Can I change from a visa exemption to a Non-O marriage visa in Thailand?

Visa Exemption NON-O Visa Marriage Visa Immigration Procedures Thailand Visa Rules

Oct 4, 2021

3 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi, Can you arrive on an exemption visa then change to a marriage visa as I am married to a Thai national?

It will be my first non O (marriage) visa request in Thailand. 

Thank you

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TLDR : Answer Summary

Yes, you can arrive on a visa exemption and then apply to change to a marriage visa (NON-O) since you are married to a Thai national. Initially, you will need to buy a 30-day extension and then apply for the 90-day Non-O visa based on marriage. This process requires meeting the financial requirements, and completing several visits to the immigration office throughout the process.

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Tod *********

It works like this

you come in on a visa exempt or tourist visa entry

you get the financial requirements met

you go to your immigration office and apply for a 90 day Non-O visa based on marriage for 2000baht

It will go under consideration for 14 days (meaning you need at LEAST 15 days left on your current stamp to apply) then you go back and get the 90 day Non-O visa inked in

THEN you wait until you have 30 days or less left on that new 90 day stamp and go apply for a year extension based on marriage for 1900baht, it will go under consideration for 30 days (they might or might not do a home visit during that time) then you go back on the date that 30 day under consideration stamp runs out and get the year extension inked in

SO from a visa exempt to first a Non-O and then a year extension takes a MINIMUM of 4 visits to the immigration office

1 - apply for the Non-O (2000bht)

2 - go back and get it inked in

3 - apply for the year extension (1900bath

4 - go back and get it inked in

3 years ago

Jerome ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tod ********

Thank you Tod. Two more questions:

- Can I leave Thailand on my 90 day Non- O visa based on marriage? (I work offshore)

- financial requirements are the same for the 90 days and the 1 year extension?

3 years ago

Tod *********

@Jerome *******

you would have to get a re-entry permit to leave on the 90 day Non-O visa AND you'd have to be back before that 90 days ran out so you could apply for the year extension too

The financial requirements to get the initial 90 day Non-O visa are 400K baht in a thai bank account in your name when you apply for the visa itself

The financial requirements to get the year extension are 400K baht in a thai bank account in your name only for 2 months before you apply for the year extension

3 years ago

Jerome ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tod ********

thank you so much for your help. 🙏

3 years ago

Tod *********

@Jerome *******

remember the re-entry permit on the 90 day Non-O will only be valid for that 90 day period..

&

Once you get the year extension you'd need to buy another (multiple) re-entry permit so you can come in and out the rest of the year and get stamped back in each time until your extension expires.

3 years ago

Reply to

Tod *********

Stephan ***********

They will ask you first to buy a 30-day-extension, from that you can apply for the marriage extension. Have a look...

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3 years ago

Tod *********

@Stephan **********

not quite correct, you can't get a "marriage extension" from a visa exempt entry. You first need to have a Non-O VISA, then you can apply for the year marriage extension. I outlined it below as far as the steps.

3 years ago

Jerome ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Stephan **********

Thank you for the link.

3 years ago

Reply to

Jerome ********

Darren *******

Yes

3 years ago

Paul *******