Answered9 years ago

What is the best visa plan for staying longer in Thailand after traveling to Laos and Cambodia?

Thailand Visa Visa Exemption Single Entry Tourist Visa Travel in Southeast Asia Visa Application Process Spanish Passport

Álvaro **********

asked Oct 9, 2017

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Hi friends! I'm in doubt about how to proceed with visas in my next trip to Thai/SEA.

I'm traveling to BKK with a friend of mine. Our plan is to go to Chiang Mai, then cross to Lao, and travel for a month through Lao and Cambodia. Then, about a 3 weeks later, we'll return to BKK and have 3-4 beach days in the islands. All OK until then. But...

Then, my friend will fly back to our home country, but I want to stay in Thailand. My plan is to stay and travel in Thai for 2-3 months.

So, what is the best plan with visas?

I've a Spain passport, so I get a 30 days visa exemption on arrival. We'll arrive by plane the first time, not decided yet the second time (maybe plane from Siem Reap, maybe bus)

Should I arrive at BKK with a visa exemption, and then apply for a Single Entry Tourist Visa when in Phnom Pehn? Could it be a problem with that visa if my passport has an entry with visa exempt just some weeks ago?

Of maybe can I apply for an anticipated SE Visa in my home country? A SE Visa starts when is issued, or can you apply for a specific date -as you can do with a Vietnam visa?

If I must apply for the SE Visa just when I'm going to enter Thailand, what is the best city/consulate to do it in Lao or Cambodia?

What do you think is the best plan to do that?

BTW, it's my second visit to Thailand, with the same passport, that visit was 4 years ago and I stayed for just 3 weeks, so I think there will be no problem at all with it.

Thank you so much in advance!

Answer summary

The user is planning a trip to Thailand and neighboring countries and seeks advice on the best visa strategy for extending their stay in Thailand after their travels. They will enter Thailand initially with a 30-day visa exemption and are considering applying for a Single Entry Tourist Visa (SETV) in Cambodia or Laos, or possibly from their home country. They are also concerned about re-entry regulations and the validity of the SETV in relation to prior visa exemptions.

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Tod *********

Follow the advice that

@Pa**

, gave. It's the way to go (y)

9 years ago

Paul *********

IMHO -

Both Arrive on using visa exempt, (30 days) do your travels,

Your friend - reenter Thailand on visa exempt (30 days)

You - reenter thailand on a setv (vientiane easiest) giving you 60 days.

All those entries could be extended by 30days.

9 years ago

Álvaro **********

@Tod ********

aaah! ok! So it's similar to the METV: the visa permits me to enter the Kingdom anyday in the next 90 days from the issued date; and, when I enter Thailand, they put the enter date and te 60 days countdown starts.

These are great news! Thank you so much Paul and Tod! :)

9 years ago

Tod *********

@Álv***

, when you get a single entry tourist visa it's valid for 90 days, meaning you have that long to enter thailand. Your 60 day stamp starts on the day you enter the country.

9 years ago

Álvaro **********

Thanks Paul. My doubt is: if I apply for the SETV in Vientiane a day, example: 1-dec, then keep traveling through Lao and Cambodia, and enter Thailand on, by example, 20-dec... does the SETV start to count from 1-dec or 20-dec for the 60 days?

If it's the second it'll be great, because we plan to stay in Vientiane early in our trip... and have read bad experiences about applying for a visa in Phonm Pehn.

CC/

@Tod ********

9 years ago

Lance *******

METV from your home country. Then no hassles when you come.

9 years ago

Amornrat **********

and we have not seen the visa yet.

9 years ago

Tod *********

@La***

, he won't get it in KL without all the proof of onward travel and at least a hotel booking

9 years ago

Lance *******

Wait for

@Tod ********

. I think there's a place in Maylasia doing METV

9 years ago

Álvaro **********

I though about it, but I think I can't show proof of hotels and outwards travel, which is mandatory at least in the Thai consulate in my home country. They advise specifically about it in their website, and warns that no one METV will be issued without both proofs :(

9 years ago

Jason ******

you can go to Vientiane, Laos and easily apply for a tourist visa which gives you 60 days and if you want an additional 30 days you can pay 1900 baht at immigration in bangkok. the single entry tourist visa will start the day you enter thailand.

9 years ago

Álvaro **********

So I can apply for the SETV in Vientiane, and enter Thailand 3 weeks later, and the SETV starts on that date so I'll have the full 60 (+30) days? These are great news!

9 years ago