Answered6 years ago
Can I apply for a marriage visa in Thailand if I am currently on a tourist visa?
I'm married to a Thai lady. Was here earlier on a Non-O visa but had to go back to Europe for a year to take care of my 93 year old mum so it expired. My wife and I came back here in February. I on a tourist visa with the intention of going to Laos to arrange a marriage visa but of course the border closed and I'm still here on my tourist visa.
Just got back from the immigration office in Udon Thani. Asked them if I can apply for the marriage visa here now? They say no - have to go back to Finland (my resident country) and apply there then come back.
Can that be right? Seems really crazy to me? And expensive!
Just got back from the immigration office in Udon Thani. Asked them if I can apply for the marriage visa here now? They say no - have to go back to Finland (my resident country) and apply there then come back.
Can that be right? Seems really crazy to me? And expensive!
Answer summary
A user, married to a Thai national, returned to Thailand on a tourist visa after a hiatus due to family obligations. They inquired about applying for a marriage visa while in Thailand but were informed by immigration that they must return to Finland to do so, causing frustration due to the expense and inconvenience. Community members provided various suggestions, including applying for a 60-day extension based on marriage and discussed different visa types, financial requirements, and experiences with immigration officers, highlighting inconsistencies in information provided by immigration.
42 repliesnewest first
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Alan ***********
OPJust to let you all know that it seems to be sorted now - thanks to all of you for your very helpful and constructive comments. Really appreciate! (Also, just want to say publicly that the Swedish Embassy in Bangkok have been great!)
Winand *********
You can apply for it in Thailand. Make sure you ask it straight at the immigration desk for non O visa. I asked it in Changwattana (BKK), at the information desk they told me it can't be done in Thailand, so I went on to the non-O department where they told me "no problem". Most immigration officers are kind of confused about their own rules. Persistence, if you fulfill to all the requirements you will get it done.
Alan ***********
OPNormally yes, but the complication on mine was I have an additional extension stamp in my passport which caused a problem. All sorted!
Jeffrey **********
Sorry miss read you there. You should be able to get another non o visa without going back to Finland
Jeffrey **********
As far as I know As a UK 🇬🇧 citizen I got married in Thailand in the local registrars office in Khon Kaen. At the time I was just on a 30 day entry visa
Risto **********
I was today at Roi Et immigration. Because I am married with Thai having 2 kids with her I can extend my tourist visa after 26.9. two months paying 1900 bht. I think you don't need to go to Finland for marriage visa. You can get that visa from Thailand, but you must have 400.000bht in your bank account or monthly income minimum 40.000 to get marriage visa.
Ben *******
I am on a tourist visa which I had two entries plus an extension done in 2020. You are only allowed two per year.
I was on Non B but when CV came around we decided to not visit Singapore for a new non B, so used two tourist visa via a border.
I was told to come back in August. I will likely be allowed to get an extra month after September 26. I also have a letter from my embassy, business papers etc... and will likely get another after that. They will review the situation in September.
IMO they should make it easier because if you have money or income then why force people to spend it going home.
I was on Non B but when CV came around we decided to not visit Singapore for a new non B, so used two tourist visa via a border.
I was told to come back in August. I will likely be allowed to get an extra month after September 26. I also have a letter from my embassy, business papers etc... and will likely get another after that. They will review the situation in September.
IMO they should make it easier because if you have money or income then why force people to spend it going home.
Alan ***********
OPHi Risto! I fulfil the requirements for both the bank and the income. I understand what you are saying - but according to the immigration office here I have an additional stamp for an earlier extension in my passport which eliminates the possibility. Don't know why. I'm going again on Monday to try again. The Swedish embassy are being really helpful and hopefully this will get resolved.
Risto **********
@Alan **********
I came to Thailand 9th of March and now stuck here. I should go to Vietnam to work. However the immigration in Roi Et has been very helpful and as I wrote earlier, there are no problems to extend my tourist visa for 2 months after 26.9.Risto **********
@Alan **********
Hi Alan. Try this one Star Visa Service <*******************
> My Scottish friend uses this company and he says they are very professional (hmmm...well...even if using Gmail address :-) ). However, you can ask for their opinion and quotation. But don't say anything about the immigration in Udon, just ask how you could get the marriage visa.Risto **********
@Alan **********
Can you try some other immigration office ? Or even an agency ? I suppose an agency can arrange it easily, even the marriage visa. Of course, it is more expensive but certainly cheaper than fly to Finland and back to Thailand.Alan ***********
OP@Risto *********
Yes, I don't know why they are so adamant that it's not possible here in Udon - they say it's because I already did one extension. (I came beginning February). Anyhow, trying again on Monday. Let's see!Alan ***********
OPThanks to everyone for all your comments. Very helpful and much appreciated!
Simon **********
Are you over 50? I know you can get a retirement extension visa now, but it costs
*****
THB, 15 months and they put the *****
0THB in and out of your Thai bank account.
Kuan ******
@Simon *********
hi simon - any agent doing that in Bkk ? Simon **********
@Ku**
I only heard from a friend in Pattaya.Simon **********
@Ku**
I was just alluding there are ways and means.Kuan ******
@Simon *********
ok 👍 Tod *********
@Alan **********
Okay, I think what the problem with people understanding what's going on was that you put that b/s about you having a Non-O visa BEFORE and then you went back to your country and it ran out When you came back to thailand before the country closed you didn't enter on a Non-O visa OR on an extension but on a 30 day visa exempt entry or 60 day tourist visa which already expired putting you on amnesty AND there is NO immigration office that will sell you a 90 day Non-O visa based on marriage once you hit amnesty. You needed to have gotten after that task shortly after you got here back in March :( That's because you need "hard stamp" (real time) left on your 30 day visa exempt entry OR your 60 day tourist visa entry to apply for an in country Non-O visa because the application goes under consideration for a period of time before you go back and get it inked into your passport
Moaya **********
@Tod ********
yes !Alan ***********
OPSorry for confusing things mentioning my earlier Non-O. I didn't ask them about an extension for visiting family - but I will certainly give it a try. Thanks for that!
Tod *********
@Alan **********
didn't confuse me a bit BUT I tend to blank out all the non-essential b/s in someone's story and just go for the bare bones facts :O Wait until at least Monday before you go back to ask about the 60 day visit thai family extension because that's when this new amnesty starts AND the clause in that amnesty says IF you apply for an extension during the amnesty it will be dated from the 27th of Sept on.
Tod *********
BE that as it may
DID you ask them IF you can get a 60 day visit thai family extension?
People who were on 30 day/60 day tourist visa entries that went to amnesty were able to get a 60 day visit thai family extension FROM amnesty
Then because you now have a hard stamp extension you can apply for the 90 day non-O visa inside the country based on marriage by meeting the financial requirements and turning in the documents.
DID you ask them IF you can get a 60 day visit thai family extension?
People who were on 30 day/60 day tourist visa entries that went to amnesty were able to get a 60 day visit thai family extension FROM amnesty
Then because you now have a hard stamp extension you can apply for the 90 day non-O visa inside the country based on marriage by meeting the financial requirements and turning in the documents.
Kuan ******
@Tod ********
hi Tod - can I pm you for a question on my case on a marriage visa ?
William ********
I think you can cross the border , when it's open , and get type O visa. Then on return apply for the marriage visa after a couple of months. 400.000baht in Thai bank account.
Chris *******
The issue as I understood, you cannot apply for any long stay visa if you are under the amnesty with your tourist visa
You could do if you did apply before the end of your tourist visa..
I was on the same situation
But I applied for non O visa before my previous visa expired ..
Unfortunately, I think you have no more choice than go back into your country ...
But nobody know for now when you will be allow to come in Thailand ..
You could do if you did apply before the end of your tourist visa..
I was on the same situation
But I applied for non O visa before my previous visa expired ..
Unfortunately, I think you have no more choice than go back into your country ...
But nobody know for now when you will be allow to come in Thailand ..
William ********
I checked with Thai immigration and as I already stated , when the borders are open you can go to a Thai embassy and get a non immigrant visa for marriage.
Tod *********
@William *******
there is no telling IF any land borders will be open by the 26th of Sept AND there is no telling if any of the nearby thai consulates will be open OR what the entry requirements might be to get back into the country :( William ********
@Tod ********
Yes, basically it is just a waiting game . Alan ***********
OPDepends if they open the border before 26th September or not
Russell ********
Try buttercup visa they are in korat
Gareth ********
Can you not apply for a 12 month extension of stay based on being married to a Thai national?
John ****************
Tray one of the VISA SERVICE offices... Likely cost U 25,000 Baht +/-
Alan ***********
OP@John *******
Can you recommend one?John ****************
@Alan **********
better to deal with agent face-to-face, I think. Plus convenience. Prices are same.John ****************
try meeting expats at Fuzzy Ken's restaurant/bar/bookstore; or,Steve's T-Bar Redtaurant.;or, Nutty Park
John ****************
@Alan **********
ask the other expats there - there is a Thai woman in UT - many have had good luckAlan ***********
OP@John *******
Udon Thani - but doesn't matter if the visa service is in BangkokJohn ****************
@Alan **********
where do you liveAlan ***********
OPWe also called the office in Bangkok and they told us the same
Alan ***********
OPI meet the requirements both in income and money in bank - but they still say I have to go out of Thailand.
Alan ***********
OPThey told me no - because I'm on a tourist visa still.
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