Answered4 years ago

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

เครก ******

asked Mar 1, 2023

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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

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 ******

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

4 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.

4 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

4 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

4 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

4 years ago

Bruce *****

@Ellie ******

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

4 years ago

Ellie *******

@Bruce ****

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

4 years ago

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?

Rob *****

thanks 🙏🏻

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

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.

4 years ago