Savannakhet Non O Spouse Visa Experience 2024

[ScottOzThai]

Hi all,

 

I successfully obtained a one year multi-entry Non O spouse visa in Savannakhet on the 16th of February 2024.

 

I had got four or five of these visas in Savannakhet before 2020, and all the covid disruptions. The only new requirement was having to show 400K Thai Baht in your Thai bank account, via a bank letter from your local branch. I got the bank letter two days before I arrived in Savannakhet to put my application in, it cost 200 Baht at Krungsri Bank.

 

Last November I had turned up with a bank statement from Oz. I believe that not long before I arrived that had been acceptable but alas, no more. I ended up getting a three month single-entry Non O spouse visa for 2000 Baht and then applied for a multi-entry stamp when I returned to Thailand. That cost another 3800 Baht if I remember correctly. I fly in and out of Thailand frequently so that was a good temporary fix for me. It gave me time and allowed me to open a Thai Bank account and stick some cash in it before I went back in February to try again. There was no requirement for the money to be in the account for any period of time when I applied in February.

 

The Siam Bank, that I went to first to try and open an account, refused me on the basis that my visa was only valid for three months. Thankfully, the Krungsri Bank, in contrast, couldn't have been more helpful. A very efficient and pleasant bank lady went through all the paperwork with me and then set up my bank app too. I was out of there, with my account, in about 30 minutes. Make sure you open your bank account close to home as there are certain things you can only do at your local branch, so I was told by the bank, such as getting a bank letter.

 

Together with my bank letter, the consulate took the following:

 

Application Form. Available at the consulate or you can download it from this link. https://savannakhet.thaiembassy.org/th/publicservice/non-immigrant-visa-o-visiting-family-member-of-a-thai-nationality-a-sp?page=5d84a44c15e39c26b400453e&menu=5d84a44c15e39c26b4004540

Two Passport Photos

Passport

Signed Copy of Passport

Signed Copy of Wife's Passport

Signed Copy of Wife's ID Card

Signed Copy of Wife's Tabien Baan

Original Marriage Certificate and Signed Copy (Original Viewed and Returned)

Kor Ror 2

Signed Copy of Laos Visa

 

Across the road from the consulate, there is a coffee shop that provides a copy service. They know all the documents and copies that are needed for all applications and are happy to help. I had to go over to get my Laos visa copied, only took a minute.

On the application form, there was no multiple-entry option so I wrote it next to the Non O check box and added the 5000 Baht fee. I then handed all the paperwork over through the window at the consulate, paid the 5000 Baht fee and was handed a numbered ticket to use the next afternoon to collect my passport. A handy hint would be to take a photo of the ticket as I seem to remember, on a previous trip, people having to wait till last to collect their passports after losing their tickets.

The many times that I have travelled from Mukdahan to Savannakhet I've done it pretty much the same way. I've stayed at the Submukdaphum Place Hotel which is about 20 metres from the bus station ticket office. It's a grand old hotel inside, basic but clean and convenient, and their nice big rooms with ensuite cost 400 Baht per night. You can sit and have complimentary coffee and biscuits for breakfast, in a room next to the reception, overlooking the bus station before you jump on the bus to Savannakhet. The bus leaves at a quarter to the hour, every hour during the daytime, and it costs 45 Baht to Savannakhet.

The bus drops everyone off at the Thai immigration on the Friendship Bridge and you jump back on after you've passed through. It then takes you over the Mekong to the Laos immigration. Every time I've applied and got my Laos visa (1800 Baht and a passport photo needed), the bus has already left for Savannakhet. You could wait for the next bus but it's better to jump in a taxi or tuk-tuk as you're only a 10 minute drive from the Thai Consulate, 200 Baht gets two of us there, arriving a bit over an hour after leaving Mukdahan. On the return to Mukdahan, you will have your visa so you will get from bus station to bus station with all the other passengers.

While in Savannakhet I usually stay at the Avalon Hotel, for 550 Baht per night. It's 15 minute walk or 100 Baht in a tuk-tuk from immigration, 10 minutes walk to the Mekong and 5 minutes walk to the bus station. There is also a very good Laos style restaurant/venue close by, called Home Beer, open all day. You turn right out of the hotel and take the first left and you'll find it about 50 metres up that road. Also, beside the Mekong, you will find an open-air spot where you can buy some food and Beer Lao and spend a nice afternoon while you wait for your visa to be processed.

 

All in all, I enjoy my visa trips to Savannakhet. I hope this report is useful for anyone intending to head there for a visa.

 

All the best.

[DrJack54]

OP, excellent report. Will be helpful to many. 

[Highlandman]

Are you saying a foreign account can't be used for the funds? That's not what I've heard. While I do hold 2 Thai bank accounts, I don't have any intention of transferring the funds over to either of them. I intend to show the funds in my overseas savings account, which so far, I've been led to believe is no issue. Simply has to be over 400,000 Baht equivalent. 

[MangoKorat]

Just now, Highlandman said:

Are you saying a foreign account can't be used for the funds? That's not what I've heard. While I do hold 2 Thai bank accounts, I don't have any intention of transferring the funds over to either of them. I intend to show the funds in my overseas savings account, which so far, I've been led to believe is no issue. Simply has to be over 400,000 Baht equivalent. 

Apparently not, its been this way for a few months now.

[MangoKorat]

9 minutes ago, Highlandman said:

Are you saying a foreign account can't be used for the funds? That's not what I've heard. While I do hold 2 Thai bank accounts, I don't have any intention of transferring the funds over to either of them. I intend to show the funds in my overseas savings account, which so far, I've been led to believe is no issue. Simply has to be over 400,000 Baht equivalent. 

Maybe you haven't seen the  'discussion' I've been having on this thread?

 

 

[Bangkok Barry]

15 hours ago, ScottOzThai said:

The Siam Bank, that I went to first to try and open an account, refused me on the basis that my visa was only valid for three months. Thankfully, the Krungsri Bank, in contrast, couldn't have been more helpful.

 

Just proves they make up the rules, doesn't it. Another branch of Siam might well have opened an account. I have no idea why your length of stay in the country has anything to do with having an account. Thais seem to get a hard-on making up rules for no reason at all, just to complicate things and be difficult. I used to have accounts in New York and Melbourne as a convenience for receiving my earnings there, even though I spent only weeks in each location.

[rct99q]

Thanks. Fantastic report. Simple and to the point. 

 

 

[rct99q]

4 hours ago, Bangkok Barry said:

 

Just proves they make up the rules, doesn't it. Another branch of Siam might well have opened an account. I have no idea why your length of stay in the country has anything to do with having an account. Thais seem to get a hard-on making up rules for no reason at all, just to complicate things and be difficult. I used to have accounts in New York and Melbourne as a convenience for receiving my earnings there, even though I spent only weeks in each location.

It has been this way for a while now. KTB has a print out that they provide foreigners on how to open an account. Very strict in inforcing them. Kasikorn opened an account for me. A few others I tried would not. This was in Nong Khai.

[ChaiyaTH]

I'm confused, they now also require money proof for non-o visa in Savannakhet? That was like one of the few places left where it was not needed? Or is this only for the multi entry one and not single ones? In Hanoi they also require it but it would just be a print out statement, I don't even know if that has now changed again as well, that would be very miserable as most would come without it.

 

It defeats the entire purpose of this visa as well, the entire benefit of this visa is that you do not need the money, as you might as well be someone who comes and goes 3 months on and off. Also just generally speaking, many, also at younger ages, might not have this money together yet. This does not change they do have a wife or even children. 

 

Just really lost their mind.

Edited April 1 by ChaiyaTH

[ubonrthai]

On 3/31/2024 at 3:40 PM, ScottOzThai said:

had got four or five of these visas in Savannakhet before

 

Why do some people go back for a new visa each year as opposed to extending the existing one in Thailand? Can't this one be extended at a local office for another year? Also, is the Kor Ror 22 interchangeable with the Kor Ror 2 as far as how they are used? Thanks!

Edited April 8 by ubonrthai

[ubonrthai]

Still curious about this if someone can help. Much appreciated.

[Wongkitlo]

2 hours ago, ubonrthai said:

Still curious about this if someone can help. Much appreciated.

In the past they did not require any money in a Thai bank which was convenient if you did not want to keep 400,000 baht in a Thai bank. It is hard to ascertain but their requirements are still a bit easier than in Thailand. Usually you must have the money in the bank for a period of time but Savannakhet does not seem to enforce this as far as anyone can tell. Also instead of dealing with Thai Immigration- family visits, photos of home, map of home etc- you can just exit and re-enter, suitable if you do not live in Thailand  permanently. I think a kor ror 22 is similar but issued if you have married abroad. 

Edited April 12 by Wongkitlo
Edit

[FARANG KIWI]

On 4/8/2024 at 2:32 PM, ubonrthai said:

 

Why do some people go back for a new visa each year as opposed to extending the existing one in Thailand? Can't this one be extended at a local office for another year? Also, is the Kor Ror 22 interchangeable with the Kor Ror 2 as far as how they are used? Thanks!

That's a NO to extend at local Thai Immigration office.

 

I personally follow the Savanakhet route - with 400K I can invest that amount and make multiples more than approx 1% in a 'risky' ( IMHO )   Thai Bank for 1 year!