Visas are required to enter a foreign country (spoiler: unless your nationality is exempt). No, they do not just let you in!
However, Southeast Asian countries are convenient for Western people – visa exemptions and visas on arrival are common… so, they do basically “just let you in”.
Before you go, check the entry requirements for your nationality. Don’t get denied entry for some avoidable reason!
If you wish to stay longer than your visa permits, then you can consider a visa extension to extend your stay within the country.
Note
Entry Requirements : The rules are all over the place. Never assume that the requirements for the Western person sitting next to you will be the same as for you! Some countries in the EU have different requirements compared to others EU countries. Also Australia and New Zealand may have different rules compared to UK vs. EU vs. USA.
Tourist Visa / Visa Exemptions : Some countries allow you to extend a tourist visa more than once without leaving the country (this includes Laos, Philippines). But, most SE Asian countries only allow you to extend only one time, then you must leave. There are a couple of countries that do not allow you to extend your tourist visa.
IMPORTANT Alert 🚨
These are important tasks to do when traveling to a foreign country.
Before Entry
Check visa requirements : Always check, based on your nationality, if you need a visa before planning to go to a foreign country. Some Westerners think that they can just show up and be let into the country. This is not exactly the case!
Visa laws are based on nationality : Laws can change frequently. And, the immigration visa requirements are different for each country nationality. The requirements for Australians will not necessarily apply to Americans, which may not apply to Italians. Furthermore, do not assume that the rules for French citizens apply to German citizens even though they are both within the European Union.
Fine Print : Read all the fine print when applying for a visa. It details important information. One often overlooked requirement is to print your e-visa approval for presenting it to immigration upon arrival. It must be printed in A4 size, and showing a picture on your smart phone is not acceptable. That’s just an example, and it may or may not apply.
Before or During Entry
The immigration officer has the right to deny entry at their discretion for any reason whatsoever. Having a visa approved before arrival does not guarantee entry into the country, nor does qualifying for being exempt from the need of a visa (qualifying for a visa exemption).
Tip
If/when and immigration officer asks you questions … pause + talk slowly + give out as little information as possible.
This stalls them and communicates that you are not going self incriminate. Sometimes, they are looking for people to deny for any reason whatsoever. Do not self incriminate yourself. Obviously, do not be involved with illegal things or break immigration laws.
“Border Run” Services : Because of the risk of being denied entry, some individuals will opt for “border run services”, in which an agency will drive the individuals to the border and liaison between them and the immigration officers. This helps improve chances of approval, but is not needed for the average traveler on a short trip.
Exiting Country #1 or Entering Into Country #2
Always read your visa (or visa exemption) when you leave a country (get “stamped out”) and/or then enter a different country (get “stamped in”).
Check your visa, stamps, & documentation:
Visa Types – Purpose For Entry
Visa Types: (a non-comprehensive list)
Not all of these are possible in every country. You will have to research your options depending on what you need. For example, Vietnam does not have a retirement visa.
Volunteering could be classified differently than working. It just depends on the country and their immigration laws when you are ready to apply.
Entry Types For Visas
Single entry
Single entry visa = You can can only enter one, single, time within the validity of the visa.
Multiple entry
Multi-entry visa = You can enter/exit/re-enter multiple times within the validity of the visa.
Re-entry Stamp : depending on the type of your multi-entry visa and the country’s rules, you may need a re-entry stamp to come back into the country in order to use the valid visa that you possess.
Visa Types – The Physical Visa
When you arrive & hand the immigration officer your passport, you will receive one one the below:
Visa Sticker : These are becoming much more common now, and they are about the same size as a stamp. These stickers have a QR code that allows electronic tracking for the country’s immigration department.
Tip
Take pictures of your visas! Document your documents.
⚠️ The ink on these stickers rubs off with time + heat/humidity! You’ll need a picture to read it in the future.
You will receive one of the above, not including any entry/exit forms that immigration will have you fill out and hold on to (never loose these forms!).
Applying For Visas
Warning
Always check – based on your nationality – if you need a visa before going to a foreign country!
Visa Type & Payment
| Visa Type | Payment |
|---|---|
| Visa exemption (on arrival) | Free |
| e-visa (electronic-visa) | Online with credit card. |
| e-visa on arrival (EVOA) | Online with credit card. |
| Visa on arrival | In person on arrival paid with cash or credit card, depending on the country and their policy. |
| Visa applied for through an embassy or consulate | In person or through mail at the embassy/consulate paid with cash or credit card, depending on the embassy/consulate and their policy. |
Note
Payment for visa on-arrival : Typically, only cash is accepted – no credit card. Cash in major currencies (USD, Euro, etc) is preferred, but local currency will also be accepted.
Visa Approval Examples
| Approval Type | When | You get a… |
|---|---|---|
| Apply for visa at an embassy or consulate. Or, a visa agent does this on your behalf. | Before departure | Full page visa or visa sticker. |
| Visa on arrival | On arrival | Full page visa or visa sticker. |
| e-Visa (Electronic visa) | Before departure | Either a visa stamp, or Full page visa or visa sticker. |
| e-Visa on arrival (EVOA) (Electronic approval for a visa on arrival) | Before departure | Either a visa stamp, or Full page visa or visa sticker. |
| Visa exemption stamp (This is not a visa, but an exemption from needing a visa.) | On arrival | Visa stamp |
Note
Visa exemption stamp : Examples: (arbitrarily using French)
-> Vietnam: French get 2 weeks allowed visit without the need for a visa.
-> Thailand: French get 60 days stay allowed visit without the need for a visa (edit: Thailand will change the days allotted by the visa exemption from 60 days back to 30 days)
Visa By Country
Listed below applies to most westerners from Europe, UK/Britain, and United States of America.
Philippines 🇵🇭
Allows extension of a tourist visa for up to 3 years. This is very common and many foreigners do this to live in the Philippines.
Extensions while within the country -> Tourist visa can be extended at a local immigration office.
Vietnam 🇻🇳
option #1
On Arrival -> Visa exemption
This allows some, but not all, Western countries in with 2 week visa-free entry (“free” meaning no visa required, but it is also free in cost). Otherwise, Vietnam requires an e-visa approved before arrival.
option #2
Before Departure -> Tourist visa
Permits 1 month single entry, 3 month single entry, or 3 month multiple entry, based on what you apply for.
Note
Extensions : not allowed (as of 2026)
Cambodia 🇰🇭
option #1
On Arrival -> Tourist visa or Ordinary visa
Tourist visa is called a “T-class” visa.
Ordinary visa is called a “E-class” visa.
option #2
Before Departure -> e-Visa
You can apply for the Tourist or Ordinary visa.
Tourist visa is called a “T-class” visa.
Ordinary visa is called a “E-class” visa.
Note
… a quick overview of extensions …
Extensions : Get a visa (on arrival or via e-visa) as a Tourist visa (“T-class” visa)
or Ordinary visa (“E-class” visa). Then, extend the visa to get the specific visa you need, which.
Extensions are while you are within the country.
Tourist visa can be extended as Tourist visa extension. Only 1-time extension of 1 month is allowed.
Ordinary visa can be extended as a Tourist visa, looking for work (EP or EG), business visa (EB), or retirement visa (ER) extension. For example, you can get the Ordinary visa (“E-class” visa), then get a 6 month ‘business (EB visa)’ visa extension. For 1 year extensions, you can extend indefinitely without leaving the country. A work permit is required only for 1 year Business Visas, not for 1 year Retirement Visas.
There are several multi-month extensions available, but you must possess an “ordinary E-class visa” not a T-class visa (these are very similar and get confused).
Ordinary Visa : The ordinary E-class visa is also not to be confused with an e-visa (aka electronic-visa). You can apply for the “ordinary E-class visa” online (as an e-visa) instead of visa on arrival.
E-visa : The way it works is, you request/pay/receive this visa upon arrival, making sure it is “ordinary E” not a “T” visa. You can also apply for this online as an e-visa that is approved before arrival, and you receive it upon arrival by presenting the printout of the approval to the immigration officer. The visa permits a stay of 1 month in the country.
Visa Extensions : You can request/pay/receive multiple different types of extensions. Your choices are (1) business visa extension, (2) retirement visa extension, (3) looking for work extension, or (4) student visa extension.
Business Visa Extension : The business visa extension is typically coupled with a work permit, which is a separate cost. The rule & enforcement on the 6 month EB (business) EOS (visa extension) is that you don’t need a work permit to apply for it, but for the 12 month EB EOS you need to be sure to get a work permit. Having a 6 month EOS and then extending for another 6 month EOS means that you will need a work permit, too. However, you are supposed to have a work permit after staying in the country for more than 3 months. Not having this results in a fine, so get one if you are supposed to.
Retirement Visa : 1 year visa, must be 55 years old to get it. No work permit is required for the visa. Apparently, once you have a retirement visa extension you cannot apply for a business visa extension and work permit to gain lawful ability to work in the country.
option #1
Extensions – Tourist Visa (“T-class”)
Only 1-time extension for 1 month tourist visa extension is allowed. You apply for it directly at the immigration office, or via an agent. Extensions via an agent means that no presence at immigration office required.
option #2
Extensions – Ordinary Visa (“E-class”)
These extensions are typically handled by an agent. No presence at immigration office required.
Extensions include: Work (aka “business” visa extension) visa extension, Retirement visa extension, Looking for work extension, Student visa extension.
Laos 🇱🇦
option #1
On Arrival -> Tourist visa
option #2
Before Departure -> Tourist visa
Note
Extensions are possible.
A 1 month tourist visa can be extended 2 times, resulting in 3 months total.
Pay for # of days : Laos is unique in that you pay for the number of days you want to extend – it’s pro-rated. So, you can extend and only pay for 13 days instead of the full month if you want.
Extend 2 times : You can only extend up to 1 month at a time in Laos. So, for your 3’rd month (second extension) you will need to go back into the immigration office and extend it.
option #1
Extensions in the country -> Tourist visa
Tourist visa can be extended at a local immigration office.
Thailand 🇹🇭
option #1
On Arrival -> Visa exemption
Visa exemption (most common, popular, and simplest) permits 60 days in the country. It was 30 days, but in 2024 they changed it to 60 days. They might change it back to 30 days?
Note
… the below will require applying at a Thai Embassy / Consulate outside of Thailand…
option #2
Before Departure -> Tourist visa
option #3
Before departure -> “DTV” visa
DTV (Destination Thailand Visa) is applicable for digital nomads, whom work remotely for a company not based in Thailand.
option #4
Before departure -> Work visa
For working inside of Thailand for a company located in Thailand.
option #5
Before departure -> Retirement visa
Note
Extensions are possible.
Extensions while within the country -> Tourist visa
option #1
Tourist visa extension @ Immigration office.
option #2
Tourist visa extension using an agent.
“Border run” and “visa run” are infamous for Thai immigration. A border run is when a tourist crosses a border and goes back into Thailand to request/receive a visa exemption stamp (meant for tourism). This is controversial as it can be viewed as abusing the tourist visa if trying to live in Thailand for several months on this visa exemption status.
Backpackers frequently cross borders on their several month adventures – this is normal. However, spending all of those months primarily in Thailand raises red flags with immigration – they have the right to deny you entry at their discretion.
A visa run is the same, except that the individual applies/pays/receives a new visa before re-entry into the country. Having a visa is more formal than a visa exemption stamp.
Malaysia 🇲🇾
option #1
On Arrival -> Visa exemption
This is stamp for a 90 day stay.
Note
No extension allowed for the 90 day visa exemption.
Indonesia 🇮🇩
option #1
On Arrival -> e-Visa on arrival (EVOA)
option #2
Before Departure -> Tourist visa
Note
Extension are possible.
Extensions while within the country
(1) Online : Extend your EVOA (e-visa on arrival) online.
(2) In-person @ Immigration Office: You can extend the either the EVOA or Visa On Arrival in-person at a local immigration office.
Visa Extension Process
If you wish to stay longer than your visa permits, then you can consider extending your visa.
Not all countries allow you to extend your visa, visa exemption, or visa-free entry.
We detail the extension types and information above in the “Visa By Country” section.
The process of extending is detailed in this post. It entails the process for each SE Asian country.