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What are the steps and requirements for applying for a marriage visa in Thailand after gaining a Non-Immigrant O visa?
Thailand Marriage VisaNon-Immigrant O VisaVisa ExtensionsVisa RequirementsImmigration ProcessExpat Life in ThailandFinancial Requirements for VisaTourist Visa
Feb 8, 2024
2 years ago
Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTEROkay, I've been marching towards this next move for quite a while with an incomplete understanding of it. My understanding of almost everything is incomplete so it is my comfort zone. Been in Thailand most of the last 2.5 years. With the same lady 2 years of that. Got married in December. I put 400k+ in my Thai account about 5 weeks ago. I've had regular deposits of 80k+ for almost 2 years. I will be headed back to the US for 2 weeks or so end of month/start of March.
My plan is to apply for tourist 60 day for when I return early March. Then apply for marriage visa (or is it "extension of visa based on marriage"?) As the 400k will be more than 2 months old. Then there is some process... And then I'm granted the marriage visa (or extension based on- I'm really unclear on this... It seems like it is just semantics but I've seen plenty of people get jumped on about it) and then another 30 days before I can use the 400k?
My plan is to apply for tourist 60 day for when I return early March. Then apply for marriage visa (or is it "extension of visa based on marriage"?) As the 400k will be more than 2 months old. Then there is some process... And then I'm granted the marriage visa (or extension based on- I'm really unclear on this... It seems like it is just semantics but I've seen plenty of people get jumped on about it) and then another 30 days before I can use the 400k?
TLDR : Answer Summary
The poster has been living in Thailand for over 2 years and recently got married. They plan to apply for a 60-day tourist visa when returning in March, followed by a marriage visa—though they are unclear about the process and terminology involved. Comments suggest that obtaining a 90-day Non-Immigrant O visa in the U.S. before applying for the marriage visa in Thailand may simplify the process. Contributors emphasize the necessary documentation, including marriage certificates and bank letters, and clarify the differences between a visa and an extension. They also recommend maintaining sufficient funds in the bank and being aware of the immigration office's varying regulations.
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Terary **********
This is truly one of those deals where it depends on the immigration office. Pattaya is crooked so...
From what I understand you'll need to keep the money in the bank 6 months out of the year.
You can pull your marriage visa from the US and then you don't need to have the cash in the bank (this matter because of the time the money is seeded).
I choose not to get the one year extension for various reasons so I am not 100% sure.. But I think it goes like: you get a marriage visa. 60 days later you apply for the 1-year extension. 1 month later they approve it. but wait there is more.....
You will need to have the money in the bank 3 months before applying for your next extension and you will need to keep it there for 3 months after....
As I said I choose not to get the 1 year extension. I found it easier to get tourist visa and wait until I am 50 to get my retirement visa (6 months from now)..
If you are actually living with your wife (not my case), and you've had regular deposits from a foreign bank (this part is important) than getting a marriage visa is a minor pain in the ass. Most people I have talked to choose to get the retirement visa over the marriage visa. But I have heard others say its a simple process. I have found nothing about immigration simple.
From what I understand you'll need to keep the money in the bank 6 months out of the year.
You can pull your marriage visa from the US and then you don't need to have the cash in the bank (this matter because of the time the money is seeded).
I choose not to get the one year extension for various reasons so I am not 100% sure.. But I think it goes like: you get a marriage visa. 60 days later you apply for the 1-year extension. 1 month later they approve it. but wait there is more.....
You will need to have the money in the bank 3 months before applying for your next extension and you will need to keep it there for 3 months after....
As I said I choose not to get the 1 year extension. I found it easier to get tourist visa and wait until I am 50 to get my retirement visa (6 months from now)..
If you are actually living with your wife (not my case), and you've had regular deposits from a foreign bank (this part is important) than getting a marriage visa is a minor pain in the ass. Most people I have talked to choose to get the retirement visa over the marriage visa. But I have heard others say its a simple process. I have found nothing about immigration simple.
Veronica ********
@Terary *********
agreedReply to
Veronica ********
Reply
Ken *******
Got the 90 day marriage non Imm O visa from US it is painless. It took 1 week and not expensive. I paid $200 but it was multiple entry
Terary **********
@Ken ******
- I dont think the multiple entry marriage visa is a available any more. But I did get a single entry about 6 months ago.Ken *******
@Terary *********
I'm on my second 90 days I left and went to Vietnam for a couple days and that was january 9th I'm good for 90 moreKen *******
I got the visa in America before I left
Reply to
Ken *******
Reply
Ken *******
@Terary *********
I just got in OctoberReply to
Ken *******
Reply
Steve *******
Get the Non Imm O based on marriage in the US and then when you have 30 days left on that apply for the 1 year extention of stay based on marriage. Job done!
Michael ********
Yes get the 90 day non O in the US then do the extension in Thailand. Give you plenty of time to get all info for whatever office.
P.S Make extra copies of everything now and keep in folder for next extensions
P.S Make extra copies of everything now and keep in folder for next extensions
Matthew *******
The people who want to carry on with it being called extension of and trying to belittle people are only showing what pathetic flogs they really are
Don’t give them a second thought as everyone knows what is meant
Some people just cannot help but try and be smart arses
Don’t give them a second thought as everyone knows what is meant
Some people just cannot help but try and be smart arses
Kim *********
@Matthew ******
nothing wrong in telling the correct terminology in my opinion so people not aware of it will know - but belittling people is of course very rude and should not happen at all in any groupMatthew *******
Neal *******
@Matthew ******
You are entitled to your opinion. However these FB pages are to educate and advise. It is best for English speakers to be able to distinguish a visa from an extension of stay.Matthew *******
@Neal ******
seriously When a person knows exactly what the poster means why feel the need to be a smart arse about it
It’s normally the same flogs who feel the need to do it
Neal *******
@Matthew ******
Sorry you feel this way.Matthew *******
Neal *******
@Matthew ******
I will agree that no one should be belittled for not knowing something.Kim *********
@Matthew ******
agreed of course - so stupid belittling peopleReply to
Kim *********
Reply
Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Kim ********
I agree with you both BUT I can also imagine a scenario where the distinction might matter and so I want to know if that is the case or not.Reply to
Jack ****************
Reply
Bart **************
Agree with Kool. Best to get non-O in US. That is the right visa for you, not tourist.
Kool *******
There is a much better way, that can get you a type O based on Thai wife 90 day visa/extension now. Take two bank letters, one stating the account is your only, and the other a deposit summary showing your bt400,000 has been deposited. The initial two months before you can apply refers to the one year extension, not the very first 90 day visa/extension. That you can get right away, with copy of marriage certificate and amphur registration, copy of her ID card, and copy of the house book she is in, she'll know what that is. Then copies of your passport. Go to immigration first, with your wife, and they will have a list, and are nice to work with. They aren't the enemy. Then you get that, with a re-entry permit it covers you until you plan on getting back, and still time to get the other first time paperwork. Then you don't have to deal with any tourist visa, and can enter on a one-way ticket, if you want. It is the very first stage of changing over to a type O one year extension based on Thai wife. It's a lot more beneficial to do it now, as you already have your banked money.
Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Kool ******
it sounds like you are saying you can get a 90 day marriage extension and then apply for a 12 month marriage extension is that correct?Kool *******
@Jack ***************
the very first time you get a type O based on Thai wife/marriage it is always a 90 day timeframe, as that gives you time to get everything else in place when you get one for the very first time. Getting a bank, and seasoning the money for two months. You can apply for your one year extension when you have 30 days left, and 45 in some provinces, like Bangkok. Already having the bank account is simply a bonus in the initial process. After the first year every document is the same, so make copies, except bank letters, and new pictures. Everything else is the same unless you move.Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Kool ******
given that I need to leave anyway I am not seeing what the benefit of this is vs what I wrote.Reply to
Jack ****************
Reply
Phil ******
@Jack ***************
this is the latest from Siam legal.*******************************************************************
This may assist you
"You must obtain a 90-day visa Non-Immigrant O visa at the Thai Embassy or Consulate from your home country or country of residence prior to your application for the Thai marriage visa. The 90-day Non-Immigrant visa may also be obtained from the nearby countries of Thailand."
Also saw this
***********************************************************************************
Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Phil *****
thank you for the article. There are a few unclear points in it. Feels like it was written by an intern. :)Phil ******
@Jack ***************
no they don't allow interns to write. Pm me with your question/s jack as I'm currently doing it.You will definitely need an Affirmation of Freedom to Marry from ES embassy here
Reply to
Phil ******
Reply
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