Just returned from Savannakhet. My visa was approved - 1 year Multiple Entry Non O based on Marriage.

 

I decided to apply on a Wednesday after reading on this forum that Mondays and Thursdays were fully packed with group applications.

My wife was not present during my application process.

Prior to this, I applied online for a Lao eVisa (~50 USD) on a Monday and received the approval letter three days later.

 

Day 1 - Feb 27th, 2024:
I traveled from Phuket to Mukdahan via Don Mueang and Ubon Ratchathani with Nok Air's fly’n’ride service.

I was the only passenger in the van from Ubon Airport to Mukdahan. It was a smooth 2h30 trip, and I arrived around 20:30. I requested the driver to drop me off at my hotel (Hop Inn), which cost 500-600 bahts and was a 5-minute walk from the Mukdahan bus station.

 

 

Day 2 - Feb 28th, 2024:
I woke up early and walked to the Mukdahan bus station to catch the 7am Mukdahan-Savannakhet bus (50 bahts). I was the only foreigner on the bus.

The bus stopped at Thai immigration for stamping us out, then resumed after the checkpoint. After crossing the bridge, the bus dropped us off at the Lao Immigration checkpoint. I proceeded to the eVisa booth where I was the only person, making the process quick. I presented my eVisa approval letter and passport. The immigration officer asked for my hotel booking in Laos, to which I provided the name only, and he approved it. He then asked for 100 bahts, which I paid as I had read on this forum that it was a common practice.

I was surprised to find another “immigration fee” booth before the automatic exit doors, where everyone else was queuing. Attempting to bypass it, an immigration officer gently redirected me to the booth. Observing locals paying 20 bahts, I followed suit. You receive a ticket with a QR code to scan for exiting the automatic doors.

Being one of the first to exit and not wanting to wait for the bus, I decided to take a taxi to the Thai consulate by myself. I arrived around 8 am to find 30 people already queuing. I estimated that around 50-60 people total applied for visas that day. The gate opened at 9 am, but only one counter was open, leading to slow progress in the queue. Judging from the faces of applicants leaving, it seemed the consulate official was not on his best day. Later, I learned that out of 40 applicants from Myanmar, only 1 received the visa, contributing to the slow queue as everyone tried to argue with the officer.

Anyway, my application went smoothly.

 

I provided the following documents:

-Filled out visa application from savannakhet consulate website.

-2 passport photos 3.5*4.5cm

-Passport 

-Copy of my passport bio page, signed by me

-Copy of wife’s passport bio page, signed by her (passport was expired).

-Copy of wife’s ID card, signed by her.

-Copy of wife´s Tabien Baan, signed by her.

-Original Marriage certificates (KR2 and KR3) and copies, signed by me and her. The week before I went to my local ampoe to get an updated version of KR2, just in case.

- Copy of wife’s surname change after marriage, signed by her (although it wasn't requested, I brought it just in case. The consulate officer retained it, so I assume it was worth bringing).

-Signed copy of Laos visa (entry stamp and visa sticker). You can do the copy in the small shop opposite the thai consulate: 10 bahts

-5000 bahts for multiple entry

-Proof of financial:

Original thai bank book showing 400k and copies of account details page and all pages with transactions, signed by me. 

Before traveling to Laos, I contacted the Savannakhet consulate via email to ensure I had the correct information regarding the proof of financial. They told me to bring 6 month bank statement showing 400k. So the day before flying i went to the bank to update my bank book and get an account certificate + 6 months bank statement.

I have maintained 400k in a Thai bank account for over 6 months, so I am unsure about the required duration for the money to be seasoned, if any. When I handed the documents to the official, he examined the bank book, retained the copies and the account certificate, but showed little interest in my six-month statement. He only glanced at the first page before returning it to me.

 

Then he told me to return the next day at 14:00 to collect my passport.

When I left the consulate, it was 10:50, and there were still 20-30 people queuing behind me.

I went to the hotel: Pilgrim's Kitchen and Inn, located on the riverbank. The room was spacious and decent, with a nice location, good and affordable food and drinks with international options. It was within walking distance from the night market and bars area, priced between 800-900 bahts.

 

Day 3 - Feb 29th, 2024:
I arrived at the consulate at 13:30 and was the first at the gate. The gate opened at 14:00, with only a dozen applicants from the previous day showing up. I received my passport back immediately with the 1-year visa sticker.
Since I wasn't in a rush, I decided to spend an extra night at Pilgrim's instead of travelling back home right away.

 

Day 4 - March 1st, 2024:
I went to the Savannakhet bus station in the morning and boarded the Savannakhet-Mukdahan bus (55 bahts).

Once again, I was the only foreigner on the bus. The bus dropped us off at the Lao immigration checkpoint, where the immigration officer requested 100 bahts again. I paid, following the locals in front of me. Then, I approached the booth to pay 20 bahts for the QR code to open the automatic doors. However this time, the lady inside the booth informed me that payment wasn't necessary, and I could simply pass around the doors. OK then.

We returned to the bus, crossed the river, and arrived at the Thai immigration checkpoint. Before queuing, I had to fill out the TM6 arrival card, which apparently is still required for land border crossings.

Deciding not to wait for the bus on the other side, I made my way to the Mukdahan bus station by myself and took a van back to Ubon to catch my flight. The journey cost 135 bahts.

 

It was indeed quite a journey from Phuket, but everything went smoothly. This was my first time applying there.

I mainly used Thai baht for payments, so I made sure to bring plenty of 100 and 20 bahts banknotes with me. Thai baht was accepted everywhere I went, even in small shops. Any change received was in Lao Kips.

 

 

In the area around the night market and near the cathedral, you can find several bars, some of which offer live music. There are also some nice cafes to explore.

Good food at Cafe Chez Boune.

Additionally, you can find street food and food trucks at the night market and along the riverbank in the evening.

Very nice cafe / cocktails at Le corbeau Bar in an stunning old french colonial mansion.

Great sunset on mekong river everynight + Beer Lao of course.

Great report - thanks 🙂

Fantastic report. So clear. Will assist others.

Personally wouldn't want to do that every year.

Ever considered obtain annual extensions from a (single entry) Non O 

7 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Fantastic report. So clear. Will assist others.

Personally wouldn't want to do that every year.

Ever considered obtain annual extensions from a (single entry) Non O 

I think we all know about extensions, but there are probably many reasons why many folk take the trip to Sav.....😉

24 minutes ago, transam said:

I think we all know about extensions, but there are probably many reasons why many folk take the trip to Sav.....😉

Exactly.....  for me two main reasons...

 

1)  I do not currently trust Thai banks  &  2) There is SO Much more I can do and earn with 800K Thai Baht!!

2 minutes ago, FARANG KIWI said:

Exactly.....  for me two main reasons...

 

1)  I do not currently trust Thai banks  &  2) There is SO Much more I can do and earn with 800K Thai Baht!!

Yes, that is one of many, members have their own reasons to trek to Sav , even myself.........😋 

so the 400 in thai bank is required there now ? 

1 hour ago, transam said:

I think we all know about extensions, but there are probably many reasons why many folk take the trip to Sav.....😉

Indeed we all have our reasons. Mine is that extension in Phuket took 6 weeks to be approved last time i did it.  And working offshore on a rotation job, this is not an option for me. Agents can speed up the process a bit with ridiculous fees. I'd rather travel for a few days and get my 1 year visa right away.  

37 minutes ago, stoner said:

so the 400 in thai bank is required there now ? 

Having contacted them before going, this is what they asked me. So yes it is now 😥

1 minute ago, atomphuket said:

Having contacted them before going, this is what they asked me. So yes it is now 😥

But not for 2 months seasoning, shown in the bank on the day of application.

That is, unless things have not changed again...😋

59 minutes ago, FARANG KIWI said:

Exactly.....  for me two main reasons...

 

1)  I do not currently trust Thai banks  &  2) There is SO Much more I can do and earn with 800K Thai Baht!!

400k not 800k. Having this on account is the safest way to have your visa/extension approved, based on my experience. If you have a better way, just share it with us please ;)

6 minutes ago, transam said:

But not for 2 months seasoning, shown in the bank on the day of application.

That is, unless things have not changed again...😋

This is the point i'm not sure about, as I try to  keep 400k always on the account. The best is to contact the Savannakhet consulate by email and ask for clear answer. They were quite prompt answering my questions.

1 minute ago, atomphuket said:

This is the point i'm not sure about, as I try to  keep 400k always on the account. The best is to contact the Savannakhet consulate by email and ask for clear answer. They were quite prompt answering my questions.

Sure, better safe than sorry, though if you are refused they will give you a 90 day Non-O, so all will not be lost to go and sort stuff out.....☺️

35 minutes ago, transam said:

Sure, better safe than sorry, though if you are refused they will give you a 90 day Non-O, so all will not be lost to go and sort stuff out.....☺️

yeah definitely. But 90 days for a long trip from Phuket would have been very disappointing though haha. That's why I chose that place based on other reports here. Still possible to get 1 year 🙏

2 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Fantastic report. So clear. Will assist others.

Personally wouldn't want to do that every year.

Ever considered obtain annual extensions from a (single entry) Non O 

Thank you 🙏 Every year is a different story for me. Sometimes i can do the extension, sometimes i have to start from scratch. Good to see it's still possible to get the 1 year there. For now :D

8 minutes ago, atomphuket said:

Good to see it's still possible to get the 1 year there. For now

You stated in the thread.....

"And working offshore on a rotation job, this is not an option for me." 

 

Understand now ..... for guys on roster (eg oil gas) the Non O single entry with extensions can be a no go given under consideration period.

Many years ago some guys using visa exempt with month on/off had an easy option. 

5 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

You stated in the thread.....

"And working offshore on a rotation job, this is not an option for me." 

 

Understand now ..... for guys on roster (eg oil gas) the Non O single entry with extensions can be a no go given under consideration period.

Many years ago some guys using visa exempt with month on/off had an easy option. 

Yeah I did exactly that for a while after covid, and since the war. However my company changed my planning recently so had to stay longer than 30+30 days and had to find solution. Hence the trip to Savannakhet :D:D. 

You got a Multi entree a 5000 baht with bankproof 400.000 baht
What is the financial requirement for e SINGLE entree NON-O...? (90 days)

Thank you

> They told me to bring 6 month bank statement showing 400k.

 

Perhaps it was some misunderstanding here. Even to get 1 year extension inside the country need to seasoning 400K during 2 months and then wait 30 days while consideration i.e. totally 3 months. What they may request it is showing current bank account balance is not less than this amount like in some other consulates. 

On 3/2/2024 at 2:23 PM, DrJack54 said:

Many years ago some guys using visa exempt with month on/off had an easy option.

Many people still do this, it also helps with the new tax rules and days in the country.

I went to Savannakhet  last year and was offered a 12,000b  agent assisted 1 year non-o married to a Thai  visa with no financials required by the shop across the road from the consulate. I am not sure if that included the visa fee. I did not take it as I had other options but am surprised that nobody has taken it up and reported back. Considering a retirement visa in Pattaya is far more expensive to set up. 

41 minutes ago, Wongkitlo said:

I went to Savannakhet  last year and was offered a 12,000b  agent assisted 1 year non-o married to a Thai  visa with no financials required by the shop across the road from the consulate. I am not sure if that included the visa fee. I did not take it as I had other options but am surprised that nobody has taken it up and reported back. Considering a retirement visa in Pattaya is far more expensive to set up. 

Put that in the woulda coulda...

Never read a similar report. 

Suggest folk ignore that option. 

On 3/7/2024 at 1:35 PM, PJ71 said:

Many people still do this, it also helps with the new tax rules and days in the country.

As usual you picked out last short sentence from my post.

 

More and more immigration are checking folk using visa exempt for ongoing living in Thailand. 

For roster on/off this can become an issue if Immigration notice a previous non O marriage or fact you are over 50 and have options other than continuous visa exempt entries. 

37 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Put that in the woulda coulda...

Never read a similar report. 

Suggest folk ignore that option. 

Unfortunately I was one of the first to be refused for no Financials in October. My last non-o had not expired yet but for my own reasons and suspecting with the new government a change was coming I went early and was refused. I actually commented on  one of the first reports that they had changed policy if you check the feeds. As I was leaving in a very bad mood  one of the tuk tuk drivers  grabbed me and said I can get you a visa. He took me to the shop across the road and she grabbed my passport and started writing details. She said 12000 b for a non o. I already had another entry so I left, wrote off my travel costs and had another 3 months, a border run then 2 months visiting my wife. If you do not believe me you can easily check my former posts or maybe assume that Savannakhet immigration are so correct that they will not lower themselves to agent assisted visas. Considering the cost of living in Laos  comparing it to a 22,000 baht first  time agent assisted retirement visa in Pattaya it does not sound so 'could, woulda'  I am surprised I am the only one who commented. There are 3 shops across the road and it was the closest to the bus station etc

1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

Put that in the woulda coulda...

Never read a similar report. 

Suggest folk ignore that option. 

 

1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

Put that in the woulda coulda...

Never read a similar report. 

Suggest folk ignore that option. 

I am sorry for so many posts but I did not know how to comment on my screenshots of my private message with the other poster. With all respect, I find it hard to believe that you think there are no agents in Savannakhet and as  they are usually located close to immigration (in this case across the road) I do not understand that you think it is implausible. Before I left Laos, after I was over the frustration of being refused I did get the tuktuk to take me back to the shop as I thought it was a useful contact but it was closed in the afternoon I left a note under the door but no reply. I did send to Dolly's pizza shop(well known farung shop in Savannakhet)  but no reply. If I was sure  I could get an agent visa there for such a bargain price  I would go straight there on my next visit.

1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

As usual you picked out last short sentence from my post.

 

More and more immigration are checking folk using visa exempt for ongoing living in Thailand. 

For roster on/off this can become an issue if Immigration notice a previous non O marriage or fact you are over 50 and have options other than continuous visa exempt entries. 

No, i pick out the bit i'm interested in, is that ok?

 

I know many many people that have been doing the visa exempt for many many years without any issues, i think i've mentioned that before but it's obviously slipped your mind.

7 hours ago, PJ71 said:

I know many many people that have been doing the visa exempt for many many years without any issues, i think i've mentioned that before but it's obviously slipped your mind

I specifically referred to roster workers. 

Such as oil/gas guys mining etc.

For years some just used visa exempt. 

If over 50 or married (have options) are being told to obtain a visa.

Perhaps roster workers can post their experience.  

Outlined issue in this thread 

 

 

5 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

I specifically referred to roster workers. 

You refer to them and it being an issue, where based on firsthand experience it's clearly not an issue for them continuously using visa exempt route.

 

Do you know any roster workers? how many have had issues?

1 hour ago, PJ71 said:

Do you know any roster workers? how many have had issues?

Know a few. Udon Thani bar area. 

Most married or 50+ as a result they have alternative to using visa exempt entries.

Did you even read the thread I posted link to. In particular have a read of the OP and @BritTim post.

 

My own personal experience was 10+ years ago when I traveled a LOT. 

In particular trips to Saigon.

In those days triple entry tourist visa was available. Similar to today's METV.

So eventually the io at Saigon consulate said to me.....

"You live in Thailand and 50+ get a retirement visa"