Unanswered2 years ago
Can my wife apply for a Non-O visa as a dependent when I'm converting mine to a retirement visa in Thailand?
Help please. I've applied for a Non-O visa while in Australia with the plan to convert to a retirement visa with the banked money method. Does my wife apply for the same type visa then apply as a dependent to me in the Thai retirement visa application process? Many thanks in advance for clarification.
Summary so far
The post discusses the complexities of visa applications for a Non-O visa from Australia and transitioning to a retirement visa, along with considerations for the user's wife applying as a dependent. Multiple comments highlight the challenges associated with these visas, including the unavailability of the Non-O visa based on marriage to a foreigner. Suggestions include alternative visa options and the importance of understanding individual visa requirements, such as the need for documents like a medical certificate and insurance.
38 repliesnewest first
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Neil ********
OPNote taken on board from admin and apologies for my mistake. Would it be possible for me to attain a retirement visa whilst in Thailand on a visa exempt entry, legally?
Ellie *******
@Neil *******
, Yes, it's possible if you meet all requirements for an in-country initial Non-O visa based on retirement at most offices.Neil ********
OP@Ellie ******
Thank you very much for the clarification. We do meet the requirements and do not want to do anything untoward in our new home country.
Ty *******
Visas are separate per person
Neil ********
OPthey have come back requesting the following. I was of the understanding that insurance was not required for a Non-O requested outside of Thailand. Other request documents: A medical certificate issued from the country where the application is submitted, showing no prohibitive diseases as indicated in the Ministerial Regulation No.14 (B.E. 2535) (certificate shall be valid for not more than three months)
Other request documents: Foreign Insurance Certificate as stipulated by the Office of Insurance Commission and Health Insurance of Thailand, which must be completed, signed and stamped by the insurance company. The form can be downloaded from
Other request documents: Health Insurance issued by a Thai or foreign insurer for general illnesses, including COVID-19, with the insured sum of no less than 100,000 USD or 3,000,000 THB
Other request documents: Certificate of criminal record clearance from the country of nationality or the country where the application is submitted
Other request documents: Foreign Insurance Certificate as stipulated by the Office of Insurance Commission and Health Insurance of Thailand, which must be completed, signed and stamped by the insurance company. The form can be downloaded from
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Other request documents: Health Insurance issued by a Thai or foreign insurer for general illnesses, including COVID-19, with the insured sum of no less than 100,000 USD or 3,000,000 THB
Other request documents: Certificate of criminal record clearance from the country of nationality or the country where the application is submitted
Ellie *******
@Neil *******
, Are you sure you are applying for Non-O, not Non-OA? Medical certificate and insurance are the requirements for Non-OA, Non-OX, and LTR-P, not for Non-O being over 50 yo.Neil ********
OPOn the phone to Canberra and they say I cannot apply for a Non-O unless I am married to a Thai. this seems different to what I understood
Colin *********
@Neil *******
have you gone and checked the Embassy website for yourself? The Thai Embassy, Canberra website has changed since I previously looked, being due to the change to the eVisa system.It seems that one is now required to open an account to get anywhere before you can see the option that you want to apply for the'over 50 retirement' visa, or any other Visa. Open the link I've included, then scrolling down and tapping on "other Visas" , you will find there's a list of documents required for the *Retirement" Visa. This is only information though. If this Visa is the way you want to go, then I would suggest to open an account on the website and you'll probably find a 'starting point' for applying for the Retirement and all other Visas.
My plan if one obstacle is removed in the next 2-3 months, is to enter Thailand around the middle of the year, Visa Exempt and do what I need to do to get the Non-O Visa based on marriage, so I don't need to open an account myself on this website, otherwise I would, so I can find out more info for you.
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Neil ********
OP@Colin ********
I agree but if they don't it puts me between a rock and a hard place. The person I spoke with said they would check and call back. I am not expecting a call!Colin *********
@Neil *******
someone obviously don't know what they're talking about. If you go to the website of the Royal Thai Embassy in Canberra, find the Visas page & you'll see an option for a Non-O Visa & from memory, in a drop-down box, there's one for over 50 (years old). It's a while since I looked, but it's there.Neil ********
OPI am over 50 years old
Neil ********
OPNon-Immigrant Visa(O) this is copied from my selection on the Thai e visa site
Neil ********
OPNon-O
Jim **********
Would the other alternative be for your wife to apply for her own non-O based on retirement (if over 50)rather than as spouse?
This would mean you both having the banked money, but would avoid any risks or complication?
This would mean you both having the banked money, but would avoid any risks or complication?
Vin *********
@Jim *********
Other alternative? What is the first one? Or any others? (Besides the 65k/mn.)Colin *********
@Vin ********
the other "alternative" is the one that Tod mentioned which might be rejected.Neil ********
OPThat's a lot of cash doing nothing in a bank though
Jim **********
@Neil *******
Yep...depends on your financial situation.
David ********
Better to apply for DTV in Australia they soft power. Then your wife applies as a partner. It's better option than non o ,it's 5 years for 10,000 bht other conditions but easy and only have to show 500,000 bht in your bank once
Neil ********
OP@David *******
Thank you, we but would prefer stick to the retirement visa option at the moment though.Tod *********
All you can do
@Neil *******
is you apply for the 90 day Non-O based on this reasonNeil ********
OPThank you Tod, I read it as saying Thai person, now I see it as a Non Thai person on second reading. I will wait until mine is approved and then apply using the non Thai as you suggest, Much appreciated.
Tod *********
@Neil *******
it'll either work or it won't, I'd call the consulate you use based on where you live down there; Canberra or Sydney and ask them I hate to see you out the 120 AUD if you apply and they reject it
Neil ********
OPHi Tod, We are in WA so have to go through Canberra. I will give them a call tomorrow morning and double check. Thanks again
Tod *********
I don't think they'll let her application go thru, but that's the ONLY 'piggy back' visa option she has if you get a 90 day Non-O visa.
Remember if you apply for her visa and they reject it you're out the application fee, there are no refunds on the eVisa online system
Remember if you apply for her visa and they reject it you're out the application fee, there are no refunds on the eVisa online system
Tod *********
and your wife would apply for the 90 day Non-O based on this reason AFTER you had yours issued using your visa as the non-thai person she's staying with
Tod *********
You wouldn't be converting anything 😮 You'd get the 90 day Non-O visa based on retirement in Oz before you come here, then you'd apply for a year "extension of stay" from that visa based on retirement at the immigration office for 1900baht
Sadly I don't think your wife is going to be able to get a Non-O visa from ANY thai consulate based on being the spouse of a foreigner on a Non-O visa 🙁 AND that visa isn't even available inside the country at the immigration office after she comes here either. It is not sold for that reason anymore.
Consulates the world over started discontinuing issuing that visa last year. At this time there is no way to get her the initial 90 day Non-O visa based on being married to a foreigner on a Non-O 90 day visa OR a from a year extension on a Non-O 🙁
Sadly I don't think your wife is going to be able to get a Non-O visa from ANY thai consulate based on being the spouse of a foreigner on a Non-O visa 🙁 AND that visa isn't even available inside the country at the immigration office after she comes here either. It is not sold for that reason anymore.
Consulates the world over started discontinuing issuing that visa last year. At this time there is no way to get her the initial 90 day Non-O visa based on being married to a foreigner on a Non-O 90 day visa OR a from a year extension on a Non-O 🙁
Neil ********
OPSo the likely outcome is that we both apply for a Non-O in Aus and both apply for the extension of stay based on retirement so pay double each year in Thailand
Vin *********
@Neil *******
no. You are each paying proper. Neither of you is paying double.Tod *********
@Colin ********
some offices require separate accounts, while others will allow a joint account with double the single person requirement (so 1.6 mill for a married couple)Colin *********
@Neil *******
you might already know, but I believe that you and your wife would need to have your funds in two separate bank accounts, not a joint account. I may be wrong & a Moderator would know better than me.Neil ********
OP@Vin ********
as above, I mean paying 800k each as double
Stuart *********
@Neil *******
Regardless of whether you managed to get some form of piggyback visa or two separate visas/extensions you’d both be paying the same amount each year. All extensions are 1,900 baht. What I believe you mean is that the financial requirement would be double. 800k for you and 800k for her.
You aren’t paying double but you do need to each have 800k. With a bit of jiggling you could time the extensions so that one gets theirs on X date and one gets theirs 3+ months later. You could save having to have the extra 400k in each account, but I suspect it would be a nightmare to administer.
Neil ********
OP@Tod ********
I used the wrong term, not converting.
Lloyd ********
@Tod ********
So no more piggybacking ?Tod *********
@Lloyd *******
not from a Non-O that I can seeI did see some people having their spouse get a 90 day ED visa, based on study, then get one extension on that (again based on study) and then after that change the reason for the extension to trailing spouse <- you can change the reason for an extension on a visa once you get at least ONE extension for the reason you got the visa
Lloyd ********
@Tod ********
Jeez, a right convoluted mess.Thanks.Activity
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