Answered5 years ago

Should I apply for a new Non-OA visa or switch to a marriage visa after getting married in Thailand?

Retirement Non-OA Visa Non-O Visa Marriage Visa Visa Extension Visa Application Process Bank Deposit Requirements

Ted ********

asked Jan 18, 2022

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I am a 60 year old American on the 2nd leg of my Retirement Non-OA Visa which ends October 2022. I will be getting married to Thai woman in February and I plan to visit the USA for July and August (possibly September too). My question is this: Does it make more sense to just apply for a new Non-OA when back in the states VS trying for an extension while here in Thailand with all the bank deposit requirements etc.?  Or does the marriage visa trump both of these options? (by 2nd leg I mean that I left Thailand during first year of my visa (July '21) then returned to Thailand in October '21 just before the visa expired in Nov '21.)

Any thoughts, ideas etc...?

Answer summary

A 60-year-old American on a Retirement Non-OA Visa is considering options for extending his stay in Thailand after getting married to a Thai woman. He is weighing whether to apply for a new Non-OA visa upon returning to the USA or attempt an extension while in Thailand, considering the requirements of bank deposits. Community members suggest that the Non-OA visa can lead to a long-term stay without extensions, while pointing out the advantages of applying for a marriage-based Non-O visa, which has lower financial requirements. Recommendations favor applying for the Non-O visa in the USA and then securing a one-year extension upon returning to Thailand after marriage.

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Steve *******

Just get the Non Imm O in the States based on marriage and apply for the 1 year extention of stay when you return to Thailand. No insuarance needed and only 400k tbh in the bank.

Steve **********

agree..Best bet

Ted ********

how long is the Non Imm O based on marriage valid? How often would I be required to renew?

5 years ago

Steve *******

@Ted *******

Valid for 90 on entry then apply for the 1 year extention of stay. Re new the extention every year.

5 years ago

Terary **********

I wonder if its better to marry her locally or take her back to the US and marry her? I am considering marriage and not sure which is best.

5 years ago

Terary **********

Can she get a green card without ever going to the US? I though it might be nice to take to see the sights, but not live.

5 years ago

Kool *******

@Terary *********

marry her here, then you don't have to get your US marriage license translated, and you can also get a type O extension based on marriage. Also, the wait period in either case can be over a year for her to get a visa to the US. It is not automatic. It is very involved just getting to the interview stage for her, and even being married it is never a guarantee she will get a visa to the US. The US recognizes legal Thai marriages, so you don't have to get married again. What some people do is get married here then at the same time they apply for her visa to the US they also apply for her Green Card here. It takes longer, but then in the future she doesn't have to go through the hassle of the US visa process, but, she can still be turned down.

5 years ago

Stuart *********

Almost certainly they won’t extend your stamp that early. You’re probably better off getting a new non OA back home and then working out your best route going forward from there. You can’t switch to a “marriage” extension from an OA visa but once you have extended that once (you’re on an extension of stay) you can switch the reason for an extension at the next application.

5 years ago

Bobby ********

OA you can use home country funds and if borders are open you can effectively get two years from the one visa, without having to apply for extension. O (married to a Thai) you need money in Thailand (400k) but it's cheaper than the 800k required for retirement visa

5 years ago