Can a trailing spouse apply for the Non-Imm-O visa without proof of funds if they are under 50?

Question

If a foreign married couple wants to move to Thailand and the male part of them is over 50 and fulfills all requirements included the 800,000 THB deposit on a Thai bank account,  applies for the Non-Imm-O visa  based on being over 50/retirement in his home country, gets it issued, and the follow up yearly extension on Immigration in Thailand.

Can his partner apply for the “trailing spouse” ( “piggyback”)  extension without showing proof of her own funds?

The reason I ask is, some people say that once the “piggyback spouse” turns 50 years, she must have her own 800,000 deposit in the bank account

Ask Thailand · Answer

A male foreigner over 50, eligible for a Non-Imm-O visa due to retirement, can bring his partner as a trailing spouse. While it's generally possible for the trailing spouse to 'piggyback' on the primary visa holder's financial requirements, there’s some controversy about the spouse's age affecting this. While some officials encourage both spouses to obtain their own extensions, there’s nothing explicitly stating that a trailing spouse must have their own financial proof when over 50, allowing for the potential to continue the 'piggyback' arrangement indefinitely.

Benjamin ****** · Answer

Just a reminder, the OP is asking about the trailing spouse option and how it works. I’m not going to let this get side tracked to other visas/ extension of stay

Tod ********* · Answer

The first thing you need to realize is that IF a foreign couple comes in and one of them gets an in country Non-O visa based on being over 50 the other spouse cannot get a Non-O visa under the trailing spouse clause because that is one of the only reasons you can't get a 90 day Non-O for inside the country at any immigration office.

They would BOTH need 90 day non-O's before they come here to make the retirement/trailing spouse concept work.

SOME offices try to "encourage" foreign couples where both people are over 50 to get their own stand alone extensions but there is nothing in the rules that state once a trailing spouse hits 50 they need their own extension. They can 'piggy back' for years and years.

Can a trailing spouse apply for the Non-Imm-O visa without proof of funds if they are under 50?

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