Traveling to Laos & applying for the O visa. So many questions & conflicting advice

[SpartanDet]

Since the recent implementation of the "online only" evisa system earlier in the year, I've been having a tough time navigating how to acquire the Non-Immigrant O Visa, and I really appreciate any guidance or clarifications you may have.

 

My situation:

 

* US citizen married to Thai citizen

* Married in Thailand a few months ago

* Have Thai-language Kor Ror 2 and Kor Ror 3

* Currently on my 8 bajillionth visa-exempt in Thailand

* Wife and I are going on a little vacation through Laos soon

 

While in Laos, I would like to acquire a Non-Immigrant O Visa so I can start the process of eventually getting on the annual spousal renewal marriage visa.  Here's my questions:

 

1) After I submit my O visa application online on the normal Thai visa website, is the only activity at the Thai consular section in Vientiane just walking in and paying the application fee?

2) For the marriage documents that get uploaded in the online application, is the Kor Ror 2 and Kor Ror 3 sufficient?  

3) Both the Kor Ror 2 and Kor Ror 3 are in Thai script.  I'm seeing some posts online of people that did the "Vientiane O visa trip" saying you need English-translated versions with the MFA stamp, as well.  That can't possibly be corrrect, right?  

 

Has anyone else done the O Visa application and gone thru Vientiane recently (since they implemented the online-only method)?  Any insights of your experiences will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[DrJack54]

Some points covered in these recent threads

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1360006-non-o-visa-vientiane-laos/ 

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1365902-non-o-marriage-visa-run/

 

 

[SpartanDet]

Oh I forgot one other question:

 

For going into the Thai consular office in Vientiane, do I need to make an appointment?  If it's just to pay the app fee, then I would hope not. Also, I can't find the appointment website, so really hoping this isn't the case.

[BrandonJT]

29 minutes ago, SpartanDet said:

1) After I submit my O visa application online on the normal Thai visa website, is the only activity at the Thai consular section in Vientiane just walking in and paying the application fee?

2) For the marriage documents that get uploaded in the online application, is the Kor Ror 2 and Kor Ror 3 sufficient?  

3) Both the Kor Ror 2 and Kor Ror 3 are in Thai script.  I'm seeing some posts online of people that did the "Vientiane O visa trip" saying you need English-translated versions with the MFA stamp, as well.  That can't possibly be corrrect, right?  

 

8 minutes ago, SpartanDet said:

Oh I forgot one other question:

 

For going into the Thai consular office in Vientiane, do I need to make an appointment?  If it's just to pay the app fee, then I would hope not. Also, I can't find the appointment website, so really hoping this isn't the case.

1) Yes, you go to the embassy during their specified payment hours to make your payment.  That's the only other thing you need to do for a non-O visa.

3) Official Thai documents from the amphur office should be accepted. MFA should only be involved for foreign documents

4) Only the embassy in Yangon has an appointment to make payment as far as I know. The 2 consulates in Laos do not require appointments to make payment.  In fact the websites they used to use for appointments have been taken over by scammers.

 

Recent reports are of a 2-3 day turnaround time from the day you make payment.

[SpartanDet]

Thank you Brandon, that really helps!

[Issa Compass]

Hey @SpartanDet, this is from our experience:

1. After you submit the Non-O application online, you just need to go to the Thai embassy in Vientiane to pay the fee. That’s really the main in-person step. They might ask for a short personal interview, so it’s good to be prepared.
2. We confirmed that Kor Ror 2 and Kor Ror 3 in Thai are enough. No need to translate them if they’re clear and official.
3. If you’re submitting to a Thai embassy and the docs are in Thai, that’s fine.

We also asked about processing time. They said it usually takes around 5 working days, and Vientiane tends to be quicker than other embassies, though timing can always vary.

 

Hope this helps, safe trip to Laos and good luck with the visa!

[Tod Daniels]

On 7/16/2025 at 10:11 AM, SpartanDet said:

Any insights of your experiences will be greatly appreciated

Don't forget you also have to show proof of funds, (400k in a Thai bank account in your name only)

 

Vientiane is pretty fast processing, log in, upload your proof that you're in Lao (visa/entry stamp), upload the required documents, check the data for accuracy, submit the application, get the confirmation, print it, show up at the consulate between 9 and 11 and pay the 2000 baht for the 90 day non o visa. 

 

Most people are approved within a day or two of paying.

 

They'll email you the PDF file that is the non o 90 day visa,

 

print it, hand it with your passport when you stamp in, then check that you got stamped in for 90 days when they hand you passport back.. 

[Bday Prang]

Am i missing something?  Are you currently in thailand ?  why not apply to convert your existing visa to a non O in Thailand at any immigration office, is that not possible anymore?   

[Rob Browder]

3 hours ago, Bday Prang said:

Am i missing something?  Are you currently in thailand ?  why not apply to convert your existing visa to a non O in Thailand at any immigration office, is that not possible anymore?   

Could be many reasons - taking a mini-vacation anyway, lives in the Pattaya-area (where they want 15K payoff to follow the rules to convert), not enough days left on current permitted-stay, etc.

[Bday Prang]

6 minutes ago, Rob Browder said:

Could be many reasons - taking a mini-vacation anyway, lives in the Pattaya-area (where they want 15K payoff to follow the rules to convert), not enough days left on current permitted-stay, etc.

in which case I am missing something, maybe he will tell us

[Merrill]

It took me two days a stay over for the O visa. They do have agents that can speed it up, but usually two days