What are the best visa options and requirements for a British expat planning to marry a Thai citizen?

Jan 9, 2018
7 years ago
Paul ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
hello all thanks for the add. i am british and trying to gather info on visas and cost from people who actually did it . my gf is thai and daughter of mayor in lopburi . what visas can i get what length are they and cost if i first fly in as visitor then we marry then ill either start business with her or work somewhere . im currently in philippines and here if marry can get perm res visa after one year probation. then can work anywhere doing anything no other visa needed. whats best route in thailand?😄
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A British expat is seeking information on the best visa options and processes for marrying a Thai citizen and potentially starting a business in Thailand. Various comments suggest entering Thailand on a Single Entry Tourist Visa or a Multi-Entry Tourist Visa (METV) to maximize stay duration while organizing marriage and paperwork. After marrying, one could apply for a Non-Immigrant O visa based on marriage, which requires proof of financial stability. Others advise against relying on local officials for visa information and discuss the financial requirements, such as having a minimum of 400,000 THB in a Thai bank account for the marriage visa.
Ãœmit ********
you are lucky. Just before come make hotel booking and 2 way air ticket for 1 month. they will ask it at airport. so they will stamp 1 month visa. Later go to your embassy for marriage. They will inform you. Or you can get best info from freelance translator at ja wattana government office. dont lost money to lawer
Ãœmit ********
@David *******
Their behavior is different according to country. This is why you are lucky
Ãœmit ********
@Robert ******
do you know what are these questions?
Robert *******
Questions are not stupid, answers can be stupid.
Ãœmit ********
@Paul *****
If you say that you will stay in gf home then they can ask many stupid question
David ********
I must be lucky because I’ve never been asked for hotel booking, onward travel or 20k when I’ve arrived at airport
Paul ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
no hotel will stay her house ? will i need email or letter stating that?
David ************
That must be some kind of mayor not to have these answers.
Yvonne *********
My thoughts exactly Tod,
David ************
@Tod ********
actually you are right Tod. My wife ran for Mayor a few years ago and doesn’t really know any of this stuff. I guess I should have my coffee before commenting so early. Lol
Tod *********
Not surprisingly, most thaiz (I don't care how influential they might or might not be) don't have the slightest clue about visas/extensions for foreigners here.
Yvonne *********
One last thing, I would like to mention, after great advice from Tod. The mayor will know nothing at all about Thai Visas, and its better to rely on your own info about that side of things.
Tod *********
I would say seeing as you have no idea what you're really wanting to do once you get here that a 6 month METV <- multi-entry tourist visa is the best option.

If you work that visa correctly you can get almost 9 months of stay out of it. That is certainly long enough for you to get your ducks in a row and quacking in time.

The last thing you need is a gun to your head visa wise where you're going to make a poor decision just to futher your stay here (no matter if your g/f is the daughter of the mayor of lopburi or not ;) )
Robert *******
You can come in on a Single Entry Tourist Visa, which will give you 60 days. If you marry and have 15 days left on the Admitted to Stay date, you can apply for a Non Immigrant O visa based on marriage, cost 2.000 Thb for 90 days. Than you can extend for 1 year if you meet the financial requirement of minimum 400.000 Thb on Thai bank account or minimum 40.000 Thb a month income. To work you still need a work permit next to your Non Immigrant O visa based on marriage. I do not think it is a big pro that she is a daughter of the mayor in Lopburi. But he can as he wants help out with the paper works needed.
Paul ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jamie *****
yes 10k usa dollars less if retirred military or older with a certain pension incomming
Jamie ******
Paul Cobb how much do you need in the Philippine bank for retirement

Think the last time I looked it was
*****
pounds based on age or that might have been dollars
Jamie ******
@Paul *****
sent you a pm
Jamie ******
800.000
Paul ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jamie *****
any chance you lnow retierment visa reqs? im only 52 so no pension yet but if similar to ph just need certain amount in bank acct to be eligible ?
Jamie ******
Paul Cobb all the best Paul , I’m sure you will enjoy Thailand Different buzz to Philippines for sure ,,,the visas are a pain in the neck and many married couples go for the retirement visa ,,,,that should tell you all you need to know about the marriage visa ,,,haha ,,I’m sure with your family connections you will be less stressed out than others , enough said.

I’ve actually had enough of visas here and am trying to get boots on the ground information about the living costs in the Philippines

I know it’s all apples and carts with regards cost of living

But the widely spoken English is another factor

Try to learn Thai writing as quick as you can along with speaking of course
Paul ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jamie *****
will be staying in lop buri not sure if has immigration office but is decent size city so would think it does.
Jamie ******
@Robert ******
I’m sure I wrote 6
*****
0s haha yes 2 months the first year ,then 3 months the following years .

I was only saying about visas ,work permits ,residency etc etc are much much easier in the Philippines and cheaper by a long way over the long run .

Yes it is possible to get residency in Thailand on a UK passport but I would suggest it would take him at least 7-8 years before he was even considered and then there is no guarantee of getting it as each country passport there is only a certain number from each country that can get it and the brits and the yanks have the highest number of people applying ,,,,

Till that process is sorted it is yearly visas ,so you would want to set up near an immigration office that handles visas when deciding where to stay
Robert *******
I would go to Thailand but every one his opinion. It is not 4.000.000 as
@Jamie *****
writes but only 400.000 Thb for 2 months in a bank account. With help of your father in law to be it would be no problem to open a bank account. Some branches makes it difficult others will say no problem.
Paul ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
thanks thats the info was looking for no rush to marry and money should be np in bank acct . speaking of which how hard to get bank acct here in ph its almost impossible on tourist visa unless a jiont acct. ?
Jamie ******
And you need to have the
*****
00 in a bank for 2 or is it 3 months before applying for the marriage visa .

Work visa is another kettle of fish even if you start a business with your wife I’m sure someone will tell you about that later ,,,,I would stay in the Philippines and visit Thailand
Jamie ******
It’s easier to get a resident visa For the Philippines ,,,,you won’t be able to even apply for residency for quite a number of years after you marry and the criteria is a lot tougher than Philippines

For Thailand get a double entry tourist visa ,that can be extended up to 6 months that will give you enough time to get all the paper work you need to get married in Thailand .

It doesn’t really matter that she is the daughter of the mayor

Or maybe it does

Ask him about visas
Tod *********
@Jamie *****
they stopped double and triple entry tourist visas back on the 13th of November 2015. :/ That's when they went to either a single entry or a 6 month METV.
Ciaran **********
@Jamie *****
Approximately 2 years, give or take.
Jamie ******
@Ciaran *********
they must have changed it recently then as there was a single ,double and triple entry
Marie *******
As far as I know multiple entry can only be obtain in your country of residence
Ciaran **********
There's no such thing as a double entry tourist visa. Only single - 60 days, or multi - 6 months.
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