I'm currently in Vientiane and today I have received my passport back at the embassy.

 

Yesterday I applied for a Non-Immigrant O visa based on marriage. To my surprise they gave me a Non-Immigrant ED visa. I went immediately back to the counter and told them about the problem. After 10min I received my passport back. They have crossed off the "ED" and written a "O" with a black pen. 

 

Tomorrow I'm flying back to Bangkok (DMK). I can't help but wonder if this "fix" will be good enough for the immigration officer I'll be facing tomorrow. My wife is traveling with and we have all the marriage related documents with us luckily.

 

Should I be worried?

Just my thought but Ubonjoe will know

I can see your concern as I would be thinking the Visa Number may still be linked to a ED Visa in their computer system unless some how they can change that 

I guess it might be in the lines of a stroke of a pen &/or a push of a button

Edited December 14, 20178 yr by BEVUP

Did they initial the change or put a note about it anywhere. If they did then it should not be a problem.

5 minutes ago, BEVUP said:

I can see your concern as I would be thinking the Visa Number may still be linked to a ED Visa in their computer system unless some how they can change that 

The visa number only means something to the embassy or consulate that issued it. The records of it are not kept anywhere else.

The Immigration Officer shouldn’t be at all interested in the category of non-immigrant visa you have. So nothing to worry about on entry to the country. You get 90 days regardless.

 

Not sure how the ‘fix’ would go down with immigration should you apply for an extension of stay based on marriage. But there’s no reason why they couldn’t give you an extension based on marriage with either category ‘O’ or ‘ED’.

 

 

8 minutes ago, BEVUP said:

I can see your concern as I would be thinking the Visa Number may still be linked to a ED Visa in their computer system unless some how they can change that 

There is no link of the visa with immigrations computer system.

2 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

Did they initial the change or put a note about it anywhere. If they did then it should not be a problem.

 

Upon further inspection, I've noticed that they put another stamp across the hand written "O". I hope this is some kind of standard operating procedure (I can't be the only one who has ever gotten a wrong visa) and that the immigration officer will accept it.

50 minutes ago, JoshBe said:

 

Upon further inspection, I've noticed that they put another stamp across the hand written "O". I hope this is some kind of standard operating procedure (I can't be the only one who has ever gotten a wrong visa) and that the immigration officer will accept it.

Then you have nothing to worry about. 

3 hours ago, elviajero said:

The Immigration Officer shouldn’t be at all interested in the category of non-immigrant visa you have. So nothing to worry about on entry to the country. You get 90 days regardless.

 

Not sure how the ‘fix’ would go down with immigration should you apply for an extension of stay based on marriage. But there’s no reason why they couldn’t give you an extension based on marriage with either category ‘O’ or ‘ED’.

 

 

I think they would be interested if t wasn't signed or some kind of official note wasn't included

 

It would look as though the PP holder had tried to do it himself, no PP holder should ever write something on one of their PP pages (apart from the pages where they are supposed to)

 

Yes I know he has just advised but you were giving advice on that they had just written it in

Many report being given horrible treatment when trying to enter by air with ED visas (no problem by land, though).  Glad you have all the marriage-paperwork, plus wife with, but be prepared for questioning.

 

In case you need an extension from this, I hope the extra-stamp they put over the "O" is recognized as an official change.  Bummer that Vientiane would not put the correct visa in your passport, and erase all doubt.

6 hours ago, JackThompson said:

Many report being given horrible treatment when trying to enter by air with ED visas (no problem by land, though).  Glad you have all the marriage-paperwork, plus wife with, but be prepared for questioning.

 

In case you need an extension from this, I hope the extra-stamp they put over the "O" is recognized as an official change.  Bummer that Vientiane would not put the correct visa in your passport, and erase all doubt.

And again the usual overdone post by JT.

 

I'm very confident the OP will sail through, and not be given a horrible treatment or questioning.

1 hour ago, stevenl said:

And again the usual overdone post by JT.

 

I'm very confident the OP will sail through, and not be given a horrible treatment or questioning.

Yes, of course - because we've never seen any reports of that, before.  They are always honest, friendly, professional, take responsibility for their mistakes - or being understanding of MFA's mistake, in this case  ... <sigh>.   There is an ongoing turf-war between Immigration and the MFA to consider, in this context to consider. 

 

If that extra little stamp over the hand-written "fix" is standard policy, it could go without a hitch.  If the change was from a "B" to "O," then less chance of issues.   I am just glad he has the paperwork and wife with, which should eventually resolve whatever issue might come up.

Silly question, but I assume you applied for the ME Non Imm O Visa.

 

If they issued an ED Visa in error, what letter appears under the Number of entries.....'S' or 'M'.

5 minutes ago, Tanoshi said:

Silly question, but I assume you applied for the ME Non Imm O Visa.

 

If they issued an ED Visa in error, what letter appears under the Number of entries.....'S' or 'M'.

If he applied at the embassy in Vientiane that  does not issue any multiple entry visas so it would certainly be a single entry visa.

13 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

If he applied at the embassy in Vientiane that  does not issue any multiple entry visas so it would certainly be a single entry visa.

I wasn't aware of that. I hope the OP was!

 

 

 

Update: I'm back in Bangkok now. No problems or questions at immigration whatsoever.

 

Thank you all for your advice