Answered10 months ago
What are the best visa options for transitioning from a spouse-based visa in Thailand due to relationship issues?
Hi everyone,
I’m looking for advice on Thailand visa options in a difficult personal situation.
I’m currently in Thailand on a spouse-based visa, but due to a serious relationship breakdown (infidelity and separation), my wife has asked for space and limited communication.
I cannot remain legally dependent on another person, so I need to transition to an independent visa as soon as possible.
I have time until 31 July 2026, sufficient funds, and I work remotely / run my own business.
Could anyone advise on:
• Viable visa options in this situation
• Whether conversion is possible without leaving Thailand
• Recommended visa agents or lawyers
I’m not looking for relationship advice — only legal/immigration guidance.
Thank you in advance
I’m looking for advice on Thailand visa options in a difficult personal situation.
I’m currently in Thailand on a spouse-based visa, but due to a serious relationship breakdown (infidelity and separation), my wife has asked for space and limited communication.
I cannot remain legally dependent on another person, so I need to transition to an independent visa as soon as possible.
I have time until 31 July 2026, sufficient funds, and I work remotely / run my own business.
Could anyone advise on:
• Viable visa options in this situation
• Whether conversion is possible without leaving Thailand
• Recommended visa agents or lawyers
I’m not looking for relationship advice — only legal/immigration guidance.
Thank you in advance
Answer summary
The user is seeking guidance on visa options in Thailand after a breakdown in their marriage. They hold a spouse-based visa expiring in July 2026 and require advice on transitioning to an independent visa. Comments suggest options like the DTV (Digital Nomad Visa), retirement visa (if over 50), and Elite visa. The conversion process and the need for potential travel outside Thailand to apply for these visas are also discussed, alongside recommendations for seeking professional assistance.
35 repliesnewest first
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Wullie ********
Best of luck mate sorry for your situation
Bill *********
I'd suggest you get consultation from the moderator of this forum: Thailand Visa Advice. Absolutely get an agent involved to get everything sorted out. Not relationship advice to you but for everybody else that is reading this in a marriage Visa arrangement... take this unfortunate guy's situation as a hint of what can happen. Set up a Visa entirely on your own and not dependent on anybody else, especially a Thai female!
Kurt *************
Elite/dtv or retirement if over 50
ThoughtfulSa************
OP@Kurt ************
I had ED visas before and Elite told me they know acknowledgment for it... which I have to go and pay people up because it was something done by an agent when after COIVD + DTV will cancel all my Thai bank accounts.Greg ***********
have a nice day Mister big m...h Jeremy Miller. Blocking you was the best thing I could have done today 😆
Maxim ***********
@Greg **********
I don't think I blocked him, yet I can't see his comments?Brandon ************
@Greg **********
I've had him blocked for years at this pointGreg ***********
@Brandon ***********
now it looks like there is the next one I will have to block, luring just around the corner, a "farang walking" 😂Greg ***********
@Brandon ***********
we seem to block the same people. Tod McGowan is on my holiday list, too 😄Brandon ************
@Greg **********
I have his original profile blocked, so I cannot even see what profile his nickname is tied to. Tod McGowan too. Actually I have a lot of people blocked.
Chris ************
Thai elite. Pay up and be free of relationship advice. You run a business I'm sure you can write it off. Even depreciate it over the term. (I have no idea I. Your country tax laws)
Greg ***********
@Chris ***********
you are not allowed to work remotely on an ELITE Privilege visa. He would have to stay under the radar if he plans to do thatJohn **********
You can't work remotely on the visa you are currently on so you are currently working illegally. There are only 2 visas that allow you to legally work remotely, the LTR Remote Worker visa which I don't think you will qualify for and the DTV workation visa. You need to leave Thailand to apply for the DTV visa as it can only be applied for at a Thai consulate.
Greg ***********
@John *********
??? isn't he able to get a work permit if he is married to a Thai and has obtained a 1-year extension of the stay permit based on being married to a Thai? Well, he must work for a Thai company or his own licensed in Thailand company. For remote work for a foreign company he can't get a work permitJohn **********
@Greg **********
sure he can get a work permit to work for a Thai entity. Working remotely requires a specific visa that allows you to do that.Greg ***********
If your divorce officially does not pass court before July 2026, and if you are older than 50 years, up from 30 days before the expiry of your current 1-year Extension of Stay permit, you can apply for the "CHANGE OF REASON" of the extension. From reason "married" to reason "retirement". You would need a minimum of 800,000 THB in your Thai bank account, seasoned for a minimum of 2 months, confirmed by a bank letter statement, on the day you apply.
Jeremy ********
@Greg **********
but yet you missed his most significant verbiage in his post Amazing you with 25 years experience blah blah blah missed it
You can’t work on a retirement visa…but 25 years of experience would let you know this…
Greg ***********
@Jeremy *******
I never said that I work on my retirement extensions 🤣😃 WHERE did you pick this up?? 😎 (btw, there is not only one "retirement visa" - it can mean seven (7) different visas or stay permits)John **********
@Greg **********
the issue is he isn't on a visa/extension that allows him to work remotely now. Good advice would have to go and get a DTV based on workation as this is 1 of only 2 visa options that allows remote work
Graham ******
@Greg **********
I doubt very much that the OP currently has a work permit so the change to retirement extension would be like-for-likeGreg ***********
@Jeremy *******
just tell me what is wrong advising him to change the "reason" of the extension from marriage to retirement, as this is the way to go if you are over 50 and facing a divorce. It is the 100% CORRECT advice. Of course there are other options which I have not mentioned, due to the OP not ging us much personal detail. He can get a work permit on a "marriage extension", however if he changes the reason to retirement, he can't work on this any moreJeremy ********
@Greg **********
don’t get mad Mr 25 years experience You offered him a visa knowing it was wrong because you didn’t understand his posting nor did you read it 100%
A person with 25 years experience needs to be better when offering advice
John **********
@Jeremy *******
he can't legally work remotely on the visa he's currently onGreg ***********
@Jeremy *******
I already worked in Bangkok in the jewellery trade in the late nineties, but NEVER on my retirement extensionsJeremy ********
Michael ********
How old are you ? If over 50 you can just change your extension to retirement. If under 50 you have elite or DTV but be aware if on DTV you may have issues with your bank
ThoughtfulSa************
OP@Michael *******
Not 50 so I cannot do retirement. Yeah people told me about DTV about banks, I don't know what the fuck Thai gov does when they make up new laws for visas but add some inconvinence .Michael ********
ThoughtfulSalamander6046 no new laws, banks have had to do something about tbe scams though, same all over asia
Pete *******
DTV or Non-O based on being over 50.
Jeremy ********
DTV
Elite visa
Elite visa
Brandon ************
You can remain in Thailand until July 2026, as long as you don't get divorced. If you get divorced, you must leave Thailand as of the day the divorce is final. Your extension will be invalid that day.
Since you said you work remotely, you should be able to qualify for a DTV. This will require you to do a border bounce every 180 days, but you'll have a 5-year visa. You cannot get this from within Thailand though, so you'll need to go to a nearby country like Vietnam or Laos to apply there.
Since you said you work remotely, you should be able to qualify for a DTV. This will require you to do a border bounce every 180 days, but you'll have a 5-year visa. You cannot get this from within Thailand though, so you'll need to go to a nearby country like Vietnam or Laos to apply there.
ThoughtfulSa************
OP@Brandon ***********
Does DTV will cancel all my Thai banks? I had these accounts for years? I asked Siam Legal and they said they would because it's a tourist visa.ThoughtfulSa************
OPWhere can I see the eligible countries for DTV?
I’m from Iran
I’m from Iran
Brandon ************
ThoughtfulSalamander6046 There is no list of eligible countries. Everyone can get a DTV if they qualify.
ThoughtfulSa************
OP@Brandon ***********
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