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How can I obtain permanent residency in Thailand without the 400k baht requirement?

Permanent ResidenceNon-O VisaMarriage VisaVisa RequirementsFinancial RequirementsExpat AdviceImmigrationVisa AgenciesTeaching OnlineProof of Funds
June 14, 2020
4 years ago
Ervin *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi, my wife and I we've got married a year ago. I would like to become a permanent residence here in Thailand. Unfortunately I do not have 400K sitting in my bank account. A friend of mine told me that there are agencies to help with this but sounds a bit off... What do you guys suggest? Thank you
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user seeks advice on obtaining permanent residence in Thailand after marriage, expressing concerns about not having the required 400k baht in a bank account. The conversation highlights the difference between permanent residency and a marriage visa, explaining that the marriage visa (Non-O) may not require such proof of funds under certain conditions. Community members share personal experiences and suggest avoiding risky agencies, advising to understand visa regulations thoroughly.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
  • Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
  • For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
  • Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
  • Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
Ian ***********
4 years ago
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David ******
Try contacting the Thai Visa Centre
@https://www.facebook********************
4 years ago
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Allan ************
All this so we can stay and spend your hard earned money, making your Thai wife and family have a life they could only dream of, and every neighbour as well.
4 years ago
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Dan ********
Nope, was with one for four years, but she had a US green card also and preferred a life in NYC at the expense of her ex husband. And just been disappointed by another, so won’t be getting involved with any more if I can avoid it for now 😂
4 years ago
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Allan ************
@Dan *******
 then why come to live here when you can have a better exchange rate elsewhere
4 years ago
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Allan ************
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Dan ********
I Only left London in December 😱
4 years ago
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Greg ********
@Allan ***********
 Do you think every Thai is potless? We can tell the level of society you are familiar with.
4 years ago
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Allan ************
@Greg *******
 what a stuck up snide comment, so you are from the Thai elite obviously not.
4 years ago
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Greg ********
@Allan ***********
 You made the origimal snide commemt mate. Assuming all Thais are potless and/or cheats. Pretty obvious your standing. Look in the mirror and give your head a shake
4 years ago
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Allan ************
@Greg *******
 pretty ,try spelling correctly
4 years ago
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Greg ********
@Allan ***********
 Piss off you potless idiot
4 years ago
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Greg ********
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Dan ********
@Allan ***********
 happened to you then ? 😆
4 years ago
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Allan ************
@Dan *******
 nothing just not used to jumping through hoops to stay.
4 years ago
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Dan ********
@Allan ***********
 At your age, it’s easy, I’m 42, I’m considering the elite visa at 45, to get me through to retirement visa age, although already retired, very fortunately. So I’m jumping hoops of METV’s and Ed Visa’s.
4 years ago
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Allan ************
@Dan *******
 are you married to a Thai lady
4 years ago
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Allan ************
@Dan *******
 good for you to be able to do what you want at your age, I still have to run a business and rely on a good manager as I cannot go back.
4 years ago
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Dan ********
@Allan ***********
 I do still have a business in UK, but a good manager also. Trying to see if I can go a full 12-18 months with the need to return, so this is a good test 🙏
4 years ago
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Allan ************
@Dan *******
4 years ago
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Allan ************
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Ian ***********
@Allan ***********
 yes you are correct buddy.
4 years ago
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Ian ***********
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Wojciech ***********
So you ask for help doing something illegal, impressive, and from you question you know bits illegal too
4 years ago
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David ******
@Ervin ******
 I thought he asked a reasonable question.
4 years ago
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Wojciech ***********
@David *****
 there is a law how do I get around it, reasonable question?
4 years ago
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Wojciech ***********
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Asger *********
Visa agents are not illegal as far as I know.........they are just a different way of getting a visa. Almost all visa agents work together with a immigration officer.
4 years ago
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Ervin *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Wojciech **********
 I am asking for suggestion and I know that its illegal. If you can read my post again you'll probably see it too 😊
4 years ago
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Ervin *******
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Rob ********
For 1 year non o visa based on spouse 400,000 k or 40,000 bhat monthly income into a Thai account. For the last few years I have gone for the 40 k a month going into my Thai account from overseas . I do mine at Singapore Thai embassy, scan all your required documents online , choose a date to attend . Tells you what’s required on the website ..so easy .
*************************************************
Obviously might be difficult with the current COVID 19 issue
4 years ago
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Tod *********
that is NOT correct, the O/P is talking about using the thai consulates that DO NOT require proof of funds to get that visa
4 years ago
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Rob ********
He was also talking about permanent resident which is also not correct . I was just pointing out that if he doesn’t have 400k on hand they will accept an income of 40 k a month and it’s easy to do at Singapore. No need to be condescending with your reply to me just trying to give the guy options. For anyone who can’t even prove that you have an income of at least 40k a month or 400k then you probably need to go and live in your own country .
4 years ago
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Rob ********
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Tod *********
You are totally confusing "Permanent Residence" status <- which you can apply for after working legally and having 3 years of unbroken extensions of stays with getting a year visa from a thai consulate or getting a year extension from the immigration office.

So, now that you know permanent resident status is off the table..

As people suggested IF you don't meet the proof of funds (as in you don't have 400K baht in a thai bank account in your name only for 2 months before you apply for the extension) you can WAIT until the country opens back up and then go to the thai consulate in either Savannakhet Lao OR Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam.

Both of those will issue a year long, multi-entry Non-Immigrant Type O visa based on marriage to a thai without the need to show proof of funds.
4 years ago
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Kraig *******
@Tod ********
 hi Tod, appreciate your knowledge on visa requirements. What are the reporting requirements for someone with a spouse visa? (If any)
4 years ago
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Tod *********
@Ervin ******
 here's the list of documents you USED to need to provide at Savannakhet to get the year long, multi entry Non-O visa (I say used to because no one knows if they're still gonna sell visas the way they did before this covid shit storm happened)

These are the documents you need at Savannakhet:

-the original rose bordered marriage certificate

copies of:

-front&back of the rose bordered marriage certificate

-front&back of your thai spouse's i/d card

-thai spouse's house book listing

-data page of your passport

-lao visa & entry stamp

you also need 2 passport sized photos,a filled out application along with 5000baht.

Your thai spouse signs the things with their name on them, you sign the things with yours <- meaning you BOTH sign the marriage certificate copies ;)

NOTE: if your thai wife changed her name (took your surname when she got married OR after that) you need the certificate stating she changed her name too..
4 years ago
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Ervin *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
 thank you so much Tod. 😀
4 years ago
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Ervin *******
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Joe ***********
The Thai Consulates in Savannakhet Laos and in Ho Chi Mihn City Vietnam will issue a Non Imm O Visa One Year for marriage with minimum documentation and a 5000 Baht fee. No financial requirements. Under this type of visa one must do a border run (exit Thailand and Reenter every 90 days). Many thousands of Foreign men get this kind of visa every year.
4 years ago
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Lindsey **********
@Joe **********
Will this be the same as a lady marriage visa

I have never had to show money in 12 years I have had marriage visa

I missed my year extension only because I was ill in UK 😭

So I came in on tourist visa
4 years ago
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Joe ***********
@Lindsey *********
 No It is not the same
4 years ago
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Joe ***********
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Ervin *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Joe **********
 would you be able to inform me with the list of the documentation that I need to take with me? Thank you 😊
4 years ago
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Tod *********
@Ervin ******
 how about waiting until the borders open and you can get back IN to thailand AND for the country lao to not require you to do 14 days quarantine when you go there?
4 years ago
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Ervin *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
 sounds great 😀 but if I know the list of the documentation that they require then I can get it out of the way
4 years ago
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Michael ********
@Ervin ******
 its on there website the latest. Search embassy thailand.

But when i was there last time

Copy of marriage certificate

Wifes ID

Wifes proof of address

Your passport

All these needed to be signed by person you or wife.

I took loads extras as well in case they needed but didnt.

All this may change when it opens up again. Who knows
4 years ago
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Ervin *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Michael *******
 thank you Michael 😊
4 years ago
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Ervin *******
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Ervin *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
What if I borrow the money and leave it in my bank account for few months? Is that a legal thing to do?
4 years ago
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Robert **********
@Ervin ******
 you can do that but you may have to keep it there a certain amount of time, and show your bankbook next year to show you’ve maintained all or
***
the money
4 years ago
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Ian ***********
@Ervin ******
 don’t do it
4 years ago
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Ervin *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ian **********
 Ok
4 years ago
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Ervin *******
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Маркус *****
4 years ago
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William ********
It can be done through certain agencies but the Thai government are trying to stop it.
4 years ago
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Ian ***********
I’m a little under funded. But I now teach online so I’m not going to be wanting.
4 years ago
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Ian ***********
Underfunded is being on the back-foot. Financial. Experience. And streetwise
4 years ago
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Ian ***********
@William *******
 don’t do it
4 years ago
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William ********
@Ian **********
 I agree.
4 years ago
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Ian ***********
@William *******
 my visa is based on me. And my bank account not on my next ex.
4 years ago
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Ian ***********
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James ***********
Non-O gotten crossing the Lao or Vietnam border gives you 90 days in country at a time with multiple-entry for one year. Not he best, but you can convert to regular non-O when you get 400K in the bank. Cal The Thai embassy in VN for instructions, they are very helpful.
4 years ago
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James ***********
Good luck.
4 years ago
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Ervin *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@James **********
 thank you.
4 years ago
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Ervin *******
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Ian ***********
Stay away from agency. That’s doggy.
4 years ago
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Paul ********
@Ian **********
 *dodgy. Doggy is a position. 😉
4 years ago
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Ian ***********
@Paul *******
 good for your information
4 years ago
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Ian ***********
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Greg ********
PR is something different from what I think you mean. Are you talkong about a year long extension based on marriage with 400k Baht needed in Thai bank account?
4 years ago
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Ervin *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Greg *******
 Yes, sorry I think I got it wrong.
4 years ago
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Robert **********
@Ervin ******
 I do the real money no agent. Had home visit in Bangkok, they photographed me with my bankbook
4 years ago
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Ian ***********
@Robert *********
 I agree ☝️
4 years ago
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Ervin *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert *********
 sounds very professional 😂
4 years ago
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Ervin *******
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Greg ********
@Ervin ******
 No problem. We were just discussing PR this morning on the beach as a colleague is thinking of applying this year. As to your question yes there are agents that help to satisfy the financial requiremants for a fee. As an example for a retiremwnt visa requirment of 800k it usually costs 26k fee to agent I have heard.
4 years ago
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Stan *******
@Greg *******
 26 grand is almost twice the usual price of 14 grand if you don't have enough in the bank. I have heard of a British agent in Pattaya who rips people off for that amount.
4 years ago
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Greg ********
@Stan ******
 14 is the price of the extension after the first one if you do not have the money. First time is 26k I have hewrd. Simple thing is have the required 800k and do it yourself. Stick by the rules.
4 years ago
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Stan *******
@Greg *******
 Yes, sorry, the extension. The first time is a lot more.

As to sticking to the rules - like the other 5% who do? 🤣🤣
4 years ago
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Greg ********
@Stan ******
 I think you will find the majority of retirees have the 800k or at least 65k a month income. You must associate with the wrong type
4 years ago
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Stan *******
@Greg *******
 How would you know that the 'majority' of retirees do that? Bar gossip?

But I don't associate with any type. I give most farangs a wide berth here, bar a few, for reasons that are still obvious to me.,
4 years ago
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Ervin *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Greg *******
 Some one mentioned that it's a bit risky. I have a family here and I don't want to get kicked out of the country for 400K. So sounds a bit dodgy really.
4 years ago
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Greg ********
@Ervin ******
 Of course it all depends on personal circumstances and attitude to risk. Good luck anyway and hope it all works out well for you and family.
4 years ago
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Ervin *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Greg *******
 Thank you Greg 😊
4 years ago
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Ervin *******
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Ian ***********
Keep away from doggy. Play by the rules. Get the right money.
*****
0 baht in the bank and don’t touch it. Ever. Get a job teaching online to help you. But the truth is. Don’t come to Thailand 🇹🇭 underfunded.
4 years ago
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Greg ********
@Ian **********
 400k for marriage. 800k is single persons retirement requirement
4 years ago
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Greg ********
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Garrett ***********
Are you currently in Thailand? If so, what visa are you on?
4 years ago
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Ervin *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Garrett **********
 I have a non B visa.
4 years ago
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Ervin *******
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Michael ********
Your on about marriage visa not PR thats a different thing. When borders open up again there were embassies that issued visas without proof of funds. Nobody knows if that will still be the case when that reopens.

There are agencies search the group there was a post yesterday
4 years ago
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Garrett ***********
Permanent residencey is a long and difficult path, only 100 people per nationality per year can be granted it. Among many other things, it requires you to hold the same non immigrant visa for 3 consecutive years and pay taxes.
4 years ago
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Garrett ***********
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