DunceCap

The Vientiane Non-imm “B” Visa Run



I just returned from getting my non-imm "B" visa in Vientiane. I thought I'd write a bit about it. Maybe it will help some others. If you have questions or comments, just ask.

This is how it goes, but keep in mind, slight variations may apply!


The start
1. Huay Lumpong train station BKK

• Buy your ticket

a. To Vientiane 488 baht(2nd class fan)– 1,300 baht(1stClass)
b. From Vientiane same in reverse 488-1,300 baht

• have a beer at huay lumpong

• When the train leaves

• here’s your train


2. At Nong Khai

• Get a tuk-tuk to the border 40-80 baht


3. Check out of Thailand

• Fill out departure card in your passport
• Wait in line and get stamped out
• Depending on the time of year (have tax papers)




4. Get on the bus to cross the bridge
• buy a ticket to ride the bus or van across the bridge 20 baht




5. Getting a Lao visa
• First, exchange some money at the money change window
a. $31 dollars U.S. or 1,500 baht for visa
b. Up to you if you want to get kip at this point
c. 250 kip = 1 baht roughly
d. 10,000 kip = $1 U.S. roughly


• Next, get an application form and an entry/departure card from the visa window on the right. You may have to knock on the window to get one. Sometimes they put them out on the counter, but they run out fast.


• Fill-out the form and attach photos
• Give the filled out form with your passport and pay $31 (Lao visa fee) to the window on the left.
• Now wait for Visa to be added to your passport. This can take around 30 minutes give or take. The window on the right gives back the passports. ***Warning*** watch for your passport! They do not check carefully here who is getting which passport.
• Finally, when your passport comes, go around to the right and stand in line. Your pass port will be checked and they will stamp you into Laos.

6. Entry Fee to Laos
• The DunceCap game
a. If you are brave enough, try to avoid paying this nominal 20 baht entry fee
b. I have only paid it once ever. I prefer to walk around them. When questioned I say, “Yes, I am going to Vientiane. This is such a great country!” I say this loudly. It embarrasses them and they let me go.
c. To you it may mean nothing to pay the 20 baht; to me it is losing 50 cents.

7. Getting to Vientiane
• You have three options here:
a. Taxi (300 baht approx)
b. Tuk-tuk(100 baht approx)

***Note at this point time wise you may need to head straight to the Thai Embassy to start your non-imm “B” visa. (11:30 am cut-off time for dropping off visa applications)

c. If you do not need to go to the Thai embassy, then go around all those tuk-tuk drivers and cut through the parking lot. There is a bus stop here. 20 baht will get you to downtown Vientiane. This is the cheapskate DunceCap way.



8. The Thai Embassy
• Enter through the gate and go left. This covered waiting area is where your paperwork starts and finishes.


a. Get the non-imm “B” application form. They are on the counter, but they usually run out, so be prepared to go to the front of the line and ask for an application form. Do not wait in line to ask; it would take too long.


b. Fill-out the application form and attach photos. Sometimes there is glue on the table and sometimes a stapler, but usually nothing. In the case of nothing, put the photos inside your passport and make sure they don’t fall out.
c. When you are finished filling out the application, wait in line and give:

1. Letter of intent to employ from University/School
2. Copy of contract stamped and signed
3. 4 passport size photos 3cm x 4 cm
4. Copy of Degrees, Certificates, Diplomas, Licenses
5. Originals of Degrees, ect…
6. Copy of all pages of your passport
+
7. non-imm “B” application
d. The clerk at the counter will go through your documents and let you know if you need anything further or what have you. Sometimes they will collect the Visa fee at this time (rarely)(single entry 2,000 baht or multiple entry 5,000 baht). After they check to see you have everything filled out and have all the required documents, you will be told to have a seat.


e. before 11:30 am, they will notify you to go inside the main embassy building. Enter through the front. You will see some chairs (usually already full of people). There are counters with security glass. Wait in this room until they call your name.
f. Now, when they call your name be prepared to pay the fee. (single entry 2,000 baht or multiple entry 5,000 baht). They will also use this time to ask you some further questions or to tell you to come back the next day in the afternoon. 1:00pm.



9. Thai Embassy to the border or bus station
• To the border—negotiate with a tuk-tuk driver for a ride straight to the border, but usually slow and long. (150-300 baht)
• To the bus station—40 baht approx can be 100 baht

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A guest house in town averages $10 U.S. per night (hot water, cable tv, air)

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10. Bus station to Border
* At the far end of the station is the bus to the Friendship bridge.

• The fare is about 20 baht or 6,000 kip. The bus does get a little crowded.
• When you get to the border, just walk across the parking lot to the exit of Laos.



11. Checking out of Laos
* Fill-out the departure card in your passport. Then get in line and give the Lao immigration officer your passport to be stamped out of Laos.


12. The exit fee going out
* The DunceCap Game again
* I try to avoid paying this fee. I just walk head down straight
to the bus waiting area. If they ask me something I usually
say something like, “Is that bus leaving now?”


13. Over the Bridge back to Thailand
* After getting out of Laos check out, there are buses that
cross the bridge for 20 baht or so.


14. Checking back into Thailand
* First, get the arrival departure card. You may have to ask for
one from one of the windows.
* Fill-out the Arrival portion and get in line to be stamped in.
* The Thai immigration officer will as a rule check your
documents and ask a question or two. He will then, if every
things checks ok, will stamp you into Thailand.
• collect your passport and walk straight.




15. From Thai border to the train station
* There is a free song-taew (pick-up) to the Nong Khai bus
station. Get in and go to the bus station. or pay taxi 80 baht approx
• When you arrive at the bus station you will be set upon by a pack of tuk-tuk drivers, just negotiate for around 40-50 baht to go to the train station.
• The train station is not that far.




16. Nong Khai to Bangkok
* The return schedule: uploading pic of sched...be patient

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Miles and miles to go before I sleep...