What are the visa options for a US citizen marrying a Thai national in Thailand?

Marriage Visa Non-O Visa Visa Regulations

Feb 19, 2020

5 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

This is my first time posting to the group. I have a couple of questions. I am a US citizen and will marry my Thai fiancee soon in Thailand. I am 60 years old but don‘t quite have enough funds/income for a Retirement visa. So I plan after our marriage to travel to Ventianne and get a METV. I understand it is good for a year and I get stamped in for 90 days at a time, even up to the last day it is valid, so I can stay almost 15 months at a time with each visa and 4 border crossings. 

My questions: 1. Are there any limits on getting METV visas based on marriage to a Thai national back to back?  2. I will need to file TM30 forms either online or in person at our local (Chanburi) immigration office?  We rent a condo in my wife‘s name in Pattaya. 

Many thanks fir your expert advice.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A US citizen planning to marry their Thai fiancée seeks advice on visa options post-marriage. They consider obtaining a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (METV) from Vientiane but are advised that this visa is not available there. Instead, they are encouraged to pursue a Multiple Entry Non-Immigrant Type O visa based on marriage at either Savannakhet or Ho Chi Minh City, where proof of funds is not required. The OP also asks about the necessity of filing TM30 forms after moving into a rental in Pattaya.

NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES

Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
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Tod *********

and I think that UNTIL the O/P actually marries his thai fiancee that he has enough information to either A) make the trip to get the visa or B) be thoroughly confused.

Either way ONCE he's married he can weigh back in :)

Thanx all for the suggestions and comments

5 years ago

Benjamin ******

For the TM30 question, yes you'll have to fill it out and submit it legally. I don't know how strict the immigration office is out there though

5 years ago

Tod *********

And here, before you ask, this is what you need to take with you documentation wise to the thai consulate in Savannakhet Lao to get a year long, multi-entry Non-O visa based on marriage.

-the original rose bordered marriage certificate

copies of:

-front&back of the rose bordered marriage certificate

-front&back of your thai wife's i/d card

-thai wife's house book listing

-data page of your passport

-lao visa & entry stamp

you also need 2 passport sized photos,a filled out application along with 5000baht.

She signs the things with her name on them, you sign the things with yours <- meaning you BOTH sign the marriage certificate copies ;)

NOTE: if your thai wife changed her name (took your surname when she got married OR after that) you need the certificate stating she changed her name too

5 years ago

Tod *********

keep in mind on this year-long, multi-entry Non-O visa you will get stamped in for 90 days when you enter the country, when that 90 days is running out you go to a border, stamp out of thailand, stamp in and out of another country and then stamp back into thailand to get a new 90 day entry stamp. You do that for the validity of the visa (a year from the date of issue) and you can get almost 15 months of stay out of it (in 90 day increments)

5 years ago

Reply to

Tod *********

You CANNOT get a year-long, multi-entry Non-O visa from the thai consulate in Vientiane because they only issue a 90 day single entry Non-O based on marriage>

So as people mentioned you will either have to go to the thai consulate in Savannakhet Lao OR the one in Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam to get a year-long, multi-entry Non-O visa based on marriage to a thai without the need to show proof of funds.

5 years ago

Tod *********

Okay, I think you have your wires crossed a bit.

As people pointed out you can't get an METV <- which is a multi-entry TOURIST visa from Lao. :O

AND

what you really want to do is to get a year long, multi-entry Non-Immigrant Type O visa based on marriage to a thai at a thai consulate where you don't show proof of funds.

5 years ago

Michael *********

Vientienne doesn't offer Non-Immigrant O ME any longer. The only two consulates that do so in the region are Savannakhet and Ho Chi Minh city. I was able to procure a NO ME on marriage in Saigon a couple of weeks ago without any problems or having to show proof of funds.

5 years ago

Michael *********

Yes, correct. The OP stated he did not have the 800k for such visa. Penang & Vientianne require 400k for marriage & 800k for retirement via an original Thai bank book before they will issue a 12 Multiple Entry Non-immigrant visa based on marriage these days but things could change. Savannkhet & HCMC do not currently have these requirements.

5 years ago

Ellie *******

Those two are issue Non-O based no marriage without proof of funds. There is other consulate issues multiple entry Non-O being married to Thai National but requires proof of funds.

5 years ago

Reply to

Ellie *******

Michael *********

Go to Savannakhet in Laos, no PROOFS required for a marriage Visa.

5 years ago

Michael *********

You can’t obtain a METV from Laos unless you have residency or are a Laotian national. Apart from your home country, Australia is the only place this Visa is available.

5 years ago

Micha *********

what about a non-immigrant o based on your marriage?

5 years ago

Reply to

Micha *********

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