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How do visa rules apply to couples in Thailand with different visa types?

Visa Types Education Visa Non-O Visa Spouse Visa Work Visa Immigration Rules Dependents Visa

Jun 16, 2021

5 years ago

Curtis *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

How does it work if a couple is in Thailand and one of the two of them has a longer visa than the other.  For example;

If a guy has an education visa and his wife doesn’t.  Is the wife allowed to stay as well?

What about a child?

Or an even more obscure scenario;

What if a couple visit Thailand and decide to get married while they are there.  Then one of them gets a job and a visa to work.  How is the partner affected?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The conversation discusses visa rules for couples in Thailand when one partner holds a different visa type, such as an education visa versus a work visa. Key points include the eligibility of a spouse and child for a Non-O visa based on the type of visa held by the primary applicant, and the importance of official advice from credible sources like the Thai Embassy due to changing regulations.

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Barry *******

If you want the current answers to your many questions it would be better to speak to someone who actually works for the Thai Embassy, instead of Thailand Visa Advice - And Everything Else. as this site will give good advice that has worked from other people's experiences. Many things have changed and may change by the time that you are ready to submit your application.

5 years ago

Curtis *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Okay, so since Richard spent all his time and efforts not answering any part of my question,

to clarify;

The spouse and/or child of a person on a work visa is potentially eligible for a non-o visa but a spouse and/or child of someone on a education visa is not eligible?

Is that correct?

Garret suggested that a spouse/child would be eligible in either case but then Richard suggested above that one or the other was not possible

5 years ago

Stuart *********

@Curtis ********************

a spouse and child can “piggyback” off a long term stay visa regardless of type. Keyword being Spouse. Non married couples or same sex couples are not recognised under Thai law and are therefore not eligible for this option.

5 years ago

Curtis *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Stuart ********

thank you. Do you happen to know what documentation is typically requested/required as evidence of marriage?

Also as evidence of parent-child relationship?

5 years ago

Stuart *********

@Curtis ********************

not too sure but I’m guessing a marriage certificate and birth certificate would be fine.

5 years ago

Reply to

Stuart *********

Noon **********

If you get a job, your visa must be non-b visa and your partner (legally married) can change their visa into non-o visa.

5 years ago

Garrett ***********

Non-O dependency

5 years ago

Curtis *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

David Broadfoot Ah right. I misread that. Both parent/spouse/child AND part of the household. I misread it as "...OR part of the household"

5 years ago

Curtis *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Garrett **********

5 years ago

Garrett ***********

@Cur***

Non-O, dependent visa.

5 years ago

Curtis *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Garrett **********

would a non-o visa be applicable for both cases, the spouse and/or the child?

Also, would a “partner” possibly qualify for a non-o visa if their “partner” is on a business or education visa but they are not legally married in their native country?

Ie. In the case of what much of the western world would call “common law spouse”?

5 years ago

Garrett ***********

@Cur***

So you can get a dependant visa to a spouse that's working or studying. Honestly not sure how deep the legal validation of marriage goes, but Thailand doesn't recognize common law marriages or same sex marriages.

5 years ago

Curtis *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Garrett **********

the reason I asked is because section three of the non-o guidelines reads;

3. A person who provide or receive support from the person whose nationality is Thai or the alien who has been granted and has taken up permanent residence in Thailand as the parents, spouse or child under patronage and being a part of the household of the said person.

The way that is worded would suggest that a girlfriend/boyfriend would qualify if they were dependent on the person working/studying in Thailand.

5 years ago

Reply to

Curtis *******

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What are the visa options for expats looking to marry and apply for retirement and spouse visas in Thailand?

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