kevthailand

I read in a few travel reports that the fee was demanded in Thai Baht, 1800. The fact that there was no official prices poster at the visa office, backs that up. It is possible those travel reports were by inexperienced travellers who didn't resist and refuse to pay in Baht. I had dollars, but just decided to go the evisa way. Poipet officials do a similar thing - but I can say a few Cambodian words and always manage to pay in dollars instead of the Baht that they first ask for. Another reason I did it, was that I read reports of the border bus leaving behind foreigners who took too long at the evisa office. Missing that bus would lead to a 1 hour wait, or walk across the bridge. I didn't see any tuk tuks between the border offices.

I'd rather pay the 1800 baht for getting the benefit of an evisa, than directly tip the corrupt border officials. As for the seasoning, I have no idea if the 2 months applies to non-o multis based on marriage. This was my first non-o so I followed the combined advice of recent reports on this site and the consulate's own reviews. Ignore the scaremongering stories of 7 hour queues on Mondays or turning away lots of people, if the queue is too big. Can't see how 7 hours is even possible if the morning shift is 9.00 to 11.00 (possibly 08.30 in the past). Maybe they lock the front gate at 11.00 and keep processing applicants until they are done? They could then open another window for the afternoon 'pick up passport' folk. The main point is, this place probably isn't popular any more. When I returned just before 3pm to pick up the passport the whole place was deserted - no shops open, tuk tuks or Laos staff at the gate and all the officers windows were shut. I thought they'd closed early.

When I checked this recently I found Jakarta, HCM and Savannakhet for 1 year Multi O. HCM has the benefit of a booked appointment - so no need to queue. The extra day processing is not a problem because HCM is a great place. But I am sure I read they need to see proof of flight out of Thailand within the first 90 days (of the 1 year non-o based on marriage). Its a waste even to buy a throw away 1200 baht ticket. "Reservations" may get you past airport check in counter screening, but a consulate might not fall for that trick. But if HCM has the same rules as Savannakhet, then I would choose HCM next time

Visa was approved. Applied on a Monday. There were about 120 applicants that day. The embassy opens at 09.00 (08.30 is written on the bonze plaque on the front of the building). I was there at 07.15 but had to return later. If you are one of the first 4 or 5 people, you can get under cover and out of the sun - might be useful during the summer months. 'Visa package' group tours started to arrive at 07.30. At 9am they open the door and let everyone into the consulate grounds, which is a covered area. There was one officer/window open to deal with the applicants. Next time I would go to the embassy at 10.30 (they close at 11.00). There were NO people in the queue at this time. This means you can stay in Mukdahan on Day 1/Sunday night (the less time spent in Savannakhet, the better). Decent hotel near Muk bus station is 400B. The following morning, take the 8am Muk-Sav bus. The 9am is risky - if there are delays you could miss the embassy closing at 11am Day 1 Fly midday Bangkok to Ubon 900B. Grab taxi to the bus terminal about 6km north of the city centre 160B. Van to mukdahan 135B, 2hr30 (quiet highway, very few traffic lights all the way, no gas or foods stops). Last van might be about 5pm. Van stops at Mukdahan bus station. Change onto the Mukdahan-Savannakhet border crossing bus 45B (or 50B to cover late fee if its last minute!). This bus takes 1 hour, including dealing with Thai and Laos immigration. I had an e-visa $51.75 because I did not want to line any pockets by paying 1800 baht for a 35 dollar visa - which many people have quoted on forums. The office did not have a poster displaying official prices, so I am sure they would have made me pay in Baht. That officer also asks for 100 Baht - I paid it (some reports mentioned walking away from the evisa office and bypass the next checkpoints - to avoid paying the 100 Baht tip). Next, you pay a 20B "overtime fee" tip. Evisa works perfectly well. 2 business days processing time. Applied Friday night, approved Tuesday afternoon. The visa start date is the day that they approve the visa. The evisa sicker is the size of a normal Thai/Laos entry or exit stamp - not a whole page. Hotel Avalon in Savanakhet 450 Baht or next door 550 baht/300,000 kip for softer bed. Make sure you go to the gold shop near the bus station and change baht to kip. You lose 5-10% paying for food/hotels in baht and the supermarket only takes kip. There are no banks in this area of town. You can't get kip at Super Rich in Thailand. The gold shop gave me a much better rate than google suggested. Day 2 Almost first in the queue, but turned away because wife had not signed her passport or ID card (I thought I had a copy of her signed ID card back at the hotel, but couldn't find it). How many Thai ladies have passports I wanted to ask. After considering forging it, sending it by a bus or even air mail - instead she sent a black and white scan with blue ink signature by email. Printed in color and luckily it was accepted for processing, just before 11am. Documents required: You need to sign the bottom of every page. 1) Bank book 400,000: front cover, name/account number page, any pages with transactions. I had photocopied every page, but they didn't take it. (I had seasoned just under 3 months - I think 2 months is fine). 2) Copy of Kor 2 and Kor 3 marriage documents in Thai language. Recommend wife also signs this. 3) Bio page of your passport, Laos visa sticker (whole page VOA or small evisa sticker) and Laos entry stamp. On the same page was my Thai exit stamp. Might be worth copying that too, if it is on a separate page. They did not want a copy of my evisa letter. You can scan and print your Laos entry stamp / Thai exit stamp at the hotel next to Avalon (10-20B) or the printing shops opposite the embassy, 50B (open 07.15 to 11.00) 4) House registration book: Only the main page and the page that mentions your wife. Recommend wife also signs this. 5) Bio page of wife's passport and National ID card. BOTH SIGNED BY HER. 6) Two passport photos. 4.5x3.5cm, white background. The photo shop I went to was convinced I needed a larger size for a Thai visa. The 4.5x3.5 photos are a bit bigger than the space allocated on the Visa application form 7) Completed visa application form. Download from Royal Thai Consulate, Savannakhet website. Section 1 profession - retired (even if work overseas/digital nomad, maybe best not to mention any work). Section 4 purpose - stay with wife. Section 4 duration of proposed stay - 1 year marriage (but fly in 80 days to Singapore - I had a ticket - they didn't ask to see it). Section 5 Guarantor - I put my wife. You do not need to have documents checked opposite the embassy. That might apply for the package groups. I had original marriage certs, bank book and a 6month account statement - but they didn't want to look at it. Day 3 Embassy opening hours for pick up passport are 14.00 - 16.30 (says on the plaque, so my guess is they will close at 16.00) Picked up the visa at the embassy at 3pm, because I didn't want to queue. Also, I was expecting to get turned down, due to wife's ID issue. Tuk tuk back to bus station (sometimes they take 1$ or 40 baht) 3.30pm Sav-Muk bus. Arrived 4.30. Got the 4.40 Ubon van Booked a last minute 20.35 Nok air flight from Ubon 1200 baht, when I was half way to Ubon in the van. Other options for Ubon-Bkk were a slow 20.30pm night train, or 3pm train the next day, 7hr 30, air con seat 500B and hotels in Ubon go for 400B. If you like sleeping on buses, there are many evening muk-bkk VIP buses (2x2 or 2x1 seating) for 600-700 baht. This bus would need to be booked and paid when you pass through the bus station on Day 1 because they already seemed half full when I enquired at that time. Next time I would queue early - before the 14.00 consulate opening time - to make sure I can get back to the Sav bus station for the 14.30 Sav-Muk bus (better to have taken your luggage to the embassy). That will guarantee getting the Nok air or Air Asia evening flight. You could also book your 135 baht muk-ubon van on the first day you are in the bus station, to make sure you get a seat. Visa cost is 5000B. Other costs were approx 4000B excl. food which is cheaper than the 5-6000B group vans, and you get to fly most of the way. Food is edible at the Savannakhet bus station and is the only place open after dark. Thai dishes 30,000 kip or 50 baht.

I forgot to say, I only care about the accident part of any travel insurance... Bags, delays, death are irrelevant. Knowing that I don't pay up front would be good too.

Looking for a Thai bank card. Travel or debit card - possibly credit - that gives free travel insurance. *SCB Planet, travel card 200 baht , no annual fee *Kasikorn Journey, debit card, 700 baht, then 550 all following years. But maximum trip is only 10 days. Any other good ones? Going to the banks not easy, staff didn't even know their own products. Possible credit card issue is need to buy the transport with the credit card, so maybe issue with "van to the border" holidays

I found Jakarta, 6400B. HCM and Indonesia are a bit far and expensive for it not to work out. Savannakhet Oct 24 2023 reported as "not issuing ME visas anymore". Poster did not say denied. It's on the consulates reviews in Google. Would embassies reply to an email and would any reply this week, be valid by the time you turn up at the embassy door? Might have to reduce my expectations to just getting a 90 day single entry non-O at Vientiane - followed by the 12 month extension - or if not ready - 60 day extension. At least the online booking will make the queuing easier than Savannakhet. When I looked, the queue booking system only showed a couple of weeks, so that screws up buying cheap flights in advance. Whereas HCM shows several months of bookable appointments.

A few months ago a member asked which embassies/consulates offer this visa. The thread went off on a bit of a tangent and I only saw HCM, Savannakhet an undated pdf link to Kuala Lumpur. Saigon return flights coming in at 4500B - used to be 2500B - and I can't find reports of anyone doing it there this year. Fees list on website mention it though, 200usd (7100 Baht !) Savannakhet looking the best option. Strange their website under visa section does not mention the ME at all https://savannakhet.thaiembassy.org/th/publicservice/non-immigrant-visa-o-visiting-family-member-of-a-thai-nationality-a-sp?page=5d84a44c15e39c26b400453e&menu=5d84a44c15e39c26b4004569 but it is mentioned under the fees section, at 5000B Anyone know if there are taxis/white van from either Nakhon Phanom or Roi-et to Mukdahan at about 7.30-8.00pm. There are earlier flights, but I can't use them. Ubon looks too far and I want to guarantee being in Mukdahan on the night, to ensure minimal days for getting the visa finished. I know Nok Air do a fly-drive (mentioned before somewhere in TV), but they release those dual-tickets on the 1st of each month - and I don't want to wait for a few days before, when flight prices have doubled. Very odd system. As soon as the transport issue is solved - or someone says Phnom Penh or Penang are doing these - I can book flights.

TY4 advices. I don't have enough trust in the system and have (wrongfully) experienced Thai Imm issues before, so leaving and getting a Multi-entry non O might be better. When an agency is recommending that - over paying 25k for their services to 'do it in Thailand' - then there's gotta be a message there. There are lots of other advantage of the ME Non O vs 12-month extension and I don't mind border hops every 90 days I will be posting for recent advice on getting that visa - something else which doesn't look straight forward

update: Yesterday I called all the major immigration centers in Thailand to try to get some answers. All busy or cut me off. Today Chaeng Wattana did answer and the young lady says farang must leave Thailand / do embassy online to apply for non-O, if you want to change from non-B. After telling her many people do not leave Thailand, she back-tracked and said come to counter L Chaeng Wattana with your documents. I asked if I can come to discuss the process (not apply/bring documents) and she said NO. One can assume the document checker is the gatekeeper to the senior Imm officer, so you can't talk to those people without passing the first step. Next I called Chamchuri (BOI) and they are very helpful - my work is not connected to BOI but they did talk to me. They said you have 2 choices: Change reason for extension (B to O), or apply for Non-O here in Thailand. They couldn't tell me the best/most advantageous route or the time scale for doing either. But they recommended starting the process at CW before leaving the job - is that why people get a post-dated termination letter? I am thinking change of visa type is the best option for me due to working in another province and not staying with wife - just before application - so the arduous "extension of stay based on marriage" document checking could fail. But the document/proof demands for the 90 (or is it 60) day "non-O visa based on marriage" are less stringent, so less chance of being denied. That then gives us 60/90 days to "take photos and get to know neighbors blah" before the next visit to CW. The disadvantage is, I need to be in the province to cancel non-B (whereas changing reason for extension could have all been done in CW - even the employer can cancel the WP without the employee, right?) So am I right that the process is: 1) Get a post-dated termination letter from employer (can it be a copy??), giving me approx. 28 days 2) Go to CW and make an application for non-O based on marriage: with required docs, funds proof, and above said letter. They will give me a confirmed date, in approx 21 days, to return to get the approved stamp in my passport (and I get to keep my passport)? 3) If I want to avoid cancelling non-B early and needing 7 day extension / 1900B ? / more stamping THEN I must be in Issarn to cancel my non-B on the morning of my 'CW confirmed return date', fly into Bangkok, and dash over to CW on the same day. I have no idea what happens if you miss a return date in the world of Thai Imm, but I would think the consequences are not pleasant. Obviously, an overstay is issued and I read on some official Thai document that "a visa change can not be done if an overstay has ever been issued" Any comments about the chances of it panning out like this. Because CW won't talk about about what-if scenarios, then I can only go on advice. Visa company quotes were 28k and 40k to do this. The 40k quote (very well known BKK agency) said change visa type B>O is NOT allowed in country. Only option is to change extension of stay. The 28k company said both methods are possible. A third agency also said, change visa type in country is not allowed. They said BOI are giving false info - or that BOI ex/employees can do things at CW that normal folk can't. They also said that CW can't be used and that another province "up north" are the ones that will receive the brown envelope. Not ideal to have a non-O based on an address/province that I will never live at and cause me headaches for future Imm dealings. No price given yet! What a mess, maybe better just to leave and hope Vientiane hasn't got a denial-quota they need to meet

Maybe there were a lot of Chinese or Russian folk in that carriage in Manila?

Never been checked at a land border in 20+ entries - not so many in the last few years though All long haul check-in staff have checked for onward ticket and I have had to buy a last minute 1000 baht throw-away ticket. Annoyingly some don't understand that stamps can be visas and are not always full page visa stickers. Nearly denied with a non-B with a few months remaining. They shouldn't be allowed to deny people even with less than one month remaining - they don't realize that the employer takes you to renew extension. Carry work permit is an option, but doubt anyone outside of Asia would consider it a valid document. Anyway, back to your question. Neighboring countries is tricky. Most airlines/countries check onward ticket at the desk. Online check-in method used to deny me (non-ASEAN passengers?) a boarding pass at machines >> head to check in desk, to get your passport/visa checked. Thai wife always no problems getting a boarding pass at machine. Recently I have noticed the machines in some countries giving me the boarding pass - without having to go to the desk. So if you have no check in bag, this is a useful way to avoid onward ticket check.

Current visa Non B from April 2023 Extension to stay until June 2024 Work permit ends April 2024 Work permit is for teaching in Issarn. Want to leave school in next 1 or 2 months and move to BKK to be with wife - not being living together since April and was not / will not be on the rental contract for her condo in BKK . Maybe the extension will be difficult - but I heard the initial 90 day non O is easier to get. Prefer not to have to leave Thailand if possible at any stage. If change can be done while in Thailand, will it involve early morning cancel non B visa/WP in Issarn Imm / Labor dept and if they give me until 23.59, then fly into BKK and visit CW in the afternoon? If they allow 24 hours that would be better. Want to avoid paying for 7 day? extension if can be avoided. Old posts mention possibility of post-dating cancellation of WP/non B? but didn't understand and trying not to complicate if possible. Not really sure if the non B gets cancelled - or am I changing the reason for extension of stay - and I get some kind of stamp that says that. Chat GPT says Imm will help me about the process before I do it! Can Issarn comment on CW's "rules" and which one is the most important in the process - do they have a phone number with staff who know the rules? Go to the nearest immigration office in Thailand and inquire about the process for changing your visa type. They will provide you with the necessary information and guidance.