Border Crossing Service Nong Khai friendship Bridge.

[Solution42]

Can anyone give me the contact details of a car service in Nong Khai that take you over and back the friendship bridge for a border crossing.

Prefer one that is experienced in the immigration procedures.  I have an American friend who needs to do a visa exempt crossing.  Also will he get 30 days or only 15.

Appreciate any assistance members can provide me.

[KhunBENQ]

It's so simple.

Why need a car! service?

Best he needs is a taxi to the Thai border checkpoint. Short walk, pass Thai Immigration, pay 30 Baht for the bus that takes you over the bridge.

As a US citizen he will have to apply for a visa on arrival at the Lao checkpoint. Cost some 40? USD. Others will have the details. I am visa exempt, did the border run in July 22. Drove by car to the checkpoint.

 

He will get 30 days on return.

 

[brianthainess]

I just took the train. 

 

[Solution42]

Thanks.  He has weak legs so wants to use agent service so they organise everything for him. Also liaise with them how to return to Lao later to do a multiple entry Cat O retirement visa at Thai embassy in Lao

[BritTim]

3 hours ago, Solution42 said:

Thanks.  He has weak legs so wants to use agent service so they organise everything for him. Also liaise with them how to return to Lao later to do a multiple entry Cat O retirement visa at Thai embassy in Lao

He will not be able to return later for a multiple entry Non O in Vientiane. It would be possible in Savannakhet.

 

Both in Vientiane and Savannakhet, if walking is a problem for him, best will be to cross in a wheelchair with a companion. To cross to Vientiane most easily, get a Lao e-visa in advance, and use the international bus. Better yet, would be to do the border bounce by air. He will need to attend the consulate in Savannakhet when applying for the visa.

 

What is the reason for not applying for the Non O visa and extension at Immigration in Thailand? I hope it is understood that financial proof will still be needed when applying for a Non O visa on that basis in Savannakhet.

[Solution42]

He has already done an extension on a visa exempt which expires on 2nd Sep .  He wants to do another visa exempt and possibly an extension.  We were under the impression that Cat O multiple entry visa's had to be applied for outside of Thailand.  He does not have a Thai bank account so can only show his American bank Statements. This is 1 of the reasons he wants to liaise with a visa service business.

All advise here is greatly appreciated.

[DrJack54]

50 minutes ago, Solution42 said:

He wants to do another visa exempt and possibly an extension.  We were under the impression that Cat O multiple entry visa's had to be applied for outside of Thailand. 

His mobility issues if anything will get worse. 

 

If he wants to live ongoing in Thailand he could consider the use of agent in the future to obtain Non O retirement and ongoing extensions.

No need to exit Thailand at all.

 

Initial cost not minor given that he would also need  agent to open a bank account however ongoing it's not serious money for annual extensions. 

Where does he live in Thailand?

Edited August 20, 2023 by DrJack54

[Solution42]

He is in Pak Khat about 90klm North of Nong Khai,  Is it possible to apply for Cat O or Tourist Visas inside of Thailand?

 

[DrJack54]

4 minutes ago, Solution42 said:

He is in Pak Khat about 90klm North of Nong Khai,  Is it possible to apply for Cat O or Tourist Visas inside of Thailand?

 

Not being picky ...but it's a Non O.

Can be based on retirement or marriage (to Thai) 

Yes can be obtained in Thailand from a visa exempt or tourist visa entry.

 

A tourist visa can not be obtained in Thailand 

[Solution42]

Thanks for the info 

Just to confirm.  The Non O multiple entry. he is hoping to get is not the yearly one but the one where you have to leave after 90 days and re-enter for a further 90days.   Confirming that can be applied for within Thailand.

Can that be done at immigration in Nong Khai or only through an embassy or consulate. 

[DrJack54]

13 minutes ago, Solution42 said:

Thanks for the info 

Just to confirm.  The Non O multiple entry. he is hoping to get is not the yearly one but the one where you have to leave after 90 days and re-enter for a further 90days.   Confirming that can be applied for within Thailand.

Can that be done at immigration in Nong Khai or only through an embassy or consulate. 

A non O multiple entry visa valid for 12 months from date of issue cannot be obtained in Thailand.

 

A non O retirement single entry can be obtained in Thailand from visa exempt or tourist visa entry.

 

The multiple entry non O visa requires exit from Thailand as each entry provides a 90 day stamp.

 

You mention mobility issues ..

Cannot see this as good option ongoing.

Edited August 20, 2023 by DrJack54

[BritTim]

5 hours ago, Solution42 said:

He has already done an extension on a visa exempt which expires on 2nd Sep .  He wants to do another visa exempt and possibly an extension.  We were under the impression that Cat O multiple entry visa's had to be applied for outside of Thailand.  He does not have a Thai bank account so can only show his American bank Statements. This is 1 of the reasons he wants to liaise with a visa service business.

It is correct that a multiple entry  Non O visa must be applied for outside Thailand. However, I cannot understand why someone who has difficulty traveling would want to subject themselves to regular border bounces. Opening a Thai bank account is much harder than it used to be, but can be achieved (if necessary, with the help of an agent). For older people who would prefer to avoid international travel, getting a single entry Non O visa at Immigration, followed by one-year extensions will usually be best. If there are difficulties with the visa application and extension process in Thailand, there are agents who can assist.

[BritTim]

1 hour ago, Solution42 said:

Just to confirm.  The Non O multiple entry. he is hoping to get is not the yearly one but the one where you have to leave after 90 days and re-enter for a further 90days.   Confirming that can be applied for within Thailand.

I still fail to understand his desire to travel regularly. However, with one-year extensions from Immigration in Thailand, he still has the option of traveling, but needs to get re-entry permits to protect his extended permission to stay. If he wants to travel frequently, he can get a multiple re-entry permit at the same time as the annual extensions from Immigration in Thailand.

[stratocaster]

I have weak legs also and crossed Vientiane this morning. Bus from BKK stopped at border before bus station. Extremely quiet. Enter Thai immigration at 0800 and I had to fill in Laos voa for 1700 baht but was still in the taxi to Vientiane at 0835. Big difference since last trip Kip is preferred over Baht.

[BritTim]

4 hours ago, stratocaster said:

Laos voa for 1700 baht

Note that you can save money by having clean, undamaged US$ for the Laos visa (US$40 = approx. 1,400 baht).