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What are the experiences of expats over 50 bringing their under 50 wives to Thailand on a dependent visa after obtaining a non-O retirement visa?

Non-O Retirement Visa Dependent Visa Visa Application Process Expat Experiences in Thailand Marriage Visa Requirements Immigration Rules Thailand

Apr 2, 2025

2 days ago

Jaden *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Has anyone here, over 50, brought their wife who is under 50 to Thailand.   They got a non-o retirement visa and the wife got a dependent visa.   I read this process of getting a depedent visa could be difficult and may not be successful, so I'd like to know about other people's experience doing this.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

Many expats have shared their experiences regarding the complexities of acquiring a dependent visa for their spouses after obtaining a Non-O retirement visa in Thailand. Some report success in getting a dependent visa after the husband secured an OA retirement visa, while others mention strict requirements and the difficulty of obtaining the necessary 90-day Non-O visas. There's an indication that the rules have changed recently, complicating the process for foreigners. Documents such as verified marriage certificates have been highlighted as essential for the application, and there are mixed feelings about the current immigration process, leading to confusion for many in similar situations.

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Mio *******************

Yikes, I am so confused. I think I am in the same situation.

I was told at Jomtien immigration to go out of the country and apply for the 90-day visa based on marriage and then to extend it once I was back in Thailand. I showed them my husband's passport/retirement visa and they confirmed the process. I even asked if it was better to do the guardian visa option (I have 2 kids in school), and the immigration officer told me the spouse/dependent visa was the best choice.

So here I am, in Cambodia waiting for the e-visa to be approved. I hope this wasn't a waste of time.

a day ago

Julane *******

I managed to get a dependent Visa based on Husband have his O extension in April 2023. But later that year, overseas embassies stopped issuing the 90 day O visa (which is necessary to get first in order to covert to a dependent visa).

Getting an OA retirement visa seems to be the only way to get a dependent spouse visa now.

Good luck. Once I got mine, it's been easy to extend though.

2 days ago

Colin *********

@Julane ******

in sure that

@Tod ********

will correct me if I'm wrong (or delete my comment), but the Non-O Visa is still available at Embassies/Consulates overseas. I think it was the Non-O 12 month Multiple Entry Visas that are no longer available.

a day ago

Tod *********

@Colin ********

you cannot get a Non-O visa issued to a spouse of a non-O visa/extension holder based on retirement, they do not issue Non-O trailing spouse visas for that reason at all

a day ago

Mohamed *******

@Colin ********

I was planning on getting a retirement visa when I turn 50 with my wife as dependent. Is it still possible to do ? Either in Thailand or one of neighboring countries? Thank you

a day ago

Tod *********

@Mohamed ******

nope can't get that visa any longer, YOU can get the Non-O and year extension your foreign wife cannot

a day ago

Reply to

Tod *********

Mohamed *******

@Julane ******

what's the difference between O and Oa ? Thank you

2 days ago

Colin *********

@Mohamed ******

Non-OA Visa application fee is about double the price, requires a Police Clearance, Health Insurance and maybe one or two other things that the Non-O doesn't require. It also has to be applied for in one's own country of residence, where the Non-O, you can apply for within Thailand, or any overseas Embassy or Consulate.

a day ago

Julane *******

@Colin ********

I tried to get the necessary 90 day non O visa in 3 different countries (where I lived and then the country of my passport...neither would issue it). I finally got it in a neighboring country (Malaysia) which no longer issues them (based on trailing spouse/dependent).

a day ago

Reply to

Julane *******

Tilly ***********

We had it! We needed an original marriage certificate that was stamped and signed by the city who issued this document, Dutch ministry of foreign affairs and Thai Ministry based in the Netherlands. (They all needed to verify each other stamps 🙃)With this document and my husband’s paperwork I got the visa without need for the double income.

2 days ago

Ellie *******

@Tilly **********

, and when was it?

a day ago

Reply to

Ellie *******

Wayne *******

Did it and successful extension 7 years in a row including daughter.

2 days ago

Tod *********

@Wayne ******

not recently you didn't (as in you didn't get a new Non-O visa issued to your spouse or family)

As I said it's been WAY over a year or more since the consulates AND the immigration offices stopped issuing those "piggy back" Non-O visas to spouse/family of Non-O visa/extension holders based on retirement

2 days ago

Reply to

Tod *********

Unless I am greatly mistaken there are zero successful reports of foreigners on Non-O's based on retirement getting their foreign spouses a 'trailing spouse' Non-O either inside the country OR at any thai consulate in the last year or more 😮

They stopped issuing 90 day Non-O visas for that reason (spouse of a foreigner on a Non-O visa/extension based on retirement) a good while back.

2 days ago

Reply to

Tod *********

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What happened with my dependent retirement visa application in Thailand?

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