What is the best time to visit the Thai embassy in Vientiane for visa applications?

Jul 15, 2018
6 years ago
Tai *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
What's the best time to arrive at the embassy in Vientiane?
2,803
views
1
likes
70
all likes
44
replies
0
images
23
users
TLDR : Answer Summary
The best time to arrive at the Thai embassy in Vientiane is around 10 AM to avoid large crowds, especially on Mondays and Thursdays when visa run companies are most active. Arriving early (around 8 AM) may still result in long wait times due to high volume, with some people queuing as early as 6 AM. Alternatively, arriving just before closing can also be efficient, but be aware that you might have to wait until the next day to collect your visa. Many suggest visiting mid-week for the quickest processing.
Alan **********
When it’s open
Tai *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks everyone. Went at 10 am but should have gone at 11 when the line was shorter. Will pick up visa tomorrow.
Michael ********
Yep arrive late morning 9am or after and then go back later in afternoon the next day. Why do you have to be one of the first few at sparrows fart. Just means you pick up the visa closer to 2pm instead of 1pm the next day. I have never understood why people like to go immigration early and catch the crowd when an hour or 2 later the crowd has already gone back to their hotels. I suppose most people want to go on a day trip or tour or something for the day..?
Michael ********
Logan Hauser Perhaps in high season that would be possible. Never heard of people.missing out.
Terary **********
Before they close.
Dan *********
Wed morning at 11:00 ( just before the gate closes) to request Visa and Thursday late afternoon to pick up Visa. Stay away from Monday and Thursdays to obtain your visa as these are the van visa run days.
Lurcho ********
In the morning and plan for an overnight stay to pick up Visa next day
Pierre ****************
LAST 🤔
Hruby ********
4am for u first one :-)
Pascal ********
before they open or close :)
Walter ********
First
Rik ********
I went on a Wednesday (14th June) and arrived at 7:50 am. There were only 35 people in front of me. They started at 8:30am and I was out just before 9am. Returned the next day for collection at 1:30pm and was out by 13:42 pm. Hope this helps
Benjamin ********
Say I got there at 6am could u just get the ticket and come back at say 830 wen it opens
Bob **********
You have to wait until they accept your application to get a number go mid week at 9:30 and pick up about 2:30 the next day
Jacco ***********
It is fairly simple, the best time to arrive there is on Friday, you will be in and out in about 10 minutes. Yes you need to wait for the visa until Monday, but truth be told, Vientiane is a great city, and spending the weekend there is heaps of fun. Monday you will be in and out in ten minutes as well of course.
Pam ***********
i was there on a thursday morning at 6:30am and already around 50people in line. (most from agencies) i was number 91 and out at 9:15. next day i got my passport back 10min after opening
Tai *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Ok so seems to me the consensus is to go around 10am to avoid the large crowds and then go back the next afternoon for pick up?
Maxim ***********
Yeah but if u are number 300-400+ don't go early they give passport back in order :)
Bob **********
9:30-10 everything is done outside and it’s hot I got there at 8:15 I was number 472
Maxim ***********
Either very early or at the last minute... I prefer last minute, it's quick and next day u can pretty much go at 3:30pm and it wIll be near you.
Jacco ***********
@Antoshka ********
amazing, like going back in time 10 years ago :) I nowadays use a Lao gsm sim, that way I have reliable coverage
Anthony *************
Jacco van Gent My Thai 'DTAC' phone 'Samsung A9' worked in my Hotel.
Benjamin ********
Wat time they close
Benjamin ********
Wen u say last minute wat time u mean....?
Greg ******
I went on a Tuesday at 7:45 and was number 54 in line. There is a hotel right across the street from it. Not the cleanest hotel but a very short walk to the Thai Consulate.
Jacco ***********
Antoshka Anthony Wow, my AIS worked fine as far out from the river like this about ten years ago, nowadays the only place where it will actually pick up the Thai signal is at the river itself, walk about 100 meters out and the signal is gone. You must use something other than AIS for the signal to work that far out, as the family hotel is about 500 meters from the river, I never managed to get AIS to work in that place for the past ten years for sure. Family is not close to the consulate, you need a 10 minutes + taxi ride to get there.
Anthony *************
Stay in a hotel near by and go early Ir is a good city. Dinner on the rover Best part is your Thai mobile works. I stayed at the Family hotel it was good value. Not sure how close it is to the Thai Embassy, Take your girl friend, Good holiday break
Tod *********
@Maxim **********
right BUT if you miss picking up your passport after they stop giving back they cancel your visa in your passport and you have to start again.
Maxim ***********
If they skip ur number because ur late, i'm guessing it's ok? Just have to go after everyone...?
Tod *********
^what he said (y)
Daniel ************
they open at 8.30 ....
Tod *********
Monday and Thursday are crazy busy because of the visa run companies showing up on those days.

I've seen people lining up at the gate at 6am.

I've also seen people show up there at 10:30 and walk right up to turn in their application (after the crowd is gone) BUT doing that means you get your passport back later the next afternoon because they are given back in the order you turn them in the previous morning.
Tod *********
well spotted
@May *******
, I edited it to show thursday
May ********
I thought they were there on Monday and Thursday. Don’t they leave from Bangkok on Wednesday night? Just confirming because I told my friend to go on Wednesday morning.
Daniel ************
its not at the embassy as well - if you want apply for a visa.
Tai *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Yeah I got that just worded it wrong. Thanks!
Daniel ******
if you show up at the embassy for a visa you're gonna have a bad time ;)
Daniel ************
at 8am
Michael ********
@Rob *********
Ah for a tight schedule. Got ya. Makes sense. Yes if headed back to the border that day then would make a big difference. Cheers.
Michael ********
@Rob *********
Why go that early and be the first in the line? What is the advantage?
Rob **********
8 am is the worst time to arrive. You will be so far back in the line. I would get there between 6:00 and 6:30. I was number 6 when I got there at 6:20 the other month. The time before that I went at 8 o'clock and was number 3 hundred and something.
Daniel ************
@Tod ********
as you said , depending the day... and maybe wait until crowd is gone ....
Tod *********
he'll be at the end of the line at 8 am
Daniel ******
i arrived at 7.30 and was number THREE HUNDRED
Thai Visa Advice
... members · 40% approval rate
The Thai Visa Advice group is a specialized Q&A forum for visa-related topics in Thailand, ensuring detailed responses.
Join the Group
Thai Visa Advice
View the Conversation
Thai Visa Advice