Report: NON O, "Family Member" Visa at Savannakhet

[JGon]

I don't see too much information around here regarding Non O based on Family member Visas. So I wanted to share mine for the benefit of the community.

 

I decided to try my luck applying for a NON O Visa at Savannakhet, Laos instead of my local province since I had less than 15 days left on my tourist Visa and my son had already been born and registered. The thought of a Multi Entry Non O Visa interested me.

 

For me is a 2 hour trip. I parked the car on the long term parking (On the left, 250 Baht a day). Just take a picture of the receipt and leave the receipt in the car.

 

Buy Bus ticket (50 baht)

Get stamp out of Thailand

Wait for Bus

Cross into Laos (Visa on arrival 1,800 Baht Visa or $40 USD + 200 baht... or E-visa)

 

I went in on a Sunday and stay at Pilgrim's Inn next to the Mekong River (Friendly staff, nice location... but definitely too far to walk to the Thai Consulate). You can rent a Scooter for 200 baht or hire a Tuk Tuk. There are many accommodations around the area... but choices are a little limited near the consulate. It's all up to you.

 

Despite knowing Mondays are to be avoided... I went there Monday thinking 0815 will be ok... Let's just say there was around 100 people in front of me in queue ???? (The consulate doesn't open until 0900)... I just embraced "the suck" and 3 hours later after 1100 I was finally past the gate. You can pay a certain amount for a local guy that has the courage to jump you in line or work a dead with the security gate guard and let 1 person at a time cut in, as 1 person comes out. 

 

So basically avoid Monday's like the plague! (and I guess Thursday's) unless you want to stand for 3 hours ++ ????

 

Finally made it to the window:

 

Based on the info on their website:

 

https://savannakhet.thaiembassy.org/th/publicservice/non-immigrant-visa-o-visiting-family-member-of-a-thai-nationality-a-sp?page=5d84a44c15e39c26b400453e&menu=5d84a44c15e39c26b400453f

 

I provided what was required:

 

Filled application form with 2 photos'

I showed the original Birth Certificate (Khor Ror 1) then they gave it back (after looking at it). The website says you must bring it.

Birth Certificate copy

Passport

Bio page copy of my Passport

Girlfriend ID copy

Girlfriend House-book copy with my son information

 

I didn't required a copy of my Girlfriend's passport because I'm applying for a Non O because of my Son.

 

Then after handing 5,000 Baht... I was told Multi-Entry Non O Visas can't be done for Family Members... only Married or Retirement. So he gave me 3,000 baht back. I'm not sure of the reason for this... it was a long line, people are waiting... I didn't care to ask... so Single Entry Non O Visa it is.

 

Recommendations:

*Invest on an all in one printer- If you are like me and you live in Isaan. Buy a printer from Lazada or wherever. That way you can print everything you need, scan everything else you might need and don't worry about it. Thai love paper! At the consulate you can see all the people rushing to the shop across the street trying to copy or get different forms.

* Make sure you have plenty small denominations of Thai baht.

 

* They will give you a ticket to pick up your passport the next day at 2:00 pm. I decided to go around 1:30 p.m. and as I expected all the usual suspects from the day before where waiting at the gate. Luckily the open the gates at 1:30 p.m. (Probably to avoid the rush of people). I had a "tuk tuk" on stby and after receiving my passport with my new Visa it was on to the Friendship bridge (With a caravan of Tuk Tuk and people with their shinny new Visas ????)  so plan for that.

 

* If you know you will be crossing the border again... might as well grab extra TM6 arrival cards so you can pre fill them and avoid lines.

 

I get my stamp from Lao immigration (100 baht) if you don't have change... let's say 1000 Baht you will receive hundreds of thousand of "useless" Kip. ???? I saw that happen to one guy.

 

Finally in the Bus (55 baht)

You will have to fill in a TM6 ( I had mine pre-filled already) so I avoided more lines... and get stamp into Thailand.

 

All in all it worked out. But there is definitely advantages of knowing this information before hand.  (Which is why I'm posting this).

 

[ChaiyaTH]

Thanks for the info, I was considering only to go there as of the multiple entry, else a big hassle. I will just fly to Hanoi next time I need a non-o visa again in the future. 

Direct flight from CM or BKK, nice food and drinks, plenty to do and consulate usually just 10 people or something, when I went there the past 3 times. Visa cost comes down to same Laos too.

Edited May 24, 2023 by ChaiyaTH

[DrJack54]

OP, excellent report. Ta

[JGon]

Tks. ????

 

1 more note... Internet in Laos is not like Thailand. At least in the place I was staying (Maybe it was too crowded) but during peak hours it was atrocious. By far the slowest in SE asia (Maybe Myanmar is worse). 

 

I did get enough cell phone signal across from Mukdahan to suffice my needs.  But if you're planning research or downloading forms... do it in Thailand. 

[dontpanic]

Thanks for the report. It would he interesting to know why they don't do the multi for family now. There have been a couple of reports over the last few months and I'm sure I remember one being a family multi. 

[DrJack54]

7 minutes ago, dontpanic said:

Thanks for the report. It would he interesting to know why they don't do the multi for family now. There have been a couple of reports over the last few months and I'm sure I remember one being a family multi. 

Don't think it's available .

@BritTim post that visa was previously available in Penang.

Do not think that is currently available.

 

[ChaiyaTH]

On 5/26/2023 at 6:08 PM, dontpanic said:

Thanks for the report. It would he interesting to know why they don't do the multi for family now. There have been a couple of reports over the last few months and I'm sure I remember one being a family multi. 

I thought the same, hence I did consider it to be a option in the future if I needed it. Too few reports and people care on ASEAN nowadays, makes it hard to be 100% sure of anything.