Last time I went to Vientiane for a visa you just walked in. I know a lot has changed since then.

 

I want to apply for a 90 day non-O retirement. I have over B800,000 in my account. I know it's done on the eVisa website after entering Laos. Just a few questions:

 

1. Are copies of my bank book enough or will I need to get a bank letter?

 

2. Any time requirement on the funds? (B800,000 was recently deposited via a mix of cash ATM deposits and Wise transfers)

 

3. How long does the process take after application? (How long should I expect to be in Laos)

 

4. Any other documents I should prepare ahead of time, as I'll be away from home (Thailand) and not have easy access to things.

 

Will drive to the border, leave my car there (done it before), and cross over.

 

Thanks,

- Thomas

1. I would be inclined to obtain 3 month bank statement from bank. 

2. Funds just need to be in the account. Unlike Non O obtained inside of Thailand, the funds do not need to be shown as transfers from abroad. 

 

Be aware that payment is made at the Thai consulate/embassy.

No online payment option which is a bummer. 

I can request a 3 month statement via my bank app - and they'll email it. So that's easy enough.

 

Also, since I have to go to the embassy to pay, I suppose I could always show them my real time balance on the app as well (if asked).

 

- Thomas

7 minutes ago, Thomas72 said:

I can request a 3 month statement via my bank app - and they'll email it. So that's easy enough.

True, however banks other than BBL print it out on the spot and you get a bank stamp and initials. 

 

7 minutes ago, Thomas72 said:

Also, since I have to go to the embassy to pay, I suppose I could always show them my real time balance on the app as well (if asked).

Think you will find that it's a visit for payment only. 

Oh and ignore the touts. 

You can prepare the application prior to entering Lao and lodge it as soon as you enter. 

 

BTW: haven't seen a report from Vientiane however at Savannahket process time is very quick. 

Hopefully you will see receive the email in couple of days

Make hard copy print out. 

Well, I'm trying to avoid a visit to the bank if possible. I'm currently on a DTV and already have had one account closed (by you know who). I've got another account, so I boosted the balance and will be switching to a non-O retirement.

 

For me, having a bank account is more important than having a DTV.

 

I want to avoid going into the bank for anything, if possible. I want to get my visa switched before my remaining account is closed.

 

When it's extension time and I go in for the bank letter, I'll already have the non-O in hand.

 

- Thomas

5 minutes ago, Thomas72 said:

I want to avoid going into the bank for anything, if possible. I want to get my visa switched before my remaining account is closed.

 

When it's extension time and I go in for the bank letter, I'll already have the non-O in hand.

Understand now. 

1 hour ago, Thomas72 said:

I'm currently on a DTV

You do know there are verified reports where people were on DTV's (which as you know is a five year multiple entry visa), went to a consulate to apply for a Non-immigrant visa only to be told contact the consulate that issued your DTV, have them cancel it in the eVisa system, email you confirmation it's cancelled and THEN we'll accept your application for the non-immigrant type visa. 

 

That's because in theory you cannot hold two valid visas, like the 5-year multiple entry DTV and then a single entry non immigrant type one.. 

 

People reported that's what the consulate told them when trying to go from DTV to non o marriage and from DTV to non b employment. In those cases they had to contact the consulate that issued the initial DTV Visa and have it cancelled. 

 

Face it it'll either work or it won't and if it doesn't the worst case is you'll be out the 2000 baht application fee. 

 

On the upside because you have to go in person to pay for the visa after you apply, you can ask them while you're there.

 

And if they say you can't do it until the DTV is canceled then you can just not go forward with the application

I was not aware of that. I read a report (don't know the consulate) where a non-o was issued, and the consulate pointed out that the previous DTV was automatically cancelled. Something in the non-o verbiage about "all previous visas now voided".

 

I went to jomtiem immigration to cancel the DTV, they would not. I asked to convert to non-o, they would not.

 

I went to Udon Thani immigration (I also have property up there) to cancel the DTV, they would not. Udon Thani told me to exit, enter visa exempt, then they'd convert to non-o for me (they will not convert a DTV either).

 

I verified this with an Udon Thani agent. She sends DTV holders out via BKK, they just don't show the DTV, then come in visa exempt - then convert. You would think it's all in the system and they'd ask for the DTV, but the agent showed me photos of what her past customers have done in my situation.

 

I thought I'd make it easier by picking up the non-o in Vientiane.

 

This is all way more complicated than it needs to be. Everyone is saying a DTV is just a tourist visa, but no office will convert them like a tourist visa or visa exempt.

 

So I guess at this point, my first attempt should be a fly out / fly in at BKK. Worst case is I get stamped back in via DTV.

 

If this fails I suppose I can contact the LA consulate to cancel the visa, then go to Vientiane. I'm guessing my current permission to stay would remain intact once the DTV is cancelled.

 

Any better suggestions?

 

- Thomas

 

P.S. All this BS because of the current banking mess. Banking aside, I love the DTV.

After thinking about my own post, perhaps this will work, assuming my current permission to stay is not cancelled with the DTV.

 

1. Contact LA consulate to cancel visa.

 

2. Then go to Vientiane for the non-o.

 

LA is slow, and I can just wait in Thailand until they cancel the visa.

 

-Thomas

 

7 hours ago, Thomas72 said:

the consulate pointed out that the previous DTV was automatically cancelled.

That's totally b/s, no visa automatically cancels, especially ones that's valid for 5 years and is multiple entry. 

 

7 hours ago, Thomas72 said:

I went to jomtiem immigration to cancel the DTV, they would not. I asked to convert to non-o, they would not.

 

I went to Udon Thani immigration (I also have property up there) to cancel the DTV, they would not

Correct an immigration office inside Thailand can't cancel visas issued from Thai consulates outside the country because the embassies are run by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Office not Thai Immigrations 😕

 

7 hours ago, Thomas72 said:

This is all way more complicated than it needs to be. Everyone is saying a DTV is just a tourist visa

You made it complicated by jumping on the DTV without understanding is limitations, and it is nothing but a glorified tourist visa, just one that can't be switched to anything else inside the country. 😉 

 

You have a 5 year multi entry visa, how about just following the procedure to cancel it (contact the consulate that issued it, get proof of cancellation) then go apply for the 90 day non o at a Thai consulate. 

 

Face it, there's not gun to your head to get it done quickly, you have a six month stamp from your DTV, bounce out/back get a new 180 day entry stamp then start the cancellation process, canceling the visa won't affect the 180 day stamp you're here on. 

 

Know you are not alone in your plight, thousands of people jumped off retirement, marriage visa/extensions on to this "magical" DTV and are not finding out it's not all is cracked up to be 

 

Best of luck with it, 

8 hours ago, Thomas72 said:

Any better suggestions?

 

All this BS because of the current banking mess. Banking aside, I love the DTV.

Left field suggestion... 

Have you exhausted the idea of keeping the DTV. 

After all its in place and in the main has lot of upside. 

Seems the main issue for you is The Banking and possibility of bank closing your account as you are "special tourist category" (not my term) 

There is also fact that TDL is only for two years however personally find these things minor. 

Sure my Thai bank account was handy when buying properties in Thailand however just suggesting that you look into ways around the banking side of things. 

Its not a given that these accounts will be closed. Perhaps BBL but all banks? Not sure.

To use your words... "I love the DTV"

DrJack, you're correct. I have set up a TrueMoney wallet as a backup. I can deposit cash directly at TrueShop Kiosks. But it has limitations - B50,000 max balance and outgoing QR payments are limited to B10,000 per payment. Also cannot accept incoming wires. And if always seems to be down between 23:00 - 02:00 for maintenance (so paying a bar bill never works). But for day-to-day QR payments it's helpful.

 

I have 2 different American bank accounts that each give me free ATM withdrawals worldwide. They reimburse all fees. So I can draw B60,000 cash a day fee-free. Generally I do this then just deposit the cash into my Thai bank.

 

So yes, I could get by without a Thai bank if my remaining account is closed. I just don't like the idea of not being able to wire money in. I'm not planning any property purchases for at least 5 years, so that's not an issue.

 

Without a Thai bank account I'd have to always sit on a few 100,000 baht cash to make sure I never get caught out. It takes 7-10 days for me to receive a new ATM card from America if mine is lost/damaged/stolen/expired.

 

Right now I'm thinking to leave things as is. Opening new accounts seems like a long shot. If my remaining account is closed I have several options at that point.

 

Thanks for your input.

 

- Thomas

39 minutes ago, Thomas72 said:

Right now I'm thinking to leave things as is.

DTV is a 5 year multi entry visa and if you never stay beyond 180 days (consecutively) there is no need to visit immigration for annual extension. 

 

I would love a DTV over my current extension from a Non O retirement. 

On top of that the financial requirements. No brainer IMO. 

 

As for banking, I would just transfer from my Oz bank using WISE into my Thai partners bank account. 

Think even easier for US guys as they have ATM options which indeed you pointed out 

Yes, if you have a partner you trust, a very valid option.

 

i currently only go to immigration for 90 day reports. I bounce every 180 days. Udon Thani 90 day reports are easy (unlike Jomtiem). No TM-30, no copies of everything. I hand them my passport and a slip of paper with my address written on it. I'm in and out in 2 minutes.

 

I never need a certificate of residence because I have a yellow book.

 

I spend half my time in Udon and half in Pattaya.

 

- Thomas

14 minutes ago, Thomas72 said:

I never need a certificate of residence because I have a yellow book.

I spend half my time in Udon and half in Pattaya.

You might find you now require a COR for TDL renewal, however no big deal. 

Udon + Pattaya you have it made. 

Fond memories of many trimes spent Day Night bar area. 

6 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

You might find you now require a COR for TDL renewal, however no big deal. 

 

My birthday was this past July, licenses were expiring. I went to Udon land transport, one day before expiration. They accepted the yellow book and renewed me for 6 years.

 

So you can get 5 (or 6!) year driving licenses on a DTV.

 

But I had a 5 year license already (was just renewing) and they really like the yellow book at all Udon government offices. They took a copy of the DTV, but didn't care at all about me being on a DTV.

 

- Thomas

8 minutes ago, Thomas72 said:

But I had a 5 year license already (was just renewing) and they really like the yellow book at all Udon government offices. They took a copy of the DTV, but didn't care at all about me being on a DTV.

Might work in UT however can assure you that's not the procedure throughout Thailand i eg Bangkok. 

Also numerous reports of folk with a DTV only being issued a 2 year  TDL. 

Indeed that is correct. 

Tourist status = 2 yr TDL

This past December I bought a slightly used car at a Bangkok dealership. I used my yellow book and pink card from Udon Thani. He was very surprised and had never seen the documents before. He took copies of everything (plus copies of passport and visa entry stamp) and went to one of the Bangkok Land Transport offices to do all of the transferring for me. They didn't need or ask for anything else. So I have a Bangkok plate, Bangkok blue book, all registered to an Udon Thani yellow book. No certificate of residence was required.

 

I thought I might have to take everything to Udon and process the transfer there - but it wasn't required. I know I can move everything to Udon (plate and book), but I see no reason to. And it's a bit easier to resell vehicles already registered in Bangkok.

 

- Thomas

 

I got my first 90-day non-O at Vientiane a few years ago. You definitely must be on "visa exempt" or "tourist" visa. Get your DTV canceled first. Back then, one could book an appointment online, submit docs on arrival, and get your visa the next day. I read reports that they no longer do that. You must wait 1-2 weeks to receive it. Check the embassy website.

9 hours ago, scoutman360 said:

I got my first 90-day non-O at Vientiane a few years ago.

Then you're definitely more than a little bit behind the times. 

 

All thai consulates in the world are on the online eVisa system. 

 

In Lao it works like this: 

 

You go to Lao, you log into the eVisa website, you select the visa you want, you apply, upload the proof you're in Lao (visa, entry stamp), upload the required documents, proof of funds, use the hotel in Lao as your current address, use your thai address as your permanent one. 

 

Check that you didn't make any mistakes inn the data entry, submit the application, you'll get a confirmation you print out and take to the consulate to pay in cash for the visa from 9-11, M-F,

 

then you wait in Lao until your visa is approved or rejected. They'll email you the PDF file that is the visa, print it out and give it along with your passport to the officer when you stamp in. 

 

For "regular visas" (Non-O, Non-B, Non-ED) the approval is quite fast, usually only a day or two after you pay. 

 

The linchpin in the process of that you fill out the required data girls correctly (as data entry mistakes results in cancellation of the application and you lose the fee)

AND,

in uploading the required documents the first time. If they have to email you a request for additional documentation it will draw out the process. 

 

And that's how you apply for an eVisa to Thailand in Lao at Vientiane out Savannakhet 

On 10/11/2025 at 7:48 AM, Tod Daniels said:

Then you're definitely more than a little bit behind the times. 

I am not disputing you, my friend. I clearly stated in my paragraph  "Back then..., etc."  Everyone's input is helpful. If you need to, please revisit to my post last year where (yours truely) gave me old information that caused me grief during my attempt at my first Non-O at CW. After that experience, I went to Vientianne. Sorry I must correct myself. My Non-O was done last year. Not a few years ago. 🙂 

 

Per the Vientiane consular website (today):

 

4. O VISA PROCESSING TIME

• Usually 3-10 working days, depending on the completeness of documents, type of visa, and nationality of the applicants.

 

This is in line with my paragraph above. The rules have changed and they no longer issue Visas the next day, as I was able to do. Cheers. 

On 10/10/2025 at 7:23 AM, Tod Daniels said:

jumping on the DTV without understanding is limitations

How the ?? would anyone possibly predict that Thai banks would suddenly start closing people's accounts for using a Visa specifically including qualifying by earning foreign incomes, so that money would be spent into Thailand?

 

I stayed on retirement-extensions because I figured immigration would start extorting those returning on DTV entries - which has not happened (yet).  But, I would never have guessed that banks would be the tool used to punish those on DTVs (or, BKB's freezes for bank-letters for immigration).

 

Except for this left-field attack from the banks, and 2-year TDLs (minor issue), the DTV is "everything it was cracked up to be" - better than I would have predicted, in terms of how immigration is treating it.