What options do I have for obtaining a new visa in Thailand after facing issues in Laos?

Aug 10, 2018
6 years ago
Alexandr *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Yesterday I tried to apply for tourist visa in Laos, but they said I have too many already, so they can't give me new one ( + I have red stamp from last year). This year it is only second visa, I had a lot last year, including non-b. So now I've got only visa on arrival for 14days. Does anybody know what can I do with that? I'm Ukrainian citizen, will appreciate any advises
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TLDR : Answer Summary
An expat from Ukraine recently encountered issues obtaining a tourist visa in Laos due to previously having too many visas, including a red stamp from a past application. They managed to secure a visa on arrival for 14 days but are seeking advice on how to proceed. Suggestions from the community include obtaining a letter from a school for an ED visa application, waiting for documents from the school while staying in a neighboring country, changing passports to circumvent visa issues, or exploring other visa options like the Elite Visa. The discussion emphasizes various pathways to navigate visa challenges for expats in Thailand.
Alexandr *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
One my friend gave me an idea, coz I'm waiting documents for non-b from my school, I can ask then to give me a letter for embassy, to prove it. Tell them I need one more tourist visa, because it's not enough time for school to make docs for me. What do you think, can it work?
Robert *******
The only letter that is prove that you will go to work is the application of the work permit. The school can use the work permit application method nr 3, foreigner not in Thailand, (can read as foreigner inside Thailand but without the correct visa).
Alexandr *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Robert Lagas I don't get. Before WP I need non-b visa, right? My school didn't prepare docs for it yet, and now I'm no arrival visa, because they didn't give me tourist visa anymore. So my question is: If I go there again, and will try to apply for tourist visa but this time with letter from my school, that proves I really will work there and I need more time?
Robert *******
The only thing you need is the WP3 form, a page you get when your school has applied for the work permit. If they start making copies in the morning, you can apply the same morning for the work permit to get this paper. But if you drink lots of coffee in between, apply in the afternoon.
Tod *********
Strange that you had a red stamp on your tourist visa from Penang and Vientiane denied you a visa. Usually the stamps are consulate specific (although you were foolish to hit Penang over and over for a visa until you got the stamp :/ )

You have only limited choices. Get a new passport (which does wipe the slate clean at the thai consulates), enroll in a school and go the ED visa route. Go back to your country (or Perth Australia) and buy a 6 month METV <- multi-entry tourist visa if you can.

That's about it really.
Pierre ***********
@Tod ********
,didn't know that.Might go there next time.

Thanks mate.
Tod *********
@Pierre **********
yep, the thai consulates in Australia do not have the residency requirement to issue 6 month METV's and will sell them to anyone who can get in to Australia and meets the financial requirements. ;) Perth is the closest of them at just 8 hours away.
Pierre ***********
Why Perth?

Can you get METV in Perth if you're not Aussie ?
Retirement ******
say bye bye Thailand;;
Tod *********
not helpful. :/
Alexandr *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Soo... The best would be go to another country, wait for documents from school and apply for ED visa. Or simply go to Vietnam for few month, change passport and make new visa
Ivan ************
They will, but that's not his problem. His problem is he gets to get a visa, and the new passport will enable that.
James ********
Jay Nase But when he tries to enter Thailand Thai Immigration will connect him to his old passport. They do have his past on their computer screens as he seeks entry regardless whether he has a new passport.
Jason ******
@Alexandr ****
If you get a new passport then it will look like you have no history of coming to Thailand before when you apply for a visa at the Thai Embassy so you won't have any problems.
Robert *******
Well, That is what I wrote down.
Alexandr *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert ******
really? I heard after changing passport no problems with making new visas anymore
Robert *******
For the application for new Tourist Visa a new passport helps, Consulate or Embassy do not have a database and only count the visa's in your passport. On entering Thailand is does not matter, you new passport will be matched with the old one and Immigration can see how many times you entered, left and what visa you used.
Glen-do **********
I wouldn't change the passport man. Can cause hassle for you in Vietnam too. You'd have to report it lost. I don't think you can just change it without a reason bud, I may be wrong.
Ben **********
New passport got to be worth a go.
Jason ******
If Vientiane already stamped your passport, why did you decide to go back there knowing they already red stamp you? That was your warning that you wouldn't get another visa from them.
Robert *******
@Damien ******
The text on the top of the picture.
Alexandr *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Damien ******
and red stamp is such a magical stamp, that warns you it is your last lucky visa
Robert *******
This is an Example of that stamp:
Alexandr *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Damien ******
If everything is ok with your docs - no problem. I't because I had 5-6, tourist visas last year, this year only 1, but they don't care
Alexandr *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
I'm first time making tourist visa in Vientiane, before I was making in Penang, and also there I got red stamp
Kenny *******
Where in Laos?
Alexandr *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert ******
Nope, before my last tourist visa I had Non-b, was warking for 1 year, and before that non-b I had a lot of tourist
Robert *******
@Alexandr ****
So you nearly living in Thailand by using almost 2 years of Tourist Visa and that without any work.
Alexandr *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
The red stamp was from Penang, I made there 3-4 visas, and also few in China. And Vientiane was first time ever
Glen-do **********
Alexandr HuHuk how many times have you had a tourist visa from Vientiane? I know you said two this year only but how many last year and was the red stamp from them?
Alexandr *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Glen *******
I thought the same..
Glen-do **********
Surprising. Normally Vientiane are pretty easy.
Alexandr *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Vientiane
Daniel ************
buy Vip Elite Visa, study thai and get ED visa or start working legally and get a non-b - or change passport and use another embassy / consulate
Glen-do **********
@Damien ******
just had a read about the business visa in Vietnam and so far looks legit and quite straightforward. Tops. Thanks mate.
Robert *******
@Daniel ***********
Yes, he can submit for a course at a school, go abroad and let the school send the papers to where ever he is.
Daniel ************
Laos cheap for yearly as well with WP
Glen-do **********
Wow, surprised it's that easy. I had no idea about that.
Glen-do **********
Not a bad shout. How is the visa situation there compared with Thailand?
Glen-do **********
Daniel ************
@Robert ******
he cant apply for ED outside the country?
Glen-do **********
I don't think it's worth changing your passport. I'd say the ED visa would be a better option. I'm sure you can arrange outside the country.
Alexandr *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert ******
that's a good idea
Robert *******
Go to a country in the area, where you can stay long enough for a new passport, than come back.
Alexandr *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert ******
too far and kind of expensive, looking for something cheaper
Robert *******
@Daniel ***********
He has a Visa on Arrival, that only gives him 15 days, it take two to three weeks at least to get the papers from MOE to apply for ED Visa.
Daniel ************
@Alexandr ****
you can apply for ED outside the country as well and re enter then —-
Robert *******
Fly back home, apply for new passport, get a Visa and come back to Thailand.
Alexandr *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
For ED visa I need at least 3 weeks

For elite visa I need much more money

For changing passport I need 2-3 month
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