You need a valid passport to visit our part of the world. Please make sure that your passport is good for at least 90 days AFTER the anticipated end of your trip.  Make sure you have enough blank pages in your passport for the visas you need.

Depending on your citizenship, you may be required to have a visa to enter one or more of the countries where we offer travel programs. Visas are not included in our packages and you are responsible for making sure you have the necessary visa to enter the countries you intend to visit. We can not be responsible if you fail to get the necessary visa and are refused entry or not allowed to board an aircraft as a result.

Regulations change from time to time and the only reliable source of information is the embassies or consulates of the countries concerned, we can not be held responsible if anything incorrect is published here. If you learn that anything below is incorrect, please let us know so we can update this page.

Thailand

Citizens of many countries are exempt from visa requirements when entering the Kingdom for tourism purposes for up to 30 days. Citizens of some countries not covered by the visa exemption may get a visa on arrival. Over-stays are subject to a fine. However, visas can usually be extended in Bangkok. Limits have now been imposed on the number of times someone cay leave Thailand, then re-enter in order get another 30 day stay.

For the latest details contact the nearest Thai embassy or consulate or visit the website of Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs:  http://www.mfa.go.th/web/12.php

Cambodia

Although citizens of most countries can get a visa on arrival in Cambodia, 95% of the people on your flight will not have a visa, which means a long line and a wait of up to one hour.  You can arrange an e-visa in advance via the Internet (except for citizens of Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Sudan or Sri Lanka. Citizens of Malaysia, Singapore, Laos and the Philippines are not required to have a visa. Visa processing takes three days and the cost is $20 plus a $5 processing fee, which can be paid by credit card. To apply, please visit: http://evisa.mfaic.gov.kh/

If you decide to get your visa on arrival please be prepared to pay the US$20 fee (no pounds, Euros, or baht are accepted). You will also need a passport photo.

Vietnam

Vietnam requires visas for most visitors. You can apply for a visa in person or by mail from the embassy or consulate closest to you. For a list of places where you apply, please visit VietnamOnline.com

You may apply  as early as six months prior to the date of travel by submitting a completed application along with with two passport photos, an original passport and a fee. Some offices have specific requirements about whether you may use mail, DHL, Federal Express, etc. Expect  processing to take at least one week. Each embassy has a different fee, and the fee may vary depending on how many entries you require.

Tourist visas are valid for a maximum of 30 days beginning with the date of arrival stated in your application (and NOT the day you actually arrive).

If you plan to travel through Bangkok on your way to Vietnam you can normally get a visa overnight, assuming no weekends or holidays are involved.  Visas are also available at the Vietnam Airlines office in Siem Reap, assuming you plan to travel to Vietnam on Vietnam Airlines.

If you fly directly into Vietnam and plan to travel to another country before returning to Vietnam for your departure flight you will need a double entry visa. If you do not get the right kind of visa you will have to apply for a second visa and pay the fee again after you leave Vietnam

Embassies and consulates are closed on both Vietnamese and local holidays.

You can read more on the website of the Vietnam embassy in Washington DC here.

You can also click here to download a generic visa application form.

Please contact us if you have questions about how to complete the form or if you are asked to supply documents with your application about your trip.

Laos

Lao visas are issued on arrival at airports in Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Pakse, and at the Friendship Bridge near Vientiane. If you plan to enter Laos at any other place you need get your visa in advance from a Lao embassy. Cost is US$30. You will need two passport photos. Visas on arrival are usually good for 14 days. Visas issued by embassies are usually good for 30 days. If you overstay you will be fined $5 per day and may be subject to arrest. Visas are for one entry only. You may extend visas in Vientiane at a cost of $3 per day.

We have heard (but can not verify) that the cost of a visa is $10 less when issued by the Lao embassy in Bangkok.  However, the embassy is quite far from the center of the city, so by the time you go there twice it may not be worth the trouble to save $10.

Embassy of Lao PDR
520.502/1-3 Ramkhamhaeng soi 39
Bangkapi, Bangkok

Myanmar (Burma)

Citizens of almost all countries require a visa to visit Myanmar. Under normal circumstances the Myanmar Government will expect you to obtain a tourist visa at your nearest Myanmar Embassy. You can usually (but not always) get a visa overnight in Bangkok.

If necessary, Purple Dragon can arrange for a visa to be issued on arrival. Our fee for this service is US$30 per person. When you arrive in Myanmar you you will need two passport photos and the US$20 visa application fee.

For a Visa on Arrival we need the following details from each person in your party. Some of the information required is pretty silly:

  • A copy of  your passport with photo and personal details page. You can either fax us a photocopy
     
  • Your ethnic background. (We don't care. In fact, we do not even want to know. So make something up if you do not want to answer. "Eskimo" is acceptable. "Republican" will probably make them pause for a moment before they go on to the next application.)
     
  • Religion (once again, this is not as important to us as it is to some clerk in Yangon, so the way you answer is your own choice)
     
  • Your occupation (Please do not answer anything like "terrorist" or "overthrow the government of Burma." However, it's safe to say "housewife" unless you are couple and both say "housewife." However "Astronaut," "psychic surgeon" or  "member of the royal family" might be OK.)
     
  • Your permanent address

You can apply for a visa at Myanmar's embassy in Bangkok. However, the embassy puts a limit on the number of visas they issue each day, so people often queue up outside before sunrise.  Many of these are messengers from local visa services, so you may be out of luck by the time it comes your turn.

China, Hong Kong, and Macau

Visas are required to enter (or transit China to Mongolia or North Korea)  must be obtained from Chinese Embassies and Consulates before traveling to China. Regardless of advertisements, you can not rely on anyone in China to arrange a visa on arrival. Travelers should not rely on Chinese host organizations claiming to be able to arrange a visa upon arrival. Chinese authorities have recently tightened their visa issuance policy, in some cases requiring personal interviews.

If you plan to travel to China and continue to Hong Kong and/or Macau Special before returning to China must have a multiple entry visa. In general, visas are not required to visit Hong Kong or Macau. If you make a side trip to Macau from Hong Kong you MUST have your passport.

Permits are required to visit Tibet as well as many remote areas not normally open to foreigners. Every foreigner going to Tibet needs to get a travel permit . Permits cost RMB 100, are single-entry and valid for at most three months. Most areas in Tibet are not open for foreigners. .

For the latest requirements visit the official websites of the People Republic of China.

Australia:  http://au.china-embassy.org

Belgium: http://be.china-embassy.org

Canada: http://www.chinaembassycanada.org

Egypt: http://eg.china-embassy.org

India: http://www.chinaembassy.org.in/eng/

Israel: www.chinaembassy.org.il

New Zealand: http://www.chinaembassy.org.nz

Philippines: http://ph.chineseembassy.org

Singapore: www.chinaembassy.org.sg

Thailand: www.chinaembassy.or.th

UK: www.chinese-embassy.org.uk

United States: http://www.china-embassy.org

There are many more. If you live in a smaller counry like Croatia, Morocco Costa Rica you can Google these.

India

Everyone needs a visa to enter India. This website has all the information you will need: http://www.thokalath.com/tourism/visa.php


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