Trabz Posted June 26, 2019 Share Posted June 26, 2019 (edited) Hello, My girlfriend and me are in a difficult situation and I don't really know what to do and actually if there's even something that could be done. We are living together since 5 years in Thailand. I'm working here and have a work permit. My girlfriend who is Lao doesn't work and has no visa. She used the visa exemption renewed every month by going to Lao or when we traveled together abroad. She never had any issue with the Thai immigration when crossing the border with Lao but got few times remarks at airports. As I was always with her in airports, we could convince them of our relationship and promised to work on legalizing the situation to get her a visa. We were actually planning to get married as we knew that it couldn't continue like that. But we have been too slow and the last time she left Thailand to go to Lao, she has been informed that she cannot come back without a visa or has to wait 1 year. I completely admit that it is our fault for not having been faster and we should have taken more seriously the warnings from the Thai immigration officers who have been actually quite nice with us for a while. We are fine to speed things up and get married quickly but don't know how to do. Marriages in Lao are apparently a nightmare for the process, take a lot of time and would require that we both go to Vientiane many times which I can hardly do due to my work. Marriage in Thailand seems easier and possible even if none of us is Thai but also takes some time (at least 8 weeks for getting one of the required documents from my embassy after submission of the request which requires both of us to go to the embassy) and she cannot come to Thailand... We were thinking to apply to a student visa with a private English school that provides such support to give us the time to proceed. But she has been told at the Thai consulate in Savannakhet that student visa could be delivered only for a "big" school (university? not sure) and will not work with such a school. One of my friend also suggested that she makes a new passport but that doesn't sound a good idea to me and very risky. I'm afraid that we don't have any other choice than the marriage in Lao but maybe someone would have a suggestion or advise? Many thanks for your help. Edited June 26, 2019 by Trabz 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KneeDeep Posted June 26, 2019 Share Posted June 26, 2019 Tourist visas not available to Lao passport holders? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacko45k Posted June 26, 2019 Share Posted June 26, 2019 I have known Cambodian girls get ED Visas in PP based on small schools in Pattaya. (Thai language) Perhaps you should search around for a school that will help you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trabz Posted June 26, 2019 Author Share Posted June 26, 2019 3 minutes ago, KneeDeep said: Tourist visas not available to Lao passport holders? No, it used to be possible but has stopped. She asked again at the Thai embassy in Savannakhet and they confirmed that it is still not possible. 3 minutes ago, jacko45k said: I have known Cambodian girls get ED Visas in PP based on small schools in Pattaya. (Thai language) Perhaps you should search around for a school that will help you. Thanks, ED visa for Thai language is not applicable for Lao people (language too similar) but I will try to check with some schools. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post PoorSucker Posted June 26, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted June 26, 2019 1 minute ago, Trabz said: Thanks, ED visa for Thai language is not applicable for Lao people (language too similar) but I will try to check with some schools. She can study English. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubonjoe Posted June 26, 2019 Share Posted June 26, 2019 Getting a single entry tourist visa for now should resolve the problem. I don't think she will have problem entering the country with one. I think you will find that you will not be able to get married here. She needs a affirmation of permit to marry from the Lao embassy and they will not do one which is what you also need to get from your embassy. Many couples go to another country to get married. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tayaout Posted June 26, 2019 Share Posted June 26, 2019 Does she has a blacklist stamp in her passport? If that's not the case she could probably come back via Nong Kai border crossing. Airport IO like to say stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trabz Posted June 26, 2019 Author Share Posted June 26, 2019 7 minutes ago, PoorSucker said: She can study English. I know, I was just clarifying about Thai. English is what we thought we could do but they told her at the Thai embassy that the ED visa won't be accepted with such a school. Maybe because she is now blacklisted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
visarunner Posted June 26, 2019 Share Posted June 26, 2019 Laotian can do border to Cambodia or Mynamar unlimited. There are companies that cater to Laotian n Vietnamese, there are hundreds that do this daily. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubonjoe Posted June 26, 2019 Share Posted June 26, 2019 1 minute ago, Trabz said: Maybe because she is now blacklisted. She is certainly not blacklisted. That can only be done for a criminal conviction. You do not mention her being on a overstay of over 90 days which would result in a one year ban from entering the country so that is eliminated. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post glegolo Posted June 26, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted June 26, 2019 I am wondering; How can getting married to a Lao-girl help your situation at all??? I must be missing out of something here..... Normal is that you "get married" in YOUR own country first, and then after that, take these marry-documents to Thailand, legalize them and get married here. But not sure that Thailand is interested to register a marriage between 2 foreigners..... glegolo 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trabz Posted June 26, 2019 Author Share Posted June 26, 2019 9 minutes ago, Tayaout said: Does she has a blacklist stamp in her passport? If that's not the case she could probably come back via Nong Kai border crossing. Airport IO like to say stuff. Not in the passport but there are records in the system. When she passed the border the last time they mentioned to her all warnings she got and told her that she can't come back without a visa. Confirmed again at the Thai embassy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubonjoe Posted June 26, 2019 Share Posted June 26, 2019 8 minutes ago, glegolo said: Normal is that you "get married" in YOUR own country first, and then after that, take these marry-documents to Thailand, legalize them and get married here. But not sure that Thailand is interested to register a marriage between 2 foreigners.... Not correct information. Foreign couples can register their marriage at a Amphoe and many have done it. They both need a affirmation of permit to marry from their embassy translated to Thai and certified by the Department Of Consular Affairs. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Essex Reject Posted June 26, 2019 Share Posted June 26, 2019 Ended up with a Lao girl really does cause all sorts of problems, way way better to be with a Thai. I know that's not gonna help at all. Good luck. 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trabz Posted June 26, 2019 Author Share Posted June 26, 2019 8 minutes ago, visarunner said: Laotian can do border to Cambodia or Mynamar unlimited. There are companies that cater to Laotian n Vietnamese, there are hundreds that do this daily. I know but again I think even them won't be able to manage that as she is now "marked" not allowed to enter without visa. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheryl Posted June 26, 2019 Share Posted June 26, 2019 36 minutes ago, KneeDeep said: Tourist visas not available to Lao passport holders? They are. Though there may be financial requirements (I know in Cambodia the Thai Embassy requires proof of at least $1,000 USD in the bank to issue a tourist visa to a Cambodian national). And of course she would run into the same issue using back to back tourist visas - if they even granted them to her. 2 foreigners can certainly get married in Thailand and people do. But, to get married in Thailand foreigners need a certificate/letter from their Embassy stating they are free to marry (i.e. not already married) and I don't know if the Lao Embassy will issue this. The Cambodian Embassy does not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trabz Posted June 26, 2019 Author Share Posted June 26, 2019 7 minutes ago, glegolo said: I am wondering; How can getting married to a Lao-girl help your situation at all??? I must be missing out of something here..... Normal is that you "get married" in YOUR own country first, and then after that, take these marry-documents to Thailand, legalize them and get married here. But not sure that Thailand is interested to register a marriage between 2 foreigners..... glegolo Once married she can stay with me in Thailand legally. Marriage in my country doesn't make more sense, I'm not living there. As pointed by ubonjoe, marriage between 2 foreigners is possible. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Briggsy Posted June 26, 2019 Share Posted June 26, 2019 47 minutes ago, Trabz said: But we have been too slow and the last time she left Thailand to go to Lao, she has been informed that she cannot come back without a visa or has to wait 1 year. Who specifically told her? Where? Is there any stamp or notation in her passport? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trabz Posted June 26, 2019 Author Share Posted June 26, 2019 19 minutes ago, ubonjoe said: Getting a single entry tourist visa for now should resolve the problem. I don't think she will have problem entering the country with one. I think you will find that you will not be able to get married here. She needs a affirmation of permit to marry from the Lao embassy and they will not do one which is what you also need to get from your embassy. Many couples go to another country to get married. The Thai embassy in Lao doesn't issue tourist visa for Lao citizen. She was told some years ago that they stopped delivering them and confirmed again yesterday. My embassy delivers this document but yes I'm not sure for the Lao one. But I met Thai married with a Lao so I guess it should be possible. 12 minutes ago, ubonjoe said: She is certainly not blacklisted. That can only be done for a criminal conviction. You do not mention her being on a overstay of over 90 days which would result in a one year ban from entering the country so that is eliminated. Blacklisted is maybe not the correct word. But there is clearly a record on her file forbidding her to come to Thailand without visa. And no, never been in overstay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon43 Posted June 26, 2019 Share Posted June 26, 2019 Can you not get married in a third country? Fly in, marry, fly out. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KneeDeep Posted June 26, 2019 Share Posted June 26, 2019 32 minutes ago, Trabz said: No, it used to be possible but has stopped. She asked again at the Thai embassy in Savannakhet and they confirmed that it is still not possible. Thanks, ED visa for Thai language is not applicable for Lao people (language too similar) but I will try to check with some schools. It seems that the two people likely most knowledgeable on the subject, appear to think that a Tourist Visa is a possibility. So what exactly was the reason given by the Consulate-General in Savannakhet? It's not an Embassy. Their Embassy is in Vientiane; 316 Rue Bourichane, Vientiane, Lao PDR https://thaivisavientiane.com 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trabz Posted June 26, 2019 Author Share Posted June 26, 2019 8 minutes ago, Sheryl said: They are. Though there may be financial requirements (I know in Cambodia the Thai Embassy requires proof of at least $1,000 USD in the bank to issue a tourist visa to a Cambodian national). Again, apparently no. Even with financial requirements that wouldn't be an issue. She asked in the past and again yesterday, same answer. 8 minutes ago, Sheryl said: And of course she would run into the same issue using back to back tourist visas - if they even granted them to her. That would be just for the time to get married. We wouldn't make the same mistake. 8 minutes ago, Sheryl said: 2 foreigners can certainly get married in Thailand and people do. But, to get married in Thailand foreigners need a certificate/letter from their Embassy stating they are free to marry (i.e. not already married) and I don't know if the Lao Embassy will issue this. The Cambodian Embassy does not. I know about this document but I didn't think it would be an issue to get it from the Lao embassy. As you are the second person saying that, I start seriously doubting... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubonjoe Posted June 26, 2019 Share Posted June 26, 2019 2 minutes ago, Trabz said: The Thai embassy in Lao doesn't issue tourist visa for Lao citizen. She was told some years ago that they stopped delivering them and confirmed again yesterday. I think somebody is giving her false info. They can certainly get a single entry tourist visas. Or she could even get a multiple entry tourist visa she could meet the requirements for it. Was that the embassy in Vientiane or the consulate in Savannakhet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trabz Posted June 26, 2019 Author Share Posted June 26, 2019 2 minutes ago, simon43 said: Can you not get married in a third country? Fly in, marry, fly out. Would need to check where it would be possible easily and quickly. Thanks, I'll keep this in mind if no better solution. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trabz Posted June 26, 2019 Author Share Posted June 26, 2019 (edited) 5 minutes ago, KneeDeep said: It seems that the two people likely most knowledgeable on the subject, appear to think that a Tourist Visa is a possibility. So what exactly was the reason given by the Consulate-General in Savannakhet? It's not an Embassy. Their Embassy is in Vientiane; 316 Rue Bourichane, Vientiane, Lao PDR https://thaivisavientiane.com Yes, correct. Consulate not embassy. No reason. They just told her they don't provide it for Lao citizen. Edited June 26, 2019 by Trabz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trabz Posted June 26, 2019 Author Share Posted June 26, 2019 (edited) 7 minutes ago, ubonjoe said: I think somebody is giving her false info. They can certainly get a single entry tourist visas. Or she could even get a multiple entry tourist visa she could meet the requirements for it. Was that the embassy in Vientiane or the consulate in Savannakhet. Officially probably but maybe they got instructions to say so. Consulate in Savannakhet. Maybe worth a try at the embassy of Vientiane? Edited June 26, 2019 by Trabz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubonjoe Posted June 26, 2019 Share Posted June 26, 2019 2 minutes ago, Trabz said: They just told her they don't provide it for Lao citizen. Have her contact the consular section in Vientiane. See: http://vientiane.thaiembassy.org/en/consular/visa.php Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheryl Posted June 26, 2019 Share Posted June 26, 2019 2 hours ago, simon43 said: Can you not get married in a third country? Fly in, marry, fly out. Most will also require the Embassy affidabit/certificate. My Cambodian niece married a Brit a few years ago when both were students at Mahidol Univ in Thailand. It proved impossible for them to marry in Thailand (Camb Embassy wouldn't issue the needn't paperwork) and it is an expensive and time-consuming red tape nightmare for a Cambodian to marry a foreigner in Cambodia. We looked at the 3rd country option but did not come up with anything feasible, at least not in the region. In the end they had to pay the money and invest the time & hassle to marry in Cambodia. Sent from my SM-J701F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glegolo Posted June 26, 2019 Share Posted June 26, 2019 32 minutes ago, ubonjoe said: Not correct information. Foreign couples can register their marriage at a Amphoe and many have done it. They both need a affirmation of permit to marry from their embassy translated to Thai and certified by the Department Of Consular Affairs. I wrote "not sure" in my post.... so no need to correct by saying it is wrong... glegolo 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OJAS Posted June 26, 2019 Share Posted June 26, 2019 (edited) 51 minutes ago, glegolo said: How can getting married to a Lao-girl help your situation at all??? Maybe because he wants to do the honourable thing with her, perhaps??? Edited June 26, 2019 by OJAS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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