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How can a 70-year-old UK citizen apply for an initial 90-day Non-O visa in Thailand without being married?
Non-O visa90-day visaretirement visavisa requirementsThailand immigrationexpat advicefinancial requirementslong-term stayUK citizens in Thailand
Feb 12, 2026
3 months ago
Warin **********
ORIGINAL POSTERHi, I’m asking on behalf of a friend.
He’s a 70-year-old UK citizen with about £80k in savings in his UK bank account. He’s been with his Thai partner for 12 years, but they’re not legally married. They both live in tge UK and are willing to relocate.
From what I understand, a Non-O visa based on staying with Thai family requires a marriage certificate, which he doesn’t have.
The Non-O- A retirement visa (1 year) seems to require a lot more paperwork.
So my question is: how can someone in his situation apply for an initial 90-day Non-O visa from the UK if they’re not married? Can he apply based on retirement only (over 50), or would he need a different visa first?
Thanks in advance for any advice 🙏
He’s a 70-year-old UK citizen with about £80k in savings in his UK bank account. He’s been with his Thai partner for 12 years, but they’re not legally married. They both live in tge UK and are willing to relocate.
From what I understand, a Non-O visa based on staying with Thai family requires a marriage certificate, which he doesn’t have.
The Non-O- A retirement visa (1 year) seems to require a lot more paperwork.
So my question is: how can someone in his situation apply for an initial 90-day Non-O visa from the UK if they’re not married? Can he apply based on retirement only (over 50), or would he need a different visa first?
Thanks in advance for any advice 🙏
TLDR : Answer Summary
A UK citizen, aged 70, wishing to relocate to Thailand with a Thai partner but without marriage can apply for an initial 90-day Non-O visa based solely on age, as no marriage certificate is required. Upon arrival in Thailand, he can open a Thai bank account and deposit a minimum of 800,000 baht for at least two months, which will allow him to apply for a 12-month extension based on retirement, thus simplifying the visa process compared to applying through a marriage visa. Multiple commenters confirmed this approach, emphasizing that the retirement visa entails less paperwork and is a more straightforward option for those over 50.
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Montakan ***********
You can apply for a retirement visa.
David *******
John is correct.
James ************
Its really easy. If you use an agent. Get a legit one. Dont use the ones that pay off officials. Retirement visa isn't that hard.
Magnus *********************
Non-o retirement is what he should have. Really not matter if they are married in UK because it needs to be legalized in Thailand and embassy anyway.
Easier to do the marriage in Thailand instead. But not needed since he has the age for retirement.
As others said, do the non-o in UK and then extend it at immigration with the funds in a bank account in Thailand or with monthly income (pension) letter from UK embassy in Thailand. Lasts one year. Add on re-entry so he can travel in and out on same visa.
Last but most importantly, get a proper insurance that cover his age and for the whole time (not travel insurance).
Easier to do the marriage in Thailand instead. But not needed since he has the age for retirement.
As others said, do the non-o in UK and then extend it at immigration with the funds in a bank account in Thailand or with monthly income (pension) letter from UK embassy in Thailand. Lasts one year. Add on re-entry so he can travel in and out on same visa.
Last but most importantly, get a proper insurance that cover his age and for the whole time (not travel insurance).
Charles ********
@Magnus ********************
UK Embassy stopped issuing monthly income statements quite a few years ago.Warin **********
ORIGINAL POSTERThank you for the information, very informative. For the insurance, should he has it from a UK insurer or a Thai insurer? I can not find the best one. Again, thank you for your time
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Warin **********
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Jonny *********
Easier staying on retirement extension, as not much paperwork. Marriage extension is a pain in the ass with papers and proof of living together 😅
Warin **********
ORIGINAL POSTERThank you Jonny, less headche and less paperwork is an ideal 😃
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Warin **********
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Peter ********
Marriage visa less money but far more complex plus you get married first lol retirement visa far better
Warin **********
ORIGINAL POSTER😂😂 I guess he has a personal reason to not go that route
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Warin **********
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Dan *******
Retirement visa is a whole lot less paperwork than a marriage visa by leaps and bounds
Warin **********
ORIGINAL POSTERThank you Dan. From what I can find, it is a lot less paperwork. However, I wonder if the Immigration Office in Thailand have a set of documents / requirements that he can follow when he has to do his extention?
Dan *******
@Warin *********
the only thing I brought was the bank statements and my yellow book.Warin **********
ORIGINAL POSTERThank you Dan, is it difficult to apply for a yelllow book?
Dan *******
@Warin *********
it wasn't for me as we own property otherwise you need someone with a bluebook to sign for youReply to
Dan *******
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Malcolm *******
He will be much better off applying for the Non O Visa based on being over 50 , then if he complies with all the financial rules and opens a bank account , deposits
*****
0baht for 2 months he can apply for an extension based on retirement , which is far simpler than an extension based on marriage .Radu-Petruț *******
Malcolm Pogue it's literally same thing, marriage requires even less money, 400k, both still need to do 3 month reports, so what's your advantage on the retirement one? You lock more money in a currency that's not as stable as the gbp, rather than just locking 400k not touch it as long as you stay in thailand and keep your savings in a british account in gbp, just take cash out, 150thb fee for 30k withdrawn. 5th grade economics. Not to mention british banks offer options to lock those money for 12 months and they give you at Least 3% of the amount yearly, some even more. Ofc in his case might have personal reasons not to get married, but far more better financial wise. Not to mention you need to pay tax to any amount you transfer into a thai bank account, better to pay on £9450 than £
*****
, isn't it?David *******
Radu-Petruț Dincă you can hold your money in a Thai bank in your own currency.
I think it's called a GDP account.
That's what I've done for the past 7 years and immigration accepts this because when I do my yearly extension the bank converts the £ sterling into thai baht for immigration purposes.
I think it's called a GDP account.
That's what I've done for the past 7 years and immigration accepts this because when I do my yearly extension the bank converts the £ sterling into thai baht for immigration purposes.
Malcolm *******
Radu-Petruț Dincă 9listen bud , Ive just changed from a retirement Ive done for over 15 years to a marriage this month in Jomtien and I can assure you its twice as hard .
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Malcolm *******
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John *******
You need to show financial details when applying for the O visa. I had to include bank statements showing three months of sufficient income.
Warin **********
ORIGINAL POSTERThank you John, he has that proof. So he should be fine.
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Warin **********
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Fred **********
I think I read that it also applies to a long-term relationship. But that has to be proven by people. I know this is the case for my country. Maybe even Thailand. It's just an idea.
Graham ******
Fred Wijnands No it does not, you are right though, it is just an idea
Warin **********
ORIGINAL POSTERThank you so much for your time. I am very appreciated it. 🙏
Fred **********
@Warin *********
However, there are so many ways to stay here Wanin. Many many people hear have good ideas but also wrong opinions about visa. Truly the best is... just the side of the Embassy/immigration and you can find all.Warin **********
ORIGINAL POSTERI totally agreed. Since I have been in this incredible group I have noticed that one question got so many different answers...especially the visa & immigration matter.
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Warin **********
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Ken ********
He'll need an O visa to open a bank account and proof of residence should be able to get the O visa in the UK
Warin **********
ORIGINAL POSTERYes, he will do everything to make living in Thailand smoothly. Thank you so much for your time. I am very appreciated it. 🙏
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Warin **********
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John **********
He should apply for a 90 day Non-O visa based on being over 50 before he leaves the UK. When he arrives in Thailand he'll need to open a bank account in his name only in the first couple of weeks and transfer a minimum of 800k baht into it. Once the money has been in the account for 2 months he can then apply for a 12 month extension of stay based on retirement. The 800k will need to remain in his account for a further 3 months and can't drop below 400k at any point in the year, then back up to 800k 2 months before the next extension and so on.
Russell ***********
@John *********
spot on sirWarin **********
ORIGINAL POSTERThanks John, really appreciate your help.
I’ve just checked the Thai Embassy London website and found the Non-Immigrant O (Retirement – single entry, 90 days). I have attached a screenshot below..
Am I right in thinking this is the 90-day Non-O based purely on age 50+, so no marriage needed?
Just want to be sure I’ve understood it properly. Thanks again.
I’ve just checked the Thai Embassy London website and found the Non-Immigrant O (Retirement – single entry, 90 days). I have attached a screenshot below..
Am I right in thinking this is the 90-day Non-O based purely on age 50+, so no marriage needed?
Just want to be sure I’ve understood it properly. Thanks again.
Gary ******************
@Warin *********
Once your in Thailand you can if you wish convert your retirement non O to a marriage visa but you'll have to book a visit to the british embassy in bangkok,Than get a affirmation of marital status and copy of your British passport signed and certified with stamp and stickers once you have them get them translated into Thai..When you get them back from ministry of foreign affairs goto your local district office and get married..Once you have done all that go back to immigration and start applying to change from retirement to marriage...🙂🙂🙂Retirement way is much easier but you'll need more money in bank or a monthly income,Yes marriage one needs a lot more paperwork doing but it's not that hard if you just sit down and go through it all one bit at a time..Just done my first one and had no problems at all..🙂John **********
@Warin *********
that's the one. He doesn't need to be married, it's based purely on ageBernard *******
@John *********
just a point of clarification, you say it’s based purely on age but it seems to require (?) you are on a state pension, or am I misreading that .Warin **********
ORIGINAL POSTERThank you so so much John. This is a big help. Have a wonderful day whereever you are 🙏
Bill ********
@Warin *********
If he so wishes to get married in Thailand in the future, he can change from a retirement visa to a marriage visa. He then only needs 400k in his bank.Warin **********
ORIGINAL POSTERThank you Bill, I will pass him information. He might have a personal reason to not go that route 😃
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Warin **********
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