savannakhet now require bank statement (400k) for 1 year multi visa (non-O marriage or Thai family)

[PJ71]

How up to date does the bank statement need to be, a couple of days good enough?

 

Thx

[PJ71]

To the OP - thanks for the warning, heading there next month so will be armed with bank statement now.

[transam]

3 minutes ago, lopburi3 said:

There is one fee listed - single entry - did you provide wrong link?

 

No, I just looked at their site, hang on I will post a link....

 

https://savannakhet.thaiembassy.org/th/page/visa-fee?menu=5d84a44c15e39c26b4004542

[kiddeemak]

4 minutes ago, PJ71 said:

How up to date does the bank statement need to be, a couple of days good enough?

 

Thx

I have no idea.

 

In Thailand immigration officers require you to have a certified statement from the bank, freshly obtained on day of the application. You wouldn't be able to do that here, so I'm not sure how it will work. I believe you need to show proof of funds in Vientiane and they have been doing it that way for many years, so it will probably work the same as that, however that is.

 

Im sure more info will be forthcoming soon 👍

If you have the funds, isn't it easier to go to a local imm office?

[decline]

17 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

1 hour ago, decline said:

has anyone else tried it recently? 

 

have to do mine in a few weeks

 

What? You mean more recently than the OP's 1-hour ago?

No recently, the past week/month etc

Edited October 24, 2023 by decline

[kiddeemak]

Just now, decline said:

Yes

There was another western guy not far behind me in the queue. Maybe he'll be along to share a more recent report, soon!

[PJ71]

4 minutes ago, kiddeemak said:

If you have the funds, isn't it easier to go to a local imm office?

I'm by no means a tree hugger but the amount of paperwork they require is stupid, i can't handle dealing with them, photo's, house visit and all that nonsense.

 

I have no problem going to Savanakhet, i have a fried that stays in Muk so normally stop by to catch up with him at the same time.

[Wongkitlo]

I know people will say Savannakhet survives on more than non-o border runners but it is surely going to be a big hit to their economy. Am not sure why anyone would go there ifor muchvreason except the embassy. II can't see tourist visa holders and visa run groups paying over 100 b for a coffee at one of the expensive cafes near the embassy. Sure there are domestic laos people but it still must be an income drop for the farung style restaurants and hotels. 

[transam]

1 minute ago, kiddeemak said:

I have no idea.

 

In Thailand immigration officers require you to have a certified statement from the bank, freshly obtained on day of the application. You wouldn't be able to do that here, so I'm not sure how it will work. I believe you need to show proof of funds in Vientiane and they have been doing it that way for many years, so it will probably work the same as that, however that is.

 

Im sure more info will be forthcoming soon 👍

If you have the funds, isn't it easier to go to a local imm office?

Or perhaps they are being selective with locations folk are coming from.... 

 

I think this is just a matter of waiting till we have a few member reports, after all, the consulate will be in for losing a nice few quid, but then again, it could be instructions from the new gov boss....😏

[kiddeemak]

9 minutes ago, transam said:

Or perhaps they are being selective with locations folk are coming from.... 

 

I think this is just a matter of waiting till we have a few member reports, after all, the consulate will be in for losing a nice few quid, but then again, it could be instructions from the new gov boss....😏

I received this PM from someone else who was there today.

 

Edited to remove their personal info and sensitive content.

 

Edited October 24, 2023 by kiddeemak

[transam]

2 minutes ago, kiddeemak said:

I received this PM from someone else who was there today.

 

Edited to remove their personal info and sensitive content.

 

What does it say....🤭

[kiddeemak]

Just now, transam said:

What does it say....🤭

Added pic 👍

[transam]

1 minute ago, kiddeemak said:

Added pic 👍

I don't believe it.......Unless the bloke had balls-ed up, and they are going to make a few quid over it, but I don't believe that either...😉

[FritsSikkink]

1 hour ago, Toby1947 said:

No falang speaks Thai well, just ask any Thai. you're dreaming 

Maybe the ones you know.

There are quite a few who do.

 

You are sprouting nonsense.

[kiddeemak]

11 minutes ago, transam said:

I don't believe it.......Unless the bloke had balls-ed up, and they are going to make a few quid over it, but I don't believe that either...😉

I understand why you don't believe it, I would be sceptical too. People are always panicking and posting that the sky is falling when it's really just a misunderstanding.

 

But I'm 99% certain this is a change from the top, at least temporary but most likely permanent.

Edited October 24, 2023 by kiddeemak

[BritTim]

2 hours ago, Pouatchee said:

seems like bs

when applying how do they know how long seasoned?

or if money still in bank

something dont sound right here

what is multi visa?

 

your op is nebulous at best

 

I have received another report (via PM) from someone refused a multiple entry Non O (Thai wife) at Savannakhet today. This very unwelcome news most certainly appears to be genuine.

[MangoKorat]

I don't understand what all the fighting is about.  The OP's message is clear to me.

 

For many years, some embassies/consulates have provided 12 Multi Entry Non O visas (MENO's) based on marriage to a Thai national with very little evidence required - especially financial.

 

That list has gradually been dwindling - HCMC was the last one that I heard now require financial proof and now it seems that Savannakhet has gone the same way.

 

They seem to be treating a MENO in the same way as they do for a marriage extension - financially.  Its not surprising really as many have abused that visa and used it as a way of living in Thailand without providing financial evidence - not that I'm criticising that but it was in effect 'abuse'.  The visa is intended for those who don't live in Thailand but make regular visits to their spouse.

 

The question is, will they also accept the monthly income method of 40,000 per month?

 

 

[youreavinalaff]

2 hours ago, Pouatchee said:

 

then he should state that

 

there are many multi entries and if people too lazy to bother giving proper info then they should not write.

 

as far as i know if applying for marriage visa ( not multi entry) then there is no need for any money.

only if you plan to stay here full time do you need the 400k

 

and i understand very well

No, you don't.

[MangoKorat]

2 hours ago, kiddeemak said:

The officer told me they now require bank statement showing 400k in the bank, as of last week. He didn't seem happy about it.

As they are applying the same financial requirement as they do for a 12 month extension of stay - was there any mention of the monthly income method (40,000) being acceptable?

[BritTim]

A misleading post (based on misunderstanding the one he was replying to) and replies to it have been removed.

[kiddeemak]

6 minutes ago, MangoKorat said:

As they are applying the same financial requirement as they do for a 12 month extension of stay - was there any mention of the monthly income method (40,000) being acceptable?

I didn't ask, there was a big queue behind me

I'm going to guess it would be the same as Vientiane now, I don't know how it works there. I *think* it's income or savings qualify

[BritTim]

9 minutes ago, kiddeemak said:

I'm going to guess it would be the same as Vientiane now, I don't know how it works there. I *think* it's income or savings qualify

 

Vientiane does not issue multiple entry Non O visas.

[MangoKorat]

1 hour ago, BritTim said:

 

I have received another report (via PM) from someone refused a multiple entry Non O (Thai wife) at Savannakhet today. This very unwelcome news most certainly appears to be genuine.

I presume the refusal was on the same grounds - financial?

[MangoKorat]

Visas/extensions seem to be getting more and more difficult every year (unless you're Russian) - one day they will realise just how much we spend in Thailand - grey or not.

[herfiehandbag]

Extensions remain entirely possible, you can either satisfy the requirements or, perhaps more pertinently, please the "system" by using one of their "agents".

 

It does seem a rather random date to introduce such a change - 24 October - without any prior notice! Must have heard on the grapevine I was going there tomorrow! Luckily I haven't bought the bus ticket yet.

 

Plan B I suppose...

Edited October 24, 2023 by herfiehandbag

[sandyf]

3 hours ago, Caldera said:

What the OP reports would be in line with literally each and every other Thai consulate and embassy that issues this kind of visa.

The writing was on the wall when they started to roll out the e-visa platform.

From the e-visa application form

 

10 . Bank statement, showing GBP10,000 minimum, with name & visible

[blackcab]

Off topic posts have been removed. Please keep the topic on track.

[decline]

My multi-entry 1 year is up in a couple of weeks (from savannakhet)

 

Am I able to do a 60 day extension making it 14 months?

[Madgee]

I feel sorry for those who have used the Savannakhet route to live in Thailand. Many have families to support, have used their funds for this purpose and have no means of depositing 400k in a Thai bank. In the past, many have hoped that this would happen and knew it would cause family issues for those caught in the trap. Already I've received a message from a 'gloater', sad MF. 

 

Rules are rules, but to implement this new condition with no warning is unjust. 
 

11 minutes ago, sandyf said:

The writing was on the wall when they started to roll out the e-visa platform.

From the e-visa application form

 

10 . Bank statement, showing GBP10,000 minimum, with name & visible

Agree. It was inevitable that sooner rather than later, the Savannakhet loophole would be closed. 
 

[youreavinalaff]

8 minutes ago, decline said:

My multi-entry 1 year is up in a couple of weeks (from savannakhet)

 

Am I able to do a 60 day extension making it 14 months?

Do a border run the day before expiry and get 90 days.

 

When the 90 days expires, get a further 60 days at immigration. 

 

Total 17 months.