you might or not get, it depends on the immigration officer accepting your application which they don't have to do. You'd be much better getting a letter from your employer stating your last day of work and using that to cancel your work permit and extension of stay in advance
Alice *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Sorry, yes, this is what I mean. The cancellations/request for extension knowing it'll be denied and given 7 days etc is all being organised by work. They don't seem concerned about getting the 7-day grace period at all, seems they do this often.
John **********
@Georgia ******
I'd leave them to it then, they obviously have a relationship with immigration
Bart **************
@John *********
or this indeed.
Robert *******
Just apply for the visa, you have to hand in your passport so they will notice that you worked in Thailand for longer period.

There is nothing wrong to end a long period of working with a few months sight seeing in Thailand, keep things simple and do not worry to much.
Bart **************
@Robert ******
agree with this.
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