Report For Multiple "o" Mariage In Savannakhet. Bankbook Required!

[Khun Jean]

I used the visarun package from Savan Vegas. 2199baht for 2 nights/3 days. (they also have 1 night package).

Went with the trin from Bangkok Hua lamphong to Ubon Ratchathani, arrival 08:30.

Then next with the bus to mukdahan (3 hours).

And then the free pickup by Savan Vegas. They will help with Lao visa, it is an easy process but now even easier.

Savanvegas rooms were very nice and clea.

No swimmingpool anymore which was a disappointment.

Breakfast is great, lucnh and dinner are good. If you want more choice they gave a good 'Western' restaurant.

For the visa i brought my original marriaga certificate, copy of my wifes passport/id card, copy of tabien bahn, two pasport size pictures and i had to bring a bank book.

It seems that money in the bank is now a requirement, according to employee of savanvegas multiple entry visas are denied when no bank book is shown.

I used a bankbook on shared account having 100k for about 1 month, but was adviced to also bring the bangkbook on my wifes name with 500k in it for already a longer time. The minimum is 3 month, 6 months or more is better.

I have a new visa so everything together was for them enough to issue it.

I guess they not really want to issue multiple entries because you can get a year extension in Bangkok for 1900 baht, there is from their viewpoint no reason to do difficult and spend much more.

Edited February 6, 2013 by Khun Jean

[MJCM]

Thanks for the report, this will help settling down the commotion about Savanakhet not issuing anymore

The money req are stricter then getting an Extension at Immigration, there it is only 400k for 2-3 months max. !

Edited February 6, 2013 by MJCM

[Orac]

I did the SV option in October - multi O Marriage. The casino said a bank book with 30k baht would be ok at the time and no need for it to have been in there for any length of time. Not sure if it was checked or not but got the visa no problem. Sounds like it has changed since then.

[lopburi3]

This appears to be a visa service requirement rather than Consulate so would highly value new reports from those making applications for multi entry on basis of Thai wife independently.

[Khun Jean]

Employee who does the visa 'service' at savavegas told that requirements for money in the bank are getting stricter.

He said it probably will be more difficult in the future.

Just an opinion as nothing is certain of course.

Sorry Lopburi that i was not clear enough.

I only used their 'bring me to the embassy and back' service.

I don't give my passport to anyone so i applied in person, but used their service for transport and advice.

Edited February 6, 2013 by Khun Jean

[lopburi3]

But probably is a far cry from "is". In the past people asking Consulate from outside Laos were advised of requirement but when making application no such request was made or expected.

[Khun Jean]

I am not good at making a report i see.

Too many small details can be read wrong.

I try again just in summary form; I only used savanvegas advice and their transport service.

Was brought to embassy monday morning.

Applied for multiple "o" marriage.

Showed Marriage certificate,copy tabien Bahn, copy pasport/id from wife (I also brought original but not used them).

I was asked for which visa i wanted to apply, i repleid for a multiple entry.

Bankbook was requested.

I showed 100k in shared account but was told that was not enoug. (not clear if the amount of money was meant or the time money was on the bank).

I then showed bankbook that is on my wifes name. Has 500+k for at least 6 months and has many transactions in the book as it is used often.

This was looked at, brought to the 'back' and after a while i was told to pickup next day.

Picked up passport with new multiple next day around 14:00.

At the moment i applied i had one single entry, one multiple entry (got both in Holland) and a bunch of cambodia visas to get 90 day entries in my passport.

I think in the 'back' they studied my passports content and history and made the decision.

Edited February 6, 2013 by Khun Jean

[MJCM]

Thanks for the update,

but what if the money you showed (100k shared account) was 100k in a "non-shared" account would they issue then ?

Just wondering

[IMA_FARANG]

As I said in another posting before, it's becoming the norm now in S.E. Asia to issue a 90 day non O visa and then expect you to do an extension in Thailand,

This includes exiensions for marriage to a Thai.

It may still be possible to get a multi entry visa, but it's becoming more difficult to do evertwhere.

The preferred method is for you now to get that 90 day visa outside of Thailand and do the extension in Thailand.

I personally believe this is mainly due to the fact that immigration has more direct control locally with applications for marriage extensions locally by this method .... especially because you must do 90 day reporting directly to them.

So, just because you had a multi entry visa "before" does NOT mean you will necessarily get a multi entry visa now.

Yes you still CAN get a multi entry some places, but it's getting harder to do all the time.

The question they will ask is WHY do you need a multi entry visa and why can you not go through the exitension in Thailand at your local immigtation process?

That's just the reality of the situation these days ... and i personally don't expect it to change soon if at all.

Look at "retirement" visas .... where now in Asia can you get a multi entry Non O visa based on retirement?

Nowhere I know of ... but I could be wrong.

Just about everywhere ib Asia now, they will only issue a 90 day visa for "retirement" purposes and then tell you to apply for that reirement extension in Thailand after you arrive.

Be prepared for the same thing to be the common practice for marriage visas and extensions also.

If you want it, you're going to have to play their game using their ball.

[Nana Cowboy]

I think it's important to note that the consulate said "not enough" when Jean showed them HIS bankbook with 100K inside. Not enough implies not enough money as opposed to not enough seasoning. For my purposes I wouldn't go there with my hopes up to get that visa with 100K in the bank. If I was going to do it I would be prepared to accept a single entry. Good job having the wife's bankbook as a backup

[lopburi3]

I have not seen any such report from poster that the Consulate said anything to him and do not believe that was the case - he reports a visa service saying this so we are attempt to confirm those who actually apply are told the same or not.

[MJCM]

OP made a newer report (Post #7) stating that he spoke and applied for his visa at the Consulate and not the "Visa Service"

and 1 other thing about the 100k is that it also was a "Shared Bank Account"

Edited February 6, 2013 by MJCM

[lopburi3]

Unfortunately I missed that update for some reason - seems marker got reset to post below it for some reason - thanks. But still appears he showed the money without prompt so am wondering if not show if less or none would still be asked. Reason is that people had reported being told they should show 400k at that Consulate (which begs the question why not extend) but when actually making application and not showing anything the visa was issued. The 100k seems to be unique to KL and from latest reports the other Consulates in Malaysia.

[transam]

OP, just curious, was your wife with you at the window and did you have an up to date Kor Ror 2. ?

[utr]

Did a visa run yesterday 5 Feb 2013 in person with my Thai wife and our child, not through any agent(s), and did not provide and was NOT asked for any financial details at all.

This was my second Multiple entry 12 month Non-O Visa from Savannakhet and neither time was I asked for any financial details whatsoever.

It may be that if applying other than in person the requirements may be more onerous.

[transam]

Did a visa run yesterday 5 Feb 2013 in person with my Thai wife and our child, not through any agent(s), and did not provide and was NOT asked for any financial details at all.

This was my second Multiple entry 12 month Non-O Visa from Savannakhet and neither time was I asked for any financial details whatsoever.

It may be that if applying other than in person the requirements may be more onerous.

Well done chum and thanks for posting.

[utr]

Sorry didn't see the question until after i posted " ... did you have an up to date Kor Ror 2. " - no we didn't (not an old one either).

[transam]

Sorry didn't see the question until after i posted " ... did you have an up to date Kor Ror 2. " - no we didn't (not an old one either).

Just goes to show that stuff depends on the ''Lady'' at the window who last year questioned the authenticity of my Kor Ror 2 when it and everything else l provided was first class. This year will also take a pic of me and the mrs outside our house, just in case.

[swissie]

It used to be , that the assets in the Bank-Book had to be strictly in the name of the Farang. Bank book balance of wife or shared accounts "diden't count" !

A NEW GAME IN TOWN ?

If that were the case, why coulden't bank-book balances of the children,or other family mebers be included in this equasion????????????????

Cheers.

[transam]

It used to be , that the assets in the Bank-Book had to be strictly in the name of the Farang. Bank book balance of wife or shared accounts "diden't count" !

A NEW GAME IN TOWN ?

If that were the case, why coulden't bank-book balances of the children,or other family mebers be included in this equasion????????????????

Cheers.

And why not my (ooooops, her) mega buck house, my name vehicle, which are all assets.

[MJCM]

Sorry didn't see the question until after i posted " ... did you have an up to date Kor Ror 2. " - no we didn't (not an old one either).

Just goes to show that stuff depends on the ''Lady'' at the window who last year questioned the authenticity of my Kor Ror 2 when it and everything else l provided was first class. This year will also take a pic of me and the mrs outside our house, just in case.

That is always the best thing to do, always take more with you then necessary just in case you missed / forgot something or they have new requirements.

And also, an updated Kor Ror 2 costs only +/-30 THB. Just think what would it cost you if they send you packing and have to go back into Thailand just for this one form or something else. (worst case scenario of course)

Edited February 6, 2013 by MJCM

[lopburi3]

Bank accounts are normally required by immigration for extensions of stay - only recently have Consulates started to ask for them as a means to issue more than single entry visas and have not seen any requirement for KR2 (which most of us have never even seen - much less have). Marriage certificate, copy of wife ID card or passport, copy of her home register are the normal current requirements beyond normal application and fee. To add to this some will request show of funds to support an extended stay, set by local officials, and some will ask for a short note/letter from wife to help prove relationship continues. Immigration may ask for the more formal KR2 while Consulates seldom even ask for the letter.

[swissie]

It used to be , that the assets in the Bank-Book had to be strictly in the name of the Farang. Bank book balance of wife or shared accounts "diden't count" !

A NEW GAME IN TOWN ?

If that were the case, why coulden't bank-book balances of the children,or other family mebers be included in this equasion????????????????

Cheers.

And why not my (ooooops, her) mega buck house, my name vehicle, which are all assets.

Exactly. Thats where I am driving at. If that were to become reality, there would hardly be any farang left, that would have to worry about (his) Bank-Balances in the furure as far as visa-stuff is concerned. Unless of course, wife and family take to gambling (lotto) in an ecessive way. But as we know, this rarely happens.

Cheers.

[arminbkk]

So Khun Jean was asked and utr was not...........so it can basically go either way, all depending on the lady.

I've been there several times and there was always the same lady.

I'm amusing she is still there.

It's a gamble.

Thanks for both updates!

[Khun Jean]

I had no KR2, my wife did not accompany me.

As always it is up to the emplyee what to accept and what not.

I was pretty sure i get a single entry and getting a multiple is a bonus.

If you get a single or multiple, It has to do with your history, your appearance, she having her period or not, the weather etc. Discouraging a multiple i can understand completely because the ease of getting a 1 year extension. I have my reasons for asking a multiple.

It was after i showed our shared account with 100k (on which she replied "not enough") that i gave her my wifes bankbook.

She took that to the 'back' and when she got back, maybe 3-4 minutes later, she said the multiple was ok.

The wifes bankbook has a lot of pages printed (at least 2 years history) and has many transfers from my account in the Netherlands to hers. (might be something they considered)

What they did in the 'back' and which criteria they use will always be a mystery.

I also had pictures of me and my wife, house, kids, original passport and id card of my wife but not used them, they were 'just in case'. As it was a long way to travel i thought better to be prepared and have more with me then needed. The KR2 i did not know about otherwise i would have brought that too.

Edited February 6, 2013 by Khun Jean

[lopburi3]

Were you asked for the 100k show of funds or did you just offer it because visa agent mentioned it? That seems to be key from reports I have seen - those that do not mention funds have been receiving multi entry without it being asked during application.

[Nana Cowboy]

What is a kor kor 2? is that the wife home book? I agree about not offering a bank book unless asked to do so

[transam]

Kor Ror 2 is on line proof you are still married which your mrs can get from your local Amphur, where they issue ID cards.

[Mario2008]

Kor rhor 2 is the entry into the wedding register. It shows that you are still married. If married within the last 10 to 12 years, you can get it from any amphur as it will be in the computer database.

[Khun Jean]

Lopburi,

I was asked for it. I applied for a multiple.

The question was 'Do you have bankbook'.

An amount was not mentioned.

I showed the 100k on a shared account, answer was 'not enough'.

Unclear if she meant 'not enough money' or 'not enough time' as this amount was on this bank account for only a few weeks.

After that i showed my wifes bankbook with +500k on it for with about 2 year history on it. She took it to the back, and came back and said 'ok, pickup tomorrow'.

I find it best to have as much paperwork with me as possible, but offer only the minimum. Officials seem to always ask one more document so showing the bare minimum first is my strategy.

In my case i felt that the bankbook made the difference between a single and multiple. From previous reports i did not expect the question, but savanvegas advised me over the phone to bring them just in case as their experience was that a bankbook is requested more and more. Their advice to have 400k in an bank account on my name for at least 3 months. This is probably the foolproof way and it probably is only a requirement when using their visa service.

Edited February 7, 2013 by Khun Jean