I'm going there Friday too. Bus?

Tod Daniels, the rules there are a little different than other locations. For example, if you hold a Canadian passport you do not need to submit financial docs or have a round trip ticket. However, if you are a Canadian resident but do not hold a Canadian passport, these items are required. I did this two months ago so I can confirm this is the case.

Get the METV in Canada... super easy and no financial requirements. Without getting into too much detail publicly, as a Canadian you should have no issue getting one. Just need to provide proof of flight to Thailand (not return). You can PM me if you have any specific questions.

2 per calendar year for Exempt entries. Does not count if it's for a multi-entry visa and the clock is reset Jan 1.

Steve is right on the money. They either need to fly or better yet, go somewhere like Vientiane and get a 60 day tourist visa.

If you take the bus from Chiang mai to Mae Sai it'll be stopped and checked 2 or 3 times. But they only seem to look for Burmese nationals and rarely give my passport a glance...if at all. It's been like this as long as I remember.

That thread says nothing about a 1 year non O without proof of funds.

We all were trying whatever we could to get it expedited. They simply didn't care...not sure what the deal was. If you look through past posts, it's a common theme at PP.

BTW, I decided to not wait around for the week but had to have the school re-do the paperwork as it was specific (somehow) to PP. So, if you do go to Laos, make sure the school is aware.

Pp was horrible for my ed visa. They told me it would take a week. Others were there for non-b (work) and told the same. They really don't care there and I would advise against using this office. If you do go, know that it won't be the next day turn-around like it is in Laos. How long seems to depend on their mood.