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Answered9 years ago

When can I expect to retrieve my visa after visiting the Thai embassy in Vientiane?

John *********
asked May 21, 2017
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I'm trying to figure out when to book my return flight from Udon Thani. I'm going to the Thai embassy in Vientiane early Tuesday morning. When should I expect to come back to retrieve my visa?
Answer summary
When visiting the Thai embassy in Vientiane, you can typically expect to retrieve your visa in the afternoon of the next business day after your application. It's advisable to apply early in the day, as the processing time may vary depending on the number of applicants. Many expats have reported successfully catching evening flights after receiving their passports back, suggesting that scheduling a return flight after 6 PM is reasonable, although caution is advised due to potential long queues.
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Michael ********
Michael ********
Prob make it...But If anything goes wrong you need to be prepared to lose the money and book another flight...
Peter ***************
Peter ***************
You can pick up your visa in the afternoon. They call out the numbers in the ticket order, so the lower your number, the earlier you get it. How long it can take totally depends on the number applying at the same time.
Vincent *************
Vincent *************
If they issue a visa you will get it the next business day
Ron *******
Ron *******
With all the free advertising all over the internet of how easy it is to get a visa at Vientiane,everybody is going there. It's hardly surprising there are 800+ plus people in the queue.
Michael ********
Michael ********
It won't last and will be reigned in like the rest eventually....especially if there is increased numbers...
Ron *******
Ron *******
Yes Tod because they are too lapse in how they do business. It's time they were pulled in to line. They are very obviously in it for the money.
Tod *********
Tod *********
It's just that they're the ONLY thai consulate in the area that DOESN'T require any of the 3-proof-ofz. ;)
Jacco ***********
Jacco ***********
The best time to go is on friday, virtually no-one there, the catch is you need to stay over the weekend, but to me that is a plus :)
Jan **********
Jan **********
Mondays are busiest
Tod *********
Tod *********
Tues-Wed-Thurz are usually the days I tell people to go.
Hakan ***********
Hakan ***********
I done twice. My return flights ware at 5:10 pm. Reached airport like 4-4:30 pm.
Mark *******
Mark *******
Bus is cheaper but the chances of getting there in time drop significantly.
Tod *********
Tod *********
The 6PM flight is fine. It gives you enough time to get your passport back, get to the border, cross back into thailand and hoof it to the Udon airport in plenty of time to get that flight
Mark *******
Mark *******
I have done it. Typically you have your visa by 2. There are vans waiting to take people to border. Stamp into Thailand and then same deal... vans waiting to take people to the airport.
John *********
John *********
OP
Would it be pushing it to book the 18:00 flight on Wednesday?
Ivan ************
Ivan ************
@Car****
I do Mondays as well which is the busiest day I think but I always fly out and stay in Vientiane Sunday night.
Carsten **********
Carsten **********
Took the 6 am flight from Chiangmai but had to go to the immigration office in Nong Khai before I could cross the border. Was at the consulate 9:30ish. Got no 865. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz but yeah it was a Monday too
Ivan ************
Ivan ************
Carsten yes that is one thing to bear in mind, they give the passports back in the same order that they get the applications and Vientiane has become much busier now as the other consulates are tightening up. So if you want to get the 18:00 flight need to get there relatively early on the first day so you will get your passport back relatively early the second. I used just go whenever the first day myself but more recently I have made sure to get there early-ish. I think my worst number has been 350-400 or so and I got the flight OK with that. They give them back at the rate of 200 or so per hour starting at 1pm so if your number is below 400 you should get before 15:00 and all OK.
Carsten **********
Carsten **********
I used to do that too. Get the 6:10 flight BUT. Just 12 days ago I was there at 10 am, at the consulate, and there was 500 people or so in front of me, when I finally got my receipt and number for my passport it was number 865, and yes they start at number 1. Sure enough the next day there was 865 people in front of me, and being as efficient as Thailand are they only had 1 window open for giving back passports. I got mine at 5 pm, and there was no way I would have made the 6 pm flight
Ivan ************
Ivan ************
@Jo**
I have done it three times now and each time I got the 18:00 flight back same day.
Robert *******
Robert *******
Wednesday afternoon. Apply day 1 morning, get back day 2 afternoonn
Joe ******
Joe ******
Should not be a problem with plenty of time to spare - if you don't have loads of people in front of you picking up passports.

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