Vientiane vs Savannakhet - certified copies vs copies...

[ReinDeerMan]

Planning to apply single non-O visa but what is the differece between Vientiane and Savannakhet. Other mentions certified copies and The other just copies. Signed by my wife means certified 

 

Vientiane 

 

Documents of Thai national: a marriage certificate or a birth certificate, a passport, a Thai ID Card, and a house registration (or their certified copies)

 

Savannakhet 

 

Original and a copy of marriage certificate (for spouse/parent) or birth certificate (for child).

A copy of Thai identification card (for spouse/parent)

A copy of passport (for spouse/parent)

A copy of Thai House registration

 

[DrJack54]

Certified means signed.

Both Savannakhet and Vientiane now require appointment.

Did you consider a border bounce, enter Thailand visa exempt and obtain Non O marriage at your Thai immigration office? 

[gtr]

I just saw this over on twitter , 

[benlovesnuk]

On 11/19/2024 at 12:58 PM, gtr said:

I just saw this over on twitter , 

 

How on earth does that work..?

[JesusonaPogoStick]

Does Savannakhet still do the non-O (marriage) without requiring to show financials? If so, is what's listed in the OP the  only documents you need? I understand that you have to book an appt. like Vientiane (e-visa starts next year). FYI-  USA-came in on a 30 day exempt/extended, family ext., and two land border crossings(Laos), so a tourist visa or a non-o w/o showing financials seems like my best bet in either Savannakhet or Penang. I'm only planning on staying 4 more months. In retrospect I should've paid an agent in CNX for a visa based on retirement when I first arrived. Thank you for reading.

[DrJack54]

20 minutes ago, JesusonaPogoStick said:

I'm only planning on staying 4 more months.

 

If you only require 4 months why not visa exempt entry (60 days) + 60 day extension to visit wife.

Or even 60 (visa exempt) + 30 day extension + 60 extension to visit wife.

Or visa exempt 60 + obtain non O marriage at local immigration office (requires 400b in bank day of application) 3 months stamp = 5 month total. 

 

You don't need to obtain non O marriage in Laos

[JesusonaPogoStick]

@DrJack54I am a bit leery about trying to do a 3rd visa exempt because I was read the riot act on my 2nd land crossing. Flying in = maybe. Still, want to know if Sav has the no financials option.

[DrJack54]

16 minutes ago, JesusonaPogoStick said:

Still, want to know if Sav has the no financials option.

This is thread July re financials

https://aseannow.com/topic/1330114-is-savannakhet-requiring-proof-of-400k-for-2-months/

 

 

Where are you currently located

Which land border were you "read the riot act" 

[JesusonaPogoStick]

@DrJack54 Chiangkhong gave me a bit of hassle on my 2nd exit. In my 25 years in and out of Thailand (living in-country for many years on different types of visas) was pretty harsh( never overstay, but I suspect my long history on the screen **** him off on that particular day. When I crossed over the next day, I had Mr. Happy happy. TIT, you never know.

[DrJack54]

10 minutes ago, JesusonaPogoStick said:

When I crossed over the next day, I had Mr. Happy happy.

Luck of the draw..

Some immigration officers don't like to see ongoing entries using visa exempt or even tourist visas if they (for example) notice a previous non O 

BTW where are you currently? 

You are married to Thai so you have options.

Also 50+ so you can obtain non O retirement or marriage.

Ongoing living in Thailand from visa exempt not recommended.

 

 

[JesusonaPogoStick]

I think I have made that apparent about the visa exempt. I am in CNX, but will leave soon. The O (marriage w/o showing financials) gives me flexibility whereas paying 26k for retirement does not. Anyway, thanks for the input.

[pub2022]

On 11/28/2024 at 12:36 PM, JesusonaPogoStick said:

I think I have made that apparent about the visa exempt. I am in CNX, but will leave soon. The O (marriage w/o showing financials) gives me flexibility whereas paying 26k for retirement does not. Anyway, thanks for the input.

 

I have heard that Chiang Mai Immigration does not accept your request of visa changing (exempt to NON-O) if you have entered the country by land, it must be flying in.

[DrJack54]

1 hour ago, pub2022 said:

 

I have heard that Chiang Mai Immigration does not accept your request of visa changing (exempt to NON-O) if you have entered the country by land, it must be flying in.

"I Have heard" ?

I would like a first hand report

[pub2022]

59 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

"I Have heard" ?

I would like a first hand report

 

Two agencies in Chiang Mai told me that, about one month ago. I do not know if I can make names on here.

[DrJack54]

49 minutes ago, pub2022 said:

 

Two agencies in Chiang Mai told me that, about one month ago. I do not know if I can make names on here.

So you asked Visa agent.

Not clear what type of non O you inquired about.

Non O based on marriage or retirement.

 

 

 

 

[pub2022]

2 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

So you asked Visa agent.

Not clear what type of non O you inquired about.

Non O based on marriage or retirement.

 

 

 

 

 

From visa exempt to NON-O retirement, I already have the required money in the bank.

The two agencies told me that I must enter the Kingdom by flying in or my request of visa change won't be accepted by CM Immigration.

[Rob Browder]

On 11/29/2024 at 10:09 PM, pub2022 said:

From visa exempt to NON-O retirement, I already have the required money in the bank.

The two agencies told me that I must enter the Kingdom by flying in or my request of visa change won't be accepted by CM Immigration.

I have not seen this before, but nothing surprises me with Immigration any more. 

I would go to immigration and try to apply in-person - no agent - since you have the required funds.  The paperwork for retirement is not excessive (unlike other types). 

Do this when you still have 45+ days left on your permitted-stay. 

 

"Plan B" could include using an agent in Pattaya (discount if you have your own money) or "by the book" in Bangkok - though the latter would require staying in Bangkok ~3-months, to continue through the annual-extension.

[DrJack54]

4 hours ago, Rob Browder said:

I would go to immigration and try to apply in-person - no agent - since you have the required funds.  The paperwork for retirement is not excessive (unlike other types). 

Good advice.

Fact entered via land border should be irrelevant.

OP, can you report back your experience applying for non O retirement from visa exempt entry 

[NanLaew]

On 11/28/2024 at 12:36 PM, JesusonaPogoStick said:

I think I have made that apparent about the visa exempt. I am in CNX, but will leave soon. The O (marriage w/o showing financials) gives me flexibility whereas paying 26k for retirement does not. Anyway, thanks for the input.

Savanakhet does require proof of financials. Less onerous than an in-country extension or a Non-O from your homeland, but still a requirement.

[pub2022]

13 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Good advice.

Fact entered via land border should be irrelevant.

OP, can you report back your experience applying for non O retirement from visa exempt entry 

 

17 hours ago, Rob Browder said:

I have not seen this before, but nothing surprises me with Immigration any more. 

I would go to immigration and try to apply in-person - no agent - since you have the required funds.  The paperwork for retirement is not excessive (unlike other types). 

Do this when you still have 45+ days left on your permitted-stay. 

 

"Plan B" could include using an agent in Pattaya (discount if you have your own money) or "by the book" in Bangkok - though the latter would require staying in Bangkok ~3-months, to continue through the annual-extension.

Thanks for your reply.

I'll tell you more.

The three agencies in Chiang Mai told me that changing visa will cost me 20,000 baht even if I have the required funds. I was like . . .wow that should cost 2000 baht, I said what if I apply in person?

They said you can do it, but immigration will give you a hard time.

[DrJack54]

19 minutes ago, pub2022 said:

They said you can do it, but immigration will give you a hard time.

As previously stated. I have not read a report of not being able to obtain a non O from visa exempt entry (land or air entry) 

So believe it when first hand report. 

Can imagine Immigration can give you a hard time, esp for based on marriage.

There is very little apart for funds in bank requirement for non O retirement.

 

Jomitien played a strange one (don't know if still current) requiring the funds in bank 2 month seasoning for the non O.

That is rogue 

[pub2022]

22 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Can imagine Immigration can give you a hard time, esp for based on marriage.

 

 

 

 

Why???

Because I want to follow the rule?

I'll go on retirement, as already said, not marriage.

[Rob Browder]

On 12/4/2024 at 9:10 AM, pub2022 said:

 

Why???

Because I want to follow the rule?

I'll go on retirement, as already said, not marriage.

A "hard time," because your in-person application does not include the agent's envelope of money.  There is a misnomer they "care" about "legit" - but this is not their motivation, and learning this is the first step to being prepared to live here.

I suggest trying to do it in-person.  Some degree of "dance monkey dance" may be carried out as punishment for not using the agent - but also maybe not. 

Only if they block you, would you need to consider alternatives - local agent or other (see my previous reply). 

If you apply early, you will have plenty of time to deal with any problems.  The fewer days you have left on your permitted-stay, the more "leverage" they have to mess with you.