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What is the best way for friends with ED visas in Chiang Mai to obtain a TR visa through a border run?

ED visaTR visaChiang Maiborder runThai embassy in LaosUdon ThaniVientianeSavannakhetvisa application processvisa extension
Jan 10, 2023
2 years ago
Don-Laura *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
A few local friends in Chiang Mai have asked me for guidance on a border run. Their ED visas run out in April. They'll need another full 90 days just on a TR visa (not on another ED visa or any other Non-O) before they depart Thailand permanently. Thus the visa extension doesn't quite get them the 90 days they need. Guessing Laos is the best/closest option for them to do a border run to get a new 60 day TR visa that they can then extend another 30 days in-country. Is the best travel option for them to fly to Vientiane and do all that at the embassy there, or fly to Udon Than,i and then head to and cross the border to take care of business?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A user discusses how friends with ED visas expiring in April can undertake a border run to obtain a 90-day TR visa before leaving Thailand. The preferred method appears to be traveling to Udon Thani, as there are no direct flights to Vientiane from Chiang Mai. Upon reaching Udon Thani, they can take a bus to the border. Alternatively, they could choose to apply for the TR visa at either of the two Thai embassies in Laos, with Savannakhet being noted as the easier option that does not require an appointment.
Duncan *******
Fly to Udon Thani then get the bus to the border. There's no direct flight from CNX to Vientiane but there is to Udon Thani.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
@Duncan ******
 There is a direct flight from CNX to Luang Prabang though, from where connections to Vientiane can easily be made.
2 years ago
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Don-Laura *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Right - 2 ways to get to the embassy - fly into Vientiane (though not a direct flight) or fly to Udon Thani and trek in from there. Just comparing the ease of each option, or even having them go to Kuala Lampur, but that also has its own pros/cons.
2 years ago
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Don-Laura *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks!!
2 years ago
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Duncan *******
Don-Laura Traub if flying south is an option, you could throw Singapore into the mix as well. Udon Thani flight then bus to the border should in theory be the cheapest option and the quickest.

They've got until April but where ever your friends go, remind them to book an appointment well in advance.
2 years ago
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Duncan *******
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Graham ******
@Duncan ******
 Not for a Visa run, that's a border bounce
2 years ago
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Duncan *******
@Graham *****
 The Thai Embassy is 22km from the border - you get to the border and then use transport to go to the embassy. Source - I've done it twice.
2 years ago
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Graham ******
Sorry, I was thinking of somewhere else not Udon
2 years ago
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Graham ******
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Brandon ************
Make sure they cancel their ED extensions before leaving or they might face a large fine.

Laos has 2 Thai embassies. One in Vientiane and one in Savannakhet.

Vientiane requires an appointment but Savannakhet allows walkins without appointment.

Generally Savannakhet is considered the easier embassy to deal with. Regardless of where they go, the process will take 2-3 business days as they'll have to drop the application off in the morning and then pickup the visa 2-3 days later in the afternoon. So if dropped off on Friday, it won't be ready until Tuesday or Wednesday.
2 years ago
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Bella ******
@Brandon ***********
what all documents are needed to get the tourist visa ?? I would be grateful if you could kindly advise me the needed documents. Thank you
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
@Bella *****
 You have to check the website of the embassy you want to use. Every embassy has different requirements, and some require you to make an appointment first too.
2 years ago
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Bella ******
@Brandon ***********
 oh okay. Many thanks 🙏
2 years ago
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Bella ******
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Angelik *******
@Brandon ***********
 can you tell more about cancelling visa please? Why it should be cancelled before leaving? Doesn't leaving the country cancel your visa? Is it for ED only?
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
@Angelik ******
 When you get an extension under education, work, or volunteer, you sign a paper that says you will notify them when your situation changes and cancel your extension. If you just leave without doing that, then you failed to live up to what you said you would do, and if you ever try to get another long term visa or extension, you will be fined 20,000 baht and may be prevented from getting that visa/extension because you lied to immigration in the past.
2 years ago
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Angelik *******
@Brandon ***********
 how do I cancel it? So it means that if I have non b that ends in a month I can't travel without doing it? I was going to go to another country for a few days and come back to get a visa exemption.
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
@Angelik ******
 It depends on if you are on the visa or if you are on an extension. If you are on the original 90 day visa then you don't need to do anything. But if you are on an extension then you have to cancel it before you leave. That means you need to get a letter from the workplace stating when you will stop working, and then you have to go cancel the work permit, and then take both of those to the immigration office to cancel the extension. You can do this a few days ahead of time to give yourself time to leave. If the letter says you will finish working on January 25th, you could go on the 20th and cancel your extension for the 25th so you have 5 days to leave. If you don't do that then you have to leave the same day you cancel it.
2 years ago
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Angelik *******
@Brandon ***********
 yes, I got the part about extensions. I've never heard about it. When one of our teachers was leaving, she just left, and then the school went to cancel her wp.
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
@Angelik ******
 if she ever tries to get a long term visa or extension again she'll have problems. The school could care less though. It doesn't effect them at all.
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
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Don-Laura *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Awesome, thanks!
2 years ago
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Steve *******
Don-Laura Traub Both the Embassy in Vientiane and the Consulate in Savannakhet are next working day pick ups, ie, drop off Monday am and pick up Tuesday pm, drop off Friday am and pick up Monday pm, etc.
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
@Steve ******
 maybe I'm confused with another embassy 🤔 but definitely avoid the weekend!
2 years ago
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Steve *******
@Brandon ***********
 PP is 2 working days. Weekend is OK if you want to spend a few days in Laos!
2 years ago
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Steve *******
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