Going To Vientiane For 1st Non Imm. "o"

[princealbert]

Been in the LOS since Sept and done 3 Mae Sai border runs. I am on my way to Vientiane 3rd Jan for non imm. "o" based on marriage, got all the paperwork that is required by immigration here in Chaing Mai for extension when i get back, or can i get 1 year non "o" with all docs in Vientiane if i have wife with me ?

Anyone already done this ?

[princealbert]

Been in the LOS since Sept and done 3 Mae Sai border runs. I am on my way to Vientiane 3rd Jan for non imm. "o" based on marriage, got all the paperwork that is required by immigration here in Chaing Mai for extension when i get back, or can i get 1 year non "o" with all docs in Vientiane if i have wife with me ?

Anyone already done this ?

Can i get 1 year in Vientiane this way ?

[lopburi3]

I believe it is unlikely but never say never. The last Consulate we have seen reports on in the area that still would allow the multi entry issue was Singapore but have not seen any new reports for several weeks.

[princealbert]

Good morning all and a happy new year.

1) Been in the LOS since early Sept and done 3 Mae Sai border runs.

2) I am on my way to Vientiane 3rd Jan for non imm. "o" based on marriage, got all the paperwork that is required by immigration here in Chaing Mai for extension when i get back if neccessary.

3) Or can i get 1 year non imm."o" with all docs in Vientiane if i have wife with me ?

4) If not can i change my TV to non imm. "o" here in Chiang Mai

5) If refused non "o" can i apply immediately for TV ?

6) How long is normal turn round of visa ?

Many thanks

// Edited by Maestro

[Maestro]

3) With or without wife, you will probably get only a single-entry non-O visa.

4) Not clear on what basis you are in Thailand at the moment. Under 1) you mention 3 border runs, which I understand to mean visa-exempt entries, under 4) you mention TV, which I understand to mean tourist visa. Seeing that you have all required documents ready for an extension based on marriage, if you are on a tourist visa – at the discretion of the immigration officer also if you are on a visa-exempt entry – you can apply at your local immigration office first for a change of visa status to non-O (fee 2,000 Baht), then for an annual extension of stay (fee 1,900 Baht)

5) Yes.

Somebody else will have to answer 6)

--

Maestro

[princealbert]

3) With or without wife, you will probably get only a single-entry non-O visa.

4) Not clear on what basis you are in Thailand at the moment. Under 1) you mention 3 border runs, which I understand to mean visa-exempt entries, under 4) you mention TV, which I understand to mean tourist visa. Seeing that you have all required documents ready for an extension based on marriage, if you are on a tourist visa – at the discretion of the immigration officer also if you are on a visa-exempt entry – you can apply at your local immigration office first for a change of visa status to non-O (fee 2,000 Baht), then for an annual extension of stay (fee 1,900 Baht)

5) Yes.

Somebody else will have to answer 6)

--

Maestro

Came to Thailand on a tourist visa but have done 3 border runs to Mae Sai (didnt know about being able to get extension then) so on voa right now.

Was told at immigration in Chiang Mai i can not get non "o" on the back of a voa must have non "o" visa then to apply for extension based on marriage.

[aussiestyle1983]

Taking your wife with you will always help, if the embassy or consulate is issuing the type of visa you want. I dont believe any consulate in any of Thaliands neighbouring countries ( except KL in Malaysia ) issue 1 year Non O visas anymore. If you take your wife to Laos, it will most likely only give you a hassle free experience in getting a single entry non o. Take your wife to Singapore and you will most likely get your 1 year non O because the still issue 1 year Non O's in Singapore. So wife or not in Laos, most likely only 3 months.

But anyway, if you can get an extension at immigration, you will only need a single entry non o anyway, so just get the single entry from Laos then extend it at immigration in LOS

Edited January 1, 2007 by aussiestyle1983

[princealbert]

Taking your wife with you will always help, if the embassy or consulate is issuing the type of visa you want. I dont believe any consulate in any of Thaliands neighbouring countries ( except KL in Malaysia ) issue 1 year Non O visas anymore. If you take your wife to Laos, it will most likely only give you a hassle free experience in getting a single entry non o. Take your wife to Singapore and you will most likely get your 1 year non O because the still issue 1 year Non O's in Singapore. So wife or not in Laos, most likely only 3 months.

But anyway, if you can get an extension at immigration, you will only need a single entry non o anyway, so just get the single entry from Laos then extend it at immigration in LOS

Seems the way to go .......Many Thanks.......

Any recommendations for nice cheap hotels near Thai Embassy in Vientianne ?

[aussiestyle1983]

Good luck with your visa. You will most likely get the 3 month single entry with or with out wife since you are married. Then just extend it here. For any reason if you cant extend it here, next time try Singapore and you should get 1 year (good for 15 months) Just a quick e-mail to the embassy before you go will confirm any questions you have, they always reply to your e-mail and just print the e-mail and take it with you when you are there, in case they change there story........................

[princealbert]

Good luck with your visa. You will most likely get the 3 month single entry with or with out wife since you are married. Then just extend it here. For any reason if you cant extend it here, next time try Singapore and you should get 1 year (good for 15 months) Just a quick e-mail to the embassy before you go will confirm any questions you have, they always reply to your e-mail and just print the e-mail and take it with you when you are there, in case they change there story........................

Not going to have time to e-mail them as travelling today to Lao to be there first thing tomorrow morning.

Will put details of my experiance on here when we get back.

Any recommendations for nice cheap hotels in Vientiane

..............Many Thanks...........

[Sunbelt Asia]

Good luck with your visa. You will most likely get the 3 month single entry with or with out wife since you are married. Then just extend it here. For any reason if you cant extend it here, next time try Singapore and you should get 1 year (good for 15 months) Just a quick e-mail to the embassy before you go will confirm any questions you have, they always reply to your e-mail and just print the e-mail and take it with you when you are there, in case they change there story........................

Not going to have time to e-mail them as travelling today to Lao to be there first thing tomorrow morning.

Will put details of my experiance on here when we get back.

Any recommendations for nice cheap hotels in Vientiane

..............Many Thanks...........

If you had 400K in the bank and at least 15 days left on your tourist visa exemption stamp, you could of converted it to a Non O in Thailand without going to the Embassy.

The change of visa has different rules than the extension of stay which require a family income of 40,000 Baht per month. The change of visa will allow the use of money in the bank.

www.sunbeltasiagroup.com

[princealbert]

If you had 400K in the bank and at least 15 days left on your tourist visa exemption stamp, you could of converted it to a Non O in Thailand without going to the Embassy.

The change of visa has different rules than the extension of stay which require a family income of 40,000 Baht per month. The change of visa will allow the use of money in the bank.

www.sunbeltasiagroup.com

Having just married at the most expensive time of year paid for party/guest stop overs etc. on top of the dowry leaves me short of the 400k for 1 month till more funds are transfered.

My VOA expires 15th Jan so only 13 days left. Believe the only option open to me for now is 90 day single entry non "o" from outside the kingdom with my income verified by British Embassy and extension when back in LOS ???

[dereklev]

If you had 400K in the bank and at least 15 days left on your tourist visa exemption stamp, you could of converted it to a Non O in Thailand without going to the Embassy.

The change of visa has different rules than the extension of stay which require a family income of 40,000 Baht per month. The change of visa will allow the use of money in the bank.

www.sunbeltasiagroup.com

Having just married at the most expensive time of year paid for party/guest stop overs etc. on top of the dowry leaves me short of the 400k for 1 month till more funds are transfered.

My VOA expires 15th Jan so only 13 days left. Believe the only option open to me for now is 90 day single entry non "o" from outside the kingdom with my income verified by British Embassy and extension when back in LOS ???

I believe this is correct, but I am not an expert!

Sunbelt raises an interesting point about the differences between coverting to Non Imm 'O' and extending an exisisting Non Imm 'O'.

No wonder so many people on TV are confused by the new rules.....