bamboozled

36 minutes ago, kekalot said:

I'd like to do a border run at some point to "reset" my previous entry that Immigration seems to have issues with on online 90 days reports (would want new TM.6 and whatnot) as I haven't left in 5 years.

 

would I be correct to assume that at this point if you want to go to Laos by land and come back that one of the two borders would ask for vaccination status or recent tests before letting me in (or even out)?

 

I mention "out" because I remember one time I was not allowed to leave Thailand to go into Myanmar (a nice wasted 4 hours each way drive), they told me to fly out to Malaysia..

 

I think they were making sure I had the correct visas or paperwork for Myanmar before letting me through but at that time it was only paying a small fee at the border and sitting in a car while someone sorted the in/out stamps Myanmar side and then driving back.

https://savannakhet.thaiembassy.org/th/page/informationonentrytothailand?menu=5fb3765840deb068cd4414e2

However, what's required for entry into Laos, I'm not sure. Oh, I see the OP had the original link showing that if you are vaccinated, you can enter as before, free and easy. Yay! So the only remaining question is....who's first and what flavor is the pudding?

7 minutes ago, ozfarang said:

Check this link out,

 

https://savannakhet.thaiembassy.org/th/page/visa-fee?menu=5d84a44c15e39c26b400456a

 

Visa fees at Savannakhet updated and effective 26 April 2022 with a one year Non O multi costing ฿5000

Ozfarang for the win!!! Wow, now THAT looks promising. Best thing I've seen in a long time. Hell ya, see you all in Savannakhet!

27 minutes ago, possum1931 said:

28 minutes ago, possum1931 said:

I have probably missed something Joe, but does that visa based on marriage to a Thai not last for up to 15 months?

I'm no Ubon Joe, of course, but in the past, this type of visa could be stretched to 15 months by doing a border run at the very end of the year visa and getting an extra 90 days. But this old type of visa is not mentioned on the websites any longer so it's not looking good.

17 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Please do. I think in your example it might depend on the understanding level of the immigration officer.

Good luck. 

If banking is not accepted perhaps you could obtain the 60 day extension to visit wife on the spot. 

Yes, though I have to get my Kor Ror 2 certified copies for that. Hmm, I should probably get those first and then I can go for the 60 day without having to go back. It's a PITA last week and this with the holidays.

Hi Jack,

No, I'm not sure at all they'll accept it. I will be going first thing tomorrow to check. In the meantime, I have to get all my documents in order just the same as time is short.

My SCB bank did not show any international transfers from Wise, only local. Immigration would not accept the money shown in my account together with the Wise receipts. The only other shot was to get the Credit Advices from the Thai banks that processed the incoming money from abroad and then forwarded it to my SCB account (this info appears on the Wise receipts). Wise happened to use 3 different routes. Up until last December most were going through Bangkok Bank, though one was via Kasikorn. Starting in December, everything went through something called Deemoney in Bangkok who were actually incredibly helpful with online customer service and not only got together the Credit Advice for 8 transfers but also sent a hard copy via post FOR FREE. Amazing.

I will report back here or in another thread tomorrow if it works or not. I won't be surprised if it doesn't....at which point 60-day extension here I come. (The wife is now out of the hospital since Thursday).

It doesn't even mention multi-entry on the website, contrary to the HCMC website which DOES mention multi-entry. That being said, they BOTH give a time period of a 90 day visa only. If I'm not mistaken, wasn't the former wording, before Covid, about a multi-entry YEAR duration visa? My hopes are fading that the year visas are still around. We can only hope that even though it is not listed that it will, in fact, be available if showing up in person. Watching....as I get my final papers together for my attempt this week at extending my Non-O. Been hell getting the bank stuff together from 4 different banks. Anyway, a different story from a different thread. ....But I digress, as they say!

Exactly. I actually got an email back from them today but it didn't clarify anything new. Just gave the link for making an appointment and for downloading the form. I sent again the question about 1 year visas.

1 hour ago, Sheryl said:

I don't think you need that documentation of 60 day extension? You would need it for 1 year extension.  How much longer do you need to stay in Thailand?

No, all those documents for the 1-year extension.

Best case scenario, I would get the 1 year Non-O extension based on marriage since Thailand is my home. The only reason I'm not shooting for that right now is because of the wife's condition which happened rather suddenly. To boot, my documents might not be up to snuff for various reasons. I had tentative plans to visit the US again this summer and if I'm going to have to do piecemeal visas it might make sense to travel there a bit earlier.  In that situation, I can get the 1-year, Non-O sometime after I come back and not use it up while I'm away.

13 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

I was  referring to getting an extension of stay based on marriage to a Thai. You already have a visa as I understand it.

 

Normally your wife would have to come with you to get the 60 day extension to the original 90 days.  If she is hospitalized and unable to attend immigration for that reason, a letter to that effect from the hospital should certainly suffice. Though they might ask for other things like a relative to come with you.

 

I would try this first and without an agent.

 

 

Yes, I have a Non-O. The extension....it's not out of the realm of possibility. I'm still gathering the data on my transfers. ...Got my statement and the bank letter today, probably a week too early but anyway, I have to contact Deemoney, apparently, to get them verified as international. I'm not sure I can get the landlords house book/ID/etc without her help. I'll probably head back to immigration next week armed with whatever I can muster.

Thanks for your time!

20 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

 

If she were hospitalized then I would expect a  letter from the hospital explaining her inability to attend would be accepted, but if not, even if under a doctor's care (which it is nto clear that she is) I am doubtful.

 

Telling immigration your wife is not mentally fit to attend may just raise doubts that work against you i.e. raise suspicions that she does not back your application (which sounds like may in fact be the case?).

 

Try the 60 days as suggested. If that fails contact an agent to see if they can get you a COVID extension, originally none were being given for non-O entries but recent posts suggest this has changed in at least some places. Ask agent, telling  them where in Thailand you are/which Imm office.

Hi Sheryl,

A letter from the doctor would be accepted in regard to what, getting the Non-O?

The immigration officer said she doesn't have to be there but I would need a family member to attend and vouch for her and our relationship, I guess. She is hospitalized and I'm sure I can get a letter from the doctor. It's just a bit hard to see the doctor as he has limited hours of availability and I probably have to pay 1000 baht just to see him. Maybe my wife can get the letter as she meets with him, though I can't meet with her. It's not the case that she doesn't support the application just that she is not available for an unknown number of days...perhaps just a week more but it's still unclear. I'm not trying to be obscure about her condition but trying to respect her privacy and I guess mine, too.

The agent said my wife DID NOT have to accompany me to get the 60 day extension nor was a doctor's letter required to explain her absence. This goes against what other folks on here have said so I'm a bit dubious. And as we all know, rules can change on a whim. I will try and get the doctor's letter just the same, needed or not.

Thanks Sheryl. I'll let you all know what happens.

24 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

The 60 day extension would start at end of current permission of stay. You may be able to obtain the extension some weeks prior.

Most common is couple of weeks. 

Land borders should not be an issue with visa exempt entry.

Maximum 2 per calendar year.

 

Yes Siem Reap is very nice however if your obtaining a visa you will deal with PP. 

True, PP but who's to say I can't make a pit stop to Ankor Wat? Also, as mentioned in one of the posts, maybe I can get the online O-visa while in Cambodia. Do you know the regulations for that? Do I have to be in the US (my passport issuing country)? This would, however, be my second one in a row which might not be something they smile upon.

5 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Not sure I follow.

The 60 to visit wife should be a go with some supporting evidence.

 

As for the rest.... I was referring to land border exit reenter. 

No visa just return visa exempt.

Your in Chiang Mai so should by then have an option. 

 

After the 2 months to visit wife the insurance and Thai Pass could/should be history. 

Yes, you're probably right that the borders will be open. But then again, they might not plus is immigration going to like the looks of all my stamps? They might not want to give me a border bounce visa exempt. Hard to know if that will be on the table or not. If I get the 3 months in Phnom Phen I have the certainty of 3 months and still the extension to visit wife if I need it. And you know, I've never been to Ankor Wat.... How far in advance of my visa expiring can I get the 60 day extension to visit wife and will it begin on the day my current visa expires, do you know?

Thanks Jack!

1 minute ago, DrJack54 said:

Take some supporting evidence.

Either statement from doctor/hospital. @Sheryl can advise.

Your only trying for 60 day extension to visit wife.

In another post think you mentioned that you only needed another 3 or so months then leaving Thailand?

If that the case just obtain the 60 and hopefully an easy border bounce may be possible.

With that gives 30 + 30 with visa exempt entry and extension.

4 months in total. 

Good points! Or a single entry at Phnom Penh if I feel like making that trip. I don't think my transfers are going to cut it so I might have to bite the bullet and deposit the 400k. A bit Ouch but sometimes we have to swallow the bitter pill.

1 hour ago, BritTim said:

I do not think there is any clarity yet on whether applying for an e-visa outside of home country is possible. It could make a huge difference for those who want to stay long term in Thailand just with border bounces.

Apart from outside home country, I think doing it back to back would be an issue. I don't see why outside home country would matter so much but that could be said for many things. Rules are rules. Yes, and what are they?

52 minutes ago, KhaoYai said:

Yes, hopefully in the next few weeks people will start reporting on HCMC and Savannakhet - I certainly hope so because I'm expecting a warning again in June which will mean that I'll have to have a visa for the following trip.  I was a bit 'iffy' on my last entry as the I.O. said nothing but spent a while looking at all the stamps and visas.

 

On the subject of a 60 day extension - have you talked to immigration?  There are some helpful offices/officers, there may be some way that they'll accept a statement from your wife - @ubonjoe may well be able to advise on that.  I thought Covid extensions had finished?

I did go to immigration and was told I cannot get the Covid extension but could get the 60 day extension without my wife being there. I hope he's right about that and another officer doesn't come in at the last minute and say no...

I had my wife look into it and she said the program was closed or full. At any rate, we couldn't avail ourselves of it. But she could certainly be wrong.

I think on the website there is a clickable link to make the appointment. But I guess that doesn't quite answer the question, does is?

18 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

It should not be any problem to get single entry non-o visa in Phnom Phen if you have all the required documents.

Same for getting another one in the states either.

Immigration does make a problem when entering with a non-o visa based upon marriage.

I forgot to ask: what is the regulation for getting the online O visas? That is, what's to prevent me from getting it while I'm anywhere outside of Thailand, but not in the US, for example, while in Cambodia or Laos? Perhaps I would be granted the visa but then refused entry if my passport did not show I was coming from the US? I think you have to use the consulate/embassy of your home country (passport issuer) but must you be in the passport issuing country when you obtain the visa? You could of course be in transit, for example, US to Laos to Thailand....thus coming in to Thailand from Laos. Easily checked by confirming dates in passport though. I did check the e-visa website for this but up to the point of uploading documents, I didn't see any stipulation about where one had to be. I didn't want to go any further with the process and risk mucking up any future real applications so I don't know if that issue is covered later on.

20 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

It is one per entry to the country with a visa or visa exempt.

If you go out to get another non-o visa you could get a 60 day extension for each 90 day entry from a multiple entry visa.

Right, that seems to jibe with what he said, one 60 day extension per visa. What are my chances of getting rejected for a single entry Non-O at Phnom Pehn, do you think? Or for that matter, if I get the 60 day extension to visit wife and then go back to the US at the end of those 60 days (I'm due to go back anyway, though I would have made it a bit later) for perhaps a month and get another online Non-O? I guess my question is does immigration look down upon folks going out of the country and getting the single entry Non-O visas?

I'm not sure what it is but for me, and I think for some others, having to pull that paperwork together is like kryptonite. It's not THAT hard but it's hard to get out of my own way.

Thank you!

2 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

If your wife is in the hospital you could use proof cannot be with you to apply for a 60 day extension to visit her. Perhaps a picture of herein the hospital would be enough.

I'm just back from CM Immigration. The officer said I could not get the Covid extension because on an O visa and no exception. Who knows if a different officer would say something different. He said I could get the 60 day extension to visit wife without her presence but recommended I try to keep that for an emergency (is this not one?) because can only get 1 per visa. I thought it was 1 per year or extension but no. He said I could get the new Non-O without the wife present if I could get a family member to come with me as witness. That's not impossible, perhaps, but a bit cumbersome. I'm going to get my papers in order the best I can, and the transfer statements, in the hope that the wife gets out in time. I suppose I'll know more in a week. In the meantime, I will contact an agent and suss that out. Dr. jack also mentioned going to Phnom Pehn  for a new single entry O. Do you think they would grant me that or reject it since it would be two back to back single entry non-O visas?

2 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

The visa is valid for 90 days.

In that period you enter Thailand and will be stamped in with a permission of stay of 90 days.

In the last 30 days of that POS you would (normally) apply for a 12 month extension.

This is a single entry visa not to be confused with a multi entry non O based on marriage. 

That visa is valid for one year and allows stay of 90 days per entry.

 

Hi Jack, this is exactly my point. That one-year visa does not appear to be available. So things HAVE changed, it appears.

12 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

If your wife is in the hospital you could use proof cannot be with you to apply for a 60 day extension to visit her. Perhaps a picture of herein the hospital would be enough.

Believe it or not, I cannot even see her because of Covid. In fact, I can not even go up to the floor of the hospital that she is on. She does not have a phone with her, either. I might be able to get a note from her primary care doctor. Thanks for the thought, Joe. If possible, I would rather get the Covid ext. which would leave the 60 day ext. to vist Thai wife open, conceivably.

While I have you, is this wording in regards to Non-O visa on the HCMC website the same as always? Did it always specify the visa was for 90 days? I don't think this is the same as before because there was no need to go to immigration after 90 days in prior iterations....but to exit the country every 90 days. So, in fact, it DOES seem things have changed:

"

6. Validity of a Visa:

The validity of a Visa is 3 months

7. Period of Stay:

Holder of this type of visa is entitled to stay in Thailand for a maximum period of 90 days. He or she may apply for an extension of stay at the Office of the Immigration Bureau and may be granted such extension for a period of one year from the date of first entry into Thailand."

I don't think there was ever anything more detailed on the website about multiple-entry Non-O. And to the point, what more would they need to explain? It's pretty straight forward, you pay...unless they verbally tell you it's not available. I don't think they would take $200 and then give you a single entry. Someone soon will give it a try, I'm sure, and hopefully we'll hear about it.

I've spoken with someone who schooled me on how to get the Wise transfers validated so I will be doing that. In the meantime, I think I will inquire about getting a 60 day Covid extension since my wife is unable to attend immigration with me for the next few weeks as she's in the hospital. Her presence is required to get the Non-O extension.

20 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

The covid extension provides 60 stay.

For first CE some offices date the 60 day from your day of application.

It costs 1900 baht.

How did you enter Thailand?

If with a non O some offices may not give you a CE. 

As for your option of trip to Saigon and back think you need to consider how many days there.

 

First I don't see that many options for direct flight (both ways from CNX).

 

The Saigon Thai consulate accepts applications am up till 11.30am and pick up next day pm after lunch break 12-1pm.

Most likely meaning 3 night stay. 

 

Regarding your statement about Saigon vs HCMC...yes all Vietnamese that live in HCMC refer to it as Saigon.

 

I had read it might be difficult to get the CE extension because I entered with a Non-O but I thought I might convince them explaining the situation that my wife is in the hospital and cannot attend to get the Non-O extension. I might head down there today to inquire.

Maybe it was in my reply to you but I realized a trip to HCMC will probably run me $1000 USD if not more. And in the meantime, I had a new idea....to try and get the Covid extension...is that 60 days? In that time frame, we might have more info on HCMC and the insurance/Covid testing might fall away. That would be nice and save some money. Also, my wife might be in a better place to help see the visa through here in CM thus negating the necessity of going to Saigon.

Just an aside here....I usually try to say Saigon as the Vietnamese tour guide said they prefer to call it Saigon and not HCMC. Of course, that was just the opinion of one guy but it stuck with me.