Visa application savannakhet

[Datebayo]

I have read various internet sources on how to take the trip to Mukdahan and then cross the bridge to savannakhet etc. etc. But there is no info on whether I need to print out the visa application form by myself or do the Thai consulate in Savannakhet provide them?

Anyone has been through this visa application process in Savannakhet knows the answer?

[Rooo]

Moved to Visa Forum.

[ubonjoe]

You can get the form after you get to the consulate and fill it out if you want to.

Or download it and fill it out before you get there: Savannakhet .pdf

[Datebayo]

How about the 1 passport size photo at the border to Laos? Do I need to bring one wiht me or can it be made there on the spot for a fee?

[ubonjoe]

It would be best to have your own photo. I don't they can take the photo.

[Datebayo]

Ok I know enough, thanks for your answers UbonJoe.

[questionsreplies]

Hello, which airport is the closest yo Mukdahan ? Thanks.

[BuckBee]

Photo & forms can be done outside consulate but it far far better be prepared before going. Simply editing a photo & sizing it to passport photo & duplicating it several times on one page of a4 & using local print shop works fine for this, cut them out & add strip of m3 tape on back & you got nice firm self adhesive ID photos ready to go ...

You will need form & photo for lao visa & that is a must to be done in advance for smooth transition on the day.

Using flights for the trip works awful due to timing, buses that arrive early morning are the way to go & cheap but also smooth in transition & work perfectly with border-boarder bus- consulate hours etc etc.

Visa forms:

Lao visa > https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7Ub2apq5-pfSXpfMzB4aGltdDQ/view?usp=sharing

Consulate form > https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7Ub2apq5-pfUVgxYjVET3RsUTg/view?usp=sharing

Edited March 16, 2015 by BuckBee

[ubonjoe]

Hello, which airport is the closest yo Mukdahan ? Thanks.

Nakon Phanom is the nearest airport. Nok Air and Air Asia have a fly/ride service to Mukdahan via there.

[paulchiangmai]

Hello, which airport is the closest yo Mukdahan ? Thanks.

Nakon Phanom is the nearest airport. Nok Air and Air Asia have a fly/ride service to Mukdahan via there.

Can you tell me what is best to write in Number 4 of the Visa application form where it asks 'purpose of visit'. I am long time in Thailand and married to a Thai. Also date of arrival in Thailand, is this the next day if you are going straight back? What does 'date of a previous visit to Thailand mean? I have arrived and departed a hundred times in the last 17 years. Thanks for any answers.

[ubonjoe]

You put to visit your wife.

The day you will be returning to Thailand after you get your visa.

[oztaurus]

Another tip for the Lao visa on arrival, if you can get USD (fee varies by nationality) to pay for the visa you will save about 30% on the exchange rate they charge for Thai baht.

The Visa on Arrival office at the Lao border wasn't manned last time I went. there was a phone number taped to the door, call that and someone will come down to handle your application.

[paulchiangmai]

You put to visit your wife.

The day you will be returning to Thailand after you get your visa.

Thanks Ubonjoe.

[ajack]

Hi,

Just looking at the Savannakhet form now. What should you write in section 5? It asks for the name and address of a guarantor in Laos and in Thailand.

Also in section 4, it asks about duration of proposed stay. I'm presuming I put 12 months because I'm applying for the 1 year visa, but if someone can confirm, it will be much appreciated.

Regards

[ubonjoe]

Guarantor in Laos leave blank. Thailand write self.

Intended stay would be 90 days since the is how long each entry will be.

[ajack]

Guarantor in Laos leave blank. Thailand write self.

Intended stay would be 90 days since the is how long each entry will be.

Fantastic!

Ubonjoe, you're a star

[ajack]

Sorry, one more

On section 2, do you need to write in a present address in Laos or can you leave it blank?

I'll be going to the consulate straight from the border, so won't know any places there

Cheers

[ubonjoe]

An address in Laos is not needed.

[ajack]

An address in Laos is not needed.

Thanks again

[ajack]

Just a quick list check to get a non o visa for marriage;

My passport with one copy of the photo page. (not the visa page)

Copy of my wife's ID card, front and back, on one piece of paper.

Original marriage cert with one copy, front and back on same piece of paper.

Originals and copies of other documents given to us when we got married. Don't know what they are.

My wife's original Tabian Baan book with one copy of the only two pages typed on, on one piece of paper

Two photos about passport size with whitish background and without my glasses on. The same photos that were accepted at the Thai Consulate in Vientiane.

My wife in tow. Let's make it a holiday, if not a little stressful.

I will sign and date, on the day I go to get the visa, on my passport copy. My wife will sign and date her ID and Tabian Baan copies.

Do we both sign the marriage cert copies?

Thanks in advance

Andrew

[ubonjoe]

You will need nothing more that your marriage certificate. They will not ask for the Kor Ror 2 you got when you registered your marriage.

Your wife's original tambine ban will not be needed.

You can both sign the marriage certificate copy.

[ajack]

Thanks for all your help Ubonjoe.

Much appreciated

[ajack]

My visa run to Savannakhet for a multiple entry non o visa based on marriage. The journey started on the 25^th March 2015.

A few details first; I went with my wife from Prachinburi province, not Bangkok. We took a bus from Kabinburi to Korat, then to Mukdahan and that about 9 hours travelling in all.

We arrived in Mukdahan around 5pm and got a tuktuk straight to the hotel, Rabiang Muk. The tuktuk was 30 or 40 baht each. (tuktuks in the north and in Laos seem to charge per person, not just the journey)

Lovely hotel. Looks new, very clean and well-furnished with air-con and hot water. 550 baht per night. We booked the hotel prior to arriving. There is also a hotel car park if you drive and it is located about a 5 to 10 minute walk from a market with many food stalls and other restaurants. It’s about 7km from the border.

The next morning, just after 7am, we got a tuktuk to the Friendship bridge border, 100 baht each. It was very quiet. There were maybe 20 or so Asean community people and only three farrangs at the border, so only took about 10 to 15 minutes to get to the Laos side. On the Laos side, got the application form, filled it in and handed it in with 1500 baht. Took about 10 minutes in total.

Got a tuktuk straight away to the Thai consulate, again 100 baht each. We go there around 8am. I had downloaded and filled in the application form prior to arriving, had photos and copies already, so didn’t need to use the copy services available. However, I did get one of the guys to check my application form and docs to make sure they were ok. I didn’t get charged for this.

My documents;

Application form filled in (with multiple entry written on the top by visa type) with 2 photos. (My photos were slightly smaller than passport size, and I was not wearing my glasses in the photos)

Passport with copy of photo page, signed and dated.

My wife’s ID card and copy of both sides on one piece of paper, signed and dated by her.

Her Tabian Baan with copy of both pages on one piece of paper, signed and dated by her.

The original marriage certificate with the other original documents received when got married. All copied, front and back, and signed and dated by my wife and I.

Consulate opened at 9am, and without rushing, got number 12. It only took about 15 to 20 minutes to be seen. The guy on the counter does appear to be miserable and unhelpful, but he is efficient. I gave him the application form with the passport, then the original docs. He looked at the original marriage certificate, nothing else! Not my wife’s ID card, the Tabian Baan, or any other marriage docs we had. The bank book was NOT requested. The only thing he said to me was 5000 baht. Handed over and finished.

Jumped in the tuktuk of the guy that helped with the docs and he took us to a hotel, 100 baht each again. The Hoong Thip Hotel, 600 baht a night. Expensive as the hotel looks a little dilapidated and there was no hot water. However, the room was clean and it did have aircon. Also, the hotel was about a 5 minute walk to the Mekong River and close to a few restaurants, so not a bad location.

The next afternoon, the same tuktuk driver took us back to the consulate and at 2pm, were allowed in. There is no number service, it is first come, first serve, so people started queuing about 10 minutes beforehand. About 15 people in front of me, but only took about 15 minutes to get my passport back with a multiple entry non o visa for marriage.

Straight to the border, 100 baht each again. We got to Mukdahan bus station just before 4pm, so only around two hours from picking up the visa, leaving Laos and entering Thailand. Pretty painless really.

So, have a new multiple entry visa from 26^th March. Need to do a border run every 90 days and before the visa expires, do another border run to get another 90 days, which equates to 15 months.

All in all, the trip was about 12,000 baht but that was for two us, treating it like a mini holiday. That is the cost of transport, visas, hotels, food, etc.

[MJCM]

Thanks ajack, a very hepful and clearly written Trip Report. This will help a lot of people