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Can I apply for a Non-O visa in Thailand while on a visa exemption, and what are my options for staying longer?
Non-O VisaVisa ExemptThailand ImmigrationBorder RunsThai Marriage VisaRetirement VisaBank Account Requirements
Nov 11, 2025
6 months ago
Andie ***********
ORIGINAL POSTERCouple of questions if I may. I'm in Thailand now,on visa exempt. I'm married to a Thai for 22 years, she has UK citizenship. We've lived in the UK holidaying in Thailand amongst other places never staying more than 3 weeks so visa never been an issue. Now I've retired we want to spend longer in Thailand, maybe buy a place, we're thinking halk/half, UK winters in Thailand. UK summers in UK. We're here now and intention is to stay here until May, spending a month 6 weeks in various places while we decide where to settle. So first question, can I get a non O while I'm here, seems tricky catch 22 as non 0 requires bank account, and to get bank account requires visa and which non O would be best, marriage or retirement, seems marriage as requires less financial commitments but I defer to your expert advice. I'm thinking forget the non O until we return UK next May and then get it in UK in readiness for returning to Thailand next November, but if can do it while here, we will for ease. Next question is border runs, since I'll need to to stay here until May and we planned to holiday in Viet Nam, Laos anyway. Could I do border runs after 60 days rather than extending 60 to 90 days, I realise that would be 2 border runs needed to reach May rather than one, but that doesn't bother us and saves us 1900 baht to spend on a trip if my thinking is correct? Also, I have a certificate of residency from Thailand immigration since were staying with my wife's family while we're here, if that helps with the first question. Thanks all.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The individual seeks advice on obtaining a Non-O visa while currently in Thailand on a visa exempt status. They are married to a Thai citizen and want to extend their stay in Thailand until May, possibly applying for either a marriage or retirement visa. Key considerations include the financial requirements for each visa type and the challenge of opening a bank account without a long-term visa. The discussion includes the feasibility of doing border runs instead of extending their current stay, with several options suggested, such as applying for a Non-O visa from a neighboring country.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
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Martin **************
Does your wife also still have her Thai nationality? That makes a difference for the possibilities you have.
Andie ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Martin *************
Yes she has both Thai and UK citizenshipMartin **************
@Andie **********
Okay. Assuming you were married in the UK, let the marriage certificate legalize in the UK about 1½ -2 months before you go to Thailand again. First at the UK Ministry of Foreign Affairs, then at the Thai Embassy. Apply for a Non-O visa and mention it's for marriage (not retirement). When you arrive in Bangkok, the certificate must be legalized by the Thai Ministry of FA. For that you need a Thai translation, done in Bangkok by a certified translator (you could do it in the UK, but then it's not sure that it will be accepted by the Thai Ministry). You can also authorise the translator to do the legalization; for that you need a copy in accordance with the original from the UK Embassy. But you can also go to the second floor of the MFA building, there is a translation office. Make an appointment beforehand online with the MFA for the day after (it's often busy, so for the same day is risky). After legalization register the marriage certificate in the Amphoe of your wife's address. You get a Kor Ror 22 which you need for extension of the Non-O visa based on marriage, which you can do after two months after opening a bank account (see below). Important: don't forget to let your wife register your stay on her address with a TM30 within 24 hrs after your arrival there . You could do that online, but the website is very complicated. Best go to the Immigration Office together, she can fill in a TM30 there. If the UK Embassy doesn't provide an affidavit regarding your income (I'm lucky because I'm Dutch, the Dutch Embassy does), you should open a bank account shortly after your arrival and put 400,000 baht on it. It should be clear that the deposit is from the UK. To be sure that the bank doesn't refuse to open an account, you can get a Certificate of Residence from the Immigration Office, which you can collect when you are there for the TM30. It seems a lot, but when you prepare well, but it's doable.
For your present situation I wouldn't worry: normally two border runs are allowed, as long as it's clear you're a tourist.
Reply to
Martin **************
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Gregory *********
If i were you. Go to another country for a month. Apply for 90 day non O retirement. Come back on that. Can show funds in overseas bank to apply. Open up bank account on that with a few thousand baht. Then next time you come after 6 nonths away get another one 90 days add
*****
0 before and season. Extend for 12 months. Leave after 6 months with reentry permit. Come back and extend before 12 months is up. So you can stay 6 months every year no issue and 6 months in uk.Andie ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Gregory ********
thanks for that very interestingReply to
Andie ***********
Reply
Donald **********
If you’re intending to go to Vietnam and Laos anyway, why not apply for a Non-O when there. Can get advice as to what might be quickest? On return to Thailand on a Non-O, open a bank account and deposit your funds. Retirement is a simpler process than Marriage provided you have the funds.
Grace ************
As you've already noticed, both the retirement and marriage Non-O routes become tricky when starting from visa exempt, mainly because opening a Thai bank account normally requires a long-term visa first. It creates that catch-22 situation.
We assist with both retirement and marriage Non-O visas, and we can also help with opening a bank account while you are on exempt entry or a tourist visa if your intention is to convert to a Non-O from within Thailand.
If the goal is to stay until May without leaving, the retirement route is usually the most straightforward when going through an agency. It allows everything to be completed within a few days: bank account, Non-O conversion, and the one-year extension. The marriage route is also possible but tends to take longer, and if you rely on an agency for yearly renewals it often ends up costing more over time. The marriage route is best if you plan to work in Thailand or are comfortable handling future renewals yourself.
If you'd rather not convert inside Thailand, another option is to apply for the Non-O in a neighboring country such as Laos (Vientiane or Savannakhet), Vietnam, or Malaysia. That is quite common. You could also wait and apply in the UK before returning later in the year if that fits your travel timing better. Both approaches are valid.
Regarding border runs, yes, you can do runs instead of extending to 90 days. If you already plan to travel to Vietnam or Laos, that works fine. Just keep in mind that border runs have become more strict in 2025. Doing one or two is usually fine, but if you do it repeatedly, immigration may start asking questions about your intent to stay long term (we do offer pre-screening services to avoid issues).
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EMAIL:
We assist with both retirement and marriage Non-O visas, and we can also help with opening a bank account while you are on exempt entry or a tourist visa if your intention is to convert to a Non-O from within Thailand.
If the goal is to stay until May without leaving, the retirement route is usually the most straightforward when going through an agency. It allows everything to be completed within a few days: bank account, Non-O conversion, and the one-year extension. The marriage route is also possible but tends to take longer, and if you rely on an agency for yearly renewals it often ends up costing more over time. The marriage route is best if you plan to work in Thailand or are comfortable handling future renewals yourself.
If you'd rather not convert inside Thailand, another option is to apply for the Non-O in a neighboring country such as Laos (Vientiane or Savannakhet), Vietnam, or Malaysia. That is quite common. You could also wait and apply in the UK before returning later in the year if that fits your travel timing better. Both approaches are valid.
Regarding border runs, yes, you can do runs instead of extending to 90 days. If you already plan to travel to Vietnam or Laos, that works fine. Just keep in mind that border runs have become more strict in 2025. Doing one or two is usually fine, but if you do it repeatedly, immigration may start asking questions about your intent to stay long term (we do offer pre-screening services to avoid issues).
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EMAIL:
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Andie ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Grace ***********
Thank you but I figure if your able to open a bank account and do all this so easily, I must be able to do it myself, so I'll try.Reply to
Andie ***********
Reply
Nongnuch ********
Every year, you could come on a 90-days Non-Imm-O Family Visa, if you fulfill the financial requirements of the Royal Thai Embassy London. This visa is very easy to apply for. . . . You will get stamped in for a 90-days stay permit. Before these 90 days expire, apply on Immigration for the 60-days "family visit" extension. (for this your marriage needs to be registered in Thailand because Immigration wants to see a Kor Ror 22 marriage registry freshly printout from the Amphur) . . 90 plus 60 = 5 months in Thailand . . while it is not half/half, I thought you maybe like the simplicity of this visa option which doesn't need any money deposit in a Thai bank, you don't need to apply for the 1-year extension (nobody will enforce you do!) and you avoid all the paperwork that would come with applying for an extension
Andie ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Nongnuch *******
thank you, very interestingNongnuch ********
@Andie **********
and of course, another good option that doesn't need any agent or any money in your bank account, neither in England nor in Thailand, you also could apply for the multi-entry 6 months Tourist Visa in England every other year. It allows unlimited entries during the 6-month visa validity. On each entry you get stamped in for 60 days. You can either extend them for 1900 THB with 30 more days, or you do a border run and get stamped another 60-days stay permit upon re-entering. If you do a border run shortly before the visa validity expires, you get stamped in for 60 days for a last time - and this would give you almost 8 months of stay. You might reach exact 180 days by this method, because as the 6-month visa validity starts on the day the visa gets issued, people mostly will lose a few days if not a week or two of the visa validity before they fly to Thailand - and you could catch up those days lost by doing a last border run before the visa validity expires.Reply to
Nongnuch ********
Reply
Mally *******
You can extend another 60 days if married to a thai not just the 30 day extension,which will give you 60 + 60
Andie ***********
ORIGINAL POSTERIt costs nothing is my understanding, you just get another 60 day visa on arrival or visa exempt. I'm aware they are clamping down on border runs but I think as I'm married with driving licence letter of residence etc they'll look on me favourably, accepted it's not guaranteed in which case then I'll pay the fee. That's my thoughts anyway
Mally *******
@Andie **********
let me know how you get on with it,I haven't done a border runReply to
Mally *******
Reply
Andie ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Mally ******
thanks, I didn't notice that, same cost of 1900 baht? But still, if I just do a border run after 60 days it would save the cost wouldn't it?Mally *******
@Andie **********
not sure how much it would be to do a border run,not done one myself,I would say possibly cost moreReply to
Mally *******
Reply
Lyndon ************
In (very) short non-o Retirement visa is more money in the bank, less paperwork, compared to the marriage visa. Regarding your certificate of residence to open a bank account, they are only valid for 30 days from issue and the reason for issue, needs to be to open a bank account. You might be better off looking at the non-oa requirements.
Andie ***********
ORIGINAL POSTERJust been to Krung Thai bank and they said the letter we have is acceptable, but they need a Thai driving license as a requirement as well, so pressure is on to pass on Thursday!
Lyndon ************
@Andie **********
sounds like you'll have it all sorted soon. Good luck in Thursday.Reply to
Lyndon ************
Reply
Andie ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Lyndon ***********
To be honest I just let my wife get on with it since she's Thai and speaks the language etc, she just told me the purpose on the document is to obtain a driving licence. Got my test on Thursday. Maybe we can go back and ask him to add 'and open a bank account'Brian ********
@An***
Take your UK licence (and IDP) if you have one and show to DLT. I took mine in years ago and did not have to sit the physical test - I did have to pass the reaction and depth of vision tests. The guy at my DLT changed my application to 'renew' even though it was my first Thai licence.You'll need a cert of residence stating it's for a licence plus a health certificate that you can get from any Dr/hospital.
Lyndon ************
@Andie **********
sadly, you'll need a new residence certificateAndie ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Lyndon ***********
my wife just spoke to immigration and you're right, another 500 baht ☹️. But like all Thai's they are super helpful, they said don't just come and get it, go to the banks first and find out if they accept it. They also said to just go over a border into Vientiane or Phnom Penn and apply for Non-O at the Thai embassy there, we were thinking we'd have to go back to the UK. Thanks Lyndon.Brian ********
@An***
Advantage of Thai wife extn is that you don't have to keep the B400k in the bank once it's been granted - but it is more hoops to jump through compared to retirement. I'd rcommend going for the deposit method to extend after year1, but you will have to make sure you transfer B40k EVERY month.Where are you staying? If you have any plans to come up to Kanchanaburi let me know annd we can get together for beers
Reply to
Brian ********
Reply
John **********
Do you have a certificate of residence or do you mean you have a TM30 filed showing the property owner has registered you as living there? The 2 are not the same thing
Andie ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *********
we just looked it doesn't say, i think it's the latter, the owner of the house has registered me as living here, as a result I now have to report myself as being in the province within 24 hours of arrival in it else the owner gets a fine, which I'm not too pleased about, seems it's a backwards step.John **********
@Andie **********
you seem confused. You don't need to report within 24 hours, the owner of where you stay must do the report, which it sounds like they have done alreadyAndie ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *********
oh, ok, I'm going on what I've been told by my Thai family, I'll make sure they know that, thanks John.Reply to
Andie ***********
Reply
Duncan ******
Agents can sort it all out for a price of course!
Andie ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Duncan *****
thanks but I'd rather not use an agent, just how I am, I prefer to do things myself and learn.Reply to
Andie ***********
Reply
Stuart *********
If you have a certificate of residence you could try to open a bank account but these days the chances are slim to none without the help of an agent.
Which is better retirement or marriage is debatable. Marriage needs only 400k but way more paperwork and your wife to be with you at each extension. Retirement is 800k but way less paperwork and you can do it yourself without the need for your wife to accompany you.
Which is better retirement or marriage is debatable. Marriage needs only 400k but way more paperwork and your wife to be with you at each extension. Retirement is 800k but way less paperwork and you can do it yourself without the need for your wife to accompany you.
Andie ***********
ORIGINAL POSTERHope so, though we haven't actually opened it yet.
Andie ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stuart ********
Not slim to none at all Stuart, we were offered 2 bank accounts just today. See my post.Stuart *********
Glad to hear. You are the exception to the norm of what’s happening these days if that’s the case
Reply to
Stuart *********
Reply
Andie ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stuart ********
thanks, that's interesting.Reply to
Andie ***********
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