Update On O Visa Via Savannahkhet, Laos

[kurtmartens]

Just got back to Chiang Mai after easily receiving my Non-Immigrant O Visa at the Thai Consulate in Savannakhet. Was very easy.

My wife and I flew from Chiang Mai to Bangkok and then took Laos Airlines to Savannakhet (they fly Sunday, Wednesday and Fridays). We went on Sunday came back today (Wednesday). Laos visa was $36 at the airpot - normally $35, but they charge a $1 fee for Sundays. Hotel picked us up at the airport. (Savan Vegas Casino/Hotel. 5,000 Baht per night for a junior suite. Although I saw the double rooms and they are just as fine.) Monday morning the hotel drove us to the Consulate. We got there at 845AM (they open at 9AM). Directly across from the Consulate there is a little store front with a girl who fills out your application for you (takes about 5 minutes). Double check the application though, she mistakingly checked off "single", when I am married. Presented her with copies of our wedding certificate, wife's ID card, my KBank update book showing over 200,000 Baht (they told us this was a requirement when we called last week, but I don't really think they check it). She took two visa photos from me, stapled everything to the application and we walked across to the Consulate.

Handed in our application to the lady at the counter, told her we wanted multi entry visa. She has to see our ORIGINAL wedding certificate (so you might want to bring it with you). Looked at it briefly. Took 5,000 Baht and told us to pick my passport and visa tomorrow (Tuesday). Be sure not to loose the little piece of paper they give you as a receipt with a number on it. I noticed that non multi entry visas where 1,000 - 2,000 baht depending on the type.

Went back Tuesday morning. They called out number (#11) and handed back my passport with a 1 year, multi entry visa inside.

All in all, very easy trip. Am sure there are cheaper hotels, etc. But, since I like to visit casinos we stayed at the Savan.

Hope this helps!

(Will avoid my usual rant that when people go to consulates and embassies, you really should dress in long pants, nice shirt. Not cut off shorts, dirty tshirts and flip flops/sandals...try to look presentable. It helps sometimes.)

[Online]

Thank you for sharing your visa report. I will be applying for the same visa :jap:

[kurtmartens]

Thank you for sharing your visa report. I will be applying for the same visa :jap:

No worries. I'd just remember to bring your original marriage cert. They were helpful people.

[beano2274]

Why do you not try and do it inside of Thailand i.e. an extension? A multi means border runs every 90 days, I go once a year to Immigration to get an extension, then every 90 days just pop into their office with the relevant forms and done.

[MJCM]

Why do you not try and do it inside of Thailand i.e. an extension? A multi means border runs every 90 days, I go once a year to Immigration to get an extension, then every 90 days just pop into their office with the relevant forms and done.

Yes, that way is easy, but maybe the OP did it this way because his income isn't up to par (40k a month) or he can't show the 400k in his Bank Account] or he has some other reason ?

Edited November 9, 2011 by MJCM

[kurtmartens]

Why do you not try and do it inside of Thailand i.e. an extension? A multi means border runs every 90 days, I go once a year to Immigration to get an extension, then every 90 days just pop into their office with the relevant forms and done.

For me, had to start somewhere. Can't get an extension....if I never had the visa in the first place.

And getting the first visa as a multi entry made sense for me. I am fine leaving every 90 days - as I do consultancy work for the USG and am freq on assignment every few months.

[kurtmartens]

Now my question is, do I need to do a re-entry permit every time I leave? Or since its a multi entry 1 year visa, am I okay to just pop in and out.

[transam]

Why do you not try and do it inside of Thailand i.e. an extension? A multi means border runs every 90 days, I go once a year to Immigration to get an extension, then every 90 days just pop into their office with the relevant forms and done.

Cos for a Brit you need 8 thousand pounds in Thai bank and/or some leave the country on a regular basis.

[beano2274]

Now my question is, do I need to do a re-entry permit every time I leave? Or since its a multi entry 1 year visa, am I okay to just pop in and out.

No re-entry required just leave and come back.

[Online]

Thank you for sharing your visa report. I will be applying for the same visa :jap:

No worries. I'd just remember to bring your original marriage cert. They were helpful people.

Sure will do thanks, that reminds me, may I please ask did they mention the Kor Ror 2 paper which is issued when the Amphur give you the original marriage cert?

[tommet]

my KBank update book showing over 200,000 Baht (they told us this was a requirement when we called last week, but I don't really think they check it).

This is a new, and unfortunate, requirement - even if they didn't check you, presumably they might.

Even KL only requires 100K, and only for a multiple entry visa.

Was it the Savanakhet Consulate told you this?

[transam]

Thank you for sharing your visa report. I will be applying for the same visa :jap:

No worries. I'd just remember to bring your original marriage cert. They were helpful people.

Sure will do thanks, that reminds me, may I please ask did they mention the Kor Ror 2 paper which is issued when the Amphur give you the original marriage cert?

I got a Multi O last month at Savanakhet. If cash is required then that is new cos there was no requirement.

Kor Ror 2 has to be an original ''up to date'' one from the Amphur, not a copy.

Edited November 10, 2011 by transam

[tommet]

Thank you for sharing your visa report. I will be applying for the same visa :jap:

No worries. I'd just remember to bring your original marriage cert. They were helpful people.

Sure will do thanks, that reminds me, may I please ask did they mention the Kor Ror 2 paper which is issued when the Amphur give you the original marriage cert?

I got a Multi O last month at Savanakhet. If cash is required then that is new cos there was no requirement.

I had seen your very encouraging report, thank you. This latest report though is more ominous. I will be visiting for Savanakhet in early January, in the hope of acquiring a multi non-O. I will have thai wife and baby with me, but not 200k in the bank. So I will let you know...

Edited November 10, 2011 by tommet

[transam]

I got a Multi O last month at Savanakhet. If cash is required then that is new cos there was no requirement.

I had seen your very encouraging report, thank you. This latest report though is more ominous. I will be visiting for Savanakhet in early January, in the hope of acquiring a multi non-O. I will have thai wife and baby with me, but not 200k in the bank. So I will let you know...

OK, remember the up to date Kor Ror 2 is stamped and signed by the boss to show you are still married. Seems folk were getting forged or old copies of the Kor Ror 2 and 3 when they were actually divorced but still wanted to stay in LOS. Tightening up. They told the mrs that modern computers/ printers were so advanced now for the home that the KR2 must be original, up to date and signed by the boss.

[tommet]

OK, remember the up to date Kor Ror 2 is stamped and signed by the boss to show you are still married. Seems folk were getting forged or old copies of the Kor Ror 2 and 3 when they were actually divorced but still wanted to stay in LOS. Tightening up. They told the mrs that modern computers/ printers were so advanced now for the home that the KR2 must be original, up to date and signed by the boss.

So the Kor Ror 2 needs to be - what, a few weeks or a few months old?

And signed by the boss at the Amphur offices? or are you referring to my wife

Edited November 10, 2011 by tommet

[transam]

OK, remember the up to date Kor Ror 2 is stamped and signed by the boss to show you are still married. Seems folk were getting forged or old copies of the Kor Ror 2 and 3 when they were actually divorced but still wanted to stay in LOS. Tightening up. They told the mrs that modern computers/ printers were so advanced now for the home that the KR2 must be original, up to date and signed by the boss.

So the Kor Ror 2 needs to be - what, a few weeks or a few months old?

And signed by the boss at the Amphur offices? or are you referring to my wife

It is proof that you are still married so go as near a time, say a week before, you go to Lao. Sorry about the boss , the head guy at the Amphur stamps and signs it in ink and it is issued to your mrs, not you.

[kurtmartens]

OK, remember the up to date Kor Ror 2 is stamped and signed by the boss to show you are still married. Seems folk were getting forged or old copies of the Kor Ror 2 and 3 when they were actually divorced but still wanted to stay in LOS. Tightening up. They told the mrs that modern computers/ printers were so advanced now for the home that the KR2 must be original, up to date and signed by the boss.

So the Kor Ror 2 needs to be - what, a few weeks or a few months old?

And signed by the boss at the Amphur offices? or are you referring to my wife

It is proof that you are still married so go as near a time, say a week before, you go to Lao. Sorry about the boss , the head guy at the Amphur stamps and signs it in ink and it is issued to your mrs, not you.

The original signed by the Amphur, big red stamp on it, etc.

As far as the bank book goes. They told us when we called that we needed to show 200k in the bank, but honestly....I don't think they looked. The lady at the counter only really asked to see the original wedding certificate. I included the bank book copy just in case (since they mentioned it when we called), but I don't know if they really looked. Sorry.

[kurtmartens]

my KBank update book showing over 200,000 Baht (they told us this was a requirement when we called last week, but I don't really think they check it).

This is a new, and unfortunate, requirement - even if they didn't check you, presumably they might.

Even KL only requires 100K, and only for a multiple entry visa.

Was it the Savanakhet Consulate told you this?

Yes, we called the Consulate BEFORE we left Chiang Mai for Laos. My wife spoke with them, and they said we must show 200,000 in the bank. (See my other reply, I actually don't think they check.) We also called Singapore, and they were telling us 400,000 in the bank and were rude to my wife - which is why we went to Savanakhet - not the money, but just the general rudeness from Singapore on the phone.

[lopburi3]

I have not seen any report of KR2 being required for visa issue - that is an immigration requirement now for extensions of stay. For visa the normal requirement is marriage certificate/copy of wife ID card and her home register.

[Jimbo]

So if you got married in Europe then a European wedding certificate should be ok right? You don't have to have your marriage registered at the local Amphur to be able to get a multiple entry Non O visa, or do you?

[lopburi3]

No but multi entry is often restricted as expectation is you will extend. Only for extension of stay from Immigration is local recording needed (they want KR2 now from everyone using Thai wife extension of stay).

[transam]

I have not seen any report of KR2 being required for visa issue - that is an immigration requirement now for extensions of stay. For visa the normal requirement is marriage certificate/copy of wife ID card and her home register.

Why l mentioned the KR2 for a M-O at Savanakhet is that the lady was going to make a problem saying she wants an original and mine was a copy, l politely told her to look again as l supplied and payed for 2 (40bht) . Perhaps she was having a bad day but for any guy/gal going to this consulate best be fully loaded.

[Phuketshrew]

Now my question is, do I need to do a re-entry permit every time I leave? Or since its a multi entry 1 year visa, am I okay to just pop in and out.

No you don't :-)

I had a multi-entry from KL last December - You don't need a re-entry permit.

I am actually in Savannakhet right now - Submitted the paperwork today at 10.30 am and I was the only person there! Pick up tomorrow at 2pm, then on to Vientiane.

Clive R.

[Phuketshrew]

Now my question is, do I need to do a re-entry permit every time I leave? Or since its a multi entry 1 year visa, am I okay to just pop in and out.

No you don't :-)

I had a multi-entry from KL last December - You don't need a re-entry permit.

I am actually in Savannakhet right now - Submitted the paperwork today at 10.30 am and I was the only person there! Pick up tomorrow at 2pm, then on to Vientiane.

Clive R.

Just to add to that - No proof of funds was asked for - just marriage certificate, tabian baan, ID Card, and a brief note from my wife. All copies signed by wife. Original Marriage certificate and tabian baan shown. The only other requirement was two photos and 5,000 baht.

The officer quizzed the marriage certificate as I don't think she could believe that I have been married for nearly 25 years, but the original is getting a little tatty now (certificate not wife ;-)).

Whatever you do DON'T stay at the NongSoda Guesthouse - It is a <deleted> hole. Booked on the web as it is on the river very close to the Thai Consulate. However:

It is filthy dirty and mosquito ridden

No towels provided

Room not cleaned/bed not made

Staffed by some lazy young Lao's - No communication in English whatsoever

They insisted on payment for the first night despite having paid up front (still trying to sort this out)

There is no cafe/restaurant/food

Also suspect bed bugs - can't have been all mozzeys

Oh yes - A real plus point has been that my CAT USB Internet card works well in Savannakhet - thank goodness!

Oh well - I'll be out of here tomorrow - heading for Vientiane.

Clive R.

[kurtmartens]

Now my question is, do I need to do a re-entry permit every time I leave? Or since its a multi entry 1 year visa, am I okay to just pop in and out.

No you don't :-)

I had a multi-entry from KL last December - You don't need a re-entry permit.

I am actually in Savannakhet right now - Submitted the paperwork today at 10.30 am and I was the only person there! Pick up tomorrow at 2pm, then on to Vientiane.

Clive R.

Just to add to that - No proof of funds was asked for - just marriage certificate, tabian baan, ID Card, and a brief note from my wife. All copies signed by wife. Original Marriage certificate and tabian baan shown. The only other requirement was two photos and 5,000 baht.

The officer quizzed the marriage certificate as I don't think she could believe that I have been married for nearly 25 years, but the original is getting a little tatty now (certificate not wife ;-)).

Whatever you do DON'T stay at the NongSoda Guesthouse - It is a <deleted> hole. Booked on the web as it is on the river very close to the Thai Consulate. However:

It is filthy dirty and mosquito ridden

No towels provided

Room not cleaned/bed not made

Staffed by some lazy young Lao's - No communication in English whatsoever

They insisted on payment for the first night despite having paid up front (still trying to sort this out)

There is no cafe/restaurant/food

Also suspect bed bugs - can't have been all mozzeys

Oh yes - A real plus point has been that my CAT USB Internet card works well in Savannakhet - thank goodness!

Oh well - I'll be out of here tomorrow - heading for Vientiane.

Clive R.

Great news Clive. Am not surprised about the lack of interest in bank book, like I said....they asked for it on the phone, but when we got there no one really seemed to care or ask for it. Just wanted the orignal wedding certificate. All in all, it was painless and am happy you got your visa as well.

The Savan Casino Hotel isn't bad and worth the extra couple dollars a night, rather than risking an unpleasant few nights at a bug infested guest house!