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Stepping Out Of Babylon

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Visa

How to apply for Chinese visa in Laos

Definitely getting the Chinese visa, even for tourism, isn’t a simple task, requiring more documents than it’s normal for most of the South East Asia countries.

China doesn’t have the visa upon arrival.

The tourist visa, type “L”, is 30 days and is valid for three months from the date of issue. Staying longer than the thirty days entitles you to a heavy fine and a formal apology request based on a good justification (according to information collected on the net the fine is 500 yuan), running the risk of being banned from entry in China forever.

My first attempt to obtain the visa was at the Chinese embassy in Bangkok, which is a time-consuming and demanding task. It’s advisable to arrive early, as visa services only work in the morning, and yet there is no shortage of a wait of more than four hours, in a crowded room, which can be extended in the afternoon.

Even though I had arrived a little more than half an hour after the opening of the doors, I came upon a veritable throng which filled the vast hall with more than two hundred people.

According to information gathered from other tourists who are more accustomed to this process, it is practically impossible to apply for an entry visa in China if there is no copy of a return plane ticket, which I did not have because my objective was to enter China along the border with Laos. It is also necessary to provide proof of accommodation reservations during your stay in China.

I gave up! Following some advice, I chose to apply for a visa elsewhere, which in Thailand may be in Chiang Mai, or in Vientiane, capital of Laos, which in my case was more favorable.

I choose Laos because it was on the way to China…. the process in Vientiane proved to be simple and easy, taking no longer than 10 minutes, including the time for completing the application form, for a total of four pages.

 

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Documents required for visa application to China:

  1. Passport valid for 6 months;
  2. Visa application form: it’s available in the embassy, duly filled in, which in addition to identification data, company name and contact details of the employer (may be fake data because this information is not verified by consular services) , should also include the planned itinerary and the number of days and should be excluded allusions to a visit to Tibet ;
  3. Photograph with light background;
  4. Copy of passport
  5. Copy of flight ticket: it is enough to one-way ticket; if you choose to enter China by crossing land border, the best is to forge a ticket based on any another, changing dates and names using Photoshop or other image editing software;
  6. Copy of bank statement proving financial means to bear the expenses of the stay;
  7. Proof of booking of accommodation: just send a few emails to various hotels or hostels to book room for the dates outlined in the application form for a visa; is then re-contact these entities to cancel the reservation; if they not accept reservations without payment of a percentage (the case of many lodges associated with Hostelworld), just take the email reply and edit the text confirming the booking.
  8. Cost

Single Entry                                          $ 30

Double Entry                                        $ 45

Multiple Entry valid for 6 months      $ 60

Multiple Entry valid for 12 months    $ 90

Multiple Entry valid for 24 months    $ 90

This amount can be paid in dollars or in local currency. In Bangkok payment is made in the embassy services, but in Vientiane is necessary to go to the Bank of China to make the payment, which adds a payment of 1,000 kip for bank charges.

For citizens with American passports the visa fee is $130.

  1. Visa is ready in 4 days.

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Embaixada Chinesa em Vientiane, Laos (Chinese embassy in Vientiane, Laos)

Website: //la.china-embassy.org/eng/

Email: [email protected]

Ambassador: Mr. Bu Jianguo

Address: Wat Nak Road, Sisattanak, Vientiane, Lao P.D.R (P.O.Box 898)

Office Hours: 8:00-11:30, 14:00-17:00 Monday-Friday

Tel: +856-21-315100

Fax: +856-21-315104

Email: [email protected]

Consular Office

Office Hours: 9:00-11:30 Monday-Friday

Tel: +856-21-315105

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Embaixada Chinesa em Bangkok, Tailândia (Chinese embassy in Bangkok Thailand)

Website: //www.chinaembassy.or.th

Email: [email protected]

Ambassador: Mr. Guan Mu

Address: 57, Ratchadapisek Road, Bangkok, 10310, Thailand

Tel: +66-2-2450088, 2457043, 2457044 (direct)

Fax: +66-2-2468247

Consular Office

Office Hours: 09:00-11:30, Monday-Friday

Tel: +66-2-2457033, 2457036 (24 hour Auto Answer), 2478970 (14:00-17:00 Working Day)

Fax: +66-2-2472214

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China Visa
China Visa

 

 

How to apply for Indonesian visa in Bangkok

The rules changed in 2016, so maybe the Indonesian visa system looks a bit confuse when you search information on the Internet. Basically, there are three types of Visa to enter in Indonesia for tourists:

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  • Free visit visa:
    • This visa is valid for 30 days, only
    • You CANNOT extend this visa
    • Check if your passport country is on the list of the 90 countries elected for free visa
    • Passport must be valid for 6 months and must have at least one page free

 

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  • Visa on arrival:
    • Valid for 30 days
    • You can extend this visa for more 30 days at the Immigration services in Indonesia; the processes can take three days to a week depending on the city where you apply, and you need to go 3 times to the Immigration office (apply and pay, give the passport, and collect the passport); is better to choose a Immigration office in a more touristic area as they are more prepared for foreigners that the small cities where the process get more bureaucratic; you don’t need a sponsor anymore
    • You can arrange this visa at the immigrations services at the Indonesian international airports and seaports
    • It costs: 35 USD (and must be paid in USD cash)
    • Passport must be valid for 6 months and must have at least one page free

 

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  • 60 days visa:
    • to get the 60 days visa, you must apply for this visa before entering Indonesia, in one of the Immigration offices
    • It costs: 50 USD (and must be paid in USD cash)
    • Passport must be valid for 6 months and must have at least one page free

(see details of the application process below)

 

NOTE: If you have already been in Indonesia with a working visa, I got informations that the Indonesia Immigration services in Bangkok issues 60 day tourist immediately after business visa expires, without any problem!

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60 days visa payment recipe
60 days visa payment recipe

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Overstaying in Indonesia

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If you really want to stay until the end of your visa in Indonesia, take into consideration that the day that you arrive counts as day 1, and the day that you leave the country must also be included.

If you overstay your visa you’ll need to pay a fee of 300.000 INR for each day.

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60 days visa application process at Indonesia immigration office in Bangkok:

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day 1: submit the application, give the passport and pay

  • at the immigration office, you’ll find the application form (you don’t need to use the ones that are on the website)
  • fill the form and proceed to the next room
  • you must give at the counter:
    • your passport, valid for 6 months and must have at least one page free
    • 1 recent passport-sized photograph
    • Copy of the flight ticket (they ask me for a return ticket but I told them that didn’t have any idea in which island I will be after two months)
  • On the next counter, you must pay the visa fee: 50 USD that and must be paid in USD cash. The banks nearby the Indonesia embassy don’t exchange baht to foreigner currencies. The only one that I found was nearby the Platinum Fashion Mall. Is better to bring the USD with you to avoid stress and long walks.
  • On the payment recipe, is written the day and hour (always in the afternoon) when you can pick your passport.

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day 2: pick your passport

After two working days (minimum) you must pick your passport with the visa stamp. For that just show the payment receipt.

 

note 1:

the Indonesian Immigration office in Bangkok don’t give a new 60 days visa if you already have been in Indonesia for a 90 days period. You must wait 90 days outside Indonesia before apply again for a 60 days visa... but the Immigration office in Singapore don’t apply this “rule” that in fact isn’t written on the official website.

note 2:

the Indonesian Immigration office at Kuching (Borneo) the 60 days visa can be arranged on the same day.

 

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Indonesia Immigration office in Bangkok

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Visa Application Submission:

Monday – Friday: 09:00-12:00

Visa Collection:

Monday – Friday: 14:00-16:00

Watch out for the holiday calendar, as the immigration services in Bangkok will be closed on Indonesia holidays as also in Thailand holidays.

Address:

The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia

600-602 Petchburi Road, Ratchatewi, Bangkok 10400

Phone: (66-2) 2523135-40

e-mail : [email protected]

The closest metro/subway line is the Ratchathewi BTS Station, about 800 meters, but there are a few buses passing just in front of the Indonesian embassy.

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Indonesia Immigration office in Bangkok
Indonesia Immigration office in Bangkok

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Note:

Dress properly every time you visit the Immigration office, in Thailand or in Indonesia: no shorts, no short skirts, no bare shoulders… “dress modestly”!

How to get a Thai visa in Vientiane… from Chiang Mai

The so-called “visa run” is a classic for travels that choose to stay for a long time in Thailand. But let’s start with what is a visa run?? Running for a visa? More or less!!! Means go to a nearby country, cross to border and come back to Thailand again, preferentially in the same day!!

Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar and Malaysia are the neighboring countries, but being in the north of Thailand, the easiest way to get a new 60 days tourist visa is going to Vientiane, the capital of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic

Mae Sai, in Myanmar, is also a popular option but crossing by land only give you 15 days visa (NOTE: since 31st December 2016, you can get 30 days tourist visa, on arrival, for free).

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Step by step… time and costs:

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Day 1: from Chiang Mai to Thai Consulate in Vientiane

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  • Bus from Chiang Mai to Udon Thani: 545 baht

The best price is from Phetprasert company (good and comfortable buses), that has several buses leaving during the day, but the best option is the on that departure at 7.30 pm, from Terminal 2 of Arcade Bus Station, otherwise you’ll arrive unnecessarily early to the border.

A VIP bus can cost around 800 bahts and is better to buy the ticket in one of the counters of the Terminal 3.

If you don’t carry much luggage you can go on foot from the old town to the Arcade Bus Station, and it will take you between around 40 minutes walking.

  • The bus departure at 30 pm and arrive to Udon Thani around 6.30 am. The bus drops the passengers in from of the City Plaza, a modern mall. Watch out because this is not the last stop.
  • After the bus leave, you’ll see on the other side of the street a kiosk (with Van Station sign) where you can buy a ticket for the mini-van that take you to the border: Nong Khai

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Mini-van kiosk at Udon Thani, in front of Central Plaza
Mini-van kiosk at Udon Thani, in front of Central Plaza

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The mini-van ticket from Udon Thani to Nong Khai cost 50 baht. It takes 1.5 hours and drops you at the Immigration area.

  • Thai Immigration at Nong Khai: basically you need to wait on the line and show the passport and the departure card.

If you overstay in Thailand you need to line on the counter on the left and pay the fee (500 baht a day).

  • After you get the stamp you´ll find a desk outside the room that sells the tickets to a bus that cross the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge over the Mekong. Apparently crossing the bridge on foot is not allowed!

The bus ticket cost 20 baht, and the trip takes about 10 minutes. The bus departure when is full.

The bus will drop you just at the Thanaleng border crossing and you just need to walk a few meters to the Lao Immigration.

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Crossing the Thai-Lao friendship bridge
Crossing the Thai-Lao friendship bridge

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  • Lao Immigration procedures: when you get off the bus you’ll see a counter on your left side, where you can find the immigration form.

For the Lao visa you need:

  • 1 passport photo,
  • Immigration form,
  • 35 USD (you can pay in baht – 1500 baht – but it will be more expensive). The fee depends on from your country but most of the Europeans countries pay the same. The French citizens pay 30 USD. Check your situation on line.

After you present the document and pay the visa fee (everything in the same counter) you need to wait a few minutes. Every now and then the third window of the counter will open and your name will be called and the passport gave back to you, with a 30 days visa, single entry. A transit visa will cost you the same and will give you more trouble.

Note: the Lao Immigration works from 8 am to 4 pm, so if you cross the border out of this schedule, no matter in which way, you need to pay 1 USD extra.

  • As soon you cross the border gate, mini-van drivers that take you to Vientiane or directly to the Thai embassy approach you. You need to wait until there at least 3 passengers.

The mini-van trip cost you 25.000 kip or 100 baht (the driver will be happy to receive baht… so don’t rush to exchange money at the border and just wait to arrive at the Vientiane to get a better rate!!!) the trip takes around 30 minutes.

  • If your trip to Laos is just to get the visa, so is better go directly to the embassy, as it closes at noon.

Consular Section: Monday to Friday

08.30 – 12.00: Application for Visa

13.00 – 15.00: Distribution of Passports with visa

Close on Saturday and Sunday (check also Thai and Lao holidays //vientiane.thaiembassy.org/en/embassy/calendar.php)

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  • Procedures at Thai Embassy in Laos:

For the Thai visa you’ll need:

  • 2 passport photos
  • a copy of the last Thai visa and also the page with the stamp of entry in the country
  • a copy of the Lao visa

At the Consulate the things are a bit chaotic and busy.

As you cross the Consulate Gate you must go first to the building on your left where you can ask for the application form, and where you can also take the copies of your passport: 20 baht each (you can pay baht or kip).

Inside this building there are some desks where a few consular officials can help you to fill the forms and glue the photos… you must pay 4.000 kip for this service, but filing the form has no big issues and you can save time and money doing it by yourself!!!

Note: you must write an address of a place or the guest house where you plan to stay in Thailand… don’t need to make proof of any reservation but you must provide a valid name and an address.

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Note: you must write an address of a place or the guest house where you plan to stay in Thailand... don’t need to make proof of any reservation but you must provide a valid name and an address.
Note: you must write an address of a place or the guest house where you plan to stay in Thailand… don’t need to make proof of any reservation but you must provide a valid name and an address.

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With all this paper stuff ready you need now to join the long queue that zig-zag under the shed, that you see as you come out of the building. This part is fast, as is just the time need to the consular officials check your documents, and give you a number, that you’ll use next day to pick the passport with the new visa stamp, for 60 days with a single entry.

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Watch out: when you come off the mini-van, maybe someone forward you to one of the improvised offices where someone fill the form for you, make the copies and arrange everything for you (4.000 kips), even with the promise that paying an extra you can get the visa on the same day… don’t trust in this touts! The consular officials reject the forms that they have… and then you need to do it by yourself inside de consular services.

Watch out: when you come off the mini-van, maybe someone forward you to one of the improvised offices where someone fill the form for you, make the copies and arrange everything for you (4.000 kips), even with the promise that paying an extra you can get the visa on the same day... don’t trust in this touts! The consular officials reject the forms that they have... and then you need to do it by yourself inside de consular services.
Watch out: when you come off the mini-van, maybe someone forward you to one of the improvised offices where someone fill the form for you, make the copies and arrange everything for you (4.000 kips), even with the promise that paying an extra you can get the visa on the same day… don’t trust in this touts! The consular officials reject the forms that they have… and then you need to do it by yourself inside de consular services.

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Exceptionally, from 1st of December 2016 until 28th of February 2017, the 60 days tourist visa is free. //vientiane.thaiembassy.org/en/news/announce/detail.php?ID=362

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Now that you have you have the ticket with the number is time to find a guesthouse, have rest and some food in the sleepy Vientiane.

You can reach the center of the city on foot, which that take around 40 minutes walking slowly.

In Vientiane, you can get a bed dorm for 40.000 kips (Garden Hostel, Sihome), get street food for 10.000 kips and watch the time pass by near the Mekong waters.

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Day 2: from the Thai Consulate in Vientiane to Chiang Mai

  • On the next day, after 1 pm you can go the embassy to collect your passport. The officer behind the counter will calls people by the ticket number given to you the day before. But don’t worry, is ok if you arrive later (2 pm is a good time), as this way you just need to go to the counter and show your recipe, no matter if it already call your number. This is super fast.
  • Outside de Consulate the mini-van driver will be waiting to take the foreigners back to the Thai border. Again you can pay in baht or kip the mini-van ride: 100 baht.
  • Arriving at the Lao Immigration you must get your passport stamped.
  • Take the bus to cross the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge: 20 baht
  • Fill the arriving/departure card and get your passport stamped with the day that you must leave the country.
  • After the Thai Immigration procedures, you must walk out the border crossing area, until you pass under a big gate decorated in gold. Many taxi and tuk-tuk drivers will approach you to take you to Nong Khai (if you are going to the south, like Bangkok) or Udon Thani if you are going back to Chiang Mai, for a big amount of money. Ignore them!

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Keep walking a bit further after the gate and you’ll see a few tuk-tuk line up on your left (if you arrive at a 7 eleven, you walk too much), behind them is the office of the mini-van company that takes you to Udon Thani for the just 50 baht! Just need to wait a bit, as the mini-vans run every hour.

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Thai border at Nong Khai, after passing under this gate you'll fin the mini-van to Udon Thani and Nong Khai Bus Station
Thai border at Nong Khai, after passing under this gate you’ll fin the mini-van to Udon Thani and Nong Khai Bus Station

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office of Mini-van from Nong Khai to Udon Thani
office of Mini-van from Nong Khai to Udon Thani

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Schedule of the mini-van that link Nong Khai border with Nong Khai Bus Terminal and Udon Thani Bus terminal... you dont need to hire one of the expensive taxis or tuk-tuks
Schedule of the mini-van that link Nong Khai border with Nong Khai Bus Terminal and Udon Thani Bus terminal… you dont need to hire one of the expensive taxis or tuk-tuks

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  • Probably you’ll arrive in Udon Thani around 5 pm. At Udon Thani Bus Terminal you need to find the counter that sells tickets to Chiang Mai… the buses departure at:

17.45, 18.45 and 20.45h.

Depending on the demanding you may have the lucky to get a ticket for the first bus… otherwise just need to wait a bit for the next one. There a nice café in the opposite of the entrance of the bus terminal or you can enjoy the air-conditioner of the Central Plaza, a mall very close by.

The bus will pick you at the entrance of the Central Plaza, at the same place where they drop you in the morning of the day before…. just wait there patiently because the bus can arrive a bit later (I wait 30 minutes)…. but no worry because at the kiosk in front (van Station) there a bus company official that can help you.

The bus arrives at Chiang Mai in the next morning, 11 hours later.

And here you are again in Thailand for a couple of more months… and you can even extend this visa for more 30 days!!!!!

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Schedule of the bus from Udon Thani to Chiang Mai
Schedule of the bus from Udon Thani to Chiang Mai

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Costs of the visa run:

Transportation: 1430 baht (considering not using tuk-tuk in Vientiane)

Sleep: 40.000 kip (dorm with breakfast) (approx. 175 baht)

(The cots of the food in Vientiane are not included as you send more or less the same as in Chiang Mai).

So you will spend minimum 1600 baht plus the 35 USD of the Lao visa.

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Bus tickets form Chiang Mai to Udon Thani
Bus tickets form Chiang Mai to Udon Thani

How to Apply for Thai visa in Kathmandu

Get the Thai visa in Kathmandu is easy and without big issues!

But you can probably get a visa on arrival for 30 days if you arrive by plane, or 15 days if you arrive by land, totally for free.

The process takes 2 working days, but watch out that during the high season (September and October) it can take up to 5 days. Also check the holiday calendar, as the Thai embassy close during Thai holidays as also the Nepali holidays, and can be closed for several days in a raw like during the Dashain and Tihar festivals. //www.thaiembnepal.org.np/?do=embassy&index=holidays&lang=en

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To apply for a tourist visa (60 days that you can extend for more 30 days during your stay in Thailand in one of the many immigration offices along the country) you need:

  • Passport valid for 6 months
  • 3 passport size photos
  • 3 prints of the form that you can find online.

You need 3 of these forms, filled with your information and also with an address of the place you gonna stay in Thailand… just put an address of a hotel or guest house that you find on the internet… you’ll also gonna need it to fill the immigration card on arriving at the airport or any land border. //www.thaiembnepal.org.np/?do=services&index=visa&lang=en

  • A print of the balance of your bank account.
  • A Print of passport and Nepali visa
  • A print of the flight ticket to Thailand. On the website is written that you must have a return ticket but I just show one-way ticket and didn’t had any problem and didn’t even need to justify nothing.

Tourist visa costs: 35.000 rupees. Single entry.

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Thai embassy at Kathmandu
Thai embassy at Kathmandu

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Schedule of visa section

to submit application: 09:30 – 12:00
to collect the passport: 14:00 – 16:00

The visa section is open from Monday to Friday (the Thai embassy don’t follow the Nepali weekend: Friday and Saturday).

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visa section schedule of Thai embassy at Kathmandu
visa section schedule of Thai embassy at Kathmandu

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Visa application process:

To save from being too long on the line, because there are some guys from travel agencies that arrive with a pile of passports, is better to arrive a bit earlier. I arrive 30 minutes before the opening and I was the first one… but just for a few minutes.

  • At the counter, you submit the documents and passport.
  • if everything is ok you’ll need to go to the Bank of Kathmandu to make the payment. The Bank of Kathmandu is located about 10 minutes walking from the Thai embassy. Basically, you go down along the main road (Basbari Road) and when you reach the big junction you must turn right. Then the back is on the first floor of a building located 300 meters ahead,
  • At the bank you fill a form, and make the deposit in the name of the Thai Embassy… don’t worry because the staff is used to it). Note that you need to pay 100 rupees extras as back fees!
  • Returning to the embassy you show up the payment recipe (that is also the recipe that you need to show to pick the passport) and it will be stamped with the day when you can pick your passport.

All the process took me one hour including the bank stuff!

If by any reason you cannot pick the passport by yourself, anyone can do it for you as far as it has the recipe, but that person will need to show identification, passport or ID card.

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Bank of Kathmandu where the visa fee must be deposited
Bank of Kathmandu where the visa fee must be deposited

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Address:

Basbari Road, Maharajgunj 167/4 ward 3

//www.thaiembnepal.org.np/?lang=en

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How to go to Thai embassy at Kathmandu:

The easiest way is by taxi, and you can even ask the guy to drive you to the bank and then back… but it can be expensive!

The other was is to pick a tempo, a shared tuk-tuk. The tempos start from Sundara/New Road. The one that goes along Basbari Road is the number 5; sometimes the tempos are identified with nepali numbers… or sometimes are not even identified with nothing, but just ask for “Basbari” and someone will point you a white and green ruined three well vehicle.

At Basbari road you can ask to the tempo driver to drop you close to Thai embassy, that probably the driver knows. From the main road is less that 500 meters until you find the gate.

The tempo takes 20 to 30 minutes to reach Basbari, and the ticket cost 15 to 20 rupees. This vehicles a bit uncomfortable so if possible try to get the front seat…

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tempo number "5" that pass by Barbari st.
tempo number “5” that pass by Basbari st.

How to apply for Indian Visa in Kandy (Sri Lanka)

The process in Kandy isn’t difficult but need some patience and some extra rupees due the bureaucracy and rigid rules.

The Indian Visa Services in Kandy (IVS) is almost empty all the time, so you don0t need to wait for a long for your turn. The IVS is also easy and cheap to reach by local bus.

Documents:

  • Passport (valid for 6 months and at least two blank pages)
  • Copy of passport
  • Copy of Sri Lanka visa page
  • Reference Form, aka FAX
  • 3 photos (not just 2 like everywhere else)
  • fee: 6172 LKR

 

Some observations:

  • The Reference Form or FAX Form, can be downloaded from the official page of IVS (//ivsvisalanka.com/ForeignPassport.aspx). Although this form is not accepted by the Kandy services and you must buy a new one (with the same information but in a different format) inside de IVS (40 LKR);
  • You can fill the form on line, but probably the officers will find some mistake and make you fill another one. If you don’t want to fill the form again and come back in the next day you can go to one of the nearby agencies that do it for you (350 LKR)… that’s why you need 3 photos, because this guys can’t upload your photo. Inside the IVS, behind a photocopy machine there’s also a man that can do it (250 LKR)

Visa applications shops_DSC_7093

Anyway, some tips that can be useful for you to fill the form:

  • If you have been in India before you must have a copy of the last visa, and mention that in the on-line form.
  • If you don’t have a previous visa stamp in the current passport, just say NO when you fill the form on line.
  • If you want to apply for 6 months visa with multiple entries you must write “all ports” in the field “port of arrival” and “port of exit”.

 

After you have all the paper, the process at the IVS doesn’t take more than 10 minutes.

The approval process takes 5 working days. Meanwhile you keep your passport with you.

Then on the 6th day (or later) you need to submit your passport at 9 am.

In the same day you can pick it at 4 pm.

 

Usually, if you already have a visa in your passport, probably you can only get a 3 months visa if you apply in a foreigner country. In your country you cam always get the 6 months with multiply entries. Anyway, this is no a official rule, just a knowledge get by my experience and information shared with other travellers.

 

List os countries elected for visa on arrival to India
List os countries  for visa on arrival to India

 

Address:

No. 675,
William Gopallawa Mawatha,
Kandy.
Email: [email protected]

 

Submission Time: 8:30 am to 2:00 pm
Collection Time: 16:00 to 17:00
Website:  //www.ivsvisalanka.com

 

Schedule. IVS (India Visa Services) @ Kandy
Schedule. IVS (India Visa Services) @ Kandy

How to go to IVS in Kandy:

Form the bus terminal close to Clock Tower, ask for a bus that go to Peradeniya Road.

And ask to get out at the “India visa” or at the “Amaya Channel Center” that are at the same place.

Bus ticket: 12 LKR

Bus from Clock Tower bus stand to IVS (Kandy)
Bus from Clock Tower bus stand to IVS (Kandy)

 

IVS location @ Kandy
IVS location @ Kandy

How to apply for Indian Visa in Malaysia and Thailand

At least since December 2015 that is not possible to get an Indian Tourist visa is Malaysia, as also in Thailand.

At the IVS /Indian visa Services) in Kuala Lumpur you can apply for visa, give all the documentation, fill a form as non-resident, make the payment and anyone will tell you that the India Embassy in Malaysia in not longer giving tourist visa to non-Malaysia Resident for more than two years. The only things that they ask is you to sign a paper that you agree to the submission of your application to the High Commission, don’t tell nothing about the meaning of this.

Later you’ll find that there is 99% of chances that you application is refused, and no way to have you money back.

The IVS staff in Kuala Lumpur is extremely impolite and totally incompetent to provide proper and clear information.

The only option if you are in one of this countries (Malaysia or Thailand), is to apply for 1 month e-visa if you are citizen of one of the 133 eligible counties:

Andorra, Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Cayman Island, Chile, China, China- SAR Hongkong, China- SAR Macau, Colombia, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, Laos, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Montserrat, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niue Island, Norway, Oman, Palau, Palestine, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Macedonia, Russia, Saint Christopher and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, Samoa, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Sweden, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Tonga, Turks & Caicos Island, Tuvalu, UAE, Ukraine, United Kingdom, USA, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Vatican City-Holy See, Venezuela, Vietnam.

//indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html

 

Indian Visa Services (IVS) in Kuala Lumpur
Indian Visa Services (IVS) in Kuala Lumpur

 

Indian Visa Services (IVS) in Kuala Lumpur
Indian Visa Services (IVS) in Kuala Lumpur

Apply for Indian Visa in Thailand

Since October 2015, it is no longer possible for a non-Thailand residents to get a Indian Tourist visas in Bangkok or any other city.

Indian Tourist Visa is only given to Thai residents.

Check update info at: //www.travelfish.org/orientation_detail/thailand/bangkok_and_surrounds/bangkok/bangkok/138

 

The only option is to apply for 1 month e-visa if you are citizen of one of the 133 eligible counties:

Andorra, Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Cayman Island, Chile, China, China- SAR Hongkong, China- SAR Macau, Colombia, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, Laos, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Montserrat, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niue Island, Norway, Oman, Palau, Palestine, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Macedonia, Russia, Saint Christopher and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, Samoa, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Sweden, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Tonga, Turks & Caicos Island, Tuvalu, UAE, Ukraine, United Kingdom, USA, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Vatican City-Holy See, Venezuela, Vietnam.

//indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html

 

How to get a Turkish visa

Get a visa to visit Turkey is easy and fast.

Since the computer system was introduced for the visa Turkish, e-visa, it is not possible to obtain visas on arrival at the airport or at any land border.

Simply fill out the form found on the website of emigration Turks services (//www.evisa.gov.tr/en/) and after pay by credit card, following the instructions, the electronic visa is sent by e-mail the same day.

To facilitate the migration of service passages in this document (an A4 sheet) to be printed and maintained until the exit of the country, when it is requested again.

  • Cost: 20 €
  • Valid for 6 months after first entry
  • Multiple entries
... miss the old style visa stamp!
… miss the old-style visa stamps!

How to apply for Indian visa in Kathmandu

(this post is from June 2015. Please, always check the mentioned website for more update information)

India recently introduced the system ‘visa on arrival’ to the following countries:

Andorra, Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Cayman Island,Chile, China, China- SAR Hongkong, China- SAR Macau, Colombia, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, Laos, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Montserrat, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niue Island, Norway, Oman, Palau, Palestine, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Macedonia, Russia, Saint Christopher and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, Samoa, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Sweden, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Tonga, Turks & Caicos Island, Tuvalu, UAE, Ukraine, United Kingdom, USA, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Vatican City-Holy See, Venezuela, Vietnam.

  • the “visa on arrival” is valid only for 30 days; with a single entry;
  • “visa on arrival’ is only available in the following airports: Bangalore, Chennai, Cochin, Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai and Trivandrum;
  • at land borders need to apply visa before entering the country;
  • this “visa on arrival” can not be extended;
  • this is valid only for Tourist Visa!

If your country is not in the list above (witch probably isn’t) you must have to apply your visa in an diplomatic service (embassy or consulate) in your country or in any other Indian diplomatic representation that more or less are all over the world.

Note that if you apply the visa in your country, you’ll probably get a 6 months visa… in other counties many times just give 3 months visa. Anyway, if in your passport you still don’t have any Indian visa, probably you’ll get the 6 months, even if you ask it in other country.

The proximity and geographical position that allows access by land (not a easy journey!) or a an hour by plane, Nepal is a country often chosen for those who are in India and plans to extend their stay, what commonly is called “to extend the visa”

This requires use of the services of the Embassy of India in Kathmandu: a process that is not difficult but requires some patience, documentation and take about five working days.

Necessary documents:

  • application form that you can find on the website of the immigration service, which must be filled online and submitted to the immigration services; do this at least one day before going to the embassy;
  • 1 photography with 2 x 2 cm size, in color, with white background; other formats will not be accepted;
  • copy of passport (identification page);
  • copy of the last Indian visa (if applicable) including pages with entry and exit stamps;
  • copy Nepalese visa;
  • note that in the online form the ‘current address’ field must be filled with the address of the hotel or guesthouse in Kathmandu.

The visa application is processed in three steps:

  1. Go to the embassy with all this documents on mentioned schedule (9 am – 12 pm). Once inside, grab a ticket from the machine and wait until your number is called; after present your documents and pay the fee you’ll get a receipt with a date and time stamp to submit your passport.
  2. On the second visit (usually 5 business days after the delivery of documents), the passport must be delivered in the services, accompanied by the proof of payment;
  3. On the third visit, usually one working day after, the passport is returned in the afternoon hours (5 pm to 5:30 pm) with your visa.

Duration:

The duration of the visa depends on the number of previous visits:

  • in the case of the first visa application (or at least the first of this passport) the visa is 6 months with multiple entries;
  • people with other Indian visas in their passports only got 3 months, regardless of what they applied for, and valid only for a single entry.
  • However there are situations where, for no apparent reason, only one or two months of visa

 

Costs:

  • Whatever the visa issued, 3 or 6 months, the fee is always the same: 4990 NPR (Nepali rupees). Visa fees.

It should reach the embassy early morning, even before the opening of doors, for by 9 am there is already a considerable line of people. If you arrive about 7am you have a good chance to be one of the first of the line. After the door open, by a friendly Nepali guard, take a ticket from the machine and just wait…. depending on the number of people but may take about 2 hours.

This is a good opportunity to interact with other foreigners and share experiences… there’s lot’s of peoples here with a long and vast experience in Indian visas.

After the delivery of the documents in the first counter, left side window, move to the next window immediately to the right to make the payment, where we are given a receipt of payment where is stamped the date and time of the second visit to submit your passport.

If for some reason the visa is not refused, the amount paid will not be refunded.

In the absence of any of the documents required visa application will not be accepted. If you need a last minute copy or printing, there’ s a shop that also take photos, just before the embassy that practice reasonable prices.

It is advisable not to buy bus or plane tickets before you overtake this bureaucratic process: is unpredictable and may take longer than expected without apparent reasons.

Previously there was a rule that was necessary to wait two months to apply for a new Indian visa, but now this already changed and now you can ask new visa just after arrival in Nepal.

Address of Indian Embassy in Kathmandu

336, Kapurdhara Marg, Lainchaur

Kathmandu, Nepal

Near British Embassy – British Council. It’s a reasonable walking distance from Thamel and not that far from Basantapur Square.

Telephone: 977-1-4410900 / 4414990/4411699

(24×7, Emergency Contact Number) – 977-1-4423702

Mob. no. 9851107021 (24×7)

Fax No: 977-1-4428279

Site: www.indianembassy.org.np

email: [email protected]

Working hours (for visa):

For visa: Monday – Friday – 9:30 to 12:00

For general info: Monday – Friday – 9:00 to 17:30

Close on Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays

Online visa application form:

//indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/index.html

Lista dos feriados em que a Embaixada da Índia em Kathamandu se encontra encerrada
List of holidays when the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu will be closed during 2015
Horário da Embaixada da Índia em Kathmandu
Front gate of  Indina Embasy in Kathmandu with the schedule for apply the visa

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