Recommendation for visa exempt alternative

[bkkfaranguy]

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If you are married to a Thai you could get multiple entry non-o visa that would give you unlimited 90 day entries for a year. You could make a trip to Savannakhet Laos and get it without needing to show any financial proof.

Your history of entries at the moment should not be a problem. The target of the changes are for those that are living here on visa exempt entries and just leaving an re-entering the country to get a new entry.

Thank you for the reply, so I am assuming this is at the Thai Embassy in Laos correct?

How long is the process to get the visa? Waht additional documents do I need, police clearence, medical certificate, map to residence etc. etc.?

The problem of getting a marriage certificate in Thailand is you need to do a 90 tourist visa which you convert to marriage visa and the whole process can take 3 weeks or more and I would not be able to travel and do my job. I know they are trying to target the guys who are either just doing visa runs for either living here and or working here without a visa and go out and in, in one day. I have a foreign address still, I live in a hotel more than anywhere else, but I still rent a condo here so technically I do live here part time, I think that is where the problem is going to be at immigration in the near future for some of us, but I could be just paranoid.

Savannakhet is a Thai consulate the embassy is in Vientiane.

You will only need your marriage certificate (plus a copy). Signed and dated copies of your wife's house book and ID card. A completed application form with 2 attached photos and a copy of your passport photo page. And 5000 baht for the fee.

You apply the morning of one day and pickup your passport the next afternoon.

Ubon Joe thank you, this sounds almost to good to be true!

So one could drive to Mukdahan park your vehicle, cross the border and spend only one night there and next day have your 1 year multiple entry visa.

What exactly is the wifes house book?

Any hotels you recommend in Savannakhet?

Do we both just do a visa on arrival to Laos?

Thank you for all your help UbonJoe!

[jvc]

Thanks folks for all the recommendations.

The multiple entry non-o visa based upon marriage from Savannakhet looks like exactly what I require.

Thanks again.

[sly4all]

Since you have 2 passports you may also consider contacting a visa agency to apply on your behalf abroad. Just send them your passport and the required paperwork. Do you have to apply in person in the UK ? Or maybe there is this type of agency in Laos ? It will save you to do the trip yourself.

I am in a similar situation but too young to apply for a retirement visa so I renew my non-O multi entry in France this way. I do have to enter on a visa exempt stamp once a year so I can send one passport out to get the visa. I do it in France. This will last as long as they don't ask for the applicant to be present in person.

Never tried to get an extension in Thailand due to the timing of my rotations and the requirements.

[bkkfaranguy]

One last question, I heard the Thai Lao border was closed when the coup first started is it open now?

[ubonjoe]

It is open.

[nwsbkk]

I actually can relate with this. I come here minimum every 70 days and sometimes in between. This summer I have a couple months off from work and I am doing an air border hop in late June.

http://www.establishmentpost.com/axe-falls-thailand-visa-run-border-hop-residents-workers/

This article says that airports are not even being monitored until Aug 12th. I'm a little bit nervous but if you read the article above you can see these restricitons

are aimed at people who likely work illegally in Thailand. I have good evidence that I work outside of here as I have a 1 year business visa on my passport.

I really don't think the intent of these restrictions is to scare off foreign business people. It is against the ones that live here permanently while working illegally.

[dbk2322]

The house visit is a one time thing for the 1st extension.. The photo on the bed is over blown. It implies laying on the bed together or such. In reality if needed if would be sitting on the edge of the bed. Same for the neighbors vouching for you..

As I wrote before I have done 6 extensions so I know first hand what is needed. We have never had a house visit.

Varies by person, that's all we know. As does one's tolerance level for the mere possibility that strangers might come into your home and instruct you as to what photos they need of you and your wife in your bedroom, or have a conversation with your neighbors about you. I totally understand that. For me and many others topping up a bank account and having the application turn only on that is the simpler and more comfortable option.

[ubonjoe]

The house visit is a one time thing for the 1st extension.. The photo on the bed is over blown. It implies laying on the bed together or such. In reality if needed if would be sitting on the edge of the bed. Same for the neighbors vouching for you..

As I wrote before I have done 6 extensions so I know first hand what is needed. We have never had a house visit.

Varies by person, that's all we know. As does one's tolerance level for the mere possibility that strangers might come into your home and instruct you as to what photos they need of you and your wife in your bedroom, or have a conversation with your neighbors about you. I totally understand that. For me and many others topping up a bank account and having the application turn only on that is the simpler and more comfortable option.

That is utter nonsense about them telling you what photos to take while they are at your house. You take the photos yourself before you even apply for the extension.

Very seldom if ever to they want to talk to your neighbors.

There is so much false information and flat out malicious rumors going around about this. Most of it coming from people that have never applied for the extension.

[LivinLOS]

Since you have 2 passports you may also consider contacting a visa agency to apply on your behalf abroad. Just send them your passport and the required paperwork. Do you have to apply in person in the UK ? Or maybe there is this type of agency in Laos ? It will save you to do the trip yourself.

I am in a similar situation but too young to apply for a retirement visa so I renew my non-O multi entry in France this way. I do have to enter on a visa exempt stamp once a year so I can send one passport out to get the visa. I do it in France. This will last as long as they don't ask for the applicant to be present in person.

Never tried to get an extension in Thailand due to the timing of my rotations and the requirements.

Posting a passport for a visa application is not in itself illegal.. But posting a passport outside of Thailand, while you are inside Thailand, is.

You must be outside of the country to apply for a visa.