WARNING: Savannakhet Visa Run Report

[arminbkk]

@ubonjoe

Thanks.

It seems similar is required from the company as is with application for non imm B visa.

The application form for Extension of Stay is the TM.7 form, correct?

As my work permit renewal is due mid October, can I apply for work permit renewal on the single entry of the non imm B visa,

or should I, or do I have to, do the application for Extension of Stay before applying for work permit renewal?

[ubonjoe]

A TM7 form is used for all extension applications.

You can apply for the work permit extension with the non-b visa entry.

[arminbkk]

A TM7 form is used for all extension applications.

You can apply for the work permit extension with the non-b visa entry.

Thanks!

1) Do you mean I can apply for the extension the moment I make my first entry, in this case at Mukdahan?

2) If I don't do as under 1 above, do I HAVE TO apply for the extension before my work permit expires mid October (at that time in mid

October I would still have some 60 days left from my first entry on non imm . Or will the Labour Department renew the work permit, for 1 year,

even I only have 60 days permission to stay left, from single entry non imm B visa?

[ubonjoe]

A TM7 form is used for all extension applications.

You can apply for the work permit extension with the non-b visa entry.

Thanks!

1) Do you mean I can apply for the extension the moment I make my first entry, in this case at Mukdahan?

2) If I don't do as under 1 above, do I HAVE TO apply for the extension before my work permit expires mid October (at that time in mid

October I would still have some 60 days left from my first entry on non imm . Or will the Labour Department renew the work permit, for 1 year,

even I only have 60 days permission to stay left, from single entry non imm B visa?

No You can do nothing in Mukdahan.

I only wrote about your work permit that as you said needed to be renewed in October (they are extended not renewed).

A work permit is not tied to your permit to stay. The will extend your work permit for one year.

[arminbkk]

Thanks for clarifying that ubonjoe!!

I will then get the non imm B visa first in September, do the work permit extension in October, and go for the extension of stay at CW in November or early December.

Thanks for your helpful responses!!!

[arminbkk]

An additional question to the above: will I also need to submit a completed and signed FORM OF THE EMPLOYMENT CERTIFICATION, along with the other documents?

Thanks!!

[ubonjoe]

Yes you will. Form download: http://vientiane.thaiembassy.org/upload/pdf/employment-form.pdf

[arminbkk]

Yes you will. Form download: http://vientiane.thaiembassy.org/upload/pdf/employment-form.pdf

Thanks!

[arminbkk]

Just another question: if one has all the required documents (including the company documents, employment form, company request/invitation letters), and I take my original

work permit with me as well (which expires mid-October), do I absolutely still need to show/submit an employment contract, or not??

For background: I've been working with this company for almost 3 years, and will continue, with next work permit extension due next month.

Up until now I had a non imm O visa (based on marriage to Thai, not an extension of stay !), now I will apply for a non imm B visa.

The company does not normally issue employment contracts, so there is no actual contract.

My manager can however draft a letter confirming the employment (although this is also already apparent from the company invitation letter).

Any advice welcome.

[arminbkk]

Anybody?

[Loeilad]

Can't help with that - however referring to the OP - what is Savannakhet like at present? I hear it was swamped after the closure of some Cambodian border run crossings...

[ubonjoe]

It was only bad for a few days directly after the closures. According to a report it is back to normal.

Once the info got out that Laotians could do an out/in at the Lao border the demand for tourist visas went way down.

[brokerin]

This appears to be a dated topic but one worthy of update.

 

I have only just returned from a border crossing to Savannaket and can advise a few new wrinkles for me at least.

 

AS to the paper work; I have not needed to do a non-B visa application in some years and found that the application itself, while essentially the same, does not have the traditional box asking how many entries one might like. The change apparently is new in that in order to obtain a multiple entry visa of the Tourist variety, one must provide financial evidence in the form of banking statements showing financial security in the amount of a few thousand dollars or its' equivalent in Thai Baht. Additionally the old return ticket requirement appears to be back on the table again for enforcement. Please reread the latest requirements.

 

As to Savannaket, let me just say that it is a desperate city of poverty and wealth so closely intermingled to be mind boggling and to the eye a bit of a shock even to the veteran traveler to these parts. The open sewers and decaying infrastructure are jaw dropping and the river front is literally awash in trash and burning garbage of every variety including dog excrement. Yikes!

 

One would think that necessarily the cost of living would be cheap, yet even for the lowly guest houses, 450 baht seems to be the standard and food, even street food, is more expensive than Thailand. In my opinion, our communist host country has more than its' share of corruption to deal with, measured by the infrastructure partial completions and outright decay.

 

On to the Royal Thai Consulate. In a word, "surly". The communication window is so small and placed so low as to require a forced bow to all but the shortest of people.  Additionally, it is impossible to hear any reply from a consular officer. Nor can the face of the officer be seen. I witnessed one Non-B applicant turned away unceremoniously with next to no explanation after his making every effort to exact the reason for refusal to review his school provided documents. This chap had travelled 15 hours from BKK but must return for lack of documentation unrevealed.

 

In my case, the Tourist visa was approved and returned the following day at the unlikely and inconvenient hour of 2:00 PM. So much for service.

 

Good luck to all.

[BritTim]

1 hour ago, brokerin said:

This appears to be a dated topic but one worthy of update.

 

I have only just returned from a border crossing to Savannaket and can advise a few new wrinkles for me at least.

 

AS to the paper work; I have not needed to do a non-B visa application in some years and found that the application itself, while essentially the same, does not have the traditional box asking how many entries one might like. The change apparently is new in that in order to obtain a multiple entry visa of the Tourist variety, one must provide financial evidence in the form of banking statements showing financial security in the amount of a few thousand dollars or its' equivalent in Thai Baht. Additionally the old return ticket requirement appears to be back on the table again for enforcement. Please reread the latest requirements.

 

As to Savannaket, let me just say that it is a desperate city of poverty and wealth so closely intermingled to be mind boggling and to the eye a bit of a shock even to the veteran traveler to these parts. The open sewers and decaying infrastructure are jaw dropping and the river front is literally awash in trash and burning garbage of every variety including dog excrement. Yikes!

 

One would think that necessarily the cost of living would be cheap, yet even for the lowly guest houses, 450 baht seems to be the standard and food, even street food, is more expensive than Thailand. In my opinion, our communist host country has more than its' share of corruption to deal with, measured by the infrastructure partial completions and outright decay.

 

On to the Royal Thai Consulate. In a word, "surly". The communication window is so small and placed so low as to require a forced bow to all but the shortest of people.  Additionally, it is impossible to hear any reply from a consular officer. Nor can the face of the officer be seen. I witnessed one Non-B applicant turned away unceremoniously with next to no explanation after his making every effort to exact the reason for refusal to review his school provided documents. This chap had travelled 15 hours from BKK but must return for lack of documentation unrevealed.

 

In my case, the Tourist visa was approved and returned the following day at the unlikely and inconvenient hour of 2:00 PM. So much for service.

 

Good luck to all.

For a single entry tourist visa, were they requesting financial proof and/or hotel reservations (in addition to the onward flights)? Was there a suggestion that multiple entry tourist visas might, under some circumstances, be available to other than Lao citizens?

[baneko]

This appears to be a dated topic but one worthy of update.
 
I have only just returned from a border crossing to Savannaket and can advise a few new wrinkles for me at least.
 
AS to the paper work; I have not needed to do a non-B visa application in some years and found that the application itself, while essentially the same, does not have the traditional box asking how many entries one might like. The change apparently is new in that in order to obtain a multiple entry visa of the Tourist variety, one must provide financial evidence in the form of banking statements showing financial security in the amount of a few thousand dollars or its' equivalent in Thai Baht. Additionally the old return ticket requirement appears to be back on the table again for enforcement. Please reread the latest requirements.
 
As to Savannaket, let me just say that it is a desperate city of poverty and wealth so closely intermingled to be mind boggling and to the eye a bit of a shock even to the veteran traveler to these parts. The open sewers and decaying infrastructure are jaw dropping and the river front is literally awash in trash and burning garbage of every variety including dog excrement. Yikes!
 
One would think that necessarily the cost of living would be cheap, yet even for the lowly guest houses, 450 baht seems to be the standard and food, even street food, is more expensive than Thailand. In my opinion, our communist host country has more than its' share of corruption to deal with, measured by the infrastructure partial completions and outright decay.
 
On to the Royal Thai Consulate. In a word, "surly". The communication window is so small and placed so low as to require a forced bow to all but the shortest of people.  Additionally, it is impossible to hear any reply from a consular officer. Nor can the face of the officer be seen. I witnessed one Non-B applicant turned away unceremoniously with next to no explanation after his making every effort to exact the reason for refusal to review his school provided documents. This chap had travelled 15 hours from BKK but must return for lack of documentation unrevealed.
 
In my case, the Tourist visa was approved and returned the following day at the unlikely and inconvenient hour of 2:00 PM. So much for service.
 
Good luck to all.

I thought Savannakhet was a nice place with many friendly people...just my opinion. No poorer than the village I live....kids going to school all dressed smartly....night market OK in the evening....

[anto]

On 3/23/2017 at 3:01 PM, baneko said:

 

I thought Savannakhet was a nice place with many friendly people...just my opinion. No poorer than the village I live....kids going to school all dressed smartly....night market OK in the evening....

 

Yes the people i met in Savannakhet were laid back and friendly .It did have a look of decay mixed with wealth in between.The beer ,beer Lao was good and cheap .As low as kip 9000 for a large 640 ml bottle .Never saw a 7/11 ,just one copy cat place called 7 .The street dogs are very aggressive ,and if walking around on foot you need a walking cane or similar . 

[YetAnother]

On 11/14/2014 at 0:19 AM, typ123 said:

because I made up an enormous lie

that would be the entertaining part

[tonray]

On 3/23/2017 at 3:01 PM, baneko said:

 

I thought Savannakhet was a nice place with many friendly people...just my opinion. No poorer than the village I live....kids going to school all dressed smartly....night market OK in the evening....

 

I think it was just an opportunity to bash communism in a visa post.