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Unanswereda year ago

Do I need separate visa applications for my wife and me when transitioning from a tourist visa to a Non-O visa?

Paul ******
asked Sep 27, 2025
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So I came into Thailand on a tourist visa thinking I could change it to an o-retirment visa and my wife who is a Filipina. I am over 50 and my wife under 30. I went to immigratin in Hua hin and they told me I have to leave the country and apply for a non-o visa. I have gone to the webiste [members only]/. and filled in the application, however I have been told that my wife will get a non-o based on my status, but then I read online that she needs to apply for non-o also. So do we need two applications, one for her and one for me? Please onlu answer if you have done this in the last month or two.
Summary so far
The conversation centers around the complexities of applying for visas in Thailand, particularly concerning a retirement visa (Non-O) for the husband, who is over 50, and the dependent visa for his younger wife. The husband is confused about whether they need separate applications, with various comments suggesting that the spouse may not be able to apply for a dependent visa based on the husband's retirement status. Some commenters suggest using embassies outside Thailand to secure the necessary visas, while others express concerns about the legitimacy and feasibility of the visa types due to recent changes in regulations.
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Trav **********
Trav **********
Best of luck when your wife is 40 old fella.
Naja ***********
Naja ***********
You lost me at you're over 50 and she's under 30. Gross man! How do your kids feel about your gilfriend being younger than them.

How do you feel being older than her parents? Pedo.
Philip ***************
Philip ***************
Naja ***********
Naja ***********
Paul ******
Paul ******
OP
@Naja **********
no one cares about your opinion.
John ********
John ********
@Paul *****
Naja Siamensis is just another Troll.
Naja ***********
Naja ***********
@Paul *****
I'd think his kids care... And that's important.
Holger **************
Holger **************
Maybe consider to live with your wife in Philippines

Much more easy
Paul ******
Paul ******
OP
Did that for 4 years, ready for something new
David *******
David *******
You can no longer add your wife to your Non O. It stopped. A friend is in a similar situation and had to switch his wife over to a dodgy Education Visa through an agent as no other real option - without buying a Thai Elite or similar.

You CAN convert your Tourist Visa to a Non O without leaving the country (offices can have different rules so it might be a Hua Hin problem).
Paul ******
Paul ******
OP
@David ******
yes the prob is no bank account
Graham ******
Graham ******
@David ******
the issue to switching is either no bank account and/or not enough time on the current stamp as John explained above
Chris *******
Chris *******
Okay this is a very large problem you have.

You have to your non-o based on being over 50 and then an extension in country with 800k in the bank etc., or embassy income proof(not available to all Nationality).

The next problem is she will have difficulty obtaining a non-o "retirement" dependant visa.

No surrounding embassies will issue one and cannot be done in Thailand.

The last embassy I heard that would issue one was Australia but I am cannot say if it would today.

This path may not work.

The path that can work is if you are to obtain an OA 1yr visa and then she can apply for non-o and receive a "dependant" visa.

All must be done outside Thailand at the embassy level.

The OA requires mandatory health insurance, medical and criminal checks.

Once in country she would extend up to 1yr based on your OA visa.

With strategic exits and entries you can drag it almost 2 years.

You will need to put 800k or qualify for income to extend in country and then maintain her dependant status.

This sounds complicated but is not just takes time and organization.

You will need to be out of country and use an embassy to facilitate both visas. She cannot apply till you have yours.
Martin **********
Martin **********
@Chris ******
That is exactly what I thought, his visa first. But can she not apply as Philippine citizen, in country of origin?
Chris *******
Chris *******
@Martin *********
the non-o retirement dependant visa is not available at most embassies any longer, UNLESS the primary has an OA. Most embassies would allow her to apply, some may ask for local residence. It will require some legwork.Most critical is his visa first.
John **********
John **********
I'm guessing you need to leave the country because you either don't have a bank account or don't have long enough left on your stamp as I'm pretty sure Hua Hin can do in country visas. You can just leave to any nearby country and apply for a 90 day Non-O visa based on your age. Your wife would need to apply for a 90 day Non-O visa as your dependant, however many consulates will not issue this based on you being on a visa based on your age, you can try but don't be surprised to be refused. Some consulates will issue it based on you being on a Non-OA visa but you can only get this in a country where you have an official right to reside such as your home country.
Martin **********
Martin **********
Ok. First, or it must have changed, she can only apply for a retirement visa, meaning on your visa, outside of the country, no way around that.

For you, it is probably different. I had my visa already, when she was put on the visa.

She must better write to the embassy in her country, or surrounding countries, and ask how to proceed. Don't listen to people in offices, who promise to do that in Thailand. When you leave the country and come back, immigration, will see your visa is not legimit.

Also where were you married? What is your nationality.

Confusion is that she has to ask the visa, based on the one you are having, and give as following spouse.

If you renew the visa, you pay 2 times. And that can be done in Thailand, with proof, you are then still married. It is only a Thaï embassy, who can answer you, correctly, and what papers you need. Your marriage certificate is the most important, and you probably need translation.

Normally, and that is the only thing, I am not 100 % sure of, that she can only apply, if you have your visa already.
Paul ******
Paul ******
OP
@Martin *********
I am a US / UK citizen.
Martin **********
Martin **********
@Paul *****
That is an advantage. Normally easier, if paperwork in English. Mine, had to be translated. Just contact the Thai Embassy in Manila, and ask your questions there. For your wife, 100 % sure she must obtain it outside Thailand. When she does the demand, she must join your own passport copy, retirement visa, and maybe your arrival in Thailand. They will give you the latest answers.

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