In the interest of sharing, here's how my Cat O Non-Imm visa application went at the Consulate in sunny Savannakhet.

 

1. Booked for a Tuesday as Monday was fully booked
2. Arrived to the back on the queue at 09:15. Only a single line with perhaps 10-15 people outside.
3. 70 minutes to get to the window
4. Did not bring a copy of three months of bank statements, so printed them at an exorbitant price across the road
5. Given a receipt
6. Returned at 14:15 on the Thursday - I was the only person there and the tray was full of passports
7. Done and dusted and drove back to Thailand 30 minutes later

 

Whenever they introduce e-filing the 70 minute wait will be gone. Just drop of one's passport and return two days later. Looking forward to that next year.

 

What did I do for two days? 

 

 

23 minutes ago, DualSportBiker said:

Whenever they introduce e-filing the 70 minute wait will be gone

Well it's starting next month and not only will your 70 minute wait be gone but also your multi entry visa. They are not offered in the e-visa system.

18 minutes ago, Upnotover said:

Well it's starting next month and not only will your 70 minute wait be gone but also your multi entry visa. They are not offered in the e-visa system.

Well that is miserable. What happens with annual visas then? Have to apply for the multiple entry once back here? Or will all Non-Imm visas be single entry? Confused by one step forward, two and a half back!

 

Thanks

2 minutes ago, DualSportBiker said:

Well that is miserable. What happens with annual visas then? Have to apply for the multiple entry once back here? Or will all Non-Imm visas be single entry? Confused by one step forward, two and a half back!

 

Thanks

You'll have to apply for an annual extension. No big deal really and you don't have to leave the country. You'll be able to get the extension on the back of the visa you just got.

19 hours ago, DualSportBiker said:

Whenever they introduce e-filing the 70 minute wait will be gone. Just drop of one's passport and return two days later. Looking forward to that next year.

 

That's not how the eVisa system works. You apply and upload your documents online. No passport drop-off. Then you wait until they'll email you a file with your visa details, print it and re-enter.

 

It's worth noting that there's no hard "two days later" either with eVisa - the processing time is a lot more variable. What it will be like at Savannakhet remains to be seen.

6 minutes ago, Caldera said:

 

That's not how the eVisa system works. You apply and upload your documents online. No passport drop-off. Then you wait until they'll email you a file with your visa details, print it and re-enter.

 

It's worth noting that there's no hard "two days later" either with eVisa - the processing time is a lot more variable. What it will be like at Savannakhet remains to be seen.

 

The notice issued by Savannakhet (and Vientiane) suggests both unusual payment requirements and a rather long processing time.  If either of these come to fruition remain to be seen.

 

I wonder if this is calculated, or just the conclusions of ineptitude?