1 year multi non-o based on marriage completed in savankhet/mukdahan

[PaulHamon]

Please wade thru my dyselixa... I hope someone gets some useful information out of this.

I with my Thai wife have just go back to the hotel at 3:30pm after leaving at 7am from our hotel near Big C on the road between Mukdaham and the Friendship Bridge.

We drove from the hotel to the PRIVATE parking lot near immgration and paid the 100 Baht for parking, even thou we planned to do a day trip. We did this incase, for some reason, we end up overnight in Savankhet.

We arrived just after 7am, as the immigration opened and the first inter-bus arrived to go over, we waited in line and both exited the country. We planned to catch the inter-bus to the other site, we purchased two 50 Baht tickets for the trip, but the bus was full and we could not get on, so we had to wait until the next bus.

Not happy to do that, my lovel wife wandered over the the carpark and found a Thai man with a pick-up that would take us over the border, wait for us in Laos immigration, take us to the Thai consulate, and drop us off there, finally picking us up again at 3pm to bring us back across to Thailand.

At the start of this day we decided to make it as painless as possible, his price was 1,500 Baht, and we were to pay him when we returned to Thailand, all sounds reasonable.

We got to Laos border and the inter-bus was just leaving after waiting for everyone. There was no lines and very limited waiting, my wife paid 40 Baht for some magicial Laos stamp in her Passport and I got myself a VoA for 1,300 Baht. I am Australian and fee was supposted to be 1,200 from what I had read. The guy tried 3 times to tell me it was 1,500 Baht and when he went to 1,300 after my repeating 1,200 Baht several times, I agreed. Didn't want the stress.

So we head over to our driver, waiting with a smile. We drove off and arrived at the Thai consulate at 8:30am, it was closed... over the next 15 minutes more people arrived. Around 8:45am the doors opened, I used my long Australian legs and go to somewhere 20 people down the line.

I did not have a VISA APPLICATION FORM, so I needed to lined up to get one (found out later I could have got one from the photocopy man across the road for 50 Baht) my wife had spoken Thai lady who need the form also for her husband, she was back in the line somewhere. When I got the counter after about 15 minutes, I requested two copies which they gave me. Gave one to the other couple and filled in mine.

At this point my wife was in the line for me, and I was filling in the form, once I complete the form I joined her in the line, around 9:45am I was served for a second time.

I handed over:

- APPLICATION FORM with TWO PASSPORT PHOTOS
- 5000 BAHT
- DOUBLE SIDED PHOTOCOPY OF MY PRETTY WEDDING CERTIFICTE (Tor Lor 3)
- PHOTOCOPY OF MY PASSPORT PHOTO PAGE (sign and dated by me)
- PHOTOCOPY OF MY WIFES NAME CHANGING CERTIFICATE (sign and dated by her)
- PHOTOCOPY OF MY WIFES FAMILY BOOK (sign and dated by her)
- PHOTOCOPY OF MY WIFES ID CARD back and front (sign and dated by her)

Finally a copy from my passport for my previous visa, the exactly the same one I was applying for this time. I did not think I needed this but I wanted them to see I'd got this same VISA before with them.

I had all the originals with me, the officer had a quick look at my wifes name changing original, and also the wedding certificated and then handed them back.

I got ticket number 037 and I had heard from someone before me in the line being told to be back around 2:30-3:00pm to pick up your passport.

We waited...

Around 2:10pm we where back at the Thai Consulate, around 2:30pm the gates opened and within 5 minutes I had my passport with the shiny new 1 YEAR MULTI NON-O in my passport. My wife called the driver while I was in the line, by the time I had it, the car was waiting and we then head back to the border.

We paid both paid a 40 baht Laos Magical Stamp Fee at the checkpoint, my wife asked for a receipt and the guy said 'NO'.
At the otherside we got checked into the country, everything went smoothly. We paid 100 Baht fee here also, at the immigration booth, but I think that was for the car (or something?). I'm not sure and neither was my wife.

Around 3:15pm we where back in Thailand, hopped into OUR car and back to Mukdahan town.

Overall stress free, expect not getting into the bus in the moring, we did plann to tuk tuk around Savankhet and not use a private car but the driver was nice, the car was cool and in the end it's only money.

LIST OF OUR COSTS:

PARKING - 100 Baht
UNUSED BUS TICKETS - 100 Baht
WIFE'S MAGICAL LAOS THAI STAMP FEE - 40 Baht (believe it's a scam)
LAOS VoA for AUSTRALIAN - 1,300 Baht (believe 100 overcharged)
VISA FEE - 5,000 Baht
BOTH PAID MAGICAL LAOS EXIT STAMP FEE - 80 Baht
THAI CAR ENTRY FEE - 100 Baht (think the driver got us to pay this, but was not agreed to beforehand)
DRIVER - 1,500 Baht

Also we spent two nights in the Bird Day Botieuq Hotel, 650 Baht per night. It's brand new... the bed, pillows and bed covers are comfy. Bed, Room, Bathroom, overall is great. Only issue was breakfast sux and you can hear other people rooms doors opening/closing during the night.

I hope this helps someone.

Paul

[utr]

best to use us dollars if possible for the voa in laos as their exchange rate is terrible. for example for me it was 30 us dollars [purchased in thailand for 960 baht] or as you said they wanted 1,600 baht at that time [about 6 months ago] from me.

thanks for the update and i might look into the car and driver instead of bus next time sound more comfortable.

[Gonsalviz]

What hotel did you use in Savannakhet?

[paz]

Check this thread about driving you own car in Laos.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/544563-driving-a-thai-registered-car-in-laos/

[uoduck]

Great post. Thanks.

[Damaz6052]

Thanks Paul good info! I'll be heading there myself on Tuesday.

[rinnie]

One thing, if you are apply for 1 year non imm based on anything other than marriage, they are only issuing single entry. You will have to get muti entry permit stamp back in thailand. A guy behind me was apply due to child, and they would only issue him single entry. Originally they told me, i could only get single entry, until they realized based on marriage. The officers are also very helpful if you have any questions at time of application drop off or pick up

Edited August 21, 2014 by rinnie

[PercyinOz]

Why did you go to Laos to do this could you not do it within Thailand? I will be entering Thailand on a spouse non-o (3 months) when I come to extending it to 12 months I thought I could do this within Thailand

[ubonjoe]

Why did you go to Laos to do this could you not do it within Thailand? I will be entering Thailand on a spouse non-o (3 months) when I come to extending it to 12 months I thought I could do this within Thailand

Some people cannot meet the financial requirements to get the extension of stay based upon marriage.

Others travel frequently and cannot be here long enough to get the extension.

Some just don't want to bother with going to immigration to get the extension.

[PercyinOz]

Thank you ubonjoe.

[PaulHamon]

One thing, if you are apply for 1 year non imm based on anything other than marriage, they are only issuing single entry. You will have to get muti entry permit stamp back in thailand. A guy behind me was apply due to child, and they would only issue him single entry. Originally they told me, i could only get single entry, until they realized based on marriage. The officers are also very helpful if you have any questions at time of application drop off or pick up

I have a one year multi-entry...

EDIT: sorry missed the point of your post 'other than marriage'

Edited August 23, 2014 by PaulHamon

[PaulHamon]

What hotel did you use in Savannakhet?

I did not need to stay in Savannakhet overnight, it is a same day service.

Submit between 9am-11am pickup between 3pm-5pm... or there bouts.

[PaulHamon]

best to use us dollars if possible for the voa in laos as their exchange rate is terrible. for example for me it was 30 us dollars [purchased in thailand for 960 baht] or as you said they wanted 1,600 baht at that time [about 6 months ago] from me. thanks for the update and i might look into the car and driver instead of bus next time sound more comfortable.

tried to find some dollar in a few banks between Nan Province and Mukdahan, didn't try that hard... but ther 3 places I tired didn't stock any USD.

yes it is much better to get USD if you can, last time when I was coming from Bangkok I get some USD in BKK before I arrived.

[PaulHamon]

Why did you go to Laos to do this could you not do it within Thailand? I will be entering Thailand on a spouse non-o (3 months) when I come to extending it to 12 months I thought I could do this within Thailand

I leave Thailand often, was my reason for doing it previously... rarely I was here more than 90 days.

This time, my wife and I just purchase a car and condo, so our finances are thin and we don't have the required 400k in the bank nor do I work in Thailand and have an income.

[rinnie]

Hard to find atms that will give us dollars or thai baht in laos, even at the laos crossing.

It is a good option for first timers or who can't meet financial requirements. But for ease, i know next year will just stay in bkk. I was told with this from Savanahkete visa, i still had to leave every 90 days for 1yr. I do love to see new sites, it does get expensive

[paz]

It is a good option for first timers or who can't meet financial requirements. But for ease, i know next year will just stay in bkk. I was told with this from Savanahkete visa, i still had to leave every 90 days for 1yr. I do love to see new sites, it does get expensive

As mentioned often. You can extend each 90 days entry for further 60 at immigration, Bt 1,900 no financial proof. That will let you use the current visa for almost 17 months.

[rinnie]

It is a good option for first timers or who can't meet financial requirements. But for ease, i know next year will just stay in bkk. I was told with this from Savanahkete visa, i still had to leave every 90 days for 1yr. I do love to see new sites, it does get expensive

As mentioned often. You can extend each 90 days entry for further 60 at immigration, Bt 1,900 no financial proof. That will let you use the current visa for almost 17 months.

Can you message me pm and explain more, because honestly i am totally confused. You, Ubonjoe and Mario seem to know a lot, and i prefer not to deal with the whole "western woman / thai man marriage" poop that comes up.

You have given some good info to me before.

[paz]

It is a good option for first timers or who can't meet financial requirements. But for ease, i know next year will just stay in bkk. I was told with this from Savanahkete visa, i still had to leave every 90 days for 1yr. I do love to see new sites, it does get expensive

As mentioned often. You can extend each 90 days entry for further 60 at immigration, Bt 1,900 no financial proof. That will let you use the current visa for almost 17 months.

Can you message me pm and explain more, because honestly i am totally confused. You, Ubonjoe and Mario seem to know a lot, and i prefer not to deal with the whole "western woman / thai man marriage" poop that comes up.

You have given some good info to me before.

It's nothing secret. Toward the end of each 90 days entry go to immigration with same paperwork and apply for reason 2.24. Do last the entry on or before the "used before date" of your visa, then extended it as well. If you want want to take a trip during these last 5 months you will need a re-entry permit to keep it alive, or depending on your convenience just let it be cancelled.

Of course, if you can obtain instead one year extension with financial proof, that would be way cheaper and convenient.

Edited August 23, 2014 by paz

[rinnie]

They told me, i just needed to leave every 90 days or check in at chaeng whatana every 90 days durning the "use by date", which is a year from now, and can continue for the whole year. Both the consulate and border crossing, to my husband & I. It would be easier to explain the confusion in PM.

[paz]

They told me, i just needed to leave every 90 days or check in at chaeng whatana every 90 days durning the "use by date", which is a year from now, and can continue for the whole year. Both the consulate and border crossing, to my husband & I. It would be easier to explain the confusion in PM.

Correct. That is _unless_ you get the extension as mentioned above. Consulates don't know and don't care about extensions because it's not their business. No need for PMs as this is exactly forum discussion matter.

[rinnie]

They told me, i just needed to leave every 90 days or check in at chaeng whatana every 90 days durning the "use by date", which is a year from now, and can continue for the whole year. Both the consulate and border crossing, to my husband & I. It would be easier to explain the confusion in PM.

Correct. That is _unless_ you get the extension as mentioned above. Consulates don't know and don't care about extensions because it's not their business. No need for PMs as this is exactly forum discussion matter.

Ok, please don't think i am brainless lol but i paid 5000฿ multi entry visa good for entry until nov 2015. They did a stamp saying i need to leave 90 days from now. They told me i can leave every 90 days or report to chaeng wattena. Both consulate and immigration to my husband & I. For my first 6 yrs here i had non-o visa and multi re entry permit stamp due to now ex husband, then changed based on 90 B visa, then 2 ED visa with multi entry permits.

Yes, i had a valid buisness and yes i studied on my ED visas.

All i want, is to know how to do things with out leaving the thailand every 90 days. Waste of money. I have proof of income from no work due to divorce settlement & husbands job. I would love to work here, but refuse to illegally. Unfort what i do for a living, it is hard to find a job here. As i am a fitness trainier & health coach specialist lol.

I do not want to leave every 90 days. Just want a visa where i can report every 90 days. I know combined income counts. Less money spent, better on us.

[paz]

sion of st

Ok, please don't think i am brainless lol but i paid 5000฿ multi entry visa good for entry until nov 2015. They did a stamp saying i need to leave 90 days from now. They told me i can leave every 90 days or report to chaeng wattena. Both consulate and immigration to my husband & I. For my first 6 yrs here i had non-o visa and multi re entry permit stamp due to now ex husband, then changed based on 90 B visa, then 2 ED visa with multi entry permits.

Yes, i had a valid buisness and yes i studied on my ED visas.

All i want, is to know how to do things with out leaving the thailand every 90 days. Waste of money. I have proof of income from no work due to divorce settlement & husbands job. I would love to work here, but refuse to illegally. Unfort what i do for a living, it is hard to find a job here. As i am a fitness trainier & health coach specialist lol.

I do not want to leave every 90 days. Just want a visa where i can report every 90 days. I know combined income counts. Less money spent, better on us.

Not clear if you are currently legally married to a Thai national and/or have a Thai child?

If the answer is yes, you can obtain extension of stay for one year, showing the financial requirements. You can also apply for a work permit if you find work. If no financials, you can obtain 60 days extensions.

If the answer is no, then you are not eligible for Non-imm O visa, and not eligible for extension of stay for having a Thai family.

[rinnie]

Married to thai nat. now. First 6 years through now ex husband. Last 2 years myself., now married.

[rinnie]

One day baby lol, not soon. As a matter of fact, incubater soon to been out of order. I give it to 40 then bam done. ;-)

Edited August 23, 2014 by rinnie

[paz]

Married to thai nat. now. First 6 years through now ex husband. Last 2 years myself., now married.

Sorry I wasn't clear to me that you're marreid to a Thai man. Then you don't don't need any financial proof to obtain an one year extension of stay at any immigration office for Bt 1,900 with the related paperwork. With that perspective getting a multi-entry instead of single entry visa has been a waste of money.

After you get your extension you will have to report to immigration every 90 days. That is free and can also be done by mail.

[K2K]

A note of thanks to the OP PaulHamonfor the accurate and very useful information.

I can confirm the OP's information is still valid as of 7 April 2015.

The requirement to show the original marriage certificate should be emphasised - a gentlemen in the queue was turned down on the 1 year Multi-entry Non-O as he did not the original marriage certificate, he was however given a double entry tourist visa.

In >15 years of dealing with embassies, consulates and immigration offices, I commend Savanakhet for its simplicity and ease of use.

I recommend the Somchith (Somjid) Hotel about 1.5km NW along the road of the new Thai consulate - walking distance (10 mins) to the consulate and decent wifi (400/600 Baht/night). In town by the old hospital and Tourist Info office - Lisa's Cafe owned by a Swedish guy and his Lao girlfriend was very good and his local knowledge helpful.

[K2K]

A note of thanks to the OP PaulHamonfor the accurate and very useful information.

I can confirm the OP's information is still valid as of 7 April 2015.

I was asked by a friend planning a m/c trip to put together my border x-ing experiences by car - this might be better in the motoring sub-section but probably more use to those using the Savanakhet consulate.

CAR (temporary Export/Import) to Laos

Step 1 – Obtaining a Car ‘Passport’

This was easy enough – the owner of the vehicle needs to go to the Transportation Office where the the vehicle is registered (in my case Chiang Mai) and fill in a very simple form and pay 255 Baht – for this you after waiting 2 days you receive a purple ‘passport’ with the vechicles details in English and two (T) stickers. [After 60 days you get Romanised number plate stickers, so if you plan ahead then get the car ‘passport’ >2 months in advance, but I did not have time but no-one questioned me about this at anytime, so don’t think it’s very important].

Step 2 – Exiting Thailand (at Mukdahan)/Entering Laos (at Savanakhet)

Copies needed (worth getting prior to journey) –

4x Blue Vehicle Registration Book (all pages)

4x Vehicle owners ID

2x Owners Passport (photo page)

Exiting Mukdahan (Thailand)

At Thai checkpoint need to fill in 2x Information of Conveyance Form (TM. 2)

This has some odd questions as applies to aircraft and marine craft as well. Basically a car is a ‘van’ (Q1) the kind of conveyance (Q2) is the make of vehicle, they also want the VIN (engine # from the Registration) and the other questions are self-explanatory. The immigration official was helpful enough.

After filling these 2 forms in go through Immigration as normal for yourselves and the vehicle – NOTE – its VERY important you keep hold of the second stamped copy of the TM. 2 form as this is essential for re-entry into Thailand.

Next was Thai Customs – they stamped the Car ‘Passport’ and entered info into computer and the fee was 150 Baht (receipt given). Here was where the Car Registration/ID/Passport copies were needed. A white customs print out was given.

To cross the bridge the fee is 50 Baht (Thai side) and 20 Baht (Laos side). Receipts given.

Entering Suvanakhet (Laos)

First up was for me (UK national) to get Visa on Arrival – on waking the guy up and handing over completed VoA Form with 2 photos and fee (USD 35 for UK national) – very promptly and without any request for any ‘extra fee’ was given passport with page gobbling visa stiker (valid for a 30 day entry). My wife was given 30 days gratis on her Thai passport.

No more forms to fill in on Laos side – after Immigration proceeded to Laos customs and details were entered into computer and Car ‘Passport’ stamped. Fee here was 250 Baht (receipt given) and a yellow customs print out given.

Finding an insurance agent open/awake was a struggle but after 20 mins a lady appeared at the window of Lanexang Assurance Public Company – and for 200 Baht we bought 1 weeks 3^rd Party Insurance Cover. NOTE: I very strongly recommend you take out this basic cover at least – a friend had a serious accident there that resulted in the death of Lao national and it was very messy indeed to sort out as had no Lao insurance cover. Additionally the roads in Loas are some of the most dangerous I have ever driven on – for such a small sum do not cut corners!)

Summing up the entry/exit at Mukdahan/Savanakhet at Friendship Bridge II the total cost was 670 Baht (plus USD 35 for the Lao VoA) and took about 90 minutes in very quiet conditions. Had we known the routine, could have probably done the crossing in less than half that time.

NOTE: We did inform the officials on both sides that we intended to drive through Laos and exit at Huay Xai/Chang Kong – the response was ‘no problem – have everything in computer’.

Step 3 – Exiting Laos (at Huay Xai)/Entering Thailand (at Chang Kong)

Noting it was the eve of Songkran and heavy rain the boarder crossing was deserted, so I wonder if this is the official routine or not.

Exiting Huay Xai (Laos)

Went to Immigration with passports as normal and Form TM. 2 – Lao Immigration Officer asked for 200 Baht – stamped passports (no receipt).

Actually we made a mistake and went to Lao Customs first and official took back the yellow form and stamped the purple Car ‘Passport’ (gratis).

Entering Chang Kong (Thailand)

Cross the bridge (no fees) and a clever way to change sides of the road – then proceeded to Thai Immigration. Handed over passports and Form TM. 2 and copies of Car Registration and asked for 200 Baht (no receipt).

Proceeded to Thai Customs, handed over white customs form and purple car ‘passport’ stamped (gratis). Surprisingly no customs inspection – just a friendly ‘you can go’.

Summing up the exit/entry at Huay Xai/Chang Kong at Friendship Bridge IV cost 400 Baht and took 20 minutes – very easy!