Hi Everyone,

We're going to be visiting Thailand, Laos and Cambodia later this year and I had some concerns regarding visa requirements for Thailand, Laos and Cambodia and am not sure where to look for the correct answer, and was hoping you could point me in the correct direction(s):

A bit of background so you know where I'm coming from:

I am a Canadian citizen and my wife is an Indian citizen. Both of us reside in the US (no green card).

From what I understand, Canadians do not need a visa to visit Thailand and they can get a visa at the Laos Border and upon arrival via flight in Cambodia.

Indians, on the other hand, do need a visa to visit Thailand. (I have no idea about Laos and Cambodia)

My questions are thus:

- Where do I get a visa for my wife for Thailand? Where can I find info to apply? I checked this site: http://www.thaiembdc.org/consular/visa/visa.htm
and it says under additional requirements they need the following that we DO NOT have:

- Employment verification letter : My wife is a homemaker, however I can get a letter from my company where I am employed. I can also (maybe) get a letter from the companys' lawyer that my wife cannot work legally in the US and hence is a homemaker, since I am on a work visa.

- Reference person and address in Thailand: We know nobody in either of the three countries we're visiting!

- What about Cambodia and Laos, where is a good place to get info on those countries for Indians? I'd rather get those visas while we're in the Us and then leave.

How do we address these issues? Any suggestions would be welcome.

Do you think it would be useful emailing / calling them directly?

Thanks a ton!

That is complicated. I would call or email the embassies or consulates directly and ask your questions. This is a time when it might be helpful for both of you to have all of your visas ahead of time. (And you are correct, as a Canadian, you do not need a visa to visit Thailand.)

Thanks, Kathie.

I'll send them an email and follow up with a phone call.

Regards
Rahul

I also found a place that will help with visas:

www.traveldocs.com

They have an office in SF and I called them up and they said they can assist with the visa for Indians and Canadians.

Anyone used them before?

I haven't used traveldocs personally, but I have had it recommended as a resource by a travel agent friend in the past.

Thanks Awwill.

FWIW, I think I'll use them for the Laos visa (for both of us) and the Thai visa for my wife.

As far as the Cambodia visa is concerned, we can both get it when we land in Siem Reap, so that should be a no-brainer (almost).

Thanks.
Rahul

I was just reading about visa in Thailand, and I read that Indian passport holders can get a tourist visa on arrival for stays of up to 15 days. http://www.mfa.go.th/web/2482.php?id=2491

Thanks Kim.

So, I looked into that. However, they want a proof that you will leave the country in 15 days. We will leave via boat from Huay Xai to Luang Prabang. So, apart from an email confirming my seat on that boat, I won't have any real proof I plan to fly out.

I have a feeling this might be something I should look into further, maybe, by contacting the embassy directly.

Thanks.
Rahul