Non Immigrant O Visa - a bit confused

[cloudos]

Hi, I want to apply for a Non Immigrant O based on marriage and can't really seem to find some clear answers from the Thai Embassy sites. Therefore, I was hoping you can give some advice based on your understanding of the process:

1) I am on a 30 day Tourist visa, is it possible to apply for the Non Immigrant O at Chaeng Wattana or do I need to apply overseas (thinking of Vientianne)?

2) It says on the Thai Embassy site that I need a bank statement. I thought this is only necessary when extending the visa after 90 days? If I do need to provide a statement, what are they looking for?

3) Looking at the flights, the most convenient one to Nong Khai for me arrives at 21:30pm. What time does the border close to Vientianne and are there any services that can take me across that late?

4) If I hand in my passport on say Tuesday, will it be given back on the following day? The site says two working days but then adds to the confusion by saying that I will get my passport back the next day?

Much appreciated!

[ubonjoe]

1. Yes But you need at leas 15 days remaining on your entry. But you can extend your 30 day visa exempt entry. You will need the financial proof and all the required documents for and extension of stay based upon marriage. It requires 2 trips 15 days apart to immigration to get the visa/entry stamp done.

2. You can get a single entry non-o visa in Vientiane with no financial proof needed. They don't do multiple entry visas if that is what you want.

3. The bridge closes at 10 pm.. Is the 21:30 arrival time for Udon Thani? Arriving that late it would be best to stay overnight in Nong Khai.

4. You apply for your visa the morning of one day and get your passport back the next afternoon.

[bushmill]

In your case I wouldtn't go to Vientiane. Ger your marriage certificate translated in Thai. thke the copies and the original with your wife and her tavian ban to the Thai Consulate in Savanaketh / Laos. There is no finacial proof required. You have to be there before 11am and you van pick up your Non - O - Multiple Entry next day 2 pm. Visa fee is 5000 Baht.

Again:

Copys of marriage certificate and original

Copys of your passport

Copys if you wife's ID signed by her

Copy of her housepaper signed by her

I do it for many years without any problems

[cloudos]

Thank you ubonjoe and bushmill for your feedback.

After assessing my options, I decided to go to Vientianne and besides the long waiting times, I managed to get the Non Immigrant O Visa issued.

I will create a new thread on this so the other guys can do a quick search if they are stuck in the same conundrum that I was!

Much appreciated, and have a great day!