@Josh ***

You never need to have the original passport. They just want to take a copy of the front page of your passport. Just bring along copies of the information page and although they don't really care about seeing your entry stamp/visa, also make copies of that too, just in case.

You most certainly could have moved around the country or changed hotels. All you would have needed to do is take photos/photocopies of the information page, entry stamp (and visa, if you have one).

In general, passports are less requested in Cambodia than in Thailand except for hotel check-in purposes.

@Jared ********

I was referring to whether it was still a requirement. I noticed that as of September 2023, it was still mandatory to wear one at the Thailand Trade and Economic Office in Taipei.

If this is no longer the case, then good as that's all I wanted to know.

Unlike Thais, the rest of us don't obsess over masks and most of us don't carry one around. Hence if it were still a requirement, it would sure be a nuisance to have to buy one and just to wear one, when you're no longer used to it.

There is no general rule about wearing masks in Asia. Thais are the ones most obsessed with masking; even the Japanese have largely stopped masking up long ago. I just saw some pictures of unmasked Japanese police officers from September 2023, whereas in October 2024, most Thai police officers, even the ones upcountry, still wear masks.

@Kristian ********

Notary stamp? Where do you obtain that?

Vientiane is becoming even stricter now. Better apply elsewhere.

@Shawn ************

That's a very lengthy processing time.

Not only is there no issue, it's actually better to work for a business NOT registered in the country you're applying.

I've heard of some consulates asking for things like tax returns or official proof of being on the payroll (in the case of Burmese applicants applying in Myanmar on the basis of locally based companies).

This won't happen if you're working for a company in a third country.

My business involves remote work in Myanmar and Laos, although the bulk of it is in Myanmar. Partly for this reason, I'm not applying in Yangon as I don't want there to be questions and additional documentation requested that I may not be able to supply..

Myanmar being in civil strife and with the complications arising from land registration in marginal areas (and I'm not even talking about anything involving foreign nationals here) it could get quite complex.

Of course I may be overthinking things here, as I only deal with Burmese stakeholders and clients, with the company I'm working for being registered outside of the country.

Still, it's better I apply in Taipei or Indonesia as they're more flexible.

@Jared ********

Just wondering, i hope the Taipei consulate weren't making visa applicants wear masks were they?

I read a review on Google from a Taiwanese applicant mentioning this, but it was over a year old. I think it was from September 2023. Concerning, considering I applied for my last visa in Savannakhet, Laos in September 2023 and masks weren't required anymore there.

@Enzo *********

That's ridiculous, considering that you can show up in Spain as an EU/Schengen member state citizen and remain indefinitely. Just showing proof of citizenship should be enough. What's the deal with this "registration system"? Surely that only applies to non-European foreigners?

It varies. I remember applying for a Thai visa from the Thai consulate in Kunming years ago. I was a resident of China at the time but those who weren't, couldn't obtain visas there. This may have changed now under the e-visa system, which has been in effect in mainland China since October 27, 2021 (almost 3 years now).

Some nationalities will have additional requirements. If you're South African, you're OK but those from most other Sub-Saharan African countries may need police clearances, clearance from the anti-narcotics division and background checks.