Answered3 years ago

What are the differences between applying for a Non-O marriage visa and a Non-O visa for raising a Thai child?

Non-O Visa Thai Marriage Visa Child Visa Visa Application Process Expats in Thailand Visa Rules

Nicko ******

asked Oct 3, 2023

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Hello everyone. 

Just looking for some advide please. 

What are the main differences when applying for non-o marriage visa compared to a non-o to stay for your child (half thai/british) ?

I believe you still need the 400k In bank for application and extension, but other than that is it just a case of different docs to prove child, rather than wife and physically taking the child with you for application?

Has anyone taken this route over marriage and if so was it just same level of procedures as via wife route?

Thank you for the advice.

Answer summary

The main differences in applying for a Non-O marriage visa and a Non-O visa for raising a child (half Thai/British) mainly revolve around documentation and the conditions under which the visa is granted. While both processes require a 400,000 baht bank balance, applying for a visa based on raising a child doesn’t have the same stipulated 'seasoning' period for funds as the marriage route does. However, many immigration offices still require the funds to be seasoned. The paperwork and procedures are largely the same, including potential home visits and the need to present the child during the process.

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Tod *********

Basically the same thing and most offices won't even let you use "raising half thai child" as the reason for your extension IF you're married to the thai mother, they make you do "marriage to a thai"

The people who are on raising thai child extensions as a rule are foreign fathers who were not married to the thai mother when the child was born, and who've gotten legal parental rights granted via the Amphur or thru family court to use the child as a reason to stay.

The only REAL difference in the two visa/extensions is that there is no officially listed 'seasoning' for the 400k baht when getting a raising half thai child extension, versus the 2 month seasoning for married to a thai extension BUT more and more offices are making people on those raising children extensions season the funds anyway..

In short there's really no upside, it's virtually the same paperwork, you still get a 30 day under consideration stamp, you still get the home visit (if your office does those) and

you still take the child / your thai wife to the extension process even if you're getting the extension only based on raising a child.

3 years ago

Nicko ******

@Tod ********

thanks for the insight.

I'm not sure what to proceed with first now because basically I'll be going through a divorce likely soon and trying to ensure I can stay here to be close to kids without being forced to leave and causing disruption.

We were married first, but splitting, and so what do people usually do in this case, does thailand just expect one parent to leave their kids? Seems harsh.

I'll need to get legal advice first I guess, to ensure I get such allowance is what you'd advise?

3 years ago

Ellie *******

@Nicko *****

, you have a parental right naturally if your child was born under wedlock. But remember, you need to live with that Thai family member to apply for visa/extension based on being married to a Thai or a parent of a Thai Child. Means, You have to "live with" the child not just "stay close" if you want to go that way.

Sorry, this is a Thai VIsa advice group. We cannot allow you to discuss "what about divorced parents".

3 years ago

Tod *********

@Nicko *****

okay that's a completely different thing. IF you're on a yearly extension based on marriage to a thai, and you get divorced, you need to get all the documents and everything you need to apply for a new extension based on raising thai children (which you DO already have parental rights for as you were married when they were born) and when you sign the divorce decree at the amphur your extension becomes invalid that day.

You can usually go to your immigration office, let them know you're getting a divorce and asking them the process to "change the reason" for your extension from marriage to raising children.

3 years ago