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Can I obtain a 12-month Non-O multi-entry visa in Thailand without my Thai spouse present?

Thai visa regulations Non-O visa marriage visa multiple entry visa Savannakhet consulate expat advice immigration visa application process

Sep 5, 2023

2 years ago

Justin **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Just at the consulate in Savannakhet. Been told that I can't get a 12 month  non o multi entry visa because my wife isn't physically with me. They'll only offer a 3 month single entry instead. Are there any other embassies in countries around Thailand that offer a 12 month non o multi entry visa based on marriage?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

An expat recently faced difficulties obtaining a 12-month Non-O multi-entry visa at the Savannakhet consulate in Laos due to his Thai wife not being physically present. Instead, he was offered a 3-month single-entry visa. Several users discussed alternatives like obtaining a single-entry visa and then applying for a family extension, which could extend his stay. Others shared experiences, noting inconsistencies in the consulate's requirements regarding the presence of a spouse during application. Some embassies, like those in Ho Chi Minh City, may offer 12-month visas under certain conditions, but there appear to be new, unclear policies since COVID-19. It is advisable to check directly with the consulate or previous applicants for the most current requirements.

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Nigel *********

Not sure if this helps this conversation or not, but, I asked the Savannakhet Consulate if my wife needs to be present for the 12 month non o multiple entry and here's the reply this morning=

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Tod *********

thanx for that

@Nigel ********

sure is a change in policy, BUT notice how they say "should" not "must",

wonder if the "letter" (hand written letter in thai from your wife asking that you be issued the visa) would work..

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Nigel *********

I managed to cut that bit out. So, I asked but no reply. I also noted the 'should' as opposed to 'must'. I wonder if anyone can report back from yesterday or today.

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Nigel *********

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Andy *********

I was just there last week. The guy in front of me was told they no longer issued one-year visas (but it was far from his first).

For me, they asked where my wife was. I said she was in the hotel across the street (which was true), and they told me to bring her with me to pick up my passport the next day.

We went back the next day and they didn't even glance at her, one year visa was already in the passport.

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Nicolas ***********

maybe at some point they wish we apply for an extension and stop going for the multi-o repeatedly 🤔🤔🤔

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Andy *********

@Nicolas **********

Yes, I assume so. This was my first so no issues.

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Nicolas ***********

Same, first time applying for the multi.., i think it might get boring and more costly to do a border run every 90 days anyway ..

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Nicolas ***********

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James ******

is there some kind of limit to how many times you can be issued a visa based on marriage?

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Andy *********

I think it's probably at their discretion.

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Andy *********

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James ********

@Justin *********

Did you try again to get the one year? Did they accept the 5,000 Thai baht?

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Justin **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I had a problem trying to get hold of my wife on the phone as she was working. There seemed no rhyme or reason why the official was asking some people to contact their wife and not asking others, so I just settled with the single entry Non-O.

Guess the lesson to learn from this is that if your wife isn't present then they may ask to speak to her on the phone.

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James ********

@Justin *********

so did you get the 90 day Non O Visa as Married to Thai?

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James ********

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Nicolas ***********

Got my Non-O Multi about a month ago at Savannakhet, the lady at counter did actually ask me “Where’s your wife?” but it seemed to be cause she didn’t see the Changed Name Certificate while reviewing my documents, i just pointed at it then she took my money and we were done in 30 seconds (i didn’t have a letter from the wife nor been asked for it)

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Geoff **********

@Nicolas **********

I got the multi entry about 3 weeks ago and the change of name document was aldo required (I had it after seeing it mentioned on a Thai forum). Dont recall seeing this on the Savannakhet website so maybe a new requirement.

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Nicolas ***********

@Geoff *********

yes indeed it’s not mentioned on the consulate website! I got that information on the Thai Visa Advice group .. 💯💯💯

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Nicolas ***********

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Tod *********

@Andrew *******

sorry to bother you, any update on whether you got the year/multi visa?

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GL ******

Isn't the O visas individually issued? Can't apply as a couple (like Elite or LTR)? So why is the spouse situation relevant to them?

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GL ******

Ah! makes sense now. Thanks

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Tod *********

their spouses are THAI and these people are getting Non-O visas based on marriage to a thai. previously this consulate had the "softest touch" in S/E Asia to issue this visa. However just yesterday they started asking people applying for the year long, multi-entry Non-O visa (again based on marriage to a thai) where their wife was <- as in they wanted the wife THERE when the foreigner applied for the visa..

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Tod *********

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Andrew ********

No problem. I was going to write an update when I arrived in Mukdahan (currently on the bus crossing over). The good news is I got the 1 year visa. I didn't have a letter from my wife and they didn't call her to check, so everything went as planned. Perhaps I was just lucky to have gone yesterday rather than today

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Andrew ********

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Daniel **********

Ah that's a shame. Are they asking for proof of cash in the bank for the multiple entry or just having your wife with you? Thanks.

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Tod *********

@Daniel *********

nope not anything to do with proof of funds

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Tod *********

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Justin **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

A little update:

For some applicants they wanted to speak with their wife on the phone.

For others it didn't matter.

It was all a bit random.

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Nicolas ***********

@Justin *********

then it seems reasonable to wonder what they wanted to ask over the phone? As if they don’t need to ask for anything they seem not to request that call 🤔🤔🤔 ; would be great to get more clues on those mystery calls 😄😄😄

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James ********

@Justin *********

Did you try again to get the one year? Did they accept the 5,000 Thai baht?

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James ********

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Tod *********

Well, to anyone being turned away and sold only a single entry because your thai wife isn't there, I'd say take the single entry, that'll get you a 90 day stamp, THEN take the 60 day visit family extension at the immigration office and that'll buy you 5 months total before you have to do it again..

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Justin **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks Tod. 🙂

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Justin **********

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Ellie *******

HCMC is supposed to issue multiple entry Non-O spouse to a Thai, too, but may be with financial requirements. There is not much report after Covid, unfortunately. You can contact them.

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Michael ********

I was there early July and they scrutinized my 6 months of financials very closely

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Justin **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks Ellie. Might try going to HCMC next time. Any ideas how much money is needed.....and whether it needs to be in a Thai bank account? 🙂

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Nicolas ***********

@Justin *********

planning the HCMC for next year as well ..

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Nicolas ***********

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Andrew ********

I did mine yesterday morning. They said "Where's your wife?" and I said Chiang Mai and it wasn't an issue. Haven't collected my passport yet though

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Tod *********

@Andrew *******

report back when you get your passport today if you can and let us know if you got a single or a multiple entry

I'd wager IF they took the 5k baht from you, you're fine getting the year multi

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Andrew ********

I'm hopeful of getting it but definitely won't take anything for granted until I see it stamped in my passport. I'll let you know either way

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Andrew ********

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Lloyd ********

I have a friend in the queue right now, so I will wait for his report

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Lloyd ********

My mate was turned away too

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Lloyd ********

His wife was not with him, so quite probably

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James ******

For the same reason? Did they tell him his wife needs to be present?

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James ******

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Lloyd ********

Chap in front of my friend got it, (multi), they just phoned his wife to ask about her signature

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Justin **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks. Will have to bear that in mind next time.

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James ********

@Justin *********

did you have a letter from the Thai wife requesting the Thai Embassy issue the Non O One year multiple entry visa to her husband?

Did you have a signed copy of your Thai wife's Thai 🪪 ID card? With phone number and address?

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Randy ********

I’ve been preaching this requirement for months. The majority of the people laughed at me, said it wasn’t a requirement. It’s better to be over prepared than be rejected because some IO wants to nitpick.

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James ********

agreed 👍

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Ellie *******

there were reports the letter from the wife is no longer required

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Randy ********

it all comes down to the IO, which I’m sure you’re well aware of. Tod has a perfect list which did list the letter on it. I would suggest any and everyone follows that list.

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Tod *********

but there have been MANY reports of people successfully getting that year-multi Non-O based on marriage with just the documentation listed on the Savannakhet website for the 90 day single entry..

I don't think having the letter makes any difference anymore..

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Randy ********

yes, I understand. Like most of us know, at any given time the IO can ask for everything or the minimal.

All I was getting at was, go over prepared and hope for the best.

I will be back there early next year. Looks like I’m going to be taking my wife with me.

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Tod *********

on this we agree 100%

Way better to take TOO much documentation (and have EVERYTHING signed by your thai wife) than to take too little and get hung out to dry..

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James ********

okay 👌

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James ********

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Justin **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Was surprised by the official's reaction. Just wasn't interested in giving me the multi entry visa. 😅😅

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Justin **********

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