Should I Get a Visa Extension Before Traveling to Laos for a Multi-Entry Visa?

Mar 3, 2020

5 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

I arrive next week on a single entry O spouse visa from the UK which gives me 60 days. 

I intend to visit Savannakhet Laos to obtain 1 year multi entry spouse O visa after maybe say 10 days, but once I enter Thailand my single entry will be stamped as "used" so if I went to Laos and something went wrong then I would only be able to come back to Thailand on a the 30 day visa waiver. Do you think it will be a good idea to get the visa extenstion before I leave Thailand just in case and if thats the case where can I get it at the border with Laos or Chiang Mai immigration? ..Thanks in advance

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is planning to travel from Thailand to Savannakhet, Laos, to apply for a one-year multi-entry Non-O spouse visa after entering Thailand on a single-entry Non-O spouse visa. The concern is about the implications of using the single-entry visa and the risk of needing to return to Thailand on a 30-day visa waiver if the Laos application does not succeed. It's recommended to use the full 90 days granted by the single-entry visa and consider applying for a 60-day family visit extension if needed, as applying for the multi-entry visa in Savannakhet is straightforward.

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James ********

Steve ...You have good advice from Tod....Good luck.

Commenting closed.

5 years ago

Tod *********

okay, you've got your wires crossed some

A Non-O visa based on marriage gets you stamped in for 90 days.

So I don't know why you'd leave after a short period of time to go to Savannakhet to get a NEW Non-O visa :O

You are correct, your single entry Non-O visa is USED the second you stamp into the country, and when you stamp out that 90 day entry stamp is canceled. (doesn't matter if you stamp out 10 days after you arrived or the last day that 90 day entry stamp is valid).

Unless you're going to stay IN thailand the 90 days that Non-O gets you and then get a 60 day "visit family" extension, stay until that runs out and THEN leave the country to buy a NEW visa. The plan to get an extension makes no sense at all. :/

Believe me it's not brain science or rocket surgery to get a year-long, multi-entry Non-O visa based on marriage at the thai consulate in Savannakhet.

Turn in the documents, pay the 5000baht, get your passport back with the visa in it the next day.

Personally I'd get the 90 days out of the Non-O you're comin' in on and then go to Savannakhet to get the year-multi-Non-O..

5 years ago

Steve *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks so much for your advice so far, sorry to confuse but I just used 10 days really as an example, I visit 3 or 4 times a year staying between 60 to 70 days normally, now I want multi entry so I don't have to obtain a single entry every time from the UK before I come (can't get multiple entry O from UK) now if I go to Savannkhet after say 20 days of my trip, I won't be able to come back in on my single entry as it is used and if I was unsuccessful in getting the multiple entry then I would have to get a standard 30 day waiver at the border and then have to extend that. So if I get re entry at immigration that gives me 60 days multiple entries so a total of 150 days? So they count the 60 from when the 90 expires? Sorry to act dumb! Just want to be sure

5 years ago

Steve *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Yes that's perfect advice thank you ..you are correct I'm staying 62 days I think so if I travel out after 32 days then worse case on re-entering I would get 30 days .. thanks once again

5 years ago

Benjamin ******

Here's my questions:

1. What visa do you want exactly? Do you want a non-o multiple entry visa based on being married to a Thai wife? If yes, here's my advice:

1. Enter on your single entry non-o. It's good for 90 days.

2. No later than the end of 90 days, leave to Savannakhet.

3. Apply and get the multiple entry Non-o visa based on marriage to a Thai.

4. Return.

If they reject your application (which they won't if you have all the documents) you are allowed two visa exampts entries by land in a calendar year, each valid for 30 days.

Do not buy a re-entry permit, it will keep your current visa"alive" and I don't think Savannakhet will sell you a new visa

5 years ago

Reply to

Benjamin ******

Ellie *******

And you can apply for any kind of extension to your current stamp only at immigration office. Not at the border or airport.

You can buy re-entry permit at some (not all) land borders or airports, too.

5 years ago

Ellie *******

If you have single entry Non-O being married to Thai National, you will be stamped for 90days, not 60days.

With single entry Non-O being married to Thai National, extension is available only for 1 year. Or extension visiting Thai family for 60days. If you can apply extension 1 year, you don't have to go to get multiple entry Non-O...

If you want to apply for visiting Thai family for 60days, you would have total 150days. Prepare yourself within this period rather than rush to get multiple entry Non-O in just 10 days. IMHO, without knowing any other specific reason, going to get Non-O multiple in 10 days after you obtaion single entry Non-O visa is totally waste of your period on your visa.

5 years ago

Reply to

Ellie *******

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