Thai Non-Immigrant B Visa Run-at the Royal Thai Consulate in Savannakhet, Laos Step-by-Step Guide

This is a complete and easy-to-follow guide when applying for a Non-Immigrant B Visa at the Royal Thai Consulate in Savannakhet, Laos. Applying for a Non-Immigrant B Visa is different from doing a border run, as that is for a tourist visa exemption of 30 days. When departing for a visa run, it is possible to catch the bus from Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Udon Thani, Mae Sai, and most other provinces in Thailand. Some companies provide packages for visa runs; for some companies, the van will leave from Chiang Mai for a Chiang Mai visa run, and another company will leave from Bangkok for a Bangkok visa run.

*Very Important Note*

Pre-booking a return plane or a bus ticket is not advised under any circumstances.

Not booking return tickets is a precaution in case something happens that is unexpected.

Only once your documents have been handed into the consulate and accepted by consular staff is it safe to book return tickets.

Before you Leave for your Thailand Non-Immigrant B Visa Run

Have all of your visa paperwork/documents packed and ready (you cannot get a Non-Immigrant B Visa without the correct paperwork)
Have extra photocopies of your passport, and have a photocopy of the Thai stamps in your passport
Have at least three passport-sized photos (bring a few extras for backup)
Have your accommodation reserved in Laos (you will need an address for the Laos visa on arrival)
Have your current school’s address in English
Have your current Thailand address in English
Have your headteacher or staff representative’s full name, address, and phone number (in English to use as a guarantor)

Bus Tickets to Mukdahan, Thailand

Typically you will need to purchase a ticket from the bus station the day before or the day of your journey. It can sometimes be challenging to book tickets far in advance. The destination is Mukdahan, Thailand. Double-check the departure times when you purchase your ticket, and make sure to arrive early, but expect the bus to come a bit late.

If you want to look at bus schedules, some websites for Thailand; however, the sites do not contain a complete listing of all companies and routes. Nothing beats going to the bus station and asking in person for information.

Here is a link to a website called Easybook.com; you can check some routes within Thailand for various types of transport. Another helpful site is busonlineticket.co.th; however, not all routes are listed, and nothing beats going to the bus station and asking directly.

Here are Some Common Thailand Bus Routes that are Listed

Sukhothai Province to Mukdahan Province

Tak Province to Mukdahan Province

Phetchabun Province to Mukdahan Province

Chiang Mai to Khon Kaen

Chiang Rai to Khon Kaen

and then Khon Kean to Mukdahan

As mentioned above, if you can’t find your route on a website, go to the bus station and ask; the people that work at the bus station are amicable, and they will be more than willing to help you.

The Journey by Bus to Mukdahan, Thailand

I recommend a window seat, so you don’t have to get up whenever someone gets on and off the bus at different stops.

Buses generally do not have WIFI.

Buses usually do have a small, cramped bathroom for urgent usage. You will need to pack tissues or toilet paper as it is generally unavailable.

Sometimes a tiny bottle of water, a juice box, and a small snack are provided. I would recommend bringing extra snacks for the long trip.

Arrival in Mukdahan, Thailand

Once you arrive at Mukdahan Bus Station, you need to arrange to take a tuk-tuk to the Friendship Bridge. Try to travel with others who are going the same way to reduce the costs, if you can.

Once you arrive at the Friendship Bridge, you must go through the Thailand Immigration Exit checkpoint. Thai Immigration will stamp you out of Thailand and scan your fingerprints. (Be sure to ask for a new Thai arrival/departure card.)

Once you’ve exited Thailand, you must buy a 50 baht bus ticket for sale from a booth on the left side. Once the bus arrives, get on the bus to cross the bridge into Laos.

Step-by-Step Guide For Getting into Laos

Once you’ve crossed the bridge and got off the bus on the Laos side of the river, you will need to obtain a visa on arrival for Laos. The office is on your left as you’re approaching immigration/customs.

You need to complete a form and attach 1 photo. The form requires an address in Laos, so use your Laos hotel address, or if you didn’t book a hotel in advance, quickly search Google and find any Laos Hotels address.

Submit the completed form, 1,500 baht, and your passport. Usually, the wait to get your passport back with your Laos visa inside is just a few minutes.

Proceed through the Laos immigration checkpoint and show your passport to the immigration officer. Once they have examined your passport, they will hand it back to you. Congratulations, you are now officially in Laos! Next, you must look for a taxi or a tuk-tuk to the Thai Consulate. Costs vary but can be around 150-200 baht per person, so try to share if you can.

At the Thai Consulate in Savannakhet, Laos

The Consulate opens at 9 am and only receives applications till 11 am.
Across the street from the Consulate, you will find a small building with signs for printing and copying. The staff speaks excellent English and will assist you in filling out the form and making a photocopy of your Laos visa.
The form will require two photos, your Thai address, and a guarantor in Thailand, which can be your Thai headteacher or director. You need their name, phone number, and school address.
The form requires your last entry date into Thailand; this is easy to find in your passport if you don’t remember.
Put the completed form on top of the rest of your Non-B paperwork.
Place the photocopy of your Laos visa at the back of the paperwork.
Join the line at the Consulate and wait to submit your application.
The Non-B Visa will cost 2000 baht.
Once you submit your paperwork and payment, you will be issued a receipt. *Keep this in a safe place* as you will need it when you return the next day at 14:00 when collection begins. If you submit it on a Friday, you can’t get your passport back till Monday.

The next day at the Thai Consulate Savannakhet, Laos

Tip: Use the free time to pre-complete the details on your Laos departure card and Thai arrival card (front and back). This way, you don’t have to waste time filling them out at the immigration points. The visa number section on the Thai arrival card can be found on your new Non-B visa in your passport. The stay section on the Thai arrival card is 90 days.*

The Consulate typically opens at 14:00, and a queue will form, so try to get there a bit earlier if you can. Generally, the line to pick up passports goes reasonably quickly.
Once you’ve picked up your passport, take a tuk-tuk or taxi back to the Friendship Bridge
Hand your passport and completed Laos departure card to the immigration official at the Laos Immigration booth.
Once you get your passport back from the immigration official, you must purchase a 50-baht bus ticket to get back to the Thai side of the bridge.
Once you have made it over the bridge to the Thailand side, hand your passport and completed Thai arrival/departure card to the immigration official at the Thai Immigration booth.
The immigration official will scan your fingerprints and stamp your passport, allowing you to stay in Thailand for 90 days.
Congratulations, you are now back in Thailand with a 90-day Non-Immigrant B Visa for teaching.
You need to take a tuk-tuk or taxi back to the Mukdahan bus station to purchase your ticket back to your province.

While in Savannakhet, Laos

You may want to consider exchanging some money for the local currency, called Kip, especially if you are considering purchasing food from stalls & markets. Otherwise, most places accept Baht and US dollars.

Recommended Restaurants in Savannakhet Laos

Lin’s Café

It is an excellent place, opposite St. Theresa Catholic Church.

Serves western and local food – good coffee, free WIFI, also has maps and brochures available. *credit cards accepted

Night market

The night market is known locally as ‘Talat Yen Plaza.’

It starts at 5 pm daily and is in front of St. Theresa Catholic Church.

Savan Cafe and Bistro

Two blocks from the night market, it serves western and local food and is also a hostel. Accepts Thai Baht and Kip (no credit cards)

Hotels, B&B and Hostels

The following can be found on booking.com.

Savan Café

Single rooms and dormitory beds are available, and they have a café on-site.

Attractions

Savannakhet is a quiet town, but you can find a few things to do!

The Mekong River

Great for enjoying a beer during sunset and snapping a few pictures!

Xaiyaphoum Temple

It is the oldest temple in Savannakhet, est., in 1542. There are also Chinese and Vietnamese temples in the area.

The Dinosaur Museum

Open Mon-Sun 09:00-11:30; 13:30-16:00

The last time I visited, it was a 5000 kip entry fee.

Saint Theresa Catholic Church

The church is opposite the night market and is very peaceful and beautiful. The church was built in the 1920s, and as mentioned before, the night market is located in front of this church.

The New Provincial/Savannakhet Museum

Local artefacts & photos document the economic progression of Laos.

Also, they have a few military artefacts from various countries.