Non-O based on marriage - Penang or HCMC?

[MisterF]

After two painless one year extensions at the local immigration office, I have to fly out and apply for a new non-o based on marriage because I misremembered the date of expiry on the latest extension, which means I have overstayed 28 days so far. 

Incredibly stupid mistake, one I'm not likely to ever repeat.

 

Savannakhet seems to be the most recommended destination for this type of visa but I would like to avoid overland travel because of the overstay. Would you guys recommend Penang or HCMC, knowing that I have all of the required documents and the 400 000 THB in my bank book?

 

Any help would be much appreciated!

[ubonjoe]

You can get a single entry non-o visa based upon marriage in Vientiane without a problem also. No need for financial proof. You can fly to there as well.

[MisterF]

1 minute ago, ubonjoe said:

You can get a single entry non-o visa based upon marriage in Vientiane without a problem also. No need for financial proof. You can fly to there as well.

Thanks for the quick reply ubonjoe! Do you know how many days I would have to stay there, and do you anticipate any complications due to the overstay?

[ubonjoe]

6 minutes ago, MisterF said:

Thanks for the quick reply ubonjoe! Do you know how many days I would have to stay there, and do you anticipate any complications due to the overstay?

Only overnight if you get there early enough to do the application before 11:30. You apply the morning of one day and pickup your passport the next afternoon.

You can also fly domestic to Udon Thani and take a van directly from the airport to the bridge in Nong Khai. 

No problem with the overstay when getting the visa.

 

[MisterF]

8 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

Only overnight if you get there early enough to do the application before 11:30. You apply the morning of one day and pickup your passport the next afternoon.

You can also fly domestic to Udon Thani and take a van directly from the airport to the bridge in Nong Khai. 

No problem with the overstay when getting the visa.

 

This sounds like the simplest solution then, thanks a lot for your help.

[elviajero]

Because you qualify for an extension your local office would probably still process a new 1 year extension for you as long as you pay the overstay fine. I would try that first.

[MisterF]

1 hour ago, elviajero said:

Because you qualify for an extension your local office would probably still process a new 1 year extension for you as long as you pay the overstay fine. I would try that first.

I didn't mention it in my original post but that's the first thing I did when I noticed my mistake. They're the ones who asked me to apply for a new non-O in another country. I didn't try to argue as this is 100% my fault.

[PoorSucker]

4 hours ago, elviajero said:

Because you qualify for an extension your local office would probably still process a new 1 year extension for you as long as you pay the overstay fine. I would try that first.

Not with 28 days overstay, bad advice. 

They might detain you and ban for one year. 

[BritTim]

Just a warning to the OP. Do not book a flight to Vientiane with your overstay. The airline will likely not let you check in (pursuant to instructions from Lao immigration). As @ubonjoe suggests, you can fly domestically to Udon and cross the Friendship Bridge at Nong Khai to go to Vientiane. Alternatively, your idea of flying to HCMC is fine. (Avoid Penang, though.)

[MisterF]

Thanks BritTim, very helpful info regarding flying directly to Vientiane. HCMC seems the simpler option then travel-wise, but obtaining the visa is more important. Would you say Vientiane is still the best choice in that regard? And how much flak should I anticipate at the immigration at the airport?

[ubonjoe]

7 hours ago, BritTim said:

Just a warning to the OP. Do not book a flight to Vientiane with your overstay. The airline will likely not let you check in (pursuant to instructions from Lao immigration).

I have not seen any recent reports of that happening. That occurred shortly after the new overstay rules came into effect. Also it only happended when people were flying on Lao airways.

[ubonjoe]

6 hours ago, MisterF said:

Thanks BritTim, very helpful info regarding flying directly to Vientiane. HCMC seems the simpler option then travel-wise, but obtaining the visa is more important. Would you say Vientiane is still the best choice in that regard? And how much flak should I anticipate at the immigration at the airport?

I would not be concerned about flying directly to Vientiane now (see my previous post).

No problem at immigration at the airport. They will collect the fine of 500 baht a day or the maximum of 20k baht, do the overstay stamp and departure stamp.

HCMC and Vientiane are about equal for getting the non-o visa. The big difference is needing a letter from your wife at HCMC requesting the visa be issued.

[BritTim]

8 hours ago, MisterF said:

Thanks BritTim, very helpful info regarding flying directly to Vientiane. HCMC seems the simpler option then travel-wise, but obtaining the visa is more important. Would you say Vientiane is still the best choice in that regard? And how much flak should I anticipate at the immigration at the airport?

HCMC is just as good as Vientiane for the visa. You should not have a major problem with immigration on departure, but I would allow a little extra time. On your return, because of the prior overstay, you may experience some extra scrutiny. However, once you explain the circumstances, I am pretty sure all will be well.

[MisterF]

Thanks ubonjoe and BritTim for your replies. I booked a flight to HCMC last night, I'll post an update when I get the visa from the consulate in case someone finds themselves in a similar situation.

[soumanioco]

I was in the same situation as the OP three years ago. Only, I had the dates so much confused that I went to immigration and applied for the extension thinking I was even 10 days early. When the IO pointed out that I was on a 22 days overstay my first thought was, oh no, I now have to to leave the country and apply for a new non O. But then I saw the IO preparing the stamps and using his calculator and I realized I probably wouldn’t have to. Sure enough he calculated the fine, stamped my passport for the overstay and he then proceeded to issue my one year extension. 

This was at the immigration in Phuket Town.