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What are the requirements for applying for a Non-O visa to visit my partner and son in Thailand from Vietnam?
Non-O VisaVisa RequirementsThailandFamily VisaImmigrationExpat LifeVisa ApplicationLegal RightsFamily Relations
Dec 8, 2025
5 months ago
Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTERHello everyone,
I want to apply for a Non-O visa to visit my family in Thailand. I'm in Vietnam, Hanoi. I have a son and a partner there, and we are not married. From what I understand, I should choose the Non-Immigrant Visa (O).
The required documents are:
1. Biodata page of passport – the first page of my passport with my personal details. OK.
2. A photo not older than 6 months – OK.
3. Document indicating current location – I don’t really understand this. Should it be a photo of my passport with the entry stamp? Or a document from the owner of the room I’m renting?
4. Financial evidence – I have an account in a Thai bank with the required amount, but is a printed statement enough? Since I’m abroad, I can’t obtain an original bank statement with their stamp.
5. Personal details of family in Thailand – I have photos of my partner’s ID, but my son doesn’t have any documents yet. What should I provide yet? Maybe invitation letter from my partner?
6. Proof of relationship – I have a photo of my son’s birth certificate. Is it enough?
Do I need anything else?
The points above come from the official eVisa website.
However! On the website of the Thai Embassy in Hanoi there are additional requirements! Check this out
1. Copy of the Thai child’s birth certificate AND a copy of their passport or ID…
But my son doesn’t have any of that.
2. Copy of the Thai house registration book, certified true copy, signed and dated.
What is that? We don’t own a house.
I’m confused.
I want to apply for a Non-O visa to visit my family in Thailand. I'm in Vietnam, Hanoi. I have a son and a partner there, and we are not married. From what I understand, I should choose the Non-Immigrant Visa (O).
The required documents are:
1. Biodata page of passport – the first page of my passport with my personal details. OK.
2. A photo not older than 6 months – OK.
3. Document indicating current location – I don’t really understand this. Should it be a photo of my passport with the entry stamp? Or a document from the owner of the room I’m renting?
4. Financial evidence – I have an account in a Thai bank with the required amount, but is a printed statement enough? Since I’m abroad, I can’t obtain an original bank statement with their stamp.
5. Personal details of family in Thailand – I have photos of my partner’s ID, but my son doesn’t have any documents yet. What should I provide yet? Maybe invitation letter from my partner?
6. Proof of relationship – I have a photo of my son’s birth certificate. Is it enough?
Do I need anything else?
The points above come from the official eVisa website.
However! On the website of the Thai Embassy in Hanoi there are additional requirements! Check this out
1. Copy of the Thai child’s birth certificate AND a copy of their passport or ID…
But my son doesn’t have any of that.
2. Copy of the Thai house registration book, certified true copy, signed and dated.
What is that? We don’t own a house.
I’m confused.
TLDR : Answer Summary
A user is seeking guidance on applying for a Non-O visa to visit their family in Thailand from Vietnam. They have questions about necessary documents, especially regarding proof of their relationship with their son and partner, and face confusion regarding additional requirements from the Thai Embassy. Community members address issues related to legal parental rights due to the user's unmarried status and suggest alternative routes for obtaining legal recognition as the father before applying for the visa.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
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Nongnuch ********
You are not married to the mother, thus you have no automatic parental rights over your alleged son, and cannot apply for the Non-O Family Visa.
The mother being your girlfriend does NOT make her “family”
Even with your name on the birth certificate, you normally still need a Thai Family Court order or an Amphur registration and acknowledgement, to be the legal father of the child, and for this you would be issued official documentation, for use of a visa and extension application.
It also can depend on the age of the kid, to get legal paternal rights.
Some people claim they were able to get registered as the legal father on the Amphur, even when they were NOT married to the mother, as long as the child is under 5 years old. I strongly doubt these reports, they probably “got lost in translation”. You would need to be married to the mother.
ONE MORE TIME, MY 5 CENTS:
***Without an acknowledged marriage and the Kor Ror 22 or 2 (whichever applies)
OR
*** the Amphur or Thai Family Court issued document that acknowledges your paternal rights,
You cannot apply neither for the Non-Imm-O Family Visa, nor for the 1-year Extension
The mother being your girlfriend does NOT make her “family”
Even with your name on the birth certificate, you normally still need a Thai Family Court order or an Amphur registration and acknowledgement, to be the legal father of the child, and for this you would be issued official documentation, for use of a visa and extension application.
It also can depend on the age of the kid, to get legal paternal rights.
Some people claim they were able to get registered as the legal father on the Amphur, even when they were NOT married to the mother, as long as the child is under 5 years old. I strongly doubt these reports, they probably “got lost in translation”. You would need to be married to the mother.
ONE MORE TIME, MY 5 CENTS:
***Without an acknowledged marriage and the Kor Ror 22 or 2 (whichever applies)
OR
*** the Amphur or Thai Family Court issued document that acknowledges your paternal rights,
You cannot apply neither for the Non-Imm-O Family Visa, nor for the 1-year Extension
Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Nongnuch *******
I can. I had it at 2023. You no need court process for this kind of visa. You no need full parental rights. But you can't extend it for 1 year only for 60 days.Nongnuch ********
@Michael *******
it's crazy: the SAME Immigration that does not accept the birth certificate for the 1-year Extension, accepts it for the 60-days "family visit" extension 😆😁😆😁😆Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Nongnuch *******
when I was trying to extend for 1 year they said I need court process to have full parental rightsNongnuch ********
@Michael *******
but they accept the birth certificate for the "family visit" extension as proof that you have a "family" - a little kid. LaughableMichael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Nongnuch *******
yeah you have right. But she said the 1 year extension is long term and can be extended every year without leave the country so I need bigger proof or something like thatNongnuch ********
@Michael *******
proof is proof, ain't no "bigger proof". Must be "Thai logic"Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Nongnuch *******
what will you say if I tell you that they refuse me open bank account in one office but allowed in another office of the same branch in the same city? 😁Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Nongnuch *******
everything is crazy in ThailandReply to
Michael ********
Reply
Nongnuch ********
you need the one-year extension and buy a multi re-entry permit for it, Then you can exit and re-enter as many times as you want
Nongnuch ********
@Michael *******
that's only good for 5 monthsMichael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Nongnuch *******
yes 5 months in totalReply to
Michael ********
Reply
Michael ********
You do know immigration have been known to check facebook, and you clearly state there you are not a visitor
Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Michael *******
but you know you can put there everything you want? And are you really that native and think that immigration scrolling your fb? 😂😂Reply to
Michael ********
Reply
Greg ***********
AGAIN: the birth certificate is NOT a hard proof.
The mother of the child could theoretically randomly have had ANY man’s name written into the birth certificate.
*** and I have told you before: go back to your home country, apply for a multi entry Tourist Visa.
*** Then return to Thailand on a proper visa, AND seek to get your FATHERSHIP acknowledged by a Thai Family Court.
*** only when you can prove LEGAL fathership, you can apply for the Non-Imm-O FAMILY Visa and the subsequent 1-year Extension of Stay
The mother of the child could theoretically randomly have had ANY man’s name written into the birth certificate.
*** and I have told you before: go back to your home country, apply for a multi entry Tourist Visa.
*** Then return to Thailand on a proper visa, AND seek to get your FATHERSHIP acknowledged by a Thai Family Court.
*** only when you can prove LEGAL fathership, you can apply for the Non-Imm-O FAMILY Visa and the subsequent 1-year Extension of Stay
Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Greg **********
man, it's insane advice. For what I have to go to my home country? My home and family is here. For this visa birth certificate is enough but I'm asking about another documents.Greg ***********
@Michael *******
you can try to get another 90-days Non-O and the 60-days "family visit" extension without having to fly back to your home country ( IF you will get the 90-days visa issued at all, that is!) The most important thing is you need TIME to get the family court order and THIS will take time . . . Only then you will be able to apply for the 1-year extensionMichael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Greg **********
yeap this is a problem. My lawyer said after we apply then we have to wait 2 months first and next 45 days. I don't understand why. I told him to start it without me in country but he can't.เดแคลน ***********
@Michael *******
he cant start it because you have to be present in the country for a lot of the process.Reply to
เดแคลน ***********
Reply
Greg ***********
“5. Personal details of family in Thailand – I have photos of my partner’s ID, but my son doesn’t have any documents yet. What should I provide yet? Maybe invitation letter from my partner?
6. Proof of relationship – I have a photo of my son’s birth certificate. Is it enough?“
*** I have told you before that your name on the birth certificate might not be enough, neither for the application to the 90-days visa, nor to the application to the 1-Jahr Extension of the Stay permit
You will have to try and see if the birth certificate alone is accepted
*** your Thai girlfriend’s ID card is irrelevant for the application as you are not married
6. Proof of relationship – I have a photo of my son’s birth certificate. Is it enough?“
*** I have told you before that your name on the birth certificate might not be enough, neither for the application to the 90-days visa, nor to the application to the 1-Jahr Extension of the Stay permit
You will have to try and see if the birth certificate alone is accepted
*** your Thai girlfriend’s ID card is irrelevant for the application as you are not married
Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Greg **********
birth certificate with my name is enough for this kind of visa because I had this visa beforeReply to
Michael ********
Reply
John **********
You can include a letter explaining that your son is not old enough to have ID or passport. Your wife and son should be in a blue house book somewhere
Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *********
thanks guys I will try to make some document with explanation.Corinna *******
@John *********
problem is passport is possible from birth. ID card I think once they enter school. Did my daughter's thai passport at 1 months old.John **********
@Corinna ******
I thought the ID card was either 7 or 8 years old, but nevertheless he can still explainReply to
John **********
Reply
Wannikea *********
Are you named as the father on the child's birth certificate? You have zero legal status with your "partner." Surely your lawyer has explained this. Suggest you join Thai Visa Advice - Q&A group for expert answers.
Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Wannikea ********
yes I'm named thereWannikea *********
@Michael *******
great, now all you need is to get the Thai court to officially recognize you. Stop by in a year and tell us how It's going as it winds its way through the system.Reply to
Wannikea *********
Reply
John *******
If you are not married, then she isn’t family, correct?
Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@John ******
not correctJohn *******
@Michael *******
- only legally married counts as a family member. Are you on the birth certificate?Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@John ******
yes I'mReply to
Michael ********
Reply
Frank **********
How many times do you have to post about getting a visa. You have already received many responses.
Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTERFrank Shevchuk I'm not asking about what visa now. I got advices and I chose this one
Reply to
Michael ********
Reply
David *******
We are also confused. You seem to post this situation regularly but take no notice of the helpful replies
Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@David ******
yeap everything is not clear.David *******
@Michael *******
read the information you have been sent and stop asking the same question just in different wordsMichael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@David ******
read carefully, I'm not asking about which visa right now. You can scroll further, don't hesitate. Have a good dayReply to
Michael ********
Reply
Melissa *********
Are you over age 50? If so you could consider a nonO based on retirement instead of family. Sounds like might be more suited for your scenario.
Melissa *********
Ohhh ok. Sorry I don’t know much about the visa you are trying to obtain.
Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Melissa ********
I'm notReply to
Michael ********
Reply
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