Urgent visa question

[JohnSmith]

My non-O [married to Thai / of retirement age] is expired and immig office gave me 10 days, which is stamped 20 March (at which time I would hopefully appear there with 250K in the bankbook, but it isn’t going to happen despite my best efforts).

So, I must exit the Kingdom and get a new visa.

I had been easily renewing my non-O for many years, and find myself with head swimming now. I’ve just read many posts here, but still unclear on some things.

1. Seems the most desirable visa for me now is Non-Immigrant-O, double-entry, right? (I’m 56, Thai wife and child born here. No work permit. We live here.)

2. We live near Nong Khai, but it sounds like the Vientiane Thai Immigration office is a nightmare at present. Maybe I could use an agent to avoid hours in line there and having a door slammed in my face, and to have a better chance of getting the mult-entry non-O from Thai Consulate in Vientiane?

3. Or maybe I should head off (train or bus for me) to Malaysia where getting the visa sounds more sure (though still no assurance of mult-entry, even with copy of marriage license and child’s birth certificate).

4. Perhaps my biggest point of confusion is what I would have to do just to get the Laotian visa for entry into Laos. I have to go all the way to Bangkok for that? Last I heard, they had an office in Khon Kaen, but I am concerned that changes frequently. I’d love to hear that I could get the Lao entry visa in Nong Khai – I live here.

5. I do know of a Thai agent in Nong Khai and will try to check there. Maybe I can get an idea of cost and Lao entry visa how-to.

6. If I show up at the local immigration police office with a bankbook with only 70K (far short of the required 250K), might I get 30 or 45 days while they decided to reject my application for one-year renewal? Or is that a dumb idea because the amount is so far short of requirements?

7. Finally, is it better to hit-up the immigration office for a bit more time, or just pay and apologize for a few days overstay at the border? Current stamp is 10 days “under consideration” expiring in 2 days – cost me 500 baht (I thought 10 days was awfully strict, since the office has known me for about 10 years, and we get along OK! – Clerks/Sergeants  there struck me as stressed-out, as opposed to hostile toward me or farangs.)

Thanks for any clarity you can lend here. My head is swimming and I’m anxious about this.  

[george]

1. Non-O is the right visa class for you.

2. Vientiane should not be a problem if you want a single "O" visa.

3. Penang will propably give you a multiple entry one year Non-O, as you are over 50 and married to a Thai.

4. You get a Laos visa on the Friendshop bridge for some 1200 Baht. No need to apply in BKK or Khon Khen.

5. You can do it by yourself, no need agent.

6. Forget that. The basic requirement of 250K THB is not fulfilled.

7. Ask the local immigration for another 10 days. Tell them you are awaiting delayed funds. They might take it...

[JohnSmith]

Thank you, George. This is getting more clear. I really appreciate your effort.

I did go by a popular guest house in Nong Khai today and they assured me that a Lao visa is available at the bridge, as you said. I don't doubt it. Had memory of that being un-available once.

How many months is Vientiane's single-O visa you refer to in #2,  . . . as compared to "Penang's multiple entry one year Non-O?" ?

I seem to recall 3 months, then maybe a one-month extension, then start again. Is that it?

(Penang) Mult-entry one year non-O means one can go in and out without more re-entry permits on the same one year visa? When it expires, can expect to get another? (I mean maybe / usually / if things don't change much, etc.)

Could you tell me how much immigration charges for those two different kinds of visas?

Thanks a million.

[george]

A single NON-O is 90 days, if they give you a double it's 2x90 days.

The multi should be possible to get year after year, but things in the visa world changes rapidly, and one can not be sure.

Single is 55 RM in Malaysia, double and multiple costs 110 RM. (It's at the Thai Consulate, not Immigration.)

[lopburi3]

If you obtain a one year multi entry O visa you will only have to cross a border every 90 days and will not need another visa, or extension, for almost 15 months (as you last exit/entry would allow about 90 days into the next year).  If you can obtain the funds at any time you could request an extension rather than continue to cross borders.

From personnel experience and reports would recommend Penang.  I only needed copy of marriage certificate but recommend you take that, ID card of wife, Passport of wife if she has one and home register of wife just to make sure.  Maybe take wife?  It makes a good and inexpensive vacation trip.  If you don't have time to arrange trip and can't get an extension just cross a border and get a tourist 30 day stay to hold you over.

[JohnSmith]

Thanks guys. Likely it will be a family trip to Penang. (If my wife gets over my having dumped her anchovie-water out by accident thinking it was spoiled broth!)

I hadn't understood that the one year non imm-O would require the border thing every 3 mos, nor had I seen how it works out to 15 months. Interesting.

The officers kindly gave me 7 more days for free (I asked for 10 more, and was assuming I'd have to pay, though I didn't mention it.), and indicated they could do so again, as I wait for the funds to arrive. Not sure if that was because they've known me for years, or what . . .  Anyway, as time goes on, one learns that being polite and respectful [or jai-yen] seems to make for best results in the long-run.

Cheers!

[lopburi3]

I hadn't understood that the one year non imm-O would require the border thing every 3 mos, nor had I seen how it works out to 15 months. Interesting

Will try to clarify a little.  There is no such thing as a "one year visa".  What you obtain is a multi entry visa valid for one year.  This allows any number of entry/exits during the time it is valid and each entry will be for up to 90 days.  Thus this type requires a border crossing at least every 90 days and if you make your last entry the day before the visa expires you will have another 90 days in Thailand before you need to obtain a new visa.

The other "one year" is a "one year extension" of your present non-immigrant visa (with the money in the bank requirement).  This would not require any border crossing (and if you did leave Thailand would require you to obtain a re-entry permit first).  This type of stay does have the added requirement for you to report your address every 90 days if you don't exit the country.

Believe you wife will enjoy the trip/vacation.  If you take second class sleepers the train is good value.  If forced to fly it usually good to fly to Hat Yai and van/share taxi from there (although domestic prices have gone up recently making it less attractive).  No shortage of hotels in all price ranges in Georgetown.  A stopover in Hat Yai on the way home may be good for shopping.  Great value accommodations/food available.

If you have any questions feel free to PM.

[JohnSmith]

Thanks again. Had actually figured-out about the visas before reading this, but it's good to be clear, and other folks reading might benefit too.

I'll report on the trip if anything that seems notable happens.

cheers!