Answered3 years ago
What are the current changes to the Non-Immigrant O (Non-O) multi-entry visa process in Savannakhet for married expats?
They have stopped doing multi entry marriage at savanahket i have been this morning only single entry now or have to show financial statement 400.000 baht - they stopped doing it last week
Answer summary
Recently, there have been significant changes to the processing of the Non-Immigrant O (Non-O) multi-entry visa at the Savannakhet consulate in Laos for foreigners married to Thai nationals. As of last week, the only option available is a single-entry visa, requiring proof of 400,000 baht in a Thai bank account for renewal or extension purposes. Previous practices allowed for more flexibility, such as obtaining multi-entry visas without stringent financial proofs, but this recent policy change restricts options for married expats, increasing the challenges they face in maintaining long-term residency in Thailand.
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Sei *****
they told me the same on the border but when I went to immigration office they said with my non o visa even without 400 k bank account is okay. everything gets harder in time
Vitico ********
First of all thank you so much
@Mike ******
for posting this. I read your post as I was getting my papers ready to go the next day. So i printed a few recent bank statements from my bank in the US. When i went to savannakhet they also were only offering single entry to married couples but i asked a few times and the man in the window said i need proof of 400k. I showed my US bank statements and they accepted that and I got the multiple entry today. I did go with me wife too if that makes a difference.Maxim ***********
@Vitico *******
You showed bank statements from how many months?Vitico ********
@Maxim **********
i showed bank statements from three months. July August September
Mike *******
OP@Vitico *******
that's great news mate. Glad my post has helped somebody.
Toon **********
Did you or did you not have 400k in a Thai bank and have those statements? If not then what was the purpose of this post?
Toon **********
@Mike ******
It helped NO ONE. You don't have 400k baht, you shouldn't get anything other than a single entry. You aren't a quality tourist and aren't welcome.
Nongnuch ********
. . and there is not a single word posted somewhere in their office, informing about this crucial change? You should have gotten a "1-year multi entry Non-imm-O marriage visa" without having to show any financial proof
Mike *******
OP@Nongnuch *******
what should have happened and what did happen are two different things. I tried questioning the decision ans got nowhere. I was hoping that it was because of the first day back after long weekend and was busy but Vitico had the same experience the day after. hopefully other people will have a different experienceVitico ********
@Mike ******
i see all these comments nobody believes you but yes you were right and you sharing your experience quickly saved me a lot of trouble. Thank you so much bro 🙏Nongnuch ********
There has been NO CHANGE of the policies regarding a “1-year multi entry Non-Imm-O Family visa“ at the Royal Thai Consulate Savannakhet
Mike Smith, sorry to say but you most obviously ran into some bad luck over there.
Mike Smith, sorry to say but you most obviously ran into some bad luck over there.
Mike *******
OP@Nongnuch *******
not sure how could have been translated wrong this was the form they would not accept because I had wrote multi entry on it- I had to redo form with single entry onlyNongnuch ********
thanks for reporting back. However the picture shows a single entry Non-Imm-O based on support of half Thai child. This is NOT a Non-Imm-O based on marriage to a Thai
Mike *******
OP@Nongnuch *******
I was hoping that was the case I will now retry in January. I was only reporting what the officials said to me. Next time I will take my wife with meMike *******
OP@Nongnuch *******
I only reported what happened to me at the embassyToon **********
@Mike ******
No, you're a brokey whose fear mongering...way to cause panic to thousands because you can't manage to come up with a few thousand baht.
Michael ********
Going next week will advise then.
I have the funds no problem and will take proof of that with me just in case
I have the funds no problem and will take proof of that with me just in case
Mike *******
OP@Michael *******
there was a lady and a man at the counter the man said no straight away without looking at paperwork the lady was the one who asked about funds to be able to issue the multi entry. I picked my passport up today with single entry no proof of funds asked forMichael ********
@Mike ******
i will ask my wife to send e mail to them in Thai laterMaxim ***********
If anyone go there with their wife, please let everyone know if it's also impossible to do multi-entry with wife present. All the report so far are people trying without their wife being there.
Mike *******
OP@Maxim **********
to be honest they did not even look up to see who I was with they saw non o multi entry marriage on form and threw it back at me. I sincerely hope I caught them at a bad time and they still allow others to get multi entryMike *******
OPThe person at counter only deals with paperwork you provide then they pass it on for someone to approve visa. Again I hope for many people that it was a case of bad day to apply and that they will still issue multi entry. My post wasn't going to change my situation I only posted to warm others of the possibility of being denied
Mike *******
OPThis was the form they gave back to me and wouldn't accept I never mentioned I had a child and kept child's birth certificate in my bag
Mike *******
OP@Maxim **********
don't have passport back yet mate collect after 2pm todayMaxim ***********
@Mike ******
Can I see your stamp? The other one posted here from ASEAN was debunk by my wife for being based on "having a child", not for "marriage". Above the "USED" stamp there is a Thai sentence. Multi Entry for having a child was never possible in Savannakhet, only for marriage.Maxim ***********
@Mike ******
I got told that there was 250 people in Savannakhet today. It was jam pack because it was holiday monday. So it could have been just a very bad day for them and they didn't want to deal with Multi.Maxim ***********
@Mike ******
We will know for sure in the next 3 days. I only saw 2 report of denied today which is not a lot. If next 3 days people keep getting denied then yes it's fucked.Mike *******
OP@Maxim **********
hopefully that was the case but I was fifth or sixth in that queue and the paperwork you provide is exactly the same whether it single or multo entry
Maxim ***********
@Nongnuch *******
It is single entry for support of thai child not multi that the person on ASEAN forum got (Ron is relying a picture, its not him). It says single on the stamp. You are right about the rest. The person on ASEAN forum forget to specify what he was applying for.Maxim ***********
Where is the picture from? (forum?)
Ron *******
@Maxim **********
That particular one is from ASEAN NowMaxim ***********
@Mike ******
Fyi, my wife debunked this picture to me. On the top left (above the "used") stamp, it read: อุปการะบุตรไทย (in very old style). This refer to Non-O Single Entry based on having a child, not marriage.Mike *******
OP@Maxim **********
no i not posted anywhere else I have UK passport btwMaxim ***********
@Ron ******
I'm there right now. Trying to figure out if OP is the same guy that posted there.
Harris **********
Ok can someone explain this to me have I missed something or I'm stupid either way 😢 I got my non o 12 month multiple entry just 2 weeks ago must have been lucky, But my Question is now when I leave Thailand just before the 90 days are up and want to re enter do I have to show the 400k funds in the bank Back on Arival ? And can this visa still be used to exit and re enter every 90 day's till its expiry date . Hope this makes sense.
Graham ******
@Harris *********
Your Visa is valid for how it was issued, 12 months multi-entry. You'll get a 90 day stamp each time you re-enter up to the expiry date and will not have to show finances.Harris **********
@Graham *****
That's what I was hoping thanks 😊
Geoffrey ******
In Udon Thani immigration office, you have the option when you get your extension to stay of a single entry, or buying a multiple-entry for 3800 baht. If you get a single entry, you can leave the country and come back with no problem. If you choose to leave the country again, before your next extension, you can go to immigration and purchase a single entry for 1000 baht. I used to always get a multiple entry and the time of my extension, but during COVD , I got a single. When I renew in Jan, I will go back to the multiple entry. Never any issues. I did this in March this year when my daughter was here. We visited Lao. Went to immigration and bought a single entry upon our return from Lao. No issues.
Aurelian ****************
Does single entry means even if you are married to a thai, when you exit the country you lose the visa??
Gregor **********
@Aurelian ***************
you don't lose the visa, the single entry visa will expire as soon as you enter Thailand. You lose the stay permit. For a stay permit, you theoretically can buy a re-entry permit to keep the stay permit alive. It doesn't make much sense to buy a re-entry permit for any remaining less than 30 days stay permitStephen ************
@Gregor *********
same same as we mentioned just a different way of saying itStephen ************
@Aurelian ***************
Yes that’s exactly what it means unless you purchase a re-entry stamp before you leaveAurelian ****************
@Stephen ***********
immigration is getting very annoying 😟Mike *******
OP@Stephen ***********
my priority is my Thai born daughter. It is set up in England that she will receive all my assets if I meet my end. I will not gamble my daughter's future relying on Thai assets or money.Stephen ************
@Stelar ******
not forgetting that if the account holder (farang) happens to meet his end god forbid he will most probably have no legally recognised will in Thailand-so who gets the money in the bank account… Yep you guessed it !! 🤔
Incognia **********
@Stephen ***********
also there is one more reason why people need to exchange usd or euro to thai baht?400K thai baht is now declining against usd?So can lose huge money in that 2 months before apply visa.Also if usdthb rises from 36 to 45 in 2 months?Losing nearly 20 percent.There are many reason for not having 400K in Thai BankStephen ************
@Aurelian ***************
I agree all these changes means is people who have a regular income but not the 400k in a Thai bank are penalised the most. My monthly income is more than adequate to provide for our family but I invested in a house as opposed to keeping money in a Thai bank 😡Gregor **********
@Aurelian ***************
well, you always were supposed to change the 90-days Non-Imm-O visa categories - regardless if "married to a Thai" or "retirement" - into a "1-year extension of stay permit" - as this is from the very beginning, what the Non-Imm-O visa was made for. It is not a visa for touristic purposes. Sadly the changes afflict many expats who can't provide the required financial backups
Jacob ********
I have yet to see anything about it anywhere.
Gregor **********
I had to block the ruffian who insulted me, I hope he regrets his stupid remarks, because I am well informed while he is not
Mike *******
OP@Gregor *********
I have found your comments very helpful thank youGregor **********
@Mike ******
😅😅 Lord Willy needn't steal anything. He is a collector of sorts. He runs the world's probably biggest Tattoo Museum, set up in Finnland covering two large venues . . . @. *********************************************
61Mike *******
OP@Gregor *********
I don't hate the thieving little rats mate I'm only joking 😂Gregor **********
@Mike ******
I was aware you're from Manchester, I checked your profile be4. I reckon life should not focus on what's yer favourite football club, innit? My neighbour in our Isaan village is from South London and of course flies the Chelsea colours. . . . Why do you see Scousers only showing one hand? Because the other hand is in somebody else's trouser pocket 😂😂😂Mike *******
OP@Gregor *********
Im more likely to call your Scouse friend ( guy from Liverpool ) I am from Manchester we have history 😂🤣😂Gregor **********
@Mike ******
I don't like to be called a "kraut" since I got very good friends and bro's in both the US of A, in New Zealand and in merry ole England. My buddy William Robinson from Liverpool will visit my GF and me, coming end of this week in the Isaan, for a 3 months stay, we are brothers in arms. I am no "kraut" for you, although I wouldn't turn down an offer for a hearty portion of Sauerkraut, potato mash spiced with nutmeg and a pair of Frankfurters and some strong mustard 😄😁😄Gregor **********
@Jacob *******
Same with Retirement Non-Imm-O visa - only single entry . . . . many ground breaking changesGregor **********
@Jacob *******
same here - you cannot get a multi entry family Non-imm-O anymore, starting from 28th of October. Only the single entry version.Jacob ********
The Thai government proved during Covid they had no concerns about foreigners with a Thai wife or children. My hunch is many died having left Thailand unable to return in time leaving many Thai women without a husband or father. It was all about $$$ for the insurance companies and their buddies making $$$ off of those suffering zero regard for the foreigner. That is seriously screwed up! If anyone else ends up having to leave just make sure the Thai government understands it will be paying the family bills for now on not you. Just explain the situation to the family and leave when your visa is up. See Ya!
Stephen ************
@Jacob *******
Maybe they like to tell the bad news in person at the consulate 😣Gregor **********
@Stephen ***********
you might be right, as wouldn't it be announced inside the office, if there really was such an important change? a LOT of people apply for this visa every month
Tom *******
Do the funds have to be in a Thai bank? Or will they accept equivalent amount in other currency? Like they do in our home countries?
Mike *******
OP@Tom ******
it's wasn't mentioned only 400k baht they wanted rid of me was 100s of people in queue they don't like talking to people just rushing everyone throughGregor **********
@Mike ******
let's wait for your and other people's ultimate confirmation. Chances are that today, the first day after a weekend plus a holiday, the officers were just having a bad day! And they only refused you out of their momentary mood. You actually choose a REALLY BAD day for your applicationMike *******
OP@Gregor *********
I agree but I had to leave Thailand on Saturday because of my current visa and want to get back to wife and kid so applied first Chance I got. However document wise it's exactly the same and I was there at 7am so was number 5 in queue.
Ross ********
@Mike ******
Makes a big differenceRoss ********
Doesn't make sense since each entry is only 90 days which without a reentry permit makes this a 90 day visa... unless you could buy a reentry permit at the airport on your way out
Gregor **********
@Ross *******
I read it, and Gareth also corrected you, because you misunderstood something, blokeGregor **********
@Ross *******
you are completely WRONG. A multi entry Non-Imm-O visa allows an unlimited number of entries for the whole year of the visa validity. You will get stamped in on each entry for 90 days, and before these 90 days end, you do a border bounce and activate the next 90 days stay permit. Only the single entry Non-Imm-O visa becomes invalid for another use, upon the first entryMike *******
OP@Gregor *********
thank youMike *******
OPSo you think it could be possible to leave thailand by airport in say 80 days then return before the end of the 90daya to receive another 90days?
Maxim ***********
@Mike ******
The 90 days is extendable for 60 days (based on being married).Maxim ***********
@Pertti ************
You can do METV in Finland (Multi Entry Tourist Visa) which give you 6 months and if you active your last entry at 5 months 29 days, you basically get 9 months. Or you can do 90 days Single Entry Non-O in Finland and extend 60 days later which total 5 months. Or can you do the same Single Entry Non-O but pay an agent around 25k baht to get yearly extension without needing the 400k baht. An agent can provide that for you in Thailand. It's bribery but stamp will be legit. There always a way to stay long term if you want to. It depend how long of a trip you want. Years? 6 months?
Pertti *************
@Maxim **********
Now I'm trying to figure out how I could get as long a trip as possible without a bank deposit. I am already married to a Thai lady and still in Finland and just about to fly back.Pertti *************
@Maxim **********
thank you🙏🏻Maxim ***********
@Pertti ************
You can only apply at immigration not online. It's the same as applying for 30 days visa exempt. I've done it twice this year. I've done 30-30-60 (30 days visa exempt extendable for 30 days followed by 60). The reason for the extension switch from visa exempt to marriage so you can do both if married. Since the Non-O is based on marriage you can only do 60 days not 30-60. You need your wife blue book, id card and marriage certificate, and the rest is the same as visa exempt or tourist visa extension.********************************************************
Pertti *************
@Maxim **********
Do you have a link to these 60 extension applications?Ross ********
@Mike ******
I don't know...need a reentry permit for sure
Gareth ********
@Ross *******
it’s a single entry visa. Once you enter it’s used. You can not enter on it, buy a re-entry permit, exit and enter at a later date. You can get an extension of stay based on that visa which you can then leave and re-enter with a re-entry permit.
Kevin *******
Gutted I was looking to do it in December ! Thanks for the heads up mate !
Gregor **********
@Kevin ******
let's wait for the ultimate confirmation. Chances are that today, the first day after a weekend plus a holiday, the officers were just having a bad day! And they only refused him out of their mood
Немања **********
Ok, but what does this "have to show financial statement 400,000 baht" mean?
Will they issue a Multi Entry Non-O visa if you have that statement?
Will they issue a Multi Entry Non-O visa if you have that statement?
Mike *******
OPI would presume so. The sole reason I chose this embassy was to avoid having to put 400k into a Thai bank
Gregor **********
@Mike ******
no, the financial proof will only give you a single entry Non-Imm-O family visa. It is mentioned in the pdf document issued by some embassies worldwide. No more multi entry family visa - only single entryGregor **********
@Stelar ******
sure you can. It is 400K deposit, OR legalized (!) proof of monthly income of a minimum of 40,000.- THB. However only IF your embassy will issue an affidavit of income. Brits and Americans can't get them any more so in the first year it MUST be the 400,000.- THB deposit before they can supply the 12-months bank statement of incoming from abroad 40,000 THB every monthIncognia **********
@Gregor *********
i am talking about monthly income 40K every month.Can do this in first time?I mean without showing 400K first.Gregor **********
@Stelar ******
when you apply for the Non-Imm-O Visa in your home country, you will need a financial proof. Read the website of the Thai embassy in your home country on the requirementsIncognia **********
@Gregor *********
so this 40K baht can do this at first or we should do this with 400K proof in first year?Gregor **********
@Mike ******
very interesting! Thank you, I am very curious to your updateMike *******
OP@Gregor *********
it seems very confusing as they took my application for single entry without the financial proof. Guess that means I will turnup to collect passport and they will have denied my application. Will update tomorrowНемања **********
@Mike ******
I understand. I got my ME Non-O visa 3 weeks ago for the same reason. I hope we will get more information in the coming period.Stephen ************
Strange to hear that. I got my 1yr multi entry visa just 4 Weeks ago and was amazed how painless and easy it was
Just all the documents recommended on the Laos consulate website 🤔
Just all the documents recommended on the Laos consulate website 🤔
Mike *******
OP@Stephen ***********
yes according to the man at the counter they stopped last weekStephen ************
@Mike ******
I guess that means it going to be a good result for the crooked visa agents in Pattaya and Bangkok 🥺 wonder if any other Thai consulate in another country does the Non O without the proof of 400k in a bank accountGareth ********
@Stephen ***********
just before covid was the last one. I then went to yearly extension of stays. The KB consulate website was kept upto date and I never had any issues getting a non imm o multiple entry there.Stephen ************
@Gareth *******
Interesting as I have been transferring that amount every month for the last 12 months by Wise to my Bangkok BankI will check their websites and see if we can still do
Btw how long ago did you do this at Malaysia or Vietnam?
Gareth ********
@Mike ******
yes I had over 12 months worth of deposits.Mike *******
OP@Gareth *******
does this have to be 12 months worth of deposits ? This is what I will be doing long termGareth ********
@Stephen ***********
in the past I’ve got non imm O based on marriage from Kota Bharu in Malaysia and Ho Chi Minh just by showing more than 40,000 a month deposits into a thai bank.Stephen ************
@Gregor *********
yes it certainly is, this type of restriction only drives decent ordinary folk to the unscrupulous visa agencies 😣Gregor **********
@Stephen ***********
well i guess after two visa-runs they will deny handing out a third one, like every embassy and consulate in the SEA region- you will have to apply for the "1-year extension of stay permit based on being married to a Tha wife" on Immigration, along with the required financial proofs, if you wish to continue your stay in Thailand as a married partner to a Thai wife. Bad news for many, sad news indeed!Stephen ************
@Gregor *********
does that just mean having to go to Savanakhet every 90 days and and getting a single entry Non O visa or have they put a limited on how many times a year you can do that ??Gregor **********
@Stephen ***********
the Penang and Ho Chi Minh City Thai consulates stopped issuing the multi entry Non-Imm-O family visa without the need of a financial proof, soon after Corona. Consulate Savannakhet was the last one where you could get itJacob ********
No mention of any change at that Thai Embassy there.
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Jody *******
@Jacob *******
It's only in recent times that consulate websites have been updated accurately in a somewhat timely manner, so it just goes to show you can never really trust them (hence groups like this) no matter what some supposed experts claim!Mike *******
OP@Jacob *******
this makes no mention of multi entry but as you can see from other comments many people on this site have been given multi entry visaGregor **********
@Mike ******
@Jacob *******
after Corona, they changed their website and stopped mentioning the multi entry Family visa version. However they still issued it to those that went there, until now. Sad to hear, Mike Smith. This will affect many married expats, who just don't have the finances needed for an extension of the family visa
Edgar ************
Thailands visa system will eventually be harder than Australia. They hate whites, and will continue to make it harder for them to stay here long time.
John *******
@Ned *******
they just don't won't people who carnt afford To be There basically like any other country
Billy *******
@Ned *******
That doesn't seem to jive with the Russia agreement.
Paul **********
@Ned *******
no mate it's just you they hate, I've never had any problems,Edgar ************
@Paul *********
They love your money, you naive fool
Jeffrey **********
@Paul *********
and you've been there in the last week since the new rules were implemented?Paul **********
@Jeffrey *********
no Jeff I live here, so not since new rules
Bruce ***********
There tightning tthe screws!!
Wylie *******
I'm curious, was your wife with you? I got one just a few weeks ago and at the time the rumor was they would only give you a multiple entry if your wife was with you, or you had a letter from her and a good excuse as to why she wasn't with you. So I'm curious if the 400k is only asked if you are without your wife.
Mike *******
OP@Wylie ******
no my wife wasn't with me but they didn't even look at paperwork ( I had invitation letter in my paperwork)or check passport just threw form at me and told me no longer available can have single entry only..multi entry stopped last weekWylie *******
@Mike ******
lucky I got mine a few weeks ago. My wife wasn't with me, but I had a letter and a good excuse. Sorry to hear they changed the rules just before you got yours
Nigel *********
Sorry to hear that. 90 days + visit family extension then.
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