Answered5 years ago

Is it possible to start the process for a marriage visa while holding a Non-O retirement visa in Thailand?

Non-O Visa Marriage Visa Retirement Visa Visa Extension Thailand Immigration Covid Extension

Peter *******

asked Feb 1, 2022

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Hello,

I am in the process of getting a Non O Visa based on retirement as my current Visa expires late March.

I have the valid financial position to get one for the required time period.

I normally work in the UK in tourism but because of Covid I haven’t had work there.

But I do not know how things are going to go this year.

I thought about getting a marriage visa because it opens the possibility of working in Thailand.

But I do not have enough time to get a marriage visa before my current visa expires at the end of March as I’m not married to my fiancé yet.

I would like to look at starting the process for a marriage visa now to prepare to change to one from my non o retirement visa when I get it in case I have to look at working in Thailand.

Is this possible?

If it is, what it’s the process I would have to follow? For the marriage visa & for changing to a marriage visa from a non o retirement visa.

How long would it take for the marriage visa process?

I am currently living in Phuket on a covid extension but I cannot get another one because I had a education visa after my tourist visa before  lastly changing to a covid visa.

My passport with my current visa is 🇬🇧 and I also have a New Zealand passport without one.

I’d appreciate your thoughts on my best plan of action.

Many thanks in advance 🙏

Answer summary

The user is seeking advice on transitioning from a Non-O retirement visa to a marriage visa in Thailand in light of an impending visa expiration. They have sufficient financial backing for the Non-O visa but are considering a marriage visa for future work opportunities. The responses highlight that the user may be eligible to apply for a yearly extension based on retirement directly without needing a Non-O visa, given their previous educational visa status and current circumstances.

11 repliesnewest first

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Tod *********

@Peter ******

we seem to be having a disconnect and you need to READ what I am writing in my responses

IF you showed up on a tourist visa, changed to an ED visa, used that for a year and now are on covid extensions you DO NOT NEED TO GET ANY Non-O visa 🙁

You can simply go to the immigration office NOW (seeing as you have the 800K baht seasoned in your account for 2 months at this point) and apply for the year EXTENSION OF STAY based on retirement

Again, just so you understand what I'm saying you do NOT need to get a Non-O visa at all, you're going to apply for a yearly extension based on retirement from the OLD ED visa/extension because the requirement to get a year extension based on retirement/marriage is that you previously held a non-Immigrant type visa (NOT that you held a Non-O, it's ANY Non-Imm visa) and you did hold an ED one so you just need to go apply for the year extension.

When you have 30 days or less left on your current covid extension, get the bank letter, update the bank book, fill out the TM7, and GO apply for a yearly extension based on retirement at the immigration office for 1900 baht.

5 years ago

James ********

What visa did you first enter Thailand with? When was that?

You say you had an Ed Visa

then went on COVID extension.

If you entered with a Non Immigrant visa you are no longer eligible for another COVID extension per newly announced rules.

At the end of your current permission to stay date ...you will have to leave Thailand.

You could make application for a 30 day extension...but with it being denied you will be given 7 days to depart Thailand.

Hopefully the reply just made by

@Tod ********

offers a glimmer of hope 🙏🙏

5 years ago

Peter *******

@James *******

I entered on a tourist visa in Feb 2020 and then changed to an education visa in April 2020 as I was worried I couldn’t stay.

Then just short of a year using the ed visa I cancelled it and changed to a covid extension and have been on one since

I understand the last visa before the first covid extension is the one they take into account extending it.

Mine was the Ed visa not the tourist visa

5 years ago

James ********

@Peter ******

please see my update above.

5 years ago

Tod *********

@Peter ******

That means you don't NEED any Non-O visa at all, everything tracks back to the previous VISA you held before you went on covid exetnsion and that was a Non-Immigrant Type ED visa/extension

You just need to meet the requirements for what ever extension you're going to apply for (800K baht banked for 2 months if you're going for a retirement extension and 400K bhat banked for 2 months if you're going for a marriage extension)

You can't do that the only option is to leave/re-enter and start over

Peter *******

thank you 🙏

Peter *******

thank you 🙏

James ********

see

latest reply

FOLLOW HIS ADVICE

5 years ago

Peter *******

@Tod ********

thank you. I have had the money banked for over 3 months now so I meet both requirements.

The problem is the time.

I don’t think I have time to get the marriage visa

I understand it takes 2-3months to do everything from starting the process to getting the marriage visa.

I only have 1.5months till my covid visa expires and I am asked to leave.

It looks like I will have to apply for the non o retirement visa instead.

It’s the time left that is the problem

5 years ago

James ********

@Peter ******

update...

Sorry...after conferring with Tod it appears you are not able to obtain the extension of stay you need based on marriage to Thai.

You can ask Thai immigration for their advice.

If there is no solution available inside Thailand...you may need to consider going to Phnom Penh Cambodia to get a new visa.

If married ...get a Non O married to Thai. Or get a new Tourist visa and enter ...followed by seeking extension of stay based on marriage to Thai.

Time is tight...

Get married...get the 400,000 Thai baht on the bank in your name ASAP...

register your marriage with local Amphur...

With marriage...

You may be able to apply for one time family visit 60 day extension...(just a MAYBE)

@Tod ********

offered good options

5 years ago

Tod *********

Sadly for you seeing as you went to covid extensions FROM an ED visa extension even if you got married you'd have to show the funds were in the account for 2 months before you apply for a yearly extension based on marriage.

The way you are here now means you wouldn't need to get a Non-O visa just change the reason for your extension (which was originally based on education, is now based on covid and IF you got married and met the requirements would be based on marriage.

About all you can do is bank the 400K baht in a thai bank account in your name only, GET married.

As far as you being here with two passports, unless you leave, come back into the country (by air) you can't switch passports so if you get married and do manage to meet the financial requirements you'd get the extension on the passport you have your covid extension in (assuming that's the one that you also had your ED extensions in)

5 years ago