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Should we marry before applying for a Non-O visa in Thailand if one partner is nearing 50?

Non-O VisaVisa Application ProcessThai ImmigrationRetirement VisaMarriage RequirementsLiving in ThailandExpats in Thailand
Aug 7, 2025
23 days ago
Julie **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
I am 53 and planning to move with my fiancé to Hua Hin from the USA in March 2026. Originally we were advised to wait until then because he turns 50 on Feb 28, that we should enter on tourist visas and apply for the non-O when we get there, and that we shouldn’t worry about being married or not.

But now, I’ve been told that we should get married and apply for the non-O before he turns 50 because he would qualify as my dependent. (I still am not sure about when/where to apply for the visa.)

Recommendations? Thanks!
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is planning to move to Hua Hin, Thailand, with their fiancé in March 2026 but is uncertain about the visa application process. Originally advised to enter on tourist visas and apply for Non-O visas upon arrival, they have been suggested to marry beforehand to facilitate a dependent visa for their fiancé. The comments reveal that it's essential to apply for the Non-O visa before leaving the U.S. and emphasize that marriage can simplify the application process, particularly regarding documentation. Various visa options, including Non-O, Non-OA, and elite visas, are discussed alongside bank account requirements and the timing of applying for the visa and signing a lease.
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.
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Apply before you leave your home country!
21 days ago
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Kool *******
@Julie *************
 to make it work you first get married, then you get your type O visa before you come to Thailand, get your Thai bank account, transfer in your bt800,000 to meet the requirement to get your one year extension. Once you have your one year extension on your type O visa based on retirement then you can apply outside Thailand for your spouse's visa based on dependent. This is now how getting a dependent visa extension works. If your spouse is 50 years old, or older, immigration can require both of you to have retirement visa extensions. If you don't get married then immigration treats you both as independent people. They don't recognize "fiancee".
23 days ago
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Julie **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kool ******
 ahhh…so I would basically get there first and do my part, and then once I have the extension in hand, he could come later after me? Or I would have to go get him to come back together?
23 days ago
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Brandon ************
@Julie *************
 I don't actually know of any embassies that still offer this
23 days ago
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Brandon ************
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Julie **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Sorry to belabor the topic, and send a novel of a message, but as I’ve read all of the comments, researched the current Thai visas, and see that so much has changed since we were there in February, it leads me to more wonders…

We are both American citizens, sadly currently dliving in the US, but wanting to retire for at least a year in Thailand. We can meet the financial requirements of the Non-OA visa, but we really hate to tie that money up for so long, and only I will have a monthly pension (although it’s enough that I could have it split between us in the US to show that he also has income coming in). We really want to have a multi-entry visa because we have elderly parents and want to be able to fly home as needed.

Has anyone used an elite visa? Has that been a good alternative option for you?

And yes, we will talk to an agent, but sometimes it’s just good to hear from someone who has gone through something similar.

If we want to make the move at the end of February/early March, how soon do we need to start this process? (This also helps determine when to put my house on the market in the USA, etc. It’s such a domino effect….)

At what point do we need to have the open bank account, and at what point can we sign a 12-month lease to rent a condo? It all feels like chicken and egg.

Phew! Thanks if you read all that and have the energy or desire to provide guidance on any of it.
23 days ago
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Stuart ***********
@Julie *************
 from what you are stating here, it seems like the non-OA visa is the one for you ( multiple entry, no requirement to bank money in Thailand and for between 1 and 2 years). It lasts for one year, but I read that if you work it correctly you can get approximately 2 years from this visa, by arranging a second years insurance and flying in and out of Thailand at the end of the first year. The question about when to do it, i guess depends on the visa you choose, but I believe the non O and non OA are valid for entry for 3 months, so you probably want to apply in about January 2026. Brandon has given you excellent advice on your other points.
23 days ago
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Brandon ************
@Julie *************
 First of all, you need to figure out the different between non-O and non-OA. With the non-OA you don't have to tie any money up, you use money in your home bank account to qualify for a 1-year multiple entry visa. The caveat is that the requirements are higher than the non-O, and you also have to have mandatory health insurance.

With the non-O, you can show money in your home country for the initial 90 day visa, but then once you get to Thailand you have to quickly open the bank account and transfer the money to use for the 1-year extension.

You don't need any type of visa to sign a lease. The landlord doesn't care what type of visa you are on, they just want your rent payment.

If you are even considering elite visa, and the crazy expense of that, look at the LTR Visa first. If you can qualify for it, it's the best visa available currently.

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23 days ago
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Brandon ************
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John *********
Are you going for vacation or to live there longer than a few months? Applying for a tourist visa or Non-O is the same amount of work when applying from your home country. Get your Non-O visa before leaving the US. That will save you a big extra step as opposed to entering without it. Marriage doesn’t make a difference . There are many types of Non-O visas. Don’t worry about the bank account in Thailand fear mongers. Bangkok Bank is the bank to avoid, they have 100 reasons why they won’t give you a bank account. If a bank tells you they will submit your paperwork and let you know in a week, that means give us a week before we tell you NO. With the correct paperwork, Krungthai bank give you a bank account right away. I live in the same country as you for 6 months of the year and the other 6 in Thailand. Been doing that for 4 years. Good luck
23 days ago
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Ally ************
You didn't mention your nationalities.. it appears that at least one of you has a U.S. passport.. but there's a suggestion that one spouse might be a Thai citizen.. given your reference to it 'being easier if a dependent'.. it's certainly an easier ride if you are married to a Thai and apply for the non-o based on marriage.. not necessarily in terms of the bureaucracy involved but in terms of the systems welcome-ness.. but please note if you get married in the U.S. before you travel to Thailand you are going to need a copy of your marriage certificate stamped and certified by the U.S. Consulate.. or the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok if it's done in Thailand.. as well as a translated copy (into Thai) which needs to be certified by the Thai Embassy in your home country.. or by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bangkok if it's done in Thailand.. whereas if you get married in Thailand you will get a Thai marriage certificate.. which removes all of these hoops from the process.. but there will be more bureaucracy involved in getting married here compared to marrying in the U.S.. especially if the foreigner has been married previously or if either party has existing children.. so you need to research this well.. to ensure that when you reach Thailand you have all the documentation you are possibly going to need!
23 days ago
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Julie **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ally ***********
 We're both US citizens. Thanks for that advice.
23 days ago
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Julie **************
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John **********
If you are over 50 then you can get a Non-O visa based on that but your partner can't get. They would need to get their own visa. Even if you get married they still can't get a visa based on yours inside Thailand. They might be able to get one in your home country if you are married before you apply but even then most consulates will only provide that if you have a Non-OA visa not a Non-O visa
23 days ago
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Julie **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
 Thanks!
23 days ago
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Julie **************
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Stuart ***********
Get your non-O retirement visas online from your Thai embassy before coming to Thailand. It's virtually impossible to open a bank account in Thailand with a tourist visa, so you need the non-O first, you can then extend your stay. It used to be possible with a tourist visa, but the banks became very strict earlier this year.
23 days ago
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Julie **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart **********
 Thank you for that advice!
23 days ago
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Julie **************
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Wannikea *********
No piggy backing as dependant on O visa anymore.
23 days ago
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Julie **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Wannikea ********
 I see that.....
23 days ago
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Julie **************
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Phil ******
@Julie *************
 non O visa has many many reasons. Retirement and marriage are just 2. I suggest you read the Thai eVisa website as visas are always changing. Here's the link.

****************************
23 days ago
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Julie **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Phil *****
 I guess I’m most worried about opening the acct and the fact that my fiancé doesn’t believe anything I say. Lol (there’s a reason he’s still just a fiancé)
23 days ago
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Phil ******
@Julie *************
 Ben
@Integrity ******
 can assist too. I suggest you subscribe to his utube channel as lots of good advice and content. He's his latest on banking.
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23 days ago
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Phil ******
@Julie *************
 the visa agents will do this for you too so don't worry. All reputable companies
23 days ago
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Phil ******
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Julie **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Phil *****
 Thanks for the reminder. We're looking at Retirement. And just since we were there in February, many of the visas and requirements seem to have changed, so thanks for the link. We'll be there in September for a few weeks, so we'll stop and talk to an agent to see what our best option is at this point.
23 days ago
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Phil ******
@Julie *************
 agents charge about ฿27k. Come longer and they will have sufficient time. Good luck
23 days ago
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Doug *******
@Phil *****
 Can you elaborate on exactly which facets of obtaining a non O visa an agent takes care of for 27k? I think it is considerably more expensive if they do EVERYTHING.
23 days ago
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Brandon ************
@Doug ******
 An agent will help you get a bank account, then convert you from tourist to non-O visa, then get a 1-year extension from that visa, and possibly also a multiple re-entry permit.
23 days ago
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Phil ******
@Doug ******
 yes for sure. Always get 3 quotations. 3 great agents are
@THAI *****************************
 ,
@Mots *********
 and Tik Tok Services Thailand.You get the initial Visa, the 12-month Extension and the bank account with debit card. What are you expecting?
23 days ago
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Doug *******
@Phil *****
 I only asked because I spent two months on and off discussing details and fees with more than ten agencies including the ones mentioned. None were under about 40,000 Baht so I’m just curious if prices may have dropped in the past eight weeks. I have a Thai phone number but my address is in Rayong Province and I think there might be a small addition charge to “remedy” that.
23 days ago
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Phil ******
@Doug ******
 I'm really not sure what visa or extension you asked about and looks like you didn't talk to these 3 or indeed when you talked to them. Sure other cases like DTV costs more as does non b and others. I answered the OP question but friends in the past used thai visa service and Mots but not Tik tokwho are highly rated. The price is what it is on the day according to your individual circumstances why not call them and find out? Doing it yourself is way cheaper.
23 days ago
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Doug *******
@Phil *****
 I agree. About eight weeks ago MOTS (great agency) and Thai Visa were both at least 10,000 higher than the figure mentioned previously. But things change daily so you’re right about rechecking. My hope is to re-enter the kingdom with 90-day Non O visa in hand then go from there. Thanks.
23 days ago
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Phil ******
@Doug ******
 ok tell me did you want extras? Remember my friend went there 4 months ago before BoT changes and had the ฿800k. Did you?
23 days ago
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Phil ******
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