Planning a trip around Southeast Asia? Great news!! You will have an amazing time! Southeast Asia is full of rich culture, tasty food, and generous people. If you are planning to move around to a couple of different countries it is important to know the visa requirements for each country. Not all the countries have the same process and you could end up paying a lot of money out of pocket if you are unaware of what you need beforehand or if you accidentally overstay your visa. Most countries are pretty simple - and free! Just keep an eye out for those where you will need to pay upon arrival and what places expect a visa form before you even board your plane.
**** Please keep in mind I have an American passport so these may not be true if you have a different passport!!
For all countries your passport must be valid for a minimum of six months beyond the date of entry. Any country that requires money upon arrival must be in cash, these places will not accept credit cards. American USD is accepted at all of these places.
Thailand
Good news! For those of you coming to Thailand a visa upon arrival is free. When you arrive you can get a tourist visa for 60 days. If you overstay 60 days, on your way out of the airport you will be charged money. You will be charged 500 baht per day you overstay your visa, with a maximum of 20,000 baht. Most often when arriving in Thailand the immigration officers will want an address of a hotel you are staying at and proof of a plane ticket out of Thailand within the required 60 days.
Phuket, Thailand
Cambodia
When entering Cambodia with an American passport you will be asked for 2 passport sized photos, 2 blank pages in your passport and 30 USD (should be paid in USD). You can get a visa when you arrive at the airport and it will allow you to stay in the country for one month. If you overstay your visa you will be charged $10 per day.
Vietnam
A visa for Vietnam probably requires the most work out of all these listed SE Asian countries. This is because you must apply for a visa to enter Vietnam and you must get it approved before even boarding your plane. You can complete a visa application online (one option is myvietnamvisa.com) and receive an approval letter within 3-5 business days. This will cost you around 12 USD. However you are not done once you have recieved your letter. Once you arrive in Vietnam you will need 2 passport sized photos, 2 blank pages in your passport, and $25 USD to complete your tourist visa. This visa will allow you to stay in Vietnam for one month.
Streets of Hanoi, Vietnam
Indonesia
For all of you looking to go to beautiful Indonesia the tourist visa here is free, although you will need 2 blank pages of your passport. It will give you 30 days to explore the amazing country.
Singapore
Luckily in Singapore a tourist visa is free. However you will need to show proof of your onward travel out of Singapore and it is possible they will ask you for proof of sufficient funds for your stay. This visa will allow you to stay for 30 days.
Singapore Skyline
Laos
In Laos you can get your visa upon arrival, however it will cost you $35 USD. You will also need one passport sized photo, 2 blank pages in your passport, and an address of where you are staying during your duration in Laos. This visa will give you 30 days in Laos.
Malaysia
Malaysia is another country that a visiting visa is free. It allows you to stay in the country for 90 days. Again you will be fined if you overstay your visa and will not be allowed out of the country until you pay the immigration office.
Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Hope this was helpful for all you current, future, and hopeful travelers!!
