Thai VISA runs have become a main feature on this blog, having now covered most myself in nearby Asia (check here for my Top 10 Thai Visa Runs), although my routine stop would almost always be Penang (Malaysia) given it is the cheapest and easiest tourist visa application from Bangkok (and also has fantastic food). However this route did become somewhat repetitive recently, and possibly it is no longer the cheapest, given my recent Thai Tourist Visa Application in Ho Chi Minh City was my cheapest to date. And this was due to silly cheap flights from Bangkok, and that those with British passports (along with other nationalities) are now exempt from visas when entering Vietnam. So we can just walk straight through the gates at immigration without even filling in forms (like in Singapore and Malaysia). So for my recent Thai Tourist Visa Application in Ho Chi Minh City we arrived during Independence day, the hungry ghost festival, and I think the Mid-Autumn Festival all wrapped in one. Which meant I would have to wait until the public holidays had ended before completing the Thai Tourist Visa Application.
Royal Thai Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City
- Address: Trần Quốc Thảo, Phường 7, Quận 3, Hồ Chí Minh 700000
- Opening Days: Monday to Friday (closed on public holidays)
- Visa Application Times: Apply between 08:30AM – 11:30AM
- Next Day Collection: Pick up between 13:30PM – 15:00PM
- Thai Consulate Website here
My Experience:
We were based in Ho Chi Minh’s backpacker area of Pham Ngu Lao Street when dropping off my Thai tourist visa application, and on pick up the following day we were staying in a fancy hotel along the Saigon riverside. And while we had been using Grab and Uber a lot on this visit to Ho Chi Minh, I decided to walk it both ways and on both occasions. Simply because I like to walk when in weird cities. But I can’t say it was fun, as the streets and pavements are a bit crap for walking. Anyway, I arrived around 5 minutes early to the Thai Embassy/Consulate to find around 4 other people there for a similar Thai Tourist Visa Application. And the Thai Consulate office is fairly tiny, with just a table, a couple of chairs, and two counters. Which was all that was needed. As it’s just very quiet even after the long holiday.
Necessary Documents
The necessary documents for Thai Tourist Visa Application in Ho Chi Minh City is no different to most Visa applications in Southeast Asia. Although it maybe best to check the embassy website for any changes.
- Passport or travel document with validity not less than 6 months
- Visa application form completely filled out
- Recent (4x6cm) photograph (s) of the applicant
- Evidence of travel (air or bus ticket to and from Thailand)
- Evidence of adequate finance (20,000 Baht per person and 40,000 Baht per family)
- $40 USD (they do not accept VND)
My Experience:
My circumstances are different to most, as I am married to a Thai citizen, I own a 7-million Baht condo in Bangkok, and I have the options of other more long-term Thai Visas. But I do still come and go on Thai tourist Visas because it keeps me travelling. However my somewhat stable circumstances make no difference in the Thai Tourist Visa Application in Ho Chi Minh, as there is no substitute for the necessary documents that are outlined. So I still needed to show finances (print of online banking statement) as well as onward travel from Thailand. And the latter was a bit harder, as I ended up searching for a nearby Internet cafe (around the near corner on the main road) to book a cheap bus over the Thai-Lao border at Nong Khai. Which they accepted. So the Thai Tourist Visa Application was accepted, and the next morning I was back for no more than a minute for pickup. Straight in, straight to the desk, and then back out again. It really isn’t a busy embassy.
Hi! First of all thank you for all informations you give us thanks to your blog.
I would like to ask you something. I don’t understand, At the Royal Thai Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City they asked to you also the exit ticket from Thailand? Because when I went on Royal Thai Consulate in Melbourne they didn’t ask it to me.
And you did buy it, or you just only did a reservation?
Some embassies are different. I think the nearer borders will be stricter on the exit from Thailand because many “tourists” actually plan to stay in Thailand for as long as possible. They just keep jumping borders to get a new visa. I just looked for the cheapest ticket crossing the border and paid for it (it was only 200 baht or so). As it needs to show your name on the reservation. But I’m guessing you will not have to do this at many other embassies.
Hey Allan – I’ll be in HCM in a few days and found your article. It seems to conflict with what is posted on the Thai Consulate website. From what I read (see below), you must get the visa in your home country. What country are you from and how recently did you get a visa? As with many posts I see online there always seems to be a conflict. Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
“Citizens from the following countries can apply for visa at the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Ho Chi Minh City if they have residence in Vietnam or meet certain conditions.
If not, applicants must apply for visa in their home countries.
Having residence in Vietnam: People’s Republic of China / Bangladesh/ India/ Nepal/ Pakistan/ Sri Lanka/ Algeria/ Egypt/ Iran/ Lebanon/ Libya/ Palestine/ Syria/ Yemen/ Central African Republic/ Cameroon/ Republic of Congo/ Democratic Republic of Congo/ Equatorial Guinea/ Guinea/ Ghana/ Liberia/ Nigeria/ Sao Tome and Principe/ Sierra Leone/ Somalia/ Sudan”
It was roughly 1 year ago when I was there with a British Passport.
I just read what you included here: http://www.thaiembassy.org/hochiminh/en/services/33685-Tourist-Visa.html
This is part of the additional requirements section for certain countries. e.g. Additional documents required for citizens from some countries in South Asia / Middle East / Africa/ the People’s Republic of China and
the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
So these are the countries which have to apply from their home countries (if have no local residence): http://www.thaiembassy.org/hochiminh/en/services/63975-Additional-documents-required-for-citizens-from-so.html
Okay. I must have read it incorrectly. Ugh, Thai visa’s have to be the most difficult and complicated of any country I’ve been too. Sure hope it works out. Thanks for the quick reply!
Hi can you get more than single entry there
Hi Eija. I actually didn’t see other options but they should be listed on their website http://www.thaiembassy.org/hochiminh/en/services
How long have you been using tourist visas to live here? Ive been leaving and coming (flying) back on visa exemptions but the airport immigration warned me I can’t do that anymore. If I get tourist visas I won’t run into issues?
You are a lot less likely to have issues when on tourist visas. Visa exempt have always been abused by border jumpers in the past so they cracked down on them. I have a fair few on my own passport but I think they’re fine if it’s not continually back-to-back e.g. jumping the border every couple of months for years. I just renewed my passport recently and have dual citizenship with an Irish passport so it makes things easier. Although I am yet to hear of people being turned away at the airport. It is more land borders where people are caught out.
hi, I need some info ASAP please..
where did u book the bus to Nong Khai from? what city was the starting point? on what website did u book that?
can I just show them 20k bath or do I need to print out my bank statment as well? cause I have just the bank app on my phone and I don t know how to do…
thanks my friend
I just have been this morning to the consulate with the documents that you mentionned but they ask a BOOKING CONFIRMATION (or Contract lease contract + ID of the owner if you go to your friend’s house). I asked 2 times and it’s an obligation to have this confirmation so I had to go to print the document near the consulate (5000Dong 1 page only). I booked on booking.com a free cancelation hotel then canceled just after print.