Answereda year ago

Is the Savannakhet Consulate now fully e-Visa only for Non-O marriage visas in 2025?

Visa application process Thailand Elite visa Non-Immigrant O visa Marriage visa e-Visa system Documents submission

Jonny ******

asked Nov 30, 2025

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Quick question: I have an Elite visa that is about to expire, and I plan to switch to a Non-Immigrant O (marriage) visa. My plan was to go to Savannakhet, show my 400,000 THB bank letter, and apply there like people used to do.

But I just saw an announcement from the Royal Thai Consulate in Savannakhet saying that starting 1 January 2025, all visa applications must be submitted through the e-Visa system, and applicants can no longer submit passports or documents in person. It also says you can only apply once you are already outside Thailand.

Can anyone confirm if this is really true?

Is Savannakhet now 100% e-Visa only with no walk-ins for any visa type, including Non-O marriage visas?

Is this the same way for all other consulates? 

If anyone has recent (2025) experience, please let me know. Thanks!

Answer summary

The user is inquiring about the current visa application process for transitioning from an Elite visa to a Non-Immigrant O (marriage) visa, specifically regarding the new e-Visa system implemented by the Royal Thai Consulate in Savannakhet starting January 1, 2025. There are concerns about the requirement to apply only outside Thailand and whether walk-in applications are entirely phased out. Several comments discuss alternatives, such as opting for a Retirement Visa or the Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa, giving insights into their experiences with fewer requirements and convenience.

13 repliesnewest first

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Jonny ******

I shall leave to laos today! thank you everyone for the answers.

a year ago

Dave *********

IF you are 50 or above and If u can afford the 800,000 baht instead of the 400,000 deposit I highly recommend going for the Retirement Visa over the marriage visa. A lot less paperwork, no need to have wife present for application or extensions and the extensions are a lot less involved. Just my 2 cents.

Or just go straight for the LTR for wealthy pensioners for 50k baht (10years). No need to exit Thailand and u can apply online at the BOI.

And that’s what I actually did myself. The paperwork for marriage visa was bs. Has to chase down affidavits and bs w the certificates (USA marriage) and notarized and I ended up just giving up and applying myself for retirement visa. Shortly after I applied and got the LTR for Wealthy Pensioners. It’s possible u qualify if u can show $80k USD or equivalent in Passive Annual income. No need to deposit money.

a year ago

Evert ******

Everything online, it only takes a few days maybe

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I highly recommend it!

a year ago

Tony *********

Its definitely online now with E-visa so no more handing in passports and documents.

a year ago

Marianne ********

If you have 400k baht stashed away in a Thai Bank Account already, is it not possible to change from the Elite to the Non-O inside of Thailand?

I know you can do that going from tourist visa or visa exemption.

a year ago

Gregor **********

@John *********

well, but a DTV first needs to be cancelled by the Thai embassy that issued it. Thai Immigration cannot cancel a visa or a stay permit that wasn't issued by them

a year ago

John **********

@Gregor *********

not according to the Royal Gazette. You don't cancel it, you convert it. The same process as converting a standard tourist visa to another visa type

a year ago

Steve *********

@Marianne *******

I changed from Elite to non O Marriage visa in 2024 before they changed to E visa. I got my initial non O at Penang in person. One quirk of the Elite visa is that the visa and associated privileges are not affected by obtaining another visa whilst the Elite visa is still valid so when I came back from Penang I was still able to utilize the airport assistance and transfer service provided by Elite. I just told the Elite representative at the airport that I was entering on a non O and not the Elite visa to ensure that I didn’t get stamped in on the Elite visa. If you haven’t already done so it’s worth opening a bank account whilst you still have an Elite visa because it is very straightforward as that is another privilege provided by Elite.

a year ago

Gregor **********

@Marianne *******

"change of visa type" as mentioned on every Immigration form, are from two types of "touristic" entries only: from the single entry 60-days tourist visa, or from the visa-exempt entry. Nowhere is mentioned that you can do the "change of visa type" from an Elite Privilege Visa or from a DTV to the initial 90-days Non-Imm-Visa

a year ago

John **********

@Gregor *********

the Royal Gazette entry that detailed the DTV specifically stated it could be changed to a different visa type inside Thailand just like the other tourist entry stamps

Marianne ********

Got it! Thank you

Tod *********

it is not possible to change an Elite visa in country to any other type of visa 🙁 😕 😮

You have to exit, get off that elite entry stamp, then either buy the visa at a thai consulate outside OR come back in free stamp and apply for the in country Non-O visa at the immigration office

a year ago

Marianne ********

@Tod ********

Got it! Thank you

a year ago