Answereda year ago

Which is better for obtaining a Non-O visa: Vientiane or Savannakhet?

Non-O Visa Thai Marriage Visa Visa Processing Times Thai Bank Account Requirements Overseas Bank Accounts Visa Documentation

Andrew *******

asked Dec 3, 2025

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Hi, I have two questions regarding non-o, based on marriage to a Thai citizen 

1. Is it better to travel to Vientiane or Savannakhet (currently in Thailand). Any difference regarding waiting times etc?

2. Does the 400,000 Thai Baht (3month duration) have to be in a Thai bank account, or can it be in an overseas account?

Answer summary

The discussion covers two main questions related to obtaining a Non-O visa based on marriage to a Thai citizen. First, it compares traveling to Vientiane versus Savannakhet for the visa process, indicating that processing times are similar (2-5 business days) at both locations. The second question addresses whether the required 400,000 Thai Baht needs to be in a Thai bank account or if funds can be held in an overseas account. It is clarified that overseas accounts are acceptable as long as the applicant provides three months of bank statements.

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Dca *****

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a year ago

Tod *********

@Dca ****

processing at Savannakhet or vientiane for "regular" visas (Non-O, Non-B, Non-ED) is really fast IF you uploaded all the documents required when you applied.

They usually approve in 2-3 days max

a year ago

Jeremy *****************

Hi Andrew, I did the Non-O in Savannakhet about 2 months ago. I submitted everything on a Monday morning after crossing the bridge and paid the fee at the consulate at 9:00 am sharp. I got a request for follow-up docs (name change certificate for my wife) later the same day, which I provided immediately. I got the visa sent to me on Wednesday evening around 5:15 pm. As for the money, it doesn't need to be seasoned. In my case, I put the 400K in a few days before crossing. I provided the consulate with both a statement I got from the bank app and a bank visa letter from a branch.

a year ago

Andrew *******

Thanks for the information. I appreciate it.

a year ago

Mario *******

@Andrew ******

Updated December 2025 Experience – Non-O Marriage Visa in Vientiane

I travelled from Bangkok to Nong Khai by train on 30 November. Before the trip, I had already completed the pre–e-visa form. I prepared and uploaded my bank statement showing at least 40,000 baht for the last three months, and I also added some extra documents just in case: photos with my wife and kids, the blue Tabien Baan, my TM30, my children’s birth certificates, my wife’s ID card, our marriage certificate, and all pages signed by both me and my wife. (I know not everything is required, but it can help if they ask for extra documents.)

At the Nong Khai Friendship Bridge Thai Immigration, I arrived at 7:00 AM. There were only about four foreigners, mostly Lao people. One immigration officer took us to the re-entry permit office on the left side. She asked a few questions to the others, but when she saw that I already had a 1-year Non-O extension about to expire, she simply said “Ohh,” and stamped my exit without asking me anything.

I arrived at the Thai Embassy in Vientiane around 8:00 AM. I uploaded my Lao entry stamp and visa, along with my hotel booking, to complete the address section.

Around 2:00 PM the same day, they asked me to take a new photo of myself and upload it. I submitted it, and then around 5:00 PM I received the “documents checked” approval.

The next day, around 5:00 PM—yes, even during Laos National Day—I received my approved e-visa.

Today, 3 December, I left Laos and walked across the border back into Thailand. I had printed out my e-visa. Immigration didn’t ask anything; they just stamped my entry back into Thailand.

In my opinion, if you prepare all the documents properly—and add a few extra supporting documents if you don’t want delays—the Thai Embassy in Vientiane will approve your Non-O visa very quickly.

a year ago

Dave **********

@Mario ******

May I ask why, if you had a Non-O extension about to expire, did you go to Laos to get a new Non-O visa? I am curious if the Thai Embassy grants successive Non-O visas if people don't want to do extensions at immigration within Thailand. Thank you. 🙏

a year ago

Greg ***********

@Dave *********

a good question. He could have obtained his 1-year extension on his first entry on a 90-days Non-Imm-O visa. Absolutely no need to travel to Laos, other than he missed the deadline that he needs to have the 400,000 THB seasoned for 2 months in order to apply for the 1-year extension. Probably he didn't have those ducks in a row, hence the visa-run to Vientiane

a year ago

Tod *********

It doesn't make any difference, the processing time is the same at both places between two and five business days.

It comes down to how thoroughly you upload the requested documentation.

You can show funds in a foreign account, but remember you need to upload three months of bank statement.

a year ago

Mario **********

@Tod ********

Why do they need a three-month bank statement? But it’s enough for the required amount to be in the account one or two days before generating the three-month bank statement?

a year ago

Tod *********

@Mario *********

that's what is posted on the e Visa website, and that's what they request, so that's what you provide

a year ago

Kevin *******

@Tod ********

Correct me if I'm wrong, but to extend the initial visa to a year, doesn't the 400K need to be "seasoned" in a Thai bank account?

a year ago

Tod *********

@Kevin ******

they are not asking about getting a year extension, they are asking if they can show proof of funds with a bank account in their country to get the initial 90 day Non-O visa fun either Vientiane or Savannakhet <- which they can do

You are correct,

For them to get the year extension they need to bank the funds here,

but

with the difficulty in opening bank accounts on free stamps nowadays many people get the non O visa from a consulate then come back and open the account, transfer the funds, etc.

a year ago