Savannakhet Marriage Visa Turned Into A Horror Show

[Jeffrey346]

Last night I drove from Khon Kaen to Mukdahan. It was actually a very pleasant drive that took three and half hours.

We stayed over night in Mukdahan and got to the Thai/Laos boarder the next morning at 8:00AM.

This is when everything went downhill.

Thai Immigration refused to allow me to exit the country without paying B1000 for a reentry stamp. I explained I didn't require one

but they insisted. So rather than battling it out, I gave them the B1000 and attempted to cross the bridge to Laos.

My wife and her 12 year old son both had their Thai Boarder Passes which we presented.

The IO asked my wife for proof of divorce and proof of legal custody. I was outraged as we have taken both of my wife's kids to Laos

numerous times and never had to provide custody and divorce papers. But they refused to allow our son entry to Laos without them.

 

We called out neighbor who was able to go to our house, find the paperwork, take photos and send them to us. Fortunately, the IO

said he would accept the photos.

Two hours had passed and we were on our way to the Thai Consulate.

I had all the necessary paperwork ready and applied for a Multi-entry Visa based on Marriage. The person at the Consulate advised me

to go with a single entry and do 90 reports. She said the Multi-Entry will require I leave the country every 90 days. Which didn't make sense.

I called my wife's friend at Khon Kaen Immigration who suggested the Multi-Entry as they have no idea if the requirement will be B400,000 in the bank or perhaps more....

She did confirm, I would have to leave the country every 90 days, Not to my liking, but we do live close enough to the boarder.

No financial information was required, tho I had it with me for backup. . So Savannakhet is a good choice for those in need of a Visa with out providing proof of income.

Tomorrow after 2pm I pickup my passport and back to Thailand. I will update if I have any boarder issues.

[bumofdabeach]

That is indeed odd they want B1000 to leave. The wife and I have been thru there many times and never had to pay. Glad you got the multiple entry but there is no way to avoid that 90 day border run with either visa. They only exit I've had to pay is B30 if you go on the weekend for overtime fee and that was to get out of Laos

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[BritManToo]

Went last month, no 1,000bht to pay.

Did learn the first time I did this, not to take baggage, leave your wife and kid at home, they only cause complications and add to your expense.

[johng]

1 hour ago, Jeffrey346 said:

I called my wife's friend at Khon Kaen Immigration who suggested the Multi-Entry as they have no idea if the requirement will be B400,000 in the bank or perhaps more....

She did confirm, I would have to leave the country every 90 days, Not to my liking, but we do live close enough to the boarder.

if you have 400,000 baht in a Thai bank for 2 months prior  or  an income of 40,000 baht per month  you can get a 1 year "extension of stay"  with a single or multiple entry NoN-O visa and not have to leave the country (visa run)

without the money..a single entry visa will only get you 90 days..but a multi entry could enable a year + 90 days  but would require a visa run every 90 days.

[Jeffrey346]

6 minutes ago, johng said:

if you have 400,000 baht in a Thai bank for 2 months prior  or  an income of 40,000 baht per month  you can get a 1 year "extension of stay"  with a single or multiple entry NoN-O visa and not have to leave the country (visa run)

without the money..a single entry visa will only get you 90 days..but a multi entry could enable a year + 90 days  but would require a visa run every 90 days.

It was my understanding that I will receive a Non O based on marriage that is good for 1 year. Is that not the case?

If so and if  I understand correctly, when back in Thailand I should go to Immigration and have my Marriage Visa extended for 1 year. This will negate the Visa runs?

[johng]

14 minutes ago, Jeffrey346 said:

when back in Thailand I should go to Immigration and have my Marriage Visa extended for 1 year. This will negate the Visa runs?

Yes that's correct.

 

The visa is valid for 1 year ( it can be used any time in that year) buy you only get a 90 day permission to stay every time you enter the country..( single entry gets you one 90 day entry)

if you go to your local immigration during the last 2 weeks of any 90 day period you can apply for a 1 year extension of stay for supporting a Thai wife..if all documents,money,photos witnesses etc etc etc are all in order  they will give you a 30 day "under consideration" stamp

 while the documents are sent to Bangkok and approved + they most likely will want to interview you and wife at home..before stamping a nice year long permission of stay in your passport.

[bumofdabeach]

It was my understanding that I will receive a Non O based on marriage that is good for 1 year. Is that not the case?
If so and if  I understand correctly, when back in Thailand I should go to Immigration and have my Marriage Visa extended for 1 year. This will negate the Visa runs?

Yes it's a 1 year visa but you gotta do the border runs unless you have the cash in the bank. Also my immigration office said they can only do the 1 year extension if you have the cash in the bank. If you are using savanaket to avoid the financial requirement then this is your only option. But as long as you go and come back before the 'must use by' state you get almost 15 months on the 1 year visa

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[Jeffrey346]

28 minutes ago, johng said:

Yes that's correct.

 

The visa is valid for 1 year ( it can be used any time in that year) buy you only get a 90 day permission to stay every time you enter the country..( single entry gets you one 90 day entry)

if you go to your local immigration during the last 2 weeks of any 90 day period you can apply for a 1 year extension of stay for supporting a Thai wife..if all documents,money,photos witnesses etc etc etc are all in order  they will give you a 30 day "under consideration" stamp

 while the documents are sent to Bangkok and approved + they most likely will want to interview you and wife at home..before stamping a nice year long permission of stay in your passport.

I could have done all that rather than going to Savannaket. 

15 minutes ago, bumofdabeach said:

Yes it's a 1 year visa but you gotta do the border runs unless you have the cash in the bank. Also my immigration office said they can only do the 1 year extension if you have the cash in the bank. If you are using savanaket to avoid the financial requirement then this is your only option. But as long as you go and come back before the 'must use by' state you get almost 15 months on the 1 year visa

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I won't put 400,000 in a Thai Bank but do have more than 40,000 verified income. But I am being told that the only option is 400,000 in the bank.

 

[bumofdabeach]

 

I was told the same thing at my IO. 400k in the bank left alone for the most part. I use savanaket specifically because they don't ask anything about the money. I actually depending on the exchange rate make a little under 40k a month. Been thinking about that 1000thb to depart, could it have been for your vehicle. Good luck and try to enjoy your border runs I've use 3 different crossings with no hassle. Mae sot is closest to me but you must get an e-visa b4 you go. Takes about 3 hours to get it after you pay the 50usd. My visa must be used by 6 Feb and my current card expires on 28 Jan which will give me almost 15 months on the 1 year visa (I have asked 3 different IO's when returning from Laos and Myanmar so I feel confident in this regard

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[bergan]

29 minutes ago, Jeffrey346 said:

I could have done all that rather than going to Savannaket. 

 

Yes, you should have done your research. A one year multiple entry visa is not the same as a one year permission to stay.

[Issanjohn]

So mainly it was a horror show trying to cross the border because of administrative issues with your family.  I’ve never had to go there but I hear great things.  

[Issanjohn]

I remember my first year here I had to leave the country every 90 days but I got my original marriage visa at the Thai Embassy in New York City.  I always used to cross into Cambodia every 90 days but for the last 3 years I’ve just been getting extensions which is much easier.  Once you get your extension after the first year it will be so much easier for you because then you won’t have to leave the country unless you want to but if you do leave Thailand on your extension be sure and get a re-entry permit first but for your first year before your extension you don’t need the re-entry permit to leave the country.  It’ll be easier when you get your extension because you won’t have to leave the country anymore you’ll just have to do 90 day reports at your local immigration office.  My 90 day reports usually take 10 minutes but I always have my paperwork prepared ahead of time.  

 

Also when you apply for your extension in a year the income requirement for a MARRIAGE VISA is either a minimum monthly income requirement of 40,000 baht a month or 400,000 thousand baht in the bank.  It’s more for a retirement visa for a retirement visa it’s 65,000 baht a month or 800,000 baht in the bank I believe but I’m also on a marriage visa, a marriage visa extension to be exactly accurate.  People corrected me on the terminology as well a while back but I know what you meant.  

[steve187]

3 hours ago, Jeffrey346 said:

I could have done all that rather than going to Savannaket. 

 

you should have asked on here before the trip. what visa did you have when you left Thailand

[theoldgit]

The main part of your post is about your Thai Visa, so I’ll move your post to that section of the Forum.

[Pa John]

Cant you allso get 60 days extention of stay from your local immigration office for 1900,- with the multi non O ( without proof of funds ) ??? So you can stay 120 days before doing a boarder run???

[baansgr]

A friend of mine on retirement extension went there to get a Non B so he could work. Same problem, insisted he get re entry permit befor they stamped him out, then the consulate wouldnt issue a visa as he had a valid extension with the re entry permit and said he must go back and cancel....

[Jeffrey346]

10 minutes ago, baansgr said:

A friend of mine on retirement extension went there to get a Non B so he could work. Same problem, insisted he get re entry permit befor they stamped him out, then the consulate wouldnt issue a visa as he had a valid extension with the re entry permit and said he must go back and cancel....

That's what I was afraid of as well..  I will pickup my passport tomorrow.. Hope that goes well..

[Jeffrey346]

13 minutes ago, Pa John said:

Cant you allso get 60 days extention of stay from your local immigration office for 1900,- with the multi non O ( without proof of funds ) ??? So you can stay 120 days before doing a boarder run???

Perhaps.. but if I need to pay B1900.. may as well go to Vientiane and make it a weekend..

[JackThompson]

59 minutes ago, Pa John said:

Cant you allso get 60 days extention of stay from your local immigration office for 1900,- with the multi non O ( without proof of funds ) ??? So you can stay 120 days before doing a boarder run???

90 (upon entry) + 60 (extension to "visit wife") = 150 days total per-entry.

[Nong Khai Man]

1 hour ago, Pa John said:

Cant you allso get 60 days extention of stay from your local immigration office for 1900,- with the multi non O ( without proof of funds ) ??? So you can stay 120 days before doing a boarder run???

Yes You CAN Do this....

[mvmvmv]

The IO asked my wife for proof of divorce and proof of legal custody. I was outraged as we have taken both of my wife's kids to Laos

numerous times and never had to provide custody and divorce papers. But they refused to allow our son entry to Laos without them.

 

???

 

 

You divorced but request a marriage visa ?!

 

 

 

 

[JackThompson]

4 minutes ago, mvmvmv said:

You divorced but request a marriage visa ?!

Likely a previous husband / biological-father of kids.  To take them out of the country would require showing she has legal-custody of them. 

 

Many farangs in Thailand are helping take care of their wives' kids from absent biological-fathers.  Given what is happening now with embassy income-letters, the 1-year Non-O ME Visa could be the last remaining hope for many to continue.  No good deed goes unpunished, it would seem.

[trigpoint]

seems like your "horror show " was due to the Thai immigration, for reasons unknown, why didn't you leave your wife and child in Thailand and go to Laos on your own and get a non imm O  visa?,  no big deal to do a border hop  as you say you live close by anyway .

[bumofdabeach]

seems like your "horror show " was due to the Thai immigration, for reasons unknown, why didn't you leave your wife and child in Thailand and go to Laos on your own and get a non imm O  visa?,  no big deal to do a border hop  as you say you live close by anyway .

The initial run to obtain the visa is an overnighter after that it's an one hour trip from the bus station to the bridge and back but seems OP is trying to enjoy themselves and just not pop in pop out.

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[Jeffrey346]

12 hours ago, mvmvmv said:

The IO asked my wife for proof of divorce and proof of legal custody. I was outraged as we have taken both of my wife's kids to Laos

numerous times and never had to provide custody and divorce papers. But they refused to allow our son entry to Laos without them.

 

???

 

 

You divorced but request a marriage visa ?!

 

 

 

 

We are referring to my wife's previous marriage...  

[Jeffrey346]

3 hours ago, bumofdabeach said:

The initial run to obtain the visa is an overnighter after that it's an one hour trip from the bus station to the bridge and back but seems OP is trying to enjoy themselves and just not pop in pop out.

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Correct

11 hours ago, trigpoint said:

seems like your "horror show " was due to the Thai immigration, for reasons unknown, why didn't you leave your wife and child in Thailand and go to Laos on your own and get a non imm O  visa?,  no big deal to do a border hop  as you say you live close by anyway .

You apply for the Visa and pick it up the next day. We planned to spend the weekend in Laos..  PLUS.. I would never leave them and go on by myself

[Tanoshi]

Appears pretty obvious to me what happened.

The OP already had a valid extension based on marriage or retirement.

When he tried to exit Immigration insisted he need a re-entry permit to re-enter on said extension.

If the OP had explained he was applying for a Non Imm O ME Visa and would be returning on that Visa, then it could have avoided any misunderstanding.

 

Alternatively if the OP had obtained an Embassy Income letter, or proof of 400K deposited in a Thai bank for 2 months, he could have renewed his extension at Immigration.

 

As for children, never try to cross the border without proof of legally being the parent of the child.

Common sense prevail, has the OP never heard of human trafficking in Asia.

The border security were absolutely correct with regard to the welfare and security of a minor in this situation.

[Jeffrey346]

22 hours ago, Tanoshi said:

 

If the OP had explained he was applying for a Non Imm O ME Visa and would be returning on that Visa, then it could have avoided any misunderstanding.

 

Alternatively if the OP had obtained an Embassy Income letter, or proof of 400K deposited in a Thai bank for 2 months, he could have renewed his extension at Immigration.

 

 

I did explain that I  was applying for a Marriage Visa. The IO still insisted on the re-entry stamp. In addition, I told the IO that when I return I will have a problem entering on my new Visa. She insisted that will not.

Long story short I did.

As for your second brilliant comment.. I Have the letter and the income but did not want to extend my Retirement Visa. The purpose was to obtain a Visa based on Marriage. 

[Jeffrey346]

Just to expand on my re-entry. Immigration would not allow me to enter on my new Visa. They wanted said I had to enter basted on the reentry stamp. I explained the IO Supervisor said I would have no problem entering on my new Visa. 

The IO stamped my Passport and said I need to leave the country the day my Visa expires which is Dec 8.

I told him I will not leave the country in 3 weeks and insisted he use my new Visa to enter the country. He refused.

I said I am not moving until he does as it is my choice according to the his supervisor who insisted on me getting the re entry stamp.

 

At this point the line behind me was about 50 deep. The IO from the next booth came over to see what was going on and told the IO at my booth to call the Supervisor.

The supervisor told the IO to cancel my old Visa have me initial the cancelation and allow me entry on my new Visa.

 

So the thread title states...  Savannakhet Marriage Visa Turned Into A Horror Show

[Tanoshi]

14 minutes ago, Jeffrey346 said:

As for your second brilliant comment.. I Have the letter and the income but did not want to extend my Retirement Visa. The purpose was to obtain a Visa based on Marriage. 

Then you could have applied for an extension based on marriage at Immigration, if you had the financial proof.

 

You travelled from KK to Savannakhet, paid 2,000 for a Lao Visa and 5,000 for the Non Imm O ME Visa.

You cannot make 90 day reports, you have to leave and re-enter every 90 days.

 

Others travel to their local IO, pay 1,900 baht and don't have to leave the Country every few weeks.