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Can an American expat married to a Thai citizen repeatedly apply for a family-based Non-O visa?
Visa RulesNon-O VisaFamily-Based VisaAmerican ExpatsVisa RequirementsImmigration PoliciesFinancial Requirements
Jun 27, 2025
10 months ago
Jorge ****
ORIGINAL POSTERCould an American expat, married to a Thai woman, apply for a family based Non-O visa, come in, and just before the 90 days expires, leave, then apply again for the same visa, and do this repeatedly? Will the embassy abroad or the IO tell him to get a yearly extension or else? Tnx.
PS. Have already extended five times in as many years, but the current 400k THB may have to be used for other necessities.
PS. Have already extended five times in as many years, but the current 400k THB may have to be used for other necessities.
TLDR : Answer Summary
An American expat married to a Thai citizen can apply for a family-based Non-O visa. However, repeatedly applying for this visa without an extension may not be allowed, as immigration authorities could eventually require a yearly extension or deny further applications. Applicants must show financial proof (e.g., 400,000 THB in the bank) to qualify for the visa, and the same financial requirements apply when applying from abroad. Concerns about needing the funds for other necessities, like education, were also raised.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
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- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
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Robert ********
If you have that amount outside Thailand it could work but idk how many times. But then again, why not bring it into Thailand ?
Jorge ****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Robert *******
the money has been here for 5 years but I would like to use it to send my kid to college.Robert ********
@Jorge ***
Yes. But do you not need money in your US bank to start the non-O visa?Send it to your Thai bank instead of keeping it in the US.
Jorge ****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Robert *******
you are right. Now I recall I had to show funds upon applying for a marriage based Non-O.Reply to
Jorge ****
Reply
Cris ******
The 400k thai baht is still required for that 90 day marriage non o. I just did it and was required to show proof etc
Jorge ****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Cris *****
got it! Good to know. Tnx for the update.Reply to
Jorge ****
Reply
Bob **********
You might get a second but that’s probably be it if you can get a second you can get one 60 day extension
Ho ******
Maybe leave and come back at day 90 and get another 90 days stamped?
Then you need only 2 visa and this might last longer than 4 per year.
Then you need only 2 visa and this might last longer than 4 per year.
Bob **********
@Ho *****
it doesn’t work that way it’s not a re entry visaHo ******
@Bob *********
Buy single re-entry before leavingBob **********
@Ho *****
you still won’t get stamped in for 90 days you’ll get what’s left on the visa ,you shouldn’t be giving bad advice do a little researchHo ******
@Bob *********
Why that. Proof of evidence?Graham ******
@Ho *****
re-entering does not get you a new 90 days on a Non-O, with a re-entry stamp you get satamped back in with the previous exit date. No re-entry permit and your Non-O is finished when you stamp out. Where is your proof?Ho ******
@Graham *****
You can by a single re-entry permit.Graham ******
@Ho *****
yes, to keep your current exit stamp validReply to
Graham ******
Reply
Lee *************
Get a married visa
Jorge ****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Lee **********
Have one and have already extended five times on as many years, but the current 400k THB may have to be used for other necessities, like sending my kid to college.Mikkel *******
@Jorge ***
I don't think any embassies will issue the 90 day non O without you showing them 400K in an account. Happy to be corrected. So you would have the same problem you are trying to avoid. Difference is though, that applying for the visa outside Thailand, you can use funds from your home country.Jorge ****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Mikkel ******
thanks for comment. I'll take a closer look at the posted requirements for a marriage based Non-O. Years ago I applied for a 50 yo based one and had to provide written proof of income (outside TH).Graham ******
@Mikkel ******
sounds like he has no funds at home if needing to dip into the 400k in which case, no 400k somewhere, then no new Non-OReply to
Graham ******
Reply
Lee *************
mmm, tough one that only immigration can answer,but you need that 400k in the bank or 40 k per month income
Reply to
Lee *************
Reply
Braulio *********
For the American, how could 400k THB be a stretch or barrier ?
Jonnie *******
@Braulio ********
tariffs are kicking in I guessDavid *******
@Braulio ********
most Americans are 400k baht in debt, with 0 savings. Not all rich and fun.Jorge ****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Braulio ********
some Americans live on social security and they want to send a kid thru college.Reply to
Jorge ****
Reply
John **********
If you are thinking of getting back to back Non-O visas to circumvent the requirement to get an extension I suspect it won't take many attempts to find you can't get another one.
Marco *******
@John *********
the extension is not a requirement but an option. As long he qualifies for the visa and he is happy to pay every 3 month the embassy will issue a new one.Garrett ***********
@John *********
Why wouldn't he be issued another one?Jorge ****
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *********
this is precisely the question. Is it a requirement to get an extension every time? TnxJohn **********
@Jorge ***
there is no requirement to get an extension. But its not going to take the embassy long to work out what you are doing and I'd be surprised if they would continue this indefinitely. It used to be possible to get a 12 months multiple entry Non-O but this stopped when they moved to online.Jorge ****
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *********
you just hit it on the nail. It was possible to get a multiple entry Non-O based on marriage. With such, one had to do a border run every 90 days (or less) for a whole year. My idea is not far from that, except I get a visa and they get a visa fee. Win-win situation. I just wanted to know if someone else had tried already.Reply to
Jorge ****
Reply
Marco *******
As long as you meet the requirements for the visa you will not have problems.
Jorge ****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Marco ******
thanks for comment!Reply to
Jorge ****
Reply
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