Trip report, Savannakhet multi-entry non-O visa based on marriage

[bobo42]

I was recently granted a multi-entry non-O from the Savannakhet consulate, and I thought I would share my experience.

My wife any I drove from Phetchabun to Mukdahan, arriving at the bridge aroud 6:30 in the evening. Our plan was to cross over and stay in Savannakhet for the night. We parked our car at the covered parking just before the bridge entrance.

When we paid our parking fee, the woman there politely asked us some questions about our trip, and told us that we might not be able to cross tonight, because the visa-on-arrival office on the Laos side closes around 5pm. I had previously read that it closed at 8pm, and told her so, she said she wasn't certain, and agreed to refund us our money if we were unable to cross. Walked over to Thai immigration desk, which was empty. My wife asked them whether the Laos visa office was normally still open or not. The immigration officer wasn't sure either, and went to ask around for us. Turns out nobody was sure... they all seemed to indicate that crossing over the next day would be the best idea. So we took their advice and stayed in Mukdahan for that night. Our parking fee refunded with a smile, and a "see you tommorrow".

We stayed at a motel-style hotel we had seen previously while driving into town, called The Muk Lagoon. 800b got us a nice clean, brand-new room, with comfortable bed and furniture. This hotel is out in the middle of the highway, a few kms from town, so there's literally nothing around and nothing to do. We just slept anyway, and we were happy for the comfortable bed and quiet surroundings after the long drive.

Woke up early and got to the bridge at 7:30am. Bought bus tickets to Savannakhet from the small booth just before the immigration stamp-out booth. Stamped out and crossed on the bus, arriving at the Laos border entry. We retireved all our bags from the bus and I filled out the visa arrival form for myself. Remember to bring photos, one for the VOA, and 2 for the visa app. The VOA office on the Laos side was manned by a single officer, who was very friendly, and very very slow. I ended up being the last in line, and the bus driver came and asked my wife if we wanted the bus to wait for us - which they did, for probably 10-15mins. There were also taxis available here, but we didn't see them until we'd already asked the bus to wait for us, so we didn't use them.

Short bus ride into town. When we got off the bus, we were hit with the usual tuk-tuk driver requests. Most of them just walked around saying "embassy?, embassy?", which is good enough in my book. My wife is terrible at bargaining, she had already agreed to 160b by the time I got our bag, which I'm sure is high - but I didn't care, we were in a hurry. I wanted to make sure I got the application in before the cut-off.

Turns out the embassy is a very short ride from the bus station, and we arrived about 10mins before they opened. I had the application already printed and filled out from home, and all the documents and copies I thought I might possibly need. When it was our turn at the visa window, the person at the window was friendly and helpful. I just handed him over the following documents:

Application with 2 photos

Passport

Passport Photo page copy

Original Marriage Certificate (the colorful one)

Copy of Marriage Certificate

Copy of wife's ID card

Copy of Wife's house book page

He quickly looked through our papers, barely giving anthying a glance. He asked if the marriage certificate was the original, to which my wife replied yes. He handed it back to us without giving it a glance, I don't think he looked at it for more time than it took to ascetain that it was not a photocopy. Then he politely told us that the application I had printed was the wrong one, and that I'd have to fill out another one, which he handed to me. He told my wife to just come right back to the window when we're done, so we wouldn't have to wait in line again.

The application he gave to us was exactly the same one that I had printed, but the official app had instructions printed on the reverse side, and my printer had printed a very slightly different size on the page, so I guess that was enough difference. I simply copied to the new form. Went back over to the window and handed back our documents. I told him that I hadn't signed some of the copies because I wasn't sure if I should sign, or my wife, or both. He told me "mai pen rai" its fine. He collected the fee of 5000b, and he gave me a ticket with a number, telling us to come back tomorrow at 2pm.

We left and looked around for a comfortable hotel, without much success. Rooms here seem pretty basic, and beds seem like they've seen better days. We ended up staying at the Doasavahn resort which is a little way outside town. Expensive, but with a comfortable bed, and all the usual western amenities. It was OK. Don't eat at the restaurant, its awful.

The next day we waited around in the hotel lobby until aroud 2pm, and got a taxi back to the consulate. After a short wait in line, passport returned with new visa.

We quickly got to the bus station, and back to the bridge. Laos immigration at exit was awful. Working very very slow, and generally being disdainful of everybody. They required a 40b fee each to stamp out, we just paid it and were happy to leave. This was the only time on this trip that I saw this type of behaviour, other than the Laos exit, every other official I interacted with was more pleasant and friendly than I am accustomed to seeing.

Just as a note to others, the papers I handed over were not the only ones I was carrying. I brought a folder full of every paper I could think of, just in case - but I just handed over the basics initially, to see what else they might want. In my case they asked for nothing else - but there are a lot of things they might ask for, so I brought every document I could think of, and I mean everything. I would recommend others do the same.

Another note, my impression was that the tourist visas were being scrutinized more closely than ours, though I can't say this with certainty. I noticed that some other applicants were taking a lot more time having their passports gone-through, but they didn't even look at mine for more than a mere glance. Make sure that if you are looking for a tourist visa that you check other reports for that visa type, and don't look at my experience as indicative for anything but a non-O based on marriage. I did see somebody that appeared to have been turned-away, but I only guessed that it might be for too many visas, I can't be sure of the circumstances, I am only going by appearances.

This was definately the most pleasant time I've ever had to obtain a visa. Sorry, this turned out a lot longer than I expected, I was just writing as I recalled it.

[ubonjoe]

Thanks for the report.

Good news for many that no financial proof was needed.

[SantiSuk]

A friend who went last week was also successful. He told me that the Thai consulate in Savannakhet will be moving within the town in January. Apparently the new location is one that you pass on your way from the Friendship Bridge into town. I assume that most people in Savannakhet involved with tourists will know where that is so should be no problem.

[Kruzon]

It was near ago now that I obtained my marriage, same immigration office, Non o, just as you explain, but I did not have the original documents and if my wife had not come with me I believe my visa application would have been declined. My wifes passport and iD had been changed to show her new married surname, same as mine, removing all argument from immigration.

I have renewed the Non O now with a retirement visa arranged with the help of link deleted and now only have to report in every 90 days instead of stepping out and back in every 90 days.

Thank you Thai Visa Service.

Edit: Commercial links are not allowed Ubonjoe

[ubonjoe]

Savannakhet is a Thai consulate not an immigration office.

You could of gotten an extension of stay based upon marriage instead of a visa.

The service mentioned didn't do anything you couldn't of done yourself.

[GBK]

Savannakhet is a Thai consulate not an immigration office.

You could of gotten an extension of stay based upon marriage instead of a visa.

The service mentioned didn't do anything you couldn't of done yourself.

How and where please?

[rkidlad]

Cheers for the report.

I am going on Tuesday. The consulate will be closed on Monday 2nd and Thursday 5th of December.

[ubonjoe]

Savannakhet is a Thai consulate not an immigration office.

You could of gotten an extension of stay based upon marriage instead of a visa.

The service mentioned didn't do anything you couldn't of done yourself.

How and where please?

You can get an extension of stay based upon marriage at your local immigration office.

You will need 40k baht income or 400k baht in a Thai bank in your name for 60 days prior to application. You need a non-o visa entry to do application.

[GBK]

Ok, many thanks. Got all that. What extension do they grant?

[Totster]

Cheers for the report.

I am going on Tuesday. The consulate will be closed on Monday 2nd and Thursday 5th of December.

How come it's closed on Monday?

totster

[ubonjoe]

One year with financial proof. You can also get a 60 day extension to visit your wife.

[ubonjoe]

Cheers for the report.

 

I am going on Tuesday. The consulate will be closed on Monday 2nd and Thursday 5th of December.

How come it's closed on Monday?

totster

Lao national day holiday.

See: http://vientiane.thaiembassy.org/vientiane/th/embassy/embassy_time/index.php?ELEMENT_ID=702

[GBK]

Thai bank account proof OK?

[ubonjoe]

Thai bank account proof OK?

Yes

Bank book showing 400k in bank for 60 days and letter from bank confirming balance.

[Totster]

Cheers for the report.

I am going on Tuesday. The consulate will be closed on Monday 2nd and Thursday 5th of December.

How come it's closed on Monday?

totster

Lao national day holiday.

See: http://vientiane.thaiembassy.org/vientiane/th/embassy/embassy_time/index.php?ELEMENT_ID=702

Ahh !

Ok, thanks

Totster

[GBK]

Thai bank account proof OK?

Yes

Bank book showing 400k in bank for 60 days and letter from bank confirming balance.

Monthly money not acceptable?

[ubonjoe]

 

Thai bank account proof OK?

Yes

Bank book showing 400k in bank for 60 days and letter from bank confirming balance.

 

 

Monthly money not acceptable?

You need a letter from your embassy to prove 40k baht income.

[laolover88]

Great post.........It is so often the small details that really help! Agree Savanakhet hotels not wonderful and as for the monstrous Savan Vegas!!!! Phonhonepaseud Hotel is probably the best, Salasavan Guest House if you want a whiff of times past. But lovely town. Not sure, too, why the Laos are grumpy. Had that too!

[ttl]

Good post

can reccomend a very friendly SOULINSOUK HIOTEL for a good deal in modern aircon facility

Diaginally across the road from the round about. Hard to miss it with 4 huge elephants

at the main entrance,and other elephants everywhere.

Breakfast is basic but survivable. Have a very good PET tuk operator who knows the place like the back of his hand

[MusV]

A few months ago I used Savan Vegas service

Situation was to difficult, Chaeng Wattana recomended a new visa.

School forgot to cancel my Non B, 3 months overstay and ....

NON O as legal father (Thai Family courd) of a child.

Fantastic ... fully recomend (check the room ... if you not smoke or ... whatever)

Especially, you like the combination of ... No need to enter the embassy, Good food

from a large Buffet and Gambling (Visible from your room).

All in all. I will do it again, paid l4ss than 4000THB)

About Hotel in Mukdahan, at the Lao Market on the River ... Riversite Hotel.

I went many times arround Mukdahan and for me it is the best on place. From 850THB

up with big, clean rooms, view to the rover if wanted (price value) good breakfast buffet

and top friendly, helpfully stuff. But no restaurant ... for Lunch, Dinner, whatever.

And now ... Bonus information Nonkai

Sleep in Raja Hotel and Resort 450THB

(No Breakfast, can be ordered from nearby restaurant)

Wednesday and Saturday ... Big Market (300m walk distance)

Breakfast at A & M Cafe ... Mmmmmm ... lecker.

[ubonjoe]

Savan Vegas no longer offers visa service.

[bobo42]

Savan Vegas no longer offers visa service.

That's what I heard too. If they still did, I probably would have used their service. I'm a sucker for not wanting to do my own dirty work.

[leoman]

Hi

Has any one been to Savannakhet recently like the last couple of weeks to obtain a Non Imm O Visa (marriage) and what are the requirements ie proof of funds etc I have looked at the forums but most of the postings are over a month old and I know things change quickly for the requirements of this visa.

Any info will be greatly received.

[ubonjoe]

There have been no reports of any changes.

There is no financial proof required. But if you do have funds take your bank book with you as just in case measure.