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Getting Visas in Bangkok...

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Looking to get visas for Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos in Bangkok..
18 years ago, April 26th 2006 No: 1 Msg: #5318  
B Posts: 5
Hi!

I'll be in Thailand in a few weeks time, and I'm spending 3 months travelling around SE Asia (Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos in addition to Thailand).

I'm wondering how much of a hassle it is to get visas for Cambodia, Vietnam and Loas while in Bangkok. Where would be the best place to get them, and do the prices vary much?

My other option is purchasing the visas here in Canada before I leave, but I'm worried that if my travel plans change or stretch out at all, that I'd be left with expired visas, which could be a huge pain. So, is it a good bet to just pick them up in BKK before I head off to Cambodia / Vietnam?

Any experiences or suggestions?


Thanks! Reply to this

18 years ago, April 27th 2006 No: 2 Msg: #5347  
I am not totally sure how it is for Canadians, but I know for US citizens, you get the Cambodia visa at the airport when you land. It seems it was about 20 bucks USD. I can't remember for sure if you need to have a passport picture but I am pretty sure you don't. I believe you can do the same thing for Laos, but we had to get our Vietnam visas in advance. We did it in Thailand. The Thailand visa is provided when you enter the country...once again, this is all for US citizens but I imagine that it might be similar for Canadians.

If you go to the Khao San district in Bangkok (near the Grand Palace), there are tons of travel agents there that can help you with travel arrangements and visas. In fact, they usually also take passport pics if you need them for your visas. The travel agent sends your passport off to the embassy to get your visas for you, so make sure you have copies of your information pages of your passport so you can still cash traveler's checks and such while it is out of your possession. When we went to China, Vietnam, and Cambodia, we did our travel arrangements from Khao San. It is also considered to be the backpacker district but I wouldn't recommend staying there unless you are into that kind of thing. You can stay in some really nice hotels in better areas for pretty cheap and still get to see all the sites. Bangkok has a pretty extensive public transit system. I think we have used every option while there with the exception of the city busses (which are always very full). We took the train from the Bangkok airport to Ayutthaya and it was only 11 baht (about 25 cents USD). It was about an hour train ride and we got to see a lot of the country side. We also used the ferry system on the river near the palace, and of course, tuk-tuks, cabs, and the lightrail. Domestic flights to other parts of Thailand are easy to get same day and the prices in the airport are the same you'll get from the agents online or in person.

Hope this helps, probably more info than you needed...haha. Reply to this

18 years ago, April 27th 2006 No: 3 Msg: #5348  
D Posts: 81
Hi
Of course, if you want to make visa to a country, you have to go their Embassy or Consultant to make your Visa.
You can go to Vietnam Embassy in Thailand(Bangkok) to make your visa to Vietnam, I don't remerber how much exactly, it's about 25-30USD. And when you are in Vietnam you can make visa to Cambodia, about 25 USD in Cambodia Embassy. Visa to Lao is more expensive 35-40USD.
You can make one visa to avoid your change.
Have a time! Reply to this

18 years ago, April 28th 2006 No: 4 Msg: #5358  
B Posts: 5
Awesome, thanks for the responses.

I've been in Bangkok before a few times, but I'd never gone through the process of getting different visas while in Bangkok.. but it's good to know that I should be able to do it without too much trouble.

Thanks again!
Reply to this

17 years ago, May 24th 2006 No: 5 Msg: #5856  
I agree with the person above. VietnamGreen is incorrect. You do NOT have to get a Cambodian visa beforehand. You can get one on arrival, either at the airport or at a border crossing from Thailand.

For Vietnam, you can get on on arrival at the airport, or you need to apply for one if you are going overland. Here is some stuff from a previous entry I made just recently regarding this:

-----------------------------
VIETNAM VISA INFO
-----------------------------

Vietnam requires you to get a visa ahead of time and you must fill out their visa application available either online (just to download but not to submit application) or at your nearest Vietnamese consulate (embassy). If you cannot get to a consular, then you must send in the application to the embassy about 6 months prior to your visit.

Only citizens of certain countries can visit Vietnam without an entry visa (valid for visit within 30 days). Those countries include: most Asean countries, Korea, Japan & Scandinavians (2005). All other citizens are required to get an entry visa before departure or a pre-approved entry visa (visa is issued on arrival at Vietnam’s International Airports) supplied before arrival in Vietnam.

VISA ON ARRIVAL INFO:

In the event that there is no Vietnam embassy or Consulate in your country, or you just want to make Vietnam part of a multi-destination trip, then we recommend Visa on Arrival as your best option.

What is a 'Visa on Arrival ?': this is most likely the easiest way to obtain your visa without having to chase down embassies, consulates and the like prior to your trip, and is a valid alternative when applying for a tourist visa. The entry visa will be stamped on your passport as you pass through our immigration checkpoint. Though valid for thirty days, it can be extended once you enter Viet Nam. With this type of visa, you only can enter the country by air.

Should you wish to extend your visa, go to the Immigration Office at 40A Hang Bai St. in Hanoi, Tel: 826 6200. Many tour operators can also extend your visa for a fee.

----------------------------------------------------
CAMBODIA VISA INFO:
----------------------------------------------------

Cambodia Embassy in Thailand
No. 185 Rajdarmri Road, Lumpini Patumwan, Bangkok 10330, THAILAND



Entry visas are obtainable at Cambodian diplomatic missions and required for all visitors with valid passports irrespective of nationality. Cambodia, however, is very liberal with their visa regulations. You must bring with you: A Passport Photocopy ; 1 passport size color photo (3cm x 4 cm) and $20USD (cash only) for one-month tourist visa fee (Paid directly to the immigration). The visa validity is 30 days from the date of issue, NOT from the date of entry!

Recently, visa on arrival are widely applied in the airports and land-ports of Cambodia. Visitors no longer need to get the visa stamp at the Cambodian Embassy before your visit. Application form is distributed by the Government Immigration upon arrival. Its a no-hassle deal getting into Cambodia...but if you screw up in Cambodia, it could be difficult to get out. I suggest if you are an American, register with the US Dept of State. You can register your travels online so if you are missing, they might at least know where to find where you were last.

Cambodian Visa Extension

Travelers who would like to prolong their stay in Cambodia may extend their visa at the Department of Immigration situated just opposite the Pochentong Airport. The visa may be extended for 30 days at the cost of $25USD. Some travelers have reported that the visa extension for another one month was no longer possible, since the middle of June 2000. If you expect to stay more than a month, better get a Business visa at one shot for $25USD with three months validity.

I advise you to take this information for what its worth, but always be sure to do your own checking as things change in the part of the world on a daily basis. Good luck!
Reply to this

16 years ago, August 15th 2007 No: 6 Msg: #18000  
N Posts: 10
Hello,
Thailand visa is valid for 90 days from the date of issue.so you should apply only within 90 days of the dates of travel.
Holders of a reentry permit and citizens of: Bangladesh, China, Cambodia, India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, the Middle Eastern and the Socialist countries:3 additional photographs,Employment verification or a guarantor's letter from a U.S. resident,Proof of confirmed round-trip ticket and iternary,Proof of permanent resident alien card,Proof of Funds, such as a bank statement showing personal savings or checking account, Confirmed hotel reservations in Thailand,Reference person and his/her address in Thailand,Reference person and his/her address in your native country Reply to this

16 years ago, August 18th 2007 No: 7 Msg: #18181  
Hey, if you are going to Laos it is far easier to get your visa on arrival!

Also if you are travelling overland from Laos to Cambodia I would recommend you get your visa beforehand as the immigration officials can feel to charge you what they like for the visa! Reply to this

16 years ago, August 19th 2007 No: 8 Msg: #18185  
GO TO www.thaivisa.com to get the latest information. Much of the forum stuff here can be weeks, or even months old. Visa requirements change frequently and you should be up to date. In addition to the military coup in September of 2006, the government has had a difficult time in keeping a steady mandate on visa requirements. Good luck!! Reply to this

15 years ago, December 3rd 2008 No: 9 Msg: #56437  
hey,
i've got a question regarding the vietnam visa as well. would it be cheaper to get a visa + flight deal from a travel agent in bangkok, or would i be better off booking my flight to ho chi minh in advance? just found a flight on airasia.com for about 60USD. sounds like a bargain to me, but then again i wouldnt know... Reply to this

15 years ago, December 8th 2008 No: 10 Msg: #56875  
D Posts: 81
Hi,
I make sure you can get your visa beforehand.
AS I post above. I went to Lao and Cambodia Embassy in Hanoi to make visa for our boss some times. And visa entry Vietnam, it's easy but note some nationalities. Reply to this

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