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.

7 hours ago, Robert Paulson said:

So you say you paid $51.75 for the Evisa because you didn’t want to pay 1800 baht. 
 

Am I just doing my math wrong. I don’t get it. Seems about the same to me. Def not worth worrying about. 

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

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 

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.