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Can I change my NON-O visa extension reason from retirement to marriage in Thailand?

NON-O Visa Thailand Visa Rules Visa Extension Retirement Visa Marriage Visa Expats in Thailand

Jul 4, 2025

11 days ago

Martin **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi. New to this group and I would love an answer to this query. If I get a non O visa based on retirement in the UK, and enter Thailand on this basis, does my first extension also have to be based on retirement? What I am thinking is if I get married in Thailand, can I get my first extension based on marriage - or can I only change the reason to marriage on later extensions? Many thanks

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TLDR : Answer Summary

If you enter Thailand on a Non-O visa based on retirement, your first extension must typically be for the same reason as your visa. However, if the reason for your Non-O visa is not specified in the remarks section, you could potentially apply for a different reason, such as marriage, for your extension.

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Jason ********

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7 days ago

Jason ********

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7 days ago

Tod *********

As Lloyd said, the first extension has to be for the reason you got the visa issue

BUT

That's only IF they put a reason for the Non-O in the remarks section

If they don't note it on the eVisa PDF (some consulates do, some don't) you can apply for what ever reason you want to

10 days ago

Martin **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Many thanks - very helpful. The account was opened last December and I make sure to keep it active by making some occasional small transfers. It's linked to a Thai phone number which I also keep topped up and so active. Difficulty is that I'm not sure what the back up plan would be if there was an issue as I wouldn't have a non O visa to open another account

9 days ago

Martin **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tod ********

Just so that I am clear, would this also be the case as regards a non O (obtained in the UK) for tourist purposes? Thanks for your time and patience. Just trying to work out the best way to travel to Thailand, have time to do all the things necessary to marry and register the marriage, and then obtain a marriage visa in Thailand (or an extension based upon marriage). I know that I could come on the visa exempt route (currently still 60 days) but not sure this would be enough time, even with an extension, and I understand that there is a chance that the 60 days might soon be reduced to 30.

10 days ago

Wylie *******

@Martin *********

a non-o is not a tourist visa. As far as coming on a tourist visa, or visa exempt, it is possible to get married and do all the paperwork in time. Thats what I did a few years back. However, back then one could open a bank account on a tourist visa in order to meet the financial requirements of the in country Non-o. That is no longer the case. If you don't already have a bank account then it will be much easier if you get the non-o before coming.

9 days ago

Martin **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Wylie ******

Thank you so much for clarifying that. I had mistakenly thought, based on another comment, that you could get a non O based on tourist purposes. I can see now that is incorrect and the tourist visa is really a separate type of visa. I don't see how it really has any advantage over the visa exempt whilst that remains at 60 days

But 2 more questions if you have the patience.

Is it still possible to extend the 60 day visa exempt by 30 days if nece - to allow time for me to meet all of the requirements for applying for a non o marriage visa?

I already have a Thai bank account, which I previously opened having got a 90 day Non O visa based on retirement, applying from the UK. I never extended that but did open the bank account. When I now return on a visa exempt basis, will the bank raise an issue that I no longer have a non O? Obviously, I need their cooperation to certify the 400k THB requirement for the marriage visa application?

Thanks for everyone's help🙏

9 days ago

Wylie *******

@Martin *********

Yes, you can still extend a visa exempt entry by 30 days. You should also be able to extend by another 60 days for "visitng thai family". I can't remember all the requirements but you'll likely need a lot of the same ones for the non-o based on marriage. However, there is no financial requirement in case you don't get the money transfered in time to season or run into some other banking issue.

How long ago did you open the account and how long since you last used it? If it was a while ago then you could potentially run into some issues. The last few years the major banks have been cleaning things up and closing/freezing accounts that they can't. Things like the account name matching the passport exactly, phone number requirements, and photo I believe. As long as you are sure the account is still active and available then you shouldn't have an issue though.

9 days ago

Reply to

Wylie *******

Graham ******

@Martin *********

for a Non-O issued by RTE London the reason for the issue is written in Thai as Remarks so London does specify retirement or marriage

10 days ago

Tod *********

@Graham *****

I thought UK thai consulate listed the reason you got the Non-O when they issue the PDF file

Thanx for that

10 days ago

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