Submitted my online application soft power medical just after midnight this morning in Vientiane. I had to change my Non B extension 6 weeks before the DTV was released, so I immediately changed to Non O based on being over 50. Went to the consulate to queue at 8am for the 9am opening and surprised to see only a Thai/Laos family in line ahead of me to get a passport for their daughter. I'm a bit pissed at myself for not realizing there was a QR Code to download and print off by clicking whatever it was I needed to click to take me to that QR code form. This was revealed to me by the gateman and as I turned around to find a printer a tout dragged me across the street to a canopy tent with a guy and a laptop ready to grease me for 50 baht to print one page. I walked down the street into an office building and saw a young lady exiting an office and queried her as to where I could get a page printed. She kindly got it done for me in a minute. Apparently the office is a learning center and she spoke great English. So back down the street to hand over the printout and pay my 10K. Walked into the main foyer inside and spoke with a friendly, kind, informative, office staffer who told me that likely I'd be called in for an interview/open banking app in person by Friday. By the time I was back at my hotel status went from pending payment to payment received and pending document check, by 2pm it went to pending approval. I waited till today to apply as it was exactly 3 months seasoning of the 500K in one account and another account with 500+K that had steady monthly incremental increases over a year. Drove my old car from Chiang Rai to Vientiane using a international car passport from Thai DLT and a mini-marathon of back and forth counter shuffling paperwork on both sides of the Nong Khai border, it was a bucket list, level up task I wanted to accomplish. Apparently first time is always extra duty and easier once you get the initial bar/QR code. Beer Laos is dirt cheap 32 baht a bottle, I'm going to bring a dozen home even tho I'm not a drinker. Will update this post as circumstances dictate.
Update 13/03 2pm
E-mail received for interview Monday morning, darn I was hoping I wouldn't have to wait through the weekend. But, on the other hand it's pretty much a done deal now. I came with 3.1 million Kip, only have half a million left, my biggest expense was 620,000 on a quality outdoor adventure type shirt. 100K on a massage and the rest on food and morning coffee, where the heck did it all go?
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user details their experience applying for a Non-O visa in Vientiane, Laos, including challenges faced such as missing the QR code for printing necessary documents and navigating the consulate process. They mention various expenses incurred during their stay and highlight the importance of maintaining the required financial balance for the application. The post concludes with updates regarding an upcoming interview for the visa application.
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