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Can I convert my W.60 Visa Exemption to a Non-O Visa for marriage while living in Krabi?
Thai VisaNon-O VisaMarriage VisaVisa ExemptionKrabi ImmigrationBank Account RequirementsVisa Conversion Process
Jun 23, 2025
10 months ago
Anthony ******
ORIGINAL POSTERGuys-
Living in Krabi with my Thai Wife (we got married in Krabi last year)
Entered recently on a W.60 Visa Exemption.
Have a 6 month rental lease.
We want to take the route of Non-O 90 Day Visa (marriage) and then extend that visa by 12 months
I understand a requirement for the extension is 400,000 baht IN A THAI BANK ACCOUNT in my own name
My issue is I CANNOT OPEN A THAI BANK ACCOUNT in my own name whilst I am on a Visa-Exemption
Hence- my reason for converting my Visa-Exemption to a Non-O 90 Day Visa (marriage) would be so I can take THAT visa to the bank and successfully open a Thai Bank Account, to fund it and have the funds ready for the one year extension stage
So it’s illogical to expect me to have funds in a Thai Bank Account when first applying to convert to a Non-O, if I cannot open a Thai bank account without FIRST converting my Visa-exemption to a Non-O, which I can THEN approach the banks with, to open the account using the non-o
My Plan Of Action:
1. Convert W.60 to a 90-day Non-O (Marriage) from within Thailand (Krabi Immigration)
2. Use that new Non-O visa to open a Thai bank account easily
3. Deposit 400,000 baht and let it season for 2 months
4. Apply for a 1-year extension before the 90 days ends
MY QUESTION:
Would Krabi Immigration accept this logic and accept this as a basis/purpose for wanting to convert my current Visa-exemption to a Non-O 90 day Visa (marriage) from within Thailand?
I have all the other requirements met.
Cheers guys.
Living in Krabi with my Thai Wife (we got married in Krabi last year)
Entered recently on a W.60 Visa Exemption.
Have a 6 month rental lease.
We want to take the route of Non-O 90 Day Visa (marriage) and then extend that visa by 12 months
I understand a requirement for the extension is 400,000 baht IN A THAI BANK ACCOUNT in my own name
My issue is I CANNOT OPEN A THAI BANK ACCOUNT in my own name whilst I am on a Visa-Exemption
Hence- my reason for converting my Visa-Exemption to a Non-O 90 Day Visa (marriage) would be so I can take THAT visa to the bank and successfully open a Thai Bank Account, to fund it and have the funds ready for the one year extension stage
So it’s illogical to expect me to have funds in a Thai Bank Account when first applying to convert to a Non-O, if I cannot open a Thai bank account without FIRST converting my Visa-exemption to a Non-O, which I can THEN approach the banks with, to open the account using the non-o
My Plan Of Action:
1. Convert W.60 to a 90-day Non-O (Marriage) from within Thailand (Krabi Immigration)
2. Use that new Non-O visa to open a Thai bank account easily
3. Deposit 400,000 baht and let it season for 2 months
4. Apply for a 1-year extension before the 90 days ends
MY QUESTION:
Would Krabi Immigration accept this logic and accept this as a basis/purpose for wanting to convert my current Visa-exemption to a Non-O 90 day Visa (marriage) from within Thailand?
I have all the other requirements met.
Cheers guys.
TLDR : Answer Summary
This post discusses the challenges faced by an expat living in Krabi with a Thai wife regarding the conversion of a Visa-Exemption to a Non-O 90 Day Visa based on marriage. The author outlines their plan to convert the visa to open a Thai bank account for the necessary funds required for a 1-year visa extension. The responses indicate concerns about the impracticality of converting the visa without a bank account, as well as sharing experiences and alternative suggestions, including applying for the visa from abroad.
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Phil ******
@Anthony *****
Immigration offices mostly have different rules. Do its really a visit to the office to discuss your application with them.Simon *********
I very much doubt it.
They won't accept thai bank statements, for proof of income, without an unobtainable embassy certificate... Which is acceptable in other provinces.
You can try asking an agent, but probably looking at getting a non-o from somewhere they accept an equivalent amount, in you home account. Maybe Malaysia or Cambodia
They won't accept thai bank statements, for proof of income, without an unobtainable embassy certificate... Which is acceptable in other provinces.
You can try asking an agent, but probably looking at getting a non-o from somewhere they accept an equivalent amount, in you home account. Maybe Malaysia or Cambodia
Steve *******
You need a Thai bank account for the Non Imm O visa applied for in Country. You could use an agent or go to a neighbouring country to get the visa.
John ********
Your Wife is Thai? I believe I read that so why call it Retirement NON O (marriage)?
Anthony ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *******
I never mentioned anything about Retirement. Not once.Reply to
Anthony ******
Reply
Bob **********
I would head to your imagination office and ask
Wannikea *********
I'm surprised you hadn't thought about getting a Thai bank account last year when you got married if you had eventual plans to live here. The sheet started hitting the scammer/mule account fan around February.
David *******
Apply from home country to through a Thai Embassy showing income through bank statements(65,000b/MTH) or money exceeding 400,000, no criminal record in Thailand and home country(police report and finger prints in my case).
Once here open Bank acc.,put in 400,000 keep for 3 mths, then maybe change visa.
Once here open Bank acc.,put in 400,000 keep for 3 mths, then maybe change visa.
Marty *******
Keep your hopes up mate I was turned away in a good 8 different banks and finally Bangkok Bank allowed me the honor🙄 of opening a savings account. Actually I went to 3 different Bangkok branches the 3rd one agreed to it. Each branch has their own attitude towards helping foreigners. You'd think that they'd be glad to help since their getting in my case over 800,000 bahts which basically sits in their bank paying me very little interest... But not lolll if you really want the Thai life keep trying you'll get there👍
Oussama *******
@Marty ******
People want to settle here for good. Crazy lolAnthony ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Marty ******
interesting… appreciate you.Reply to
Anthony ******
Reply
Anthony ******
ORIGINAL POSTERAnyone know if the W.60 Visa-Exemption (60 day entry) can be extended on basis of being married to a Thai National? (I’m aware of the standard 30 day extension based on Tourism) is there a longer extension for visa -exemption stamp based on marriage to a Thai National?
Robert *******
@Anthony *****
i was refused this conversion at ubon immigration in may, told to go to vientiene to get non oHieb *******
Check with the Immigration office. I extended one time for 60 days (visit family) on visa exempt entry. They would not give me the initial 30 day extension, after I had asked about the 60 day family extension. Only the one time 60 day visit family extension.
John **********
@Anthony *****
you can extend your visa exemption once for 30 days and then you can ask for a 60 day extension based on being married to a ThaiWylie *******
@Anthony *****
first do the 30 day extension then you can do a 60 day extension based on visiting thai family (spouse or child). If you get the 60 day first then you can't get the 30 day extension. So total each entry you can get 150 days. The 60 day extension based on visiting Thai family does not have the financial requirement.Anthony ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Wylie ******
thank you. JUST TO CLARIFY (as I’ve been told mixed-things) it does NOT have to be a Tourist Visa or a Non-O Visa in order to be extended by the 60 days? (ie: your claim is that an extended visa-exemption (already once extended by 30 days based on Tourism) can be extended one more time for a further 60 days) (based on marriage to a Thai National) Have I understood you correctly in this case?Brandon ************
@Anthony *****
most immigration offices will not let you get the 60 day visiting Thai family extension anymore if you entered visa exempt. Since visa exempt moved to 60 days they stopped allowing it.Wylie *******
@Anthony *****
yes, that is correct. Although it is always recommended to double check with the office you will use as it seems someone else stated that the office they went to would not allow them to do both. Even if it is the same office that told me, as supervisors and rules change.In Chiang Mai a few years back I let my 12 month extension expire on purpose so I could start over in order to change the timing of my 12 month extensions. I entered on a visa exempt and only wanted to do the 60 day extension to make it fall on a more desired month. The immigration officer said I should do the 30 day extension first, then the 60 day extension because if I did it the way I wanted I would not be eligible for the 30 day extension. They understood why I didnt want to do that once I explained it to them.
Reply to
Wylie *******
Reply
John ******
I think that vefore, you can convert in country the visa, you need to be qualified, first. So, the bank deposited is needed.
Anthony ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *****
So why offer in-country conversions on visa-exemptions, yet require Thai bank account at the conversion stage, if one cannot open a Thai bank account on a visa-exemption… is what I can’t wrap my head aroundJohn **********
@Anthony *****
the ability to convert to a Non-O visa inside the country has been around for a long time. The banks have recently got a lot stricter on who can open a bank account. Are you saying immigration should stop offering this service just because YOU are having difficulty opening a bank account?Anthony ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *********
completely understand you. No I am suggesting since the service is being offered (allowing foreigners who have a Thai spouse via marriage) to convert their visa-exemption entry stamps from within Thailand, into a 90 day non-o on the basis of marriage- my hope was there was some flexibility to treat it as a two-step process allowing for the said foreigner to first obtain the said 90 day non-o, so they may easily approach a bank with the new visa stamp and meet the bank account + financial requirements at the point of 1 year extension (being step two)John **********
@Anthony *****
there is zero flexibility. It's not the job of immigration to help you open a bank account, but they will normally issue a residence certificate which may help as a lot of the bank issues are down to lack of ability to verify your ID successfully. I doubt anyone could walk into a bank in Oz and just say here I am, just arrived on a short term 3 month tourism visa, can I open an account please.Reply to
John **********
Reply
Lee *************
All good that is the process, apply for non o then once you get, open bank account, then marriage visa, immigration will sort it all out for you, make sure you have all your correct documents and 2000 bhat for the fee,
Anthony ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Lee ************
this was my understanding based purely on what I deem logical. Since they do offer an “in country” conversion of visa-exemptions using TM.87Lee *************
@Anthony *****
good luck, its a process, try not to let western stress get in the way,Reply to
Lee *************
Reply
Wylie *******
Not sure what a w60 is but your plan will not work. You first need the bank account with the money deposited to apply for the initial 90 day non-o in country. Its a bit of a catch 22 as you have noticed. A few years back this was easy because you could open an account on a tourist visa. Not so much anymore.
You're options are to find an agent that can still open an account for you or travel to a neighboring country and apply for the initial 90 day non-o there. When applying outside of thailand you can use your home countries bank as proof of funds.
You're options are to find an agent that can still open an account for you or travel to a neighboring country and apply for the initial 90 day non-o there. When applying outside of thailand you can use your home countries bank as proof of funds.
Anthony ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Wylie ******
appreciate you. When applying for the 90 day non-o (marriage) from outside Thailand, showing my bank account from Australia, does that have to be equivalent balance of 400,000 Thai baht in my Aussie account?Wylie *******
@Anthony *****
I believe so, but it is best to look at the specific embassy website in the country you will go to for a list of their requirements.Jordee ******
@Wylie ******
Everything you've been told is correct; however, I would add that you should email the embassy you choose to go to and check their specific requirements. To put it another way, sometimes they act differently—or more empathetically. To each their own in the Lord's vineyard.Reply to
Jordee ******
Reply
Anna *********
It’s not illogical if you follow the country’s outlined process but can be confusing ( and incorrect) when you make up your own plan
Anthony ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Anna ********
I was of the understanding that converting a visa-exemption to a non-o based on marriage was an acceptable process using TM.87. And yes it is illogical to expect to have a Thai bank account in my name if I can’t open a Thai Bank Account without a non-o statusAnna *********
@Anthony *****
it’s not at all illogical it is clearly stated in the visa requirements it is ‘your understanding’ that is incorrect I guess if you don’t understand the requirements you won’t understand the responses to your question either
Anthony ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Anna ********
Thailand accept converting a Visa Exemption to a 90 Day Non-O (based on marriage) from within Thailand. Using Tm.87, however if they expect me to have a Thai Bank Account at the point of converting to a non-o, it is illogical to allow the conversion but also at the same time demand to see a Thai bank account in my own name - OF WHICH I CANNOT SUCCESSFULLY OPEN without first being on the converted non-o. I understand the requirements quite well.John **********
@Anthony *****
its all perfectly logical. It is possible to open a bank account on any visa or no visa at all, its just very difficult. If your wife has a bank account start with that bank branch, if she doesn't find another thai of sufficient standing to vouch for you and get a residence certificate from immigration before you go. You might need to try many branches of many banks thoughChris *******
@Anthony *****
unfortunately in the past it was relatively easy to open an account as a tourist. It is not any longer. This in itself is not an immigration problem but a banking issue. The ability to change status to non-o is there IF you qualify. If you do not qualify it must be done outside of Thailand as designed.Anthony ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Chris ******
makes absolute sense that you have put it that way. Appreciate the clear explanation.Reply to
Anthony ******
Reply
Brandon ************
You are supposed to get a visa before you travel to a country. That's what embassies are for and that's how visas work. You MUST be able to show 400,000 baht in YOUR Thai bank account if you want to try and convert to a non-O visa inside of Thailand (which is a courtesy offered by immigration and is not the way it's supposed to be done). Without the bank account, you're not getting a visa.
Do it the way it is supposed to be done. Leave Thailand, apply for the non-O marriage visa from the Thai embassy where you travel to. Once you get your visa, return to Thailand and open a bank account using your visa and other required documentation (varies from bank branch to bank branch) and then immediately transfer your 400,000 baht.
The money must be in your bank account for 2 full months at the time you apply for your extension, so that means you only have 30 days from the time you enter with the visa to open your account and transfer the money. The faster you can do it, the sooner you can apply for your extension.
Do it the way it is supposed to be done. Leave Thailand, apply for the non-O marriage visa from the Thai embassy where you travel to. Once you get your visa, return to Thailand and open a bank account using your visa and other required documentation (varies from bank branch to bank branch) and then immediately transfer your 400,000 baht.
The money must be in your bank account for 2 full months at the time you apply for your extension, so that means you only have 30 days from the time you enter with the visa to open your account and transfer the money. The faster you can do it, the sooner you can apply for your extension.
Anthony ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Brandon ***********
thank you that’s an amazing and very helpful reply. If I needed more than 90 days to get things arranged is there a way to get an extension on the 90 day visa (based on marriage) to a Thai National.Brandon ************
@Anthony *****
as Chris said, many offices will allow you to do a 60 day "visiting Thai family" extension if you need a little extra time for the money to seasonChris *******
@Anthony *****
IF you have a 90 day non-o, your local office may offer the 60 day visit Thai family extension allowing you more time before applying for the 1 year. Ask at your local office.Reply to
Chris *******
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