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Why is there such a long queue at the Savannakhet consulate for visas?

Savannakhet ConsulateVisa Application ProcessExpat Visa IssuesVientiane ConsulateNon-B VisaVisa QueuesInternational TravelExpat Community
Jun 8, 2023
a year ago
Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Glad i came yesterday here is queue outside Savanakhet consulate at 7 30 this morning and guess another 50 or so in coffee shop doing copies
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion revolves around the lengthy queues at the Savannakhet consulate for visa applications, with many expats expressing their frustrations over the wait times and comparing experiences. Some suggest that getting appointments in Vientiane might be more efficient, though challenges exist with that process as well. Various comments highlight the demographics of those waiting, indicating a mix of individuals including teachers and other expats. There are also mentions of informal services to cut queues, which raise ethical concerns and safety issues at the busy consulate.
Clint *********
Is Monday twice as busy as Tuesday?
a year ago
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Paul *******
@Clint ********
Yes, easily. Go on Tuesday, Wednesday or Friday.
a year ago
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Paul *******
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Clint *********
How much should the bus cost to go over the bridge and to the consulate or hotel? 50-200 baht?
a year ago
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Tony ********
Thanks for your report I'm going next month
a year ago
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Paul *******
What day of the week did you go? When was this photo taken?
a year ago
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Todd *********
More time to waste than me for sure!
a year ago
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Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Todd ********
 i submitted my document wednesday hardly any people
a year ago
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Todd *********
@Michael *******
 I’m honestly quite amazed at how busy it seems there. Consistently. Where is everyone coming from?!
a year ago
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Todd *********
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James *********
Ahh, but a way to meet new friends 😉
a year ago
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Paul *******
@James ********
I made friends with someone I met at the consulate in Savannakhet last time I went. She was the only one there at the time.
a year ago
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John **********
@James ********
 I like your positive outlook !!!
a year ago
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John **********
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Bob **********
Always that way better to make an appointment at the Vientiane Consulate
a year ago
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Paul *******
@Bob *********
Years ago when I went to Vientiane it was crowded. Never the case for the three times I went to Savannakhet.
a year ago
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Bob **********
@Paul ******
 yes I went twice huge que but now it’s all appointments
a year ago
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Bob **********
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Todd *********
@Bob *********
 where are the majority of people going to Savannakhet coming from?
a year ago
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Ali *******
@Todd ********
 I been there the majority of people in that embassy is Chinese passport holders
a year ago
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Todd *********
@Ali ******
 makes sense! Thx
a year ago
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Todd *********
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Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Todd ********
 Majority seemed to be teachers doing Non B lots of Philipinos
a year ago
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Todd *********
@Michael *******
 very interesting! Good luck
a year ago
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Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Todd ********
 I am back in Thailand already
a year ago
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Michael ********
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Bob **********
@Todd ********
 no appointment needed
a year ago
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Todd *********
@Bob *********
 right, but is it all expats living that far east?! It’s over 700km from BKK. I’m not understanding where everyone is actually coming from?
a year ago
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Todd *********
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Frankie-Anthony **********
One can cut the line for 1k baht.

I was offered this by a random man soliciting his "service".

After I declined, he later offered a 2 people for 1k baht deal.

I had seen some people magically be inside the consulate before the doors had opened using crutches and then again magically walk fine right after leaving.

I'm not saying you should, but.... 5555

It's also possible to hire a tuktuk driver for around 100 baht to bring you to the consulate before the queue starts.

Or you could be one of the last by arriving 30 minutes before closing time and sit at the waiting area in the consulate.

I hope at least someone has a better experience.
a year ago
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Paul *******
@Frankie-Anthony *********
I would usually come around 10 or 1030am and have never seen a queue. On one or two occasions, there was one person in front of me.

What's changed? I heard it's Russians applying for tourist visas who can't work out the appointment system in Vientiane or something.
a year ago
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Paul *******
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Joy **********
Better doing in in viantiane ..it. on appointment takes only 5minutes to submit and pay..swift!
a year ago
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Jeffrey **********
@Joy *********
 three to four weeks to get an appointment online and that office doesn't do the same visas as the other one
a year ago
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มาร์ค ********
@Joy *********
 alot of people go savannakhet don't have to show funds in bank for some visas, ventianne not the same I believe
a year ago
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Paul *******
@มาร์ค *******
Vientiane doesn't do 12 month multi entry visas but it doesn't explain the queues at Savannakhet as clearly most of these people aren't married to Thais.
a year ago
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Paul *******
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Sam ************
I was there on Tuesday. The line was so long. I got there at 7am.
a year ago
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Clint *********
@Sam ***********
 What time do you suggest going?
a year ago
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Sam ************
@Clint ********
 this was on Tuesday. Lots of Russians. Nothing against Russians just saying there were alot. I was in line at 7am.
a year ago
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Sam ************
@Clint ********
 I'd say 7am. they open at 9am. bring water and snacks and umbrella just un case it rains.
a year ago
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Paul *******
@Sam ***********
I would never go that early knowing that they open only at 9am. Just go at 1030am.
a year ago
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Clint *********
@Sam ***********
 many people say go at 10am 10;30. No line at all
a year ago
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Clint *********
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Clint *********
I'm going tomorrow
a year ago
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Clint *********
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Paul *******
@Sam ***********
Why? They open at 9am. I always get there around 10 or 1030am and have never seen a queue.
a year ago
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Sam ************
@Paul ******
 Monday was the queens bday and they closed. Lots of Russians in line.
a year ago
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Sam ************
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Randy ********
I’ve been in that line up before, it wasn’t fun standing out there for hours in the heat.

It’s a dangerous spot too. I seen a woman get hit by a motorcycle there trying to cross the road. So many people next to a busy road = accidents just waiting to happen.
a year ago
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Garrett ***********
Better you than me 😂
a year ago
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Paul *******
@Michael *******
Ah I see. I hear Mondays and Thursdays are the busiest..other days not so much.
a year ago
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Paul *******
@Michael *******
OH that's strange. What day of the week?
a year ago
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Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Paul ******
 thursday
a year ago
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Michael ********
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Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Garrett **********
 By 8 30 on way back from breakfast and yesterday when i submitted hardly anyone there
a year ago
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Paul *******
@Michael *******
I've never seen a queue whenever I went there. However, I also never went at opening time. I was always like 10 or 1030 or even 1045 one time because I couldn't find the consulate (that was the first time I went) so I had to drive around in circles before I finally located the consulate (this was also before I had a Google Maps compatible smartphone).
a year ago
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Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Paul ******
 first time i have seen a substantial queue but first time here since covid. But looking at it, i think better to go and submit documents after 11 am.
a year ago
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Paul *******
@Michael *******
I thought 11am is when they close. Therefore, you'd have to get there just before 11.
a year ago
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Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Paul ******
 yep but saw there were people still going in after i checked out of hotel 11 45
a year ago
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Michael ********
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