What are the steps to move to Thailand from the UK when married to a Thai citizen?

Visa Process Non-O Visa Year Extension Marriage Visa Bank Account in Thailand Immigration Procedures Visa Exempt Entry

Mar 1, 2023

2 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Where would I start in moving to Thailand from the uk married to a Thai . Do I try and open a bank account when there on holiday and transfer funds 2 month prior to entry when ready to move arrive on voa 30 days and apply for the visa extension based on marriage at the local buriram immigration

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TLDR : Answer Summary

To move to Thailand from the UK while married to a Thai citizen, start by opening a bank account during a visit, but be aware that banks often require a letter from immigration, which might not be obtainable on a 30-day stamp. You should enter Thailand on a Visa Exempt Entry, not a 30-day Visa on Arrival (VOA). To apply for a marriage-based Non-O visa, you need to first secure a 90-day Non-O visa while in the UK, then come to Thailand, and subsequently apply for a year extension. This process typically involves visiting the immigration office multiple times (at least four) to complete the necessary steps.

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เครก ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

This is such a great group , thank you so much for your advice from you all

2 years ago

Martin *****

We were in the same position last year - none of the banks we tried would let me open an account without a letter from immigration, which they wouldn't give me on a 30-day stamp. When we moved here in August (I got the 90-day Non-O visa while in the UK) it was easy to get the letter from Immigration, and I opened the bank account on the same day. It was really straightforward, but this group was great for help and advice.

2 years ago

Tod *********

Sounds like a plan, come here and get the bank account opened, get the funds transferred in, then when you are moving here you could come in on a "visa exempt entry" (there is NO such thing as a 30 day VOA for a UK passport holder, you're just talking about a free entry stamp).

Also once you're here you can't go straight from a free entry stamp to an extension based on marriage. You're leaving out the step where you get the initial 90 day Non-O visa based on marriage for 2000baht, wait for it to be reviewed go back and get the Non-O visa and 90 day stamp inked in. Then you wait 2 months and can apply for the year extension for 1900baht. That will get a 30 day under consideration stamp and then you go back after a month and get the year extension.

It's a FOUR step process <- meaning if you get your ducks in a row the least number of times you go to the immigration office to go from a visa exempt, to a 90 day Non-O then to a year extension is four times 🙂

Next time you're here, get your bank account open and pay a visit to your immigration office to get the hand outs listing the requirements for a Non-O visa based on marriage and then the year extension

2 years ago

Tod *********

OR you get the 90 day Non-O visa based on marriage from the eVisa website of the thai consulate in the UK before you come, and get the funds in the account, wait 2 months and apply straight for the year extension. That cuts 2 steps out of the process I mentioned in the above post

2 years ago

Bruce *****

@Tod ********

If you get a multi entry o visa you can come & go as much as you like . I work overseas 1 month on 1 month off and that's what I have no need to get a reentry permit

2 years ago

Ellie *******

@Bruce ****

right, but you need to apply for it at embassy/consulate outside Thailand

2 years ago

Bruce *****

@Ellie ******

He is not in the country so can get before he comes

2 years ago

Reply to

Bruce *****

Rob *****

@Tod ********

once you get the year extension can you leave the country multiple times and re enter under the same extension? Also can you have multiple 1 year extension, year after year for example?

2 years ago

Brandon ************

@ข้าวเหนียว *******

You would need to purchase a re-entry permit to be able to leave an return. And you can extend each year as long as you continue meeting the requirements.

2 years ago

Rob *****

@Brandon ***********

thanks 🙏🏻

2 years ago

Reply to

Rob *****

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