Answered3 months ago
Are there any discussions about creating a permanent marriage visa in Thailand?
Have there ever been "official" overtures to Thai governmental officials (the ones who make the laws, not the immigration officials who enforce them) about creating a permanent status for marriage visas? There are those who cause a bit of trouble for the rest of us by not following rules, etc. But there also are those among us who do follow the rules and intend to stay in Thailand with our Thai spouses the rest of our lives.
Let's say a person reaches the tenth anniversary of their stay in Thailand with absolutely no violations, misdemeanors/infractions, etc. They've literally proven they are "for real" and not trying to scam the kingdom. And of course, have spent millions of ฿ here and will continue so into the future. What about a "permanent marriage visa" with no more required yearly trips to immigration? The system still watches you electronically, of course, and if there ARE any infractions or mistakes with entries, exits, living location, or relationship status, it gets revoked.
Just an idea to discuss, should you be so interested.
Let's say a person reaches the tenth anniversary of their stay in Thailand with absolutely no violations, misdemeanors/infractions, etc. They've literally proven they are "for real" and not trying to scam the kingdom. And of course, have spent millions of ฿ here and will continue so into the future. What about a "permanent marriage visa" with no more required yearly trips to immigration? The system still watches you electronically, of course, and if there ARE any infractions or mistakes with entries, exits, living location, or relationship status, it gets revoked.
Just an idea to discuss, should you be so interested.
Answer summary
The conversation revolves around the idea of establishing a permanent marriage visa after ten years of residency in Thailand, especially for foreigners married to Thai nationals who wish to stay long-term. Many comments express frustration with the current visa extension process, which requires annual renewals and documentation to prove the legitimacy of the marriage. Some community members suggest that a permanent status could be justified after a decade of compliance and expenditure within the country, while others highlight concerns regarding the stability of marriages and the potential for misuse of such a visa. Overall, the discussion reveals a strong desire for simplified immigration policies that acknowledge long-term relationships.
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Deepak *******
Foreigners are kept in chain in Thailand and Thai government will never give them permanent anything. I can bet on that. It is a ploy to keep foreigners in chains
Philip **********
How about something for a foreign parent. One parent Thai, the children automatically Thai but not the one parent.
Chuck **********
Sounds great!
Dave ******
90 day visits to immigration, not annual.
Gordon ********
How about getting an ankle bracelet and video cameras installed inside your house...
Alan **********
I guess the Thais might be thinking they want to know about ANY non-citizen in their country.
Seems to make sense, no ? Or have you become a Thai citizen (if it's even possible) ?
Seems to make sense, no ? Or have you become a Thai citizen (if it's even possible) ?
Lindsay *******
There was a Thai government mantra"hood guy in, nad guys out". Nad guys are by and large being sorted. Please now recognize and support the good guys making a positive contribution.
Lindsay *******
I wish!
Martyn ***********
How can there a permanent status based on marriage when your not 'permanently married'... Die or divorce.. Not married, not eligible..
Kenneth *******
What ?? Please 🙏 tell me what this shit is your saying it is a rant .look into a mirror and talk to yourself nutter
Mick *****
A marriage visa with a yearly renewal is ok with me , just a relaxation of the extra's for long term married would be better. The photo's , witnesses, home visit and other rubbish they ask for, none of this is required on a retirement Visa. These extras are basically there to confirm the marriage is a real relationship and you are not just married to live in Thailand. Maybe these extras could be relaxed over time. After 15 or 20 years of proving each year that you really are in a relationship it's enough and they could say ok its a real marriage. The renewal process then becomes simple like a retirement visa. Won't happen but it would be better if it did.
Todd ********
Marriage is never permanent even with best intentions Many scam marriages happened for convenience too. Explaining the extra scrutiny marriage extentions receive. To your point retirees spend millions of baht as well.
Graeme *******
Won't see it in my lifetime, the marriage visa process I'd pretty easy and now of course most of us ate tax residents also, Thailand just keeps on winning.
Alistair *******
The most challenging part of applying for permanent residency - assuming you make the very limited quota each year - is you must be able to speak, read and write Thai. Immigration will test you and conduct all interviews with you in Thai.
I learned conversational Japanese when I worked in the computer industry, but Thai is much harder given the various intonations of the same word meaning very different things.
I have a friend back in Scotland who married a lady from the Philippines just over one year ago. He estimates the UK Spousal Visa process for her took 3 months and cost around £5,000, but now she has it there is no annual renewal required which is a far more civilised process than what we have in Thailand.
Having just gone through the application process for my first extended stay based on marriage the bureaucracy and inconsistencies involved was very frustrating. I am not looking forward to doing it all again in 12 months time, but if you choose to live in Thailand you have to play by their rules.
I learned conversational Japanese when I worked in the computer industry, but Thai is much harder given the various intonations of the same word meaning very different things.
I have a friend back in Scotland who married a lady from the Philippines just over one year ago. He estimates the UK Spousal Visa process for her took 3 months and cost around £5,000, but now she has it there is no annual renewal required which is a far more civilised process than what we have in Thailand.
Having just gone through the application process for my first extended stay based on marriage the bureaucracy and inconsistencies involved was very frustrating. I am not looking forward to doing it all again in 12 months time, but if you choose to live in Thailand you have to play by their rules.
Karl *****
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Karl *****
Alistair Grant That's not right. It's an standardized oral interview. There's no reading and writing required.
Alistair *******
Karl Bee thanks for clarifying. Ubon Immigration Office told me last week I had to be able to speak, read and write Thai.
I cannot apply until I have had 3 years of Extended Stays based on marriage.
I cannot apply until I have had 3 years of Extended Stays based on marriage.
Charmae *******
Gotta love foreigners telling Thais how to do things
Sandy *******
Charmae Craig yeah...maybe learn to read, write and speak Thai then take the citizenship test and make suggestions to elected officials.
Rae ******
except no one cares about falangs, there are no votes in it.
Cris ******
I just wish they would make the marriage visa extensions almost like a 90 day check in. Just a quick update. Yep still here, still married. Ok done.
Tom *******
Cris Murl it’s all deliberately slow and paperwork heavy so they can collect fees or they can get you to use an agent where they scrape some of the government money for themselves. This will never happen.
Cris ******
Tom Tuohy I know :( but a boy can dream. Haha. I mean I wouldn’t mind paying a bit extra for less headache. But I’ve seen some agents quoting like 90k baht to do a marriage visa. It’s wild. It seems quite anti foreigner/marriage visa
Chris *********
Get naturalized
Pim ***********
Together with my, also Dutch, wife we've been living in Thailand for about 30+ years. About 20+ years we owned a restaurant in Phuket and now we retired. After serving the Thai tourist industry and attributing to the Thai state coffins for such a long time, maybe a complimentary permanent residence or citizenship would be appropriate. If not, we just stay on our retirement visum, no problem, we're not planning on going anywhere.
Paul ********************
No such thing as a permanent visa, you mean permanent residence.. You can apply if you meet the requirements
John **********
If that's what you are looking for then you should go through the hoops to obtain Permanent Residence (PR). Plenty hoops to jump through but the pathway exists, or indeed you could apply for citizenship
Yo***
if PR for marriage is given, what if they are divorced? or not really living together? or broken up? or any problems can happen in the future. so, PR is permanent. in case of marriage, there are too many things to happen in future. Marriage itself alone is not enough for PR, I think.
Sylvia ********
I hear some marriage are fake or for business purposes and that's the reason immigration go and inspection the foreign home, then if course couples do split up too
But I regard an annual trip to immigration as an outing, prepare documents day 1 and drive there day 2, report 90 days online I dont class that as any burden. I sincerely wish the UK had the Thai logic of tracking their immigrants!
But I regard an annual trip to immigration as an outing, prepare documents day 1 and drive there day 2, report 90 days online I dont class that as any burden. I sincerely wish the UK had the Thai logic of tracking their immigrants!
Stephen **********
Sylvia Corley I can't understand why somebody would want to fake a marriage. A marriage visa comes with more hassles than some other visas plus you potentially put some of your assets up for potential transfer if divorced.
Sylvia ********
Stephen Lodewick you see today news, over 100 Chinese woman have fake Thai husband so they can register the child !! And some do it to be able to have a business
Donald ********
I’m too old I know it’s just how life runs. But I’d be happy to se a plan that allowed all my possessions pass to wife on death as a permanent retirement plan
GreyEle*******
It sounds like PR without having PR. Thailand is very careful to be inviting to foreigners. I don’t think their economy would be what it is without foreigners. Not just the retired ones but those that bring special skills and investment.
They make staying here permanently very hard through needing to work for 3 years and having quotas.
Maybe part of their “we have never been taken over by another country” pride.
Australia is much harder to get into but if you genuinely marry someone with citizenship or PR, you can get PR yourself after a couple of years and Citizenship after another few years without having to meet employment requirements.
They make staying here permanently very hard through needing to work for 3 years and having quotas.
Maybe part of their “we have never been taken over by another country” pride.
Australia is much harder to get into but if you genuinely marry someone with citizenship or PR, you can get PR yourself after a couple of years and Citizenship after another few years without having to meet employment requirements.
TruthfulCr***********
GreyElephant🐘 they claim "western power" as they capitulated to the Japanese in 1941.
The British also occupied part of southern Thailand for a while.
The British also occupied part of southern Thailand for a while.
Daniel *********
OPGreyElephant🐘 I don't believe you can if you begin as retired.
Xyzo ******
Going by the way divorce trends are headed, 10 yr+ marriages are going to be rare.
Adolfo *********
Xyzo Ozyx Mine is 52 years and counting. I wonder if I hurt the average. 😊
Stan ******
Adolfo Herrera definitely an outlier
TruthfulCr***********
Xyzo Ozyx The average length of a Thai foreign marriage is 12 hours.
From flirting, engagement, consummation, divorce to final settlement.
From flirting, engagement, consummation, divorce to final settlement.
Donald ********
At 75 and about to take this step ten years is too long
Daniel *********
OPDonald Tadman Okay, five years then. Has to be some kind of track record though.
Vladimir **********
You can apply for PR after a few years already, but you need to work in Thailand.
Michael ********
Doubtful wasnt that long ago Thai women married to foriegners couldnt even own property
Gordon ********
Michael Dawson that's nuts... I didn't know that
Doug ******
Yea, we didn’t register our marriage here at that time. Waited till after the law changed.
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