Vientiane Trip Report: NON O for Retirement

[cweeze]

Hi all,

 

I am an American, over 50, with over 800,000 in Thai Bank.

 

After reading and reviewing  a lot of post on TV and getting some good advice, I was prepared to made my first trip to Vientiane to apply for a NON O visa for retirement. Since I had never been to Lao, my GF and I decided to make a little vacation out our trip. Before I departed Thailand, I brought the following documents with me:

 

• Thai Visa Application from Royal Thai Embassy Vientiane (downloaded from TV)
• Original Passport
• 2 copies of ID page of passport
• Original Thai bank book updated on December 6, 2016
• Copy of bank book (ID page and pages showing account activity with 800,000 deposit) 
• Letter of Guarantee from my Bank dated December 6, 2016
• Copy of my Thai GF house registration
• Copy of my Thai GF Thai ID
• Copy of my latest True mobile phone bill showing my address

 

I know the bank letter,  my GF house registration, and her Thai ID are not required. But after reading reports that the IO in Vientiane were asking some people for these documents, I decided to have them in case they asked. Following is a run down on my trip:

 

Day 1 (Dec 6, 2016)

 

•  After going to my bank at 8:00 AM and receiving a letter of guarantee and making copies, I drove my vehicle from Chaiyaphum to Nong Khai. I hit a lot of traffic between Udon Thani and Nong Khai, arriving about 4:00 PM.
• We  parked our truck in the parking area located at the bus station just before the Freedom Bridge. The directions I got from one of the post on TV was spot on, very easy to locate. The parking attendant offered to take us in his car from the parking lot to our hotel (Ibis hotel near the river) in Vientiane for 1500 Thai Baht. I know it would have  been cheaper taking the bus/tuk tuk etc., but  this being my first trip and not having to change buses or tuk tuk several times, it was well worth it to me.  The parking was 100 Thai Baht per night.
• After boarding the parking attendants car, he drove us to Thai Immigration checkpoint at Freedom Bridge, parked and walked us through each step of the way. He knew all the Thai and Lao officials, so we did not have to wait in line to get stamped out of Thailand or get stamped into Laos.  The entire process took about 20-30 minutes. After getting stamped into Laos, we boarded his car and he drove us to our hotel which took about 30 minutes.
• We checkin into our hotel which was about 2 blocks form the river.  If I had to do it again, I would walk around and find a hotel once I arrived. But the hotel was in a good location with plenty of places to eat, drink, and shop at the night market.

 

Day 2 (Dec 7, 2016)

 

• At about 8:00 AM I took a tuk tuk from my hotel to the Thai Consulate for 50,000 Lao Kip. I arrived about 8:10 AM. The gate was already open so I got in the line. After reading previous post, I was expecting a large crowd, but I was amazed how few people were there. There was plenty of seats for everyone waiting in the que. I remember reading on TV that you also needed a copy of your Lao visa. So While I was waiting I walked to the building across the courtyard where a guy will make copies for you. He is located outside the building standing next to a copy machine, so easy to spot.  He charged me 80 Thai Baht to make a copy of my Lao visa.  I also walked inside the building where there was a table set up and a girl appeared to be checking documents. She said I had the wrong form. She took my completed form and copied the information onto a new form, then charged me 50 Thai Baht. I guess she charged me for filling out the form, because the form is free and looked the same as the one I had completed. I know I was scammed!
• At 8:30 AM, two women came out and sat at a table and started issuing each person a que number. Then at window 3 they started reviewing peoples documents. Everyone lined up according to their que number and stayed in line. Then they opened up window 1 and 2 and the que went to hell and it was a free for all.  But, since it was not that crowed, it was not that big of a deal. It took about 30 minutes from the time I received my que number to the time I handed in my paperwork to the IO. That is when I figured out the que number was for picking up your passport the following day.
• Once it was my turn, I handed the IO my application, passport, passport copies, copy of Lao visa, Bank Book, Bank Book copies, and a copy of my True phone bill showing my address in Thailand. I was not going to provide anything else unless he asked for it, which he did. He asked for my letter from the bank. He also asked who my contact person was in Thailand. I misunderstood him and thought he was asking for my GF house registration and her ID card, so I provided him with copies.  However, the girl who filled out my visa application neglected to write in my GF name on the visa application form. So, he had me write in her name on the visa application. I did not look over the form after the girl re copied the info onto the new form (my bad). So I think he only needed to know who my contact person was in Thailand. He also gave me back my true phone bill which showed my address. So I don't think he needed proof of my address, only who the contact person was. But he did request the letter from the bank. I was finished by 9:30 Am.
• I decided to walk back to my hotel to look around. the walk took about 30 minutes.

 

Day 3 (Dec 8, 2016)

 

• I check out my hotel at 12:20 PM. We again took a tuk tuk from our hotel to the Thai Consulate (50,000 Lao Kip) and arrived about 12:30 PM. The gates opened at 1:20 PM., and they start issuing passports/visa at 1:30 PM. The process went very smooth. They were using the electronic board indicating when your number was called and which window to go to. They also announced it over a microphone as they were calling it. However, they call several numbers at the same time and they were only using window 2. So a line formed at that window, but everyone was very orderly and waited their turn.  Since I was number 39, it only took about 15 minutes to receive my passport with my NON O visa.
• I again arranged for the parking lot attendant in Nong Khai to pick us up at the Thai Consulate and transport us back to my truck that was parked at the bus station in Nong Khai.  The driver was waiting for us when we exited the Thai Consulate. Before reaching Freedom Bridge, he stopped at a little mom and pop store so I could purchase 2 cases of Beer Lao to take back home.  After getting the beer, he drove us to the bridge, escorted us through Lao and Thai immigration, then dropped us at our vehicle. I again paid him 1500 Thai Baht. 
• After paying for the parking (200 Thai Baht), we decided to spend the night in Nong Khai before driving back to Chaiyaphum the following morning.

 

All in all it was not a bad trip, but I hope I will not have to do that again. But If I ever go back to Vientiane, I would probably go by air and look for a hotel once I arrived. There is plenty of lodging near the river so no need to make reservations.  I have always received a lot of good information on TV, so I wanted to give back a little. So I hope this report helps someone in the future. 

[sfokevin]

I had a similar experience... the only glitch I encountered was that I attached the two photos to the application  with blue background (which is required here in Thailand at CM immigration) only to find they require a white background... the lady who handed out the que tickets directed me inside to get photos for 80 baht... 

 

oh by the way I used a income letter from US embassy and a copy of my first page of tax return and a Fidelity statement as income backup which he ignored...

[james.d]

Very detailed helpful report Cweeze.

Maybe you cannot help with my request, I understand Mr Ubonjoe is an expert.

 

I too will be going with my wife to Vientiane to get a double entry Non-Immigrant O visa (can get 7 months as I remember with a border run in the middle). However is been a while since I last had one and seeing all your documents gave me a shock.

 I will have the following having crossed our what you took:

 

• British passport with several years validity.
• 2 copies of ID page of passport
• Original Thai bank book updated on December 6, 2016
• Copy of bank book (ID page and pages showing account activity with 800,000 deposit) 
• Letter of Guarantee from my Bank dated December 6, 2016
• Copy of my Thai house book
• Copy of my Thai Wife ID
• Copy of Marriage Certificate
• Copy of my latest True mobile phone bill showing my address.
• Photos with white background as indicated by Sfokevin.

Questions:

• Are the above documents enough?
• Do I need the originals?.. I would prefer not to carry these when travelling.
• I their an updated correct documentation checklist here?.. I could not find one. 

Many Thanks.

James.d

 

 

 

 

[ubonjoe]

11 minutes ago, james.d said:

I too will be going with my wife to Vientiane to get a double entry Non-Immigrant O visa (can get 7 months as I remember with a border run in the middle). However is been a while since I last had one and seeing all your documents gave me a shock.

 

There is no 2 entry non-o visa available anywhere. Perhaps you are thinking of a 2 entry tourist visas which has not been available for over a year now.

You could get a single entry non-o visa based upon marriage in Vientiane or a multiple entry non-o in Savannakhet. You would only need your marriage certificate plus a copy, signed copies of your wife's house book registry and ID card.

[james.d]

11 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

There is no 2 entry non-o visa available anywhere. Perhaps you are thinking of a 2 entry tourist visas which has not been available for over a year now.

You could get a single entry non-o visa based upon marriage in Vientiane or a multiple entry non-o in Savannakhet. You would only need your marriage certificate plus a copy, signed copies of your wife's house book registry and ID card.

Many thanks Ubonjoe, I shall take copies of the above and original wedding certificate. Please confirm if I get a single entry non-o visa based upon marriage for 3 months then can get 1 month extension in BKK?

 

Thank you again,

James.d 

[ubonjoe]

2 minutes ago, james.d said:

Many thanks Ubonjoe, I shall take copies of the above and original wedding certificate. Please confirm if I get a single entry non-o visa based upon marriage for 3 months then can get 1 month extension in BKK?

 

Thank you again,

James.d 

You can extend the 90 day entry from the non-o visa for 60 days at immigration to visit your wife. Your wife will need to be with you when you apply. You will also need proof of residence. There is no 30 day extension for non immigrant visas.

You might want to consider the multiple entry non-o visa that allows unlimited 90 day entries for a year from the date of issue you can get in Savannakhet Laos.

[james.d]

43 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

You can extend the 90 day entry from the non-o visa for 60 days at immigration to visit your wife. Your wife will need to be with you when you apply. You will also need proof of residence. There is no 30 day extension for non immigrant visas.

You might want to consider the multiple entry non-o visa that allows unlimited 90 day entries for a year from the date of issue you can get in Savannakhet Laos.

Sincere apologies Ubonjoe for these questions,, I have messed up and paid for hotel in Vientaine already and made arrangements to take several people to a wedding in Udon already. 

Could I do the 90 day entry from the non-o visa from Vientaine, then extend for 60 days in BKK immigration Cheang Wattana. Then go as you pointed out to Savannakhet Laos (year long multiple entry non-o visa)?

Or is this frowned upon by Thai border control?

 

Many, many thanks,

James.d

[ubonjoe]

4 minutes ago, james.d said:

Could I do the 90 day entry from the non-o visa from Vientaine, then extend for 60 days in BKK immigration Cheang Wattana. Then go as you pointed out to Savannakhet Laos (year long multiple entry non-o visa)?

 

No problem to do that.