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Can I enter Laos with my Cyprus passport and apply for a marriage visa there despite differing surname spellings?
Thai Visa RulesNon-O VisaVisa ApplicationsDual CitizenshipImmigration AdviceMarried to Thai NationalBorder RunsName Change IssuesExpats in Thailand
Oct 26, 2019
7 years ago
Kyriakos **************
ORIGINAL POSTERComplex question :
I have been living in Thailand for the last 6 years and married to a Thai national. I have a non o multiple entry visa based on marriage which i received in Savannakhet Laos since living in Thailand.
I used to go to the Kanchanaburi (Ban Phu Nam Ron *border )* to do my 90 day border run being the most convenient as i live i Hua Hin but since the beginning of this year they stopped accepting South African passports at this border for some unknown reason so now i have to either use Laos . Cambodia or Malaysia which is a schlep.
Now my question is i have dual citizenship one being South African and the other a passport from Cyprus i need to know with my next visa application in Savannakhet in a couple of months can i fly to Laos with my SA passport but enter Laos with my Cyprus passport and then get my marriage visa on my Cyprus passport which might be accepted at Kanchanaburi (Ban Phu Nam Ron border *).*
*There is another question a difference in my Cyprus passport and my SA passport is that my surname has a different spelling . My SA passport it is Lambrou and my Cyprus passport is Hadjilambrou the prefix is added because my late grandfather made a visit to the Holy Land ( Israel ) then the Hadji gets added to your surname but the problem i think will be because we were married in SA and my surname on my marriage certificate is Lambrou without the Hadji. Can anybody please help.*
I have been living in Thailand for the last 6 years and married to a Thai national. I have a non o multiple entry visa based on marriage which i received in Savannakhet Laos since living in Thailand.
I used to go to the Kanchanaburi (Ban Phu Nam Ron *border )* to do my 90 day border run being the most convenient as i live i Hua Hin but since the beginning of this year they stopped accepting South African passports at this border for some unknown reason so now i have to either use Laos . Cambodia or Malaysia which is a schlep.
Now my question is i have dual citizenship one being South African and the other a passport from Cyprus i need to know with my next visa application in Savannakhet in a couple of months can i fly to Laos with my SA passport but enter Laos with my Cyprus passport and then get my marriage visa on my Cyprus passport which might be accepted at Kanchanaburi (Ban Phu Nam Ron border *).*
*There is another question a difference in my Cyprus passport and my SA passport is that my surname has a different spelling . My SA passport it is Lambrou and my Cyprus passport is Hadjilambrou the prefix is added because my late grandfather made a visit to the Holy Land ( Israel ) then the Hadji gets added to your surname but the problem i think will be because we were married in SA and my surname on my marriage certificate is Lambrou without the Hadji. Can anybody please help.*
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is seeking guidance on whether they can use their South African passport to leave Thailand, enter Laos with their Cyprus passport, and apply for a marriage visa, considering the different surname spellings on their passports and marriage certificate. Responses indicate that although it is possible to enter Laos with one passport and apply for the visa with another, the discrepancies in names may pose challenges at Thai immigration upon re-entry.
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Benjamin ******
So, based on
"But enter Laos with my Cyprus passport and then get my marriage visa on my Cyprus passport which might be accepted at Kanchanaburi (Ban Phu Nam Ron border )"
is "no"
@Tod ********
response, the answer to this question:"But enter Laos with my Cyprus passport and then get my marriage visa on my Cyprus passport which might be accepted at Kanchanaburi (Ban Phu Nam Ron border )"
is "no"
Robert *******
Based on having different names on the marriage certificate and the passport, meaning to get the Non Immigrant O visa would be a no in Savannakhet Laos.
Reply to
Robert *******
Reply
Sami *******
Why dont you make a single non-O and every year an extension? It is simplier then to do visa run every 90 days.
Tod *********
many MANY people do not want to meet the proof of financial requirements OR provide the pile 'o documents & go thru the 30 day under consideration to get a yearly extension at the immigration office.
They prefer to get a year-long, multi-entry Non-O visa based on marriage to a thai at a consulate that doesn't require proof of funds and then bounce out and in every 90 days for the next 15 months..
They prefer to get a year-long, multi-entry Non-O visa based on marriage to a thai at a consulate that doesn't require proof of funds and then bounce out and in every 90 days for the next 15 months..
Reply to
Tod *********
Reply
Benjamin ******
I thought about this, and here's my question to the visas gurus out there. According to
*************************************************************
%20on%20Arrival/VOA.pdf , people with a Cyprus passport only qualify for a 15 day visa on arrival. Can people on Visa on Arrival passports bounce in and out of Kanchanburi?Benjamin ******
Ivan - but would they let people from visa on arrival countries bounce in and out at that border?
Ivan ************
He'd be on a multi entry marriage visa, not looking for a visa on arrival.
Reply to
Ivan ************
Reply
Kathy ********************
Wouldn’t it be more convenient to fly HH to KL?
Kyriakos **************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Kathy *******************
will check and see the pros and consReply to
Kyriakos **************
Reply
Jussi ********
Just my guess but there should be an official document about the name change which should explain everything?
Kyriakos **************
ORIGINAL POSTERJussi Pajala thanks i think i will ask my brother who is living in Cyprus to find out for me.
Kyriakos **************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jussi *******
thank you i will find out it will make it a lot easier.Kyriakos **************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jussi *******
yes there are a few explaining it on the Web but i think explaining it to a Thai official will be quite a mission maybe i must just get married in Cyprus again and then use the new certificateReply to
Kyriakos **************
Reply
Robert *******
Leaving Thailand with S/A passport and using Cyprus passport to enter Laos when using air is not the problem. But the different names on marriage certificate and passport and with re-enter inside Thailand with another passport on another name by using the same fingerprints, could be a lot of explaining to to. I guess as I found it already strange to believe, my grand father went for holiday and that is why I have another name, will be a very difficult thing to explain to Thai Immigration.
Kyriakos **************
ORIGINAL POSTERFor Greek Orthodox Christians, the word "Hadji" refers to a person baptized in the Jordan River (like allegedly Jesus did). After the baptism, it can be used as a pre-fix to the Christian name.Oct 21, 2016
Robert *******
never seen that happening in the Netherlands. I believe you, but it is not me who you have to convince.
Kyriakos **************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Robert ******
the change of name only happens if you visit the Holy sites in Israel.Kyriakos **************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Robert ******
thank you very much i also thought it might be a big mission to explain here in ThailandReply to
Kyriakos **************
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