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What are the visa and work permit options for expats married to Thai nationals wanting to live in Thailand permanently?
Visa optionsNon-Immigrant O VisaMarriage visaPermanent move to ThailandWork permitExtension of stayFinancial requirementsThailand immigrationExpats in Thailand
Oct 10, 2017
9 years ago
Ryan ******
ORIGINAL POSTERHello all,
I just recently got married to my now thai wife and was just wondering how it works now visa and work permit wise if I wanted to make the permanent move to Thailand to live with her as living on tourist visas is starting to become a pain when I visit the kingdom.
Kind regards.
I just recently got married to my now thai wife and was just wondering how it works now visa and work permit wise if I wanted to make the permanent move to Thailand to live with her as living on tourist visas is starting to become a pain when I visit the kingdom.
Kind regards.
TLDR : Answer Summary
An expat married to a Thai national has several options for obtaining a visa and work permit in Thailand. The most common route is to apply for a Non-Immigrant O visa based on marriage, which can be issued as a one-year multiple entry visa allowing for work. This requires either a minimum of 400,000 THB in a Thai bank account or an income of at least 40,000 THB per month from abroad, verified by the British Embassy. After the initial visa, one can apply for a yearly extension of stay, which also requires financial documentation. Additionally, it's important to understand that working in Thailand legally necessitates obtaining a work permit, even on a marriage visa.
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Tod *********
There are a couple ways you can go about doing this;
One is to get a year-long, multi-entry Non-Immigrant Type O visa based on marriage from the thai consulate in Savannakhet. It requires NO financial proof of funds at all. This visa requires that you exit/re-enter the country every 90 days to get another 90 day stamp, which you do for the entire year.
Or you can get a 90 day Non-O visa (inside or outside the country) and then apply for the yearly extension of stay. That requires the financial proof, the pile 'o documentation AND it goes under consideration for a month (where the immigration office can make a visit to your house and interview you/your wife and the neighbors) before you go back and get the year's extension inked into your passport. This type also requires a re-entry permit if you're going to exit/re-enter thailand during the year.
One is to get a year-long, multi-entry Non-Immigrant Type O visa based on marriage from the thai consulate in Savannakhet. It requires NO financial proof of funds at all. This visa requires that you exit/re-enter the country every 90 days to get another 90 day stamp, which you do for the entire year.
Or you can get a 90 day Non-O visa (inside or outside the country) and then apply for the yearly extension of stay. That requires the financial proof, the pile 'o documentation AND it goes under consideration for a month (where the immigration office can make a visit to your house and interview you/your wife and the neighbors) before you go back and get the year's extension inked into your passport. This type also requires a re-entry permit if you're going to exit/re-enter thailand during the year.
Ryan ******
ORIGINAL POSTERPerfect, thank you.
Tod *********
@Ryan *****
, you should be able to apply for a year-long multi-entry Non-O from the thai consulate in London. (if you have the documentation they require to issue it based on marriage to a thai).Failing that, just fly in on a 30 day visa exempt and then make the trip to savannakhet lao
Ryan ******
ORIGINAL POSTERFly into Thailand on a 30 day tourist then travel to Laos for the non O ?
Ryan ******
ORIGINAL POSTERI know but I'm currently in England
Tod *********
@Ry**
, Umm, the first option I mentioned was going to the thai consulate in Savannakhet Lao and buying the visa from them :/Ryan ******
ORIGINAL POSTERFor the first option what visa would I need to get from England or just fly in on 30 days then go to immigration and do the non O ?
Reply to
Ryan ******
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Tod *********
Here's the link to how to go about getting the affidavit of income/pension letter from the UK consulate here. It's all done by mail
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Ady *******
Yup all changes now ..bring a big bag of money ππ
Robert *******
I agree with Steve. But with Extension of Stay you need re-entry permits if you want to travel abroad. 1000 Thb for single or 3800 Thb for multiple and can be directly applied for when you got the extension of stay. Non Immigrant O based on marriage is also no problem for getting a Work Permit.
Ryan ******
ORIGINAL POSTERThanks.
Reply to
Ryan ******
Reply
Steve *******
You can apply for a non imm O visa based on marriage, which you can also work on, and then apply for a 1 year extension of stay, based on marriage. The main requirement is 400,000bt in a Thai bank account or an income of not less than 40,000bt per month.
Johnsuma ******
Ryan Mann you can get it at your embassy in TH, they will just ask you to sign a declaration of the 40,000 bahts you get monthly.
and the 400,000 baht in the bank must be there 3 months before the 1 year visa request.
and the 400,000 baht in the bank must be there 3 months before the 1 year visa request.
Ryan ******
ORIGINAL POSTERThank you
Steve *******
Type into google 'Thai consulate Hull', they have info and downloadable forms
Ryan ******
ORIGINAL POSTERI was just about to ask if anyone has a website link as the Thai embassy website isn't giving me much or any downloadable forms for non O based on marriage
Jonathan *************
@Ryan *****
document for Thai immigration provided by mail from British embassy upon receipt of proof of income by mail. See embassy website. (sorry no direct link)Steve *******
Sean, my bad. Yes you're right, you do need a work permit to work, however, the non imm o based on marriage allows you to apply for the work permit, which you have to do with any visa that allows it.
Sean ********
Steve, you said "You can apply for a non imm O visa based on marriage, which you can also work on"
Which is ever so slightly misleading.
Which is ever so slightly misleading.
Steve *******
@Francis *******
. Yes. I never said you couldFrancis ********
@Steve ******
yes I know that but you canβt work without a work permit with a non oFrancis ********
@Ryan *****
yes for what I understand but if you are living in Thailand and want to renew your marriage visa you must be able to show that every year but I am not to sure . I normal have 400,000ΰΈΏ in a Thai bank every time I renew my non oRyan ******
ORIGINAL POSTERPerfect thank you.
Steve *******
@Ry**
no problem, you get your income certified by the british embassySteve *******
Francis. That's pretty obvious but you can get a work permit with a non imm o visa based on marriage
Francis ********
You can not work on a marriage visa unless you have a work permit also
Ryan ******
ORIGINAL POSTERThe income of not less than 40,000bht would be from my current job in England to show the Thai embassy ?
Francis ********
You still need a work permit to work
Reply to
Francis ********
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Duncan *******
Did you register the marriage with the Amphoe office?
Ryan ******
ORIGINAL POSTERI did
Reply to
Ryan ******
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