1 year multi non-o based on marriage, Savannakhet , Jan 2024 report

[kevthailand]

Visa was approved.

Applied on a Monday. There were about 120 applicants that day.

The embassy opens at 09.00 (08.30 is written on the bonze plaque on the front of the building).

I was there at 07.15 but had to return later. If you are one of the first 4 or 5 people, you can get under cover and out of the sun - might be useful during the summer months. 'Visa package' group tours started to arrive at 07.30. 

At 9am they open the door and let everyone into the consulate grounds, which is a covered area. There was one officer/window open to deal with the applicants. 

Next time I would go to the embassy at 10.30 (they close at 11.00). There were NO people in the queue at this time. 

This means you can stay in Mukdahan on Day 1/Sunday night (the less time spent in Savannakhet, the better). Decent hotel near Muk bus station is 400B. The following morning, take the 8am Muk-Sav bus. The 9am is risky - if there are delays you could miss the embassy closing at 11am

 

Day 1 

Fly midday Bangkok to Ubon 900B. Grab taxi to the bus terminal about 6km north of the city centre 160B. Van to mukdahan 135B, 2hr30 (quiet highway, very few traffic lights all the way, no gas or foods stops). Last van might be about 5pm.

Van stops at Mukdahan bus station. Change onto the Mukdahan-Savannakhet border crossing bus 45B (or 50B to cover late fee if its last minute!).

This bus takes 1 hour, including dealing with Thai and Laos immigration. 

I had an e-visa $51.75 because I did not want to line any pockets by paying 1800 baht for a 35 dollar visa - which many people have quoted on forums. The office did not have a poster displaying official prices, so I am sure they would have made me pay in Baht. That officer also asks for 100 Baht - I paid it (some reports mentioned walking away from the evisa office and bypass the next checkpoints - to avoid paying the 100 Baht tip). Next, you pay a 20B "overtime fee" tip.

Evisa works perfectly well. 2 business days processing time. Applied Friday night, approved Tuesday afternoon. The visa start date is the day that they approve the visa. The evisa sicker is the size of a normal Thai/Laos entry or exit stamp - not a whole page.

 

Hotel Avalon in Savanakhet 450 Baht or next door 550 baht/300,000 kip for softer bed.

Make sure you go to the gold shop near the bus station and change baht to kip. You lose 5-10% paying for food/hotels in baht and the supermarket only takes kip. There are no banks in this area of town. You can't get kip at Super Rich in Thailand. The gold shop gave me a much better rate than google suggested.

 

Day 2

Almost first in the queue, but turned away because wife had not signed her passport or ID card (I thought I had a copy of her signed ID card back at the hotel, but couldn't find it). How many Thai ladies have passports I wanted to ask. After considering forging it, sending it by a bus or even air mail - instead she sent a black and white scan with blue ink signature by email. Printed in color and luckily it was accepted for processing, just before 11am.

Documents required:

You need to sign the bottom of every page.

1) Bank book 400,000: front cover, name/account number page, any pages with transactions. I had photocopied every page, but they didn't take it. (I had seasoned just under 3 months - I think 2 months is fine). 

2) Copy of Kor 2 and Kor 3 marriage documents in Thai language. Recommend wife also signs this.

3) Bio page of your passport, Laos visa sticker (whole page VOA or small evisa sticker) and Laos entry stamp. On the same page was my Thai exit stamp. Might be worth copying that too, if it is on a separate page. They did not want a copy of my evisa letter.

You can scan and print your Laos entry stamp / Thai exit stamp at the hotel next to Avalon (10-20B) or the printing shops opposite the embassy, 50B (open 07.15 to 11.00)

4) House registration book: Only the main page and the page that mentions your wife. Recommend wife also signs this. 

5) Bio page of wife's passport and National ID card. BOTH SIGNED BY HER.

6) Two passport photos. 4.5x3.5cm, white background. The photo shop I went to was convinced I needed a larger size for a Thai visa. The 4.5x3.5 photos are a bit bigger than the space allocated on the Visa application form

7) Completed visa application form. Download from Royal Thai Consulate, Savannakhet website.  Section 1 profession - retired (even if work overseas/digital nomad, maybe best not to mention any work). Section 4 purpose - stay with wife. Section 4 duration of proposed stay - 1 year marriage (but fly in 80 days to Singapore - I had a ticket - they didn't ask to see it). Section 5 Guarantor - I put my wife.

You do not need to have documents checked opposite the embassy. That might apply for the package groups. 

I had original marriage certs, bank book and a 6month account statement - but they didn't want to look at it.

 

Day 3

Embassy opening hours for pick up passport are 14.00 - 16.30 (says on the plaque, so my guess is they will close at 16.00)

Picked up the visa at the embassy at 3pm, because I didn't want to queue. Also, I was expecting to get turned down, due to wife's ID issue.

Tuk tuk back to bus station (sometimes they take 1$ or 40 baht)

3.30pm Sav-Muk bus. 

Arrived 4.30. Got the 4.40 Ubon van 

Booked a last minute 20.35 Nok air flight from Ubon 1200 baht, when I was half way to Ubon in the van.

Other options for Ubon-Bkk were a slow 20.30pm night train, or 3pm train the next day, 7hr 30, air con seat 500B and hotels in Ubon go for 400B. If you like sleeping on buses, there are many evening muk-bkk VIP buses (2x2 or 2x1 seating) for 600-700 baht. This bus would need to be booked and paid when you pass through the bus station on Day 1 because they already seemed half full when I enquired at that time.

Next time I would queue early - before the 14.00 consulate opening time - to make sure I can get back to the Sav bus station for the 14.30 Sav-Muk bus (better to have taken your luggage to the embassy). That will guarantee getting the Nok air or Air Asia evening flight. You could also book your 135 baht muk-ubon van on the first day you are in the bus station, to make sure you get a seat.

 

Visa cost is 5000B. Other costs were approx 4000B excl. food which is cheaper than the 5-6000B group vans, and you get to fly most of the way.

Food is edible at the Savannakhet bus station and is the only place open after dark. Thai dishes 30,000 kip or 50 baht.  

[DrJack54]

Excellent report OP.

Will be very helpful to many. 

[Brickleberry]

Thanks for this.

 

I told the immigration officer what happened to me last time I went to get a ME non O based on marriage, and they were all shocked that I had to show 400k. They seemed to think this was completely wrong and insinuated that it might be due to wanting a contribution towards the tea tin.

[Robert Paulson]

Even when that place was super busy I’d always go late and yeah it’s empty when you go late. The early arrival thing is like an old man expat deranged syndrome.m

[khunjake]

Thanks for the update. Still smooth going it seems and still much easier in my view then dealing with in country extensions and the ludicrous application process that it entails. 

[jacey]

the 400k don't need to be seasonal right

[Bangkok Barry]

17 hours ago, kevthailand said:

Next time I would go to the embassy at 10.30 (they close at 11.00). There were NO people in the queue at this time. 

 

That's what I do when I have to visit my Homo Sapiens Maintenance and Repair Centre to see my drug dealer every few months. If you go early the place is packed, with some even getting there long before dawn to get a queue number. I go after lunch when it's almost empty.

[mrmicbkktxl]

Great detailed report,thanks a lot

[Robert Paulson]

He put that he had to season the 400k for 2 months. Need to edit that I do not think that is correct. The money does not need to be seasoned as far as I can surmise. 

[Robert Paulson]

So you say you paid $51.75 for the Evisa because you didn’t want to pay 1800 baht. 
 

Am I just doing my math wrong. I don’t get it. Seems about the same to me. Def not worth worrying about. 

Edited February 8 by Robert Paulson

[sandyf]

1 hour ago, Robert Paulson said:

He put that he had to season the 400k for 2 months. Need to edit that I do not think that is correct. The money does not need to be seasoned as far as I can surmise. 

Agreed, there shouldn't be any seasoning or bank location requirements in respect of visa applications.

There is a tendency for some to see local embassies/consulates as immigration rather than MFA.

In 2018 it was the target of the MFA to have the Thai e-visa system rolled out to all embassies/consulates within 3 years. I often wonder what happened to the normal practice of ridiculing the government for not meeting targets.

[kevthailand]

7 hours ago, Robert Paulson said:

So you say you paid $51.75 for the Evisa because you didn’t want to pay 1800 baht. 
 

Am I just doing my math wrong. I don’t get it. Seems about the same to me. Def not worth worrying about. 

I'd rather pay the 1800 baht for getting the benefit of an evisa, than directly tip the corrupt border officials. 

 

As for the seasoning, I have no idea if the 2 months applies to non-o multis based on marriage. This was my first non-o so I followed the combined advice of recent reports on this site and the consulate's own reviews. Ignore the scaremongering stories of 7 hour queues on Mondays or turning away lots of people, if the queue is too big. Can't see how 7 hours is even possible if the morning shift is 9.00 to 11.00 (possibly 08.30 in the past). Maybe they lock the front gate at 11.00 and keep processing applicants until they are done? They could then open another window for the afternoon 'pick up passport' folk. 

 

The main point is, this place probably isn't popular any more. When I returned just before 3pm to pick up the passport the whole place was deserted - no shops open, tuk tuks or Laos staff at the gate and all the officers windows were shut. I thought they'd closed early. 

[Robert Paulson]

40 minutes ago, kevthailand said:

I'd rather pay the 1800 baht for getting the benefit of an evisa, than directly tip the corrupt border officials. 

 

As for the seasoning, I have no idea if the 2 months applies to non-o multis based on marriage. This was my first non-o so I followed the combined advice of recent reports on this site and the consulate's own reviews. Ignore the scaremongering stories of 7 hour queues on Mondays or turning away lots of people, if the queue is too big. Can't see how 7 hours is even possible if the morning shift is 9.00 to 11.00 (possibly 08.30 in the past). Maybe they lock the front gate at 11.00 and keep processing applicants until they are done? They could then open another window for the afternoon 'pick up passport' folk. 

 

The main point is, this place probably isn't popular any more. When I returned just before 3pm to pick up the passport the whole place was deserted - no shops open, tuk tuks or Laos staff at the gate and all the officers windows were shut. I thought they'd closed early. 

You can pay for it in dollars, right? $35 as you mention. I’m almost sure you can but just double checking. Was there are reason you didn’t do that. I suppose you wanted to not partake in the scams but you’d just have to pick up some dollars if I remember correctly.

[kevthailand]

I read in a few travel reports that the fee was demanded in Thai Baht, 1800. The fact that there was no official prices poster at the visa office, backs that up. It is possible those travel reports were by inexperienced travellers who didn't resist and refuse to pay in Baht. I had dollars, but just decided to go the evisa way. Poipet officials do a similar thing - but I can say a few Cambodian words and always manage to pay in dollars instead of the Baht that they first ask for.

Another reason I did it, was that I read reports of the border bus leaving behind foreigners who took too long at the evisa office. Missing that bus would lead to a 1 hour wait, or walk across the bridge. I didn't see any tuk tuks between the border offices.

[PJ71]

On 2/7/2024 at 5:40 PM, Robert Paulson said:

Even when that place was super busy I’d always go late and yeah it’s empty when you go late. The early arrival thing is like an old man expat deranged syndrome.m

Well, not really.

 

A massive advantage of going early is you have time to react if some paperwork is incorrect ( unknown changes to requirements as an example ). If you were to rock up at 1030 and were missing something it would require an extra night in SKT if you were not to make it back before 1100.

 

I assume this is a valid reason opposed to your "old man expat deranged syndrome" you suggest.

[IgboChief]

Quick heads up, I applied today (Tuesday) for 1 year Non-O Multiple Entry and its was painless and smooth.

The highlights:

 

- The electronic bank statement of my Bangkok Bank current account was sufficient. They did not check the original bank book and they did not want the Siam Commercial's seasoned fixed deposit with banking letter.

Also, that statement was value date 5 days earlier and it did not matter. So the funds requirement seems to be interpreted leniently.

 

- They did not check any original documents at all, just signed copies. They took the fresh KorRor 22 but did not ask for the original Marriage Certificate (which was unusual and probably just an oversight?) I still advise to have all original documents ready and also to bring a recent KorRor 2 or 22 (just in case).

 

- Lao Visa on arrival is now 40 USD or 1,800 THB (which is a scam, even Indonesia asks for 30 USD only.)

 

- Savanaketh is dead as Dodo, all shops closed and all people left. It was always a quiet place, but now its a graveyard. We spoke with some old people about it and they pointed out that everyone left to Bangkok or to a new area close to the river. I visited that place but it has nothing. Economy did not do nice to that place since 2019 which is sad.

I asked some young lads what they are doing Fridays or Saturday nights; response: "len torasap" (playing on the mobile phone).

 

- Very few people applying for the Visa on a Tuesday. Arriving early is useless and the sun was very hot. Better arrive only 9:30-10:00 AM as the Embassy is deserted after the first rush.

Bring an umbrella and apply sunscreen as you will stand outside under the sun for 1:30 hours when arriving 8:00.

 

Cheers and good luck!

 

 

[IgboChief]

On 2/7/2024 at 9:40 PM, jacey said:

the 400k don't need to be seasonal right

 

In my case they accepted an electronic BKK Bank Current account statement, 5 days old and showing the funds for less than  1 month.

(I had a seasoned fix deposit too with banking letter, but they had no interest in that.)

[roobaa01]

Gday

Why all that stress to go to savannaket when having 400 k in the bank ? Marriage extension and multiple reentry permit summing up to the same.

 

Wbr

Roobaa01

[IgboChief]

7 minutes ago, roobaa01 said:

Why all that stress to go to savannaket when having 400 k in the bank ? Marriage extension and multiple reentry permit summing up to the same.

 

The money really does not matter.

Extension money needs to be seasoned and you need a "Banking Letter", at Savankhet only an Electronic statement of an current account.

Extension needs Wife and neighbor to be present, at Savanakhet only signed copies of Tabien Ban and ID card.

Extension puts you 6-8 weeks under consideration, at Savanakeht you get everything ready next day.

Extension gets you 365 days, at Savanakhet you get 365 + 90 days when timing it well and you don't need 90 reports and rubbish when you leave the country often (as I do).

Extension is quiet unfriendly and nerve wrecking, Savanakhet staff was always neutral/fast/nice.

Extension can insist in visiting your house. At Savanakhet you visit their house! (Just kidding.)

 

So for frequent travelers its the much easier option and I am happy it exists.

Edited February 20 by IgboChief

[transam]

On 2/8/2024 at 4:39 PM, Robert Paulson said:

You can pay for it in dollars, right? $35 as you mention. I’m almost sure you can but just double checking. Was there are reason you didn’t do that. I suppose you wanted to not partake in the scams but you’d just have to pick up some dollars if I remember correctly.

The E-Visa does not use a page of a passport, you do not have to queue up to get PP stamped out, the visa desk does that, one can do an extra E-visa copy to hand into Thai immigration just in case they ask for the PP Laos visa.

I just wish all Laos crossings would accept E-visa's, no worries of dollar notes being rejected.......😊

[transam]

9 minutes ago, roobaa01 said:

Gday

Why all that stress to go to savannaket when having 400 k in the bank ? Marriage extension and multiple reentry permit summing up to the same.

 

Wbr

Roobaa01

400k bht in the bank on the day of application............😉

[roobaa01]

1 minute ago, IgboChief said:

 

The money really does not matter.

Extension money needs to be seasoned and you need a "Banking Letter", at Savankhet only an Electronic statement of an current account.

Extension needs Wife and neighbour to be present, at Savanakhet only signed copies of Tabien Ban and ID card.

Extension puts you 6-8 weeks under consideration, at Savanakeht you get everything next day.

Extension gets you 365 days, at Savanakhet you get 365 + 90 days when timing it well and you don't need 90 reports and rubbish when you leave the country often (as I do).

Extension is quiet unfriendly and nerve wrecking, Savanakhet staff was always neutral/fast/nice.

 

So for frequent travelers its the much easier option and I am happy it exists.

It's 4 weeks under consideration not 6 to 8 weeks. No witnesses are requested for renewals, only for the first time. Immigration unfriendly depends how I address them. Frequent traveller multi-reentry does the same. Expenses are higher going to savannahket. It's also time consuming.

 

Wbr

Roobaa01 

[IgboChief]

6 minutes ago, roobaa01 said:

It's 4 weeks under consideration not 6 to 8 weeks. No witnesses are requested for renewals, only for the first time. Immigration unfriendly depends how I address them.

All 3 items depend on your Changwat and Immigration office. I know well, what Udon Thani requires.

I am happy for you, if yours is more supportive than mine. But I am also happy that the Savankhet options exists.

[Robert Paulson]

On 2/20/2024 at 12:36 PM, transam said:

The E-Visa does not use a page of a passport, you do not have to queue up to get PP stamped out, the visa desk does that, one can do an extra E-visa copy to hand into Thai immigration just in case they ask for the PP Laos visa.

I just wish all Laos crossings would accept E-visa's, no worries of dollar notes being rejected.......😊

I had my dollar note rejected. One of them anyway. Luckily the ladies at the cashier window were nice enough to let me pay in baht to replace that $20 for 750 baht. 

is the evisa $40?

[Robert Paulson]

On 2/20/2024 at 10:59 AM, IgboChief said:

Quick heads up, I applied today (Tuesday) for 1 year Non-O Multiple Entry and its was painless and smooth.

The highlights:

 

- The electronic bank statement of my Bangkok Bank current account was sufficient. They did not check the original bank book and they did not want the Siam Commercial's seasoned fixed deposit with banking letter.

Also, that statement was value date 5 days earlier and it did not matter. So the funds requirement seems to be interpreted leniently.

 

- They did not check any original documents at all, just signed copies. They took the fresh KorRor 22 but did not ask for the original Marriage Certificate (which was unusual and probably just an oversight?) I still advise to have all original documents ready and also to bring a recent KorRor 2 or 22 (just in case).

 

- Lao Visa on arrival is now 40 USD or 1,800 THB (which is a scam, even Indonesia asks for 30 USD only.)

 

- Savanaketh is dead as Dodo, all shops closed and all people left. It was always a quiet place, but now its a graveyard. We spoke with some old people about it and they pointed out that everyone left to Bangkok or to a new area close to the river. I visited that place but it has nothing. Economy did not do nice to that place since 2019 which is sad.

I asked some young lads what they are doing Fridays or Saturday nights; response: "len torasap" (playing on the mobile phone).

 

- Very few people applying for the Visa on a Tuesday. Arriving early is useless and the sun was very hot. Better arrive only 9:30-10:00 AM as the Embassy is deserted after the first rush.

Bring an umbrella and apply sunscreen as you will stand outside under the sun for 1:30 hours when arriving 8:00.

 

Cheers and good luck!

 

 

I walked around for 2 days. And yes I agree. Dead. I’m not too interested in coffee shops and the like. I went to the market sorta behind the bus station (from bus station just walk on the main road toward Mekong River), I found that area quite authentic and a lot of good deals to be had, especially if you have kip. Good food, nice silk and a few food stalls. 

Edited February 22 by Robert Paulson

[transam]

6 hours ago, Robert Paulson said:

I had my dollar note rejected. One of them anyway. Luckily the ladies at the cashier window were nice enough to let me pay in baht to replace that $20 for 750 baht. 

is the evisa $40?

The E-visa is $50, works out today at about 1800bht, the $40 visa on arrival costs today a bit over 1400bht

At Chong Mek crossing they rejected a $20 for absolutely nothing, they charged me 1000bht for it, it is a money earner for the crooks behind the window..........🥴

If I have to go to Sav again, I will most definitely buy the E-Visa.....