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!