Non O visa at Savannakhet based on Thai child

[snowbags]

Hi all,

I believe I can obtain a Non O visa at Savannakhet based on having a Thai son. I've got his birth certificate in Thai and officially translated into English, his Thai passport, his Mothers ID card, passport and housebook, a bank account with 1 million baht in ( been in for over 12 months ) and all my own ID requirements. I'm here on a new type 60 day tourist visa, but need to upgrade before getting a retirement visa from immigration at Udon Thani. Do I have all the necessary requirements and is my plan of attack feasible?

Thanks in advance for any help or advice.

[ubonjoe]

You can get a single entry non-o visa based upon being the parent of a Thai at Vientiane or Savannakhet. You only need his birth certificate plus a copy and a copy of his house book registry.

You could also get one for being 50 or over in Vientiane by showing your bank book with 800k baht in the account.

You will be applying for an extension of stay based upon retirement at immigration not a visa.

[snowbags]

Hi Ubonjoe,

Thanks so much for that information, it's extremely helpful. I understand that Savannakhet is often less busy than Vientiane, so I'll probably apply there. Just one more quick question that you may be able to help with - Do I need to apply during my 60 day visa period or can it be obtained during the 30 day extension period of my tourist visa. I know it makes economical sense to sort it before I pay for an extension, but I have certain dates and commitments to work around.

[ubonjoe]

You can apply for the visa at any time you want to.

As long as you don't go on Monday or Thursday when the visa run vans arrive Vientiane is not that bad.

[elviajero]

Hi Ubonjoe,

Thanks so much for that information, it's extremely helpful. I understand that Savannakhet is often less busy than Vientiane, so I'll probably apply there. Just one more quick question that you may be able to help with - Do I need to apply during my 60 day visa period or can it be obtained during the 30 day extension period of my tourist visa. I know it makes economical sense to sort it before I pay for an extension, but I have certain dates and commitments to work around.

You can head to Savannakhet whenever you want. When you exit your stay granted with the tourist visa or extension of stay will automatically expire.

Note that you can also get a 60 day extension of stay on the basis of visiting your child for the same cost as a 30 day extension for tourism (1,900 baht).

[snowbags]

Thanks you two for that valued information. You've both been a great help.

[snowbags]

Hi,

Just a quick follow up, as I've now visited Savannakhet for the said visa.

The requirements were exactly as Ubonjoe had stated ( I also took and handed in a copy of my son's passport - just for back up ). The staff were pleasant and helpful and I was at immigration for about 15 minutes in a queue of about 30 people before I got to the window. I returned the next day at 1.35pm and again, their was a queue of about 30 people. They opened at exactly 2.00pm and from opening to leaving took no more than 10 minutes and I had my single entry Non O visa in my hand.

In summary, the trip although a long drive from the Nong Han area, was well worth it and the information I was given on this forum was invaluable, so thanks again.