Visa runs. When I take a look at my posts over the last few years, there have been more than a few on visa runs to Singapore. The ones that were company-sponsored were good because they were free. Ticket and hotel paid for, I had nothing to do except go and do some shopping and turn around and come back home. Now that I’m retired, I have to pay the bills for these trips although they have gotten cheaper with the advent of Air Asia and low-cost flights to Singapore.
Six months of a social budaya passed quickly and with problems converting it to a KITAS (and with an upcoming family trip to Singapore), I decided to leave for a day, return on a tourist visa for a week and then apply for a new social visa when I return next week. I managed to score a relatively low-cost flight and did the trip was just over $100. Just to get an idea of how low that fare is, I used to pay $250 to fly the seaplane from Sumbawa to Bali. I decided to pass on the hotel in Chinatown that I like and took a slightly less expensive place on Bencoolen Street. Still not cheap in comparison with Indonesian hotels, but my move was a test of options. I think that next time, I’ll go with the cheaper places in the red-light district of Singapore.
As I was cooling my heels at an airport cafe with a scotch on the way out, I kept thinking of a blog that I read just before I left the house about problems with Bali. It’s hardly the first that I’ve read over the past year as expats especially get frustrated with dealing with immigration, infrastructure problems, the high costs of imported goods and a seemingly endless series of changes or reinterpretations to existing rules and regulations regarding foreigners. Upon arrival in Singapore, a minute at the immigration counter rewarded me with a free 90-day visa. No hassles, no questions, no sly smiles and requests for gifts or presents. No $25 for a 30-day visa. And Singapore? I’m always amazed by the cleanliness and the appearance of order. You can smoke here, not there. You can use your car in this district, but you have to pay a fee if it’s during a certain time of the day.
I drove down to the airport with Daughter #2 and the ride was the usual death-defying experience of dodging trucks, lunatic teenagers without helmets, and government employees convinced that their special plates give them the right to drive like idiots. So, yes when faced with this reality, Singapore seems like a respite from reality.
All these issues – immigration, driving, corruption, sliding versions of the law – bounced around in my head for my 24 hours in the Lion City. Then back to reality once again. The friendly neighborhood immigration folks grabbed a kid in front of me because he didn’t have a ticket out. Expecting the worst, I received my tourist visa without comment in 170 seconds for my $25. OK, pricey for Asia, but quick and competent. I was impressed.
The whole family leaves in a few days for what will probably be our last big family trip. While, I’m looking forward to the trip as a whole, I keep worrying about any issues that may come up with immigration either on the way out or the way in. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to live somewhere where there were actually laws that everyone followed?
Happy Birthday Bruce. Your old email bounces back so I’m trying this. Also I called Houdek to celebrate. We’re all, well, waiting to hear. I’m so glad you’re, evidently, still kicking. Love, Heather
What needs to be moderated about my entry? Happy Birthday. Love, H.
VIETNAM VISA INFORMATION
The information of Vietnam visa requirements will help everyone to better prepare the trip to Vietnam. The immigration regulation of Vietnam requires a valid passport and a visa are required of all foreigners visiting Vietnam. Vietnam Visas are issued by Vietnamese embassies and consulates or Vietnam Department of Immigration. Some overseas offices of Vietnamtourism and Vietnam Airlines are able to issue tourist visas.
Processing time vary from country to country and usually take between 2-5 business days to complete. Fees for visa also vary and most embassies require applicants to contact them directly to check the most updated fee. You will also need to pay for the prepaid courier if you do not plan to pick up the visa in person.
Tourist visas are good for thirty or ninety days and may be extended after your arrival in Vietnam. Those planning to leave and come back to Vietnam can apply for a multiple entry visa. You are required to state your intended ports of arrival and departure (for example, arriving in Hanoi and departing from Ho Chi Minh City) and an anticipated date of travel. Submit your application along with two standard passport photos, your passport and the required fee.
Another option is to pre-arrange a visa on arrival. This can be done online via a number of private companies who have agreements with the Vietnamese government to collect passport details and arrange for an “approval letter”. This letter allows you to board a flight into Vietnam and you will receive the visa stamp upon entry to Vietnam Airport. These agencies charge a small fee for their service and in most case, the total works out to be equal or less than the amount charged by Vietnamese embassies and consulates. It must also be noted that visa-on-arrival works only for visitors arriving in Vietnam by air.
Business visas require similar documentation to tourist visa. If you apply through Vietnamese embassy, you will need to submit a sponsorship letter by a licensed Vietnamese company but this is not required if you apply for visa-on-arrival. This letter can come from your trade partner or your employer.