Answereda year ago

What are the requirements for applying for a Non-O marriage visa outside of Thailand, specifically in Japan?

Non-O visa Thai marriage visa visa application process immigration expat advice applying from abroad

Abigail ********

asked Jun 17, 2025

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Hi all, I am currently on a Non-B visa (for the past two years) but recently got married to a Thai male and am planning to change over to Non-O marriage visa, we plan to leave the country and apply outside, but we aren’t sure where we want to go. Due to having to go out we decided to make it into a trip and want to go to Japan. Has anyone applied for a Non-O in Japan or outside the country and what was required?

I have a list of requirements but it can be different depending on the country your apply in and we’ve read and been advised so many different ways and options that it’s a bit confusing now.

Any advice or clarification would be wonderful! 

Thank you!

Answer summary

The user, currently on a Non-B visa, is considering switching to a Non-O marriage visa after marrying a Thai national. They plan to apply from outside Thailand, potentially in Japan, and seek advice on requirements and procedures. Comments provide mixed insights, with some suggesting it's possible to change the visa status inside Thailand, while others reinforce the belief that leaving the country for the application may be simpler. Clarifications on the visa process and experiences were shared, particularly the differences in requirements based on the location of application.

13 repliesnewest first

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Marianne ********

What Immigration Office did you go to that told you this?

a year ago

Abigail ********

@Marianne *******

Changwhattana Bangkok

a year ago

Abigail ********

I’m on a Non-B year visa, however I already spoke with immigration along with my husband and every person we spoke with said I had to leave Thailand to cut my Non-B visa, I have to leave the foundation that I work with cut the visa and leave the country. They did say I can return on a tourist visa and change to Non-O at the end of the tourist stay, or I can apply outside, I’ve been advised by others, one couple being married to a Thai male as well, that it is easier to apply outside of the country than inside because they require different things.

While the process is still easier due to the fact I’m an American renal marrying and Thai male the requirements are less but there are still a few requirements. So we just felt if we had to leave anyways why not apply at the Thai consolation in the place we leave to.

a year ago

Graham ******

@Abigail *******

I don't think that you are on a Non-B visa for the last two years. Look at the latest stamp in your passport which probably stays "Extension of Stay Permirred up to _____" just like this

a year ago

Stuart *********

@Abigail *******

So you’re on a Non B visa that you bought from a Thai consulate prior to coming to Thailand (and have done so for the past two years)?

a year ago

Abigail ********

@Stuart ********

yes I went to Laos and got a Non-B through the Thai organization I work with then a workers permit and every year I have to go back out and get a new one, last year when I renewed I had to first go to turn in cancellation papers to cancel visa go to Cambodia boarder to switch to tourist visa (due to new requirement that said we had to cut our workers permit before getting new visa but now it has changed again and they won’t accept Cambodia boarder stamps) and now I will cut my visa for the second time but for good, I will switch to Non-O, but just trying to find the easiest option with less hassle lol

a year ago

John **********

@Abigail *******

are you on a visa or an extension of stay? Look in your passport

a year ago

Abigail ********

@John *********

I’m on a Non-B visa which is why immigration said I have to leave the country after checking my passport, they told us they aren’t able to switch my Non-B to a Non-O because I can’t hold a workers permit on a Non-O so I have to cancel my visa and my workers permit then I can switch

a year ago

John **********

@Abigail *******

yep, if you are indeed on a visa you do need to leave the country (without a re-entry permit) after cancelling your work permit. You can't actually cancel a visa so all you can do is make it void by leaving. Only tourist type visas (visa, visa exempt, DTV) can convert to another visa type inside the country

a year ago

Johan **************

You can get a marriage extension inside the country at the immigration office. I always got it here anyway.

a year ago

Abigail ********

@Johan *************

I tried that but immigration said I had to go out of the country and cut my Non-B visa to tourist visa, that they can not just change my Non-B to a Non-O, I woukd hace to first be on a tourist visa. I’m not sure why but maybe because it’s a workers visa changing to a marriage visa so I have to cut ties with my organization first

a year ago

Stuart *********

Why do you need to leave? You’re not on a Non B visa, you’re on an extension of stay. You can change the reason for extension when yours is up for renewal.

a year ago

Abigail ********

@Stuart ********

I’m on a Non-B though my Thai organization, it was even stated by immigration that I am on a Non-B visa therefore I have to switch to tourist visa and then apply for Non-O or go out and switch outside before coming back for a 60 day non-o then extend for one year (based upon what immigration officers have told me)

a year ago