This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.
What can I do to live permanently in Thailand with my Thai wife if I can't meet the financial requirements for a visa?
Thai VisasNON-O VisaFinancial Requirements for VisaLiving in ThailandMarriage VisaVisa AgentsEducation VisaExpat Life in Thailand
Sep 18, 2024
2 years ago
Leif ***********
ORIGINAL POSTERWhat to do if I want to live with my Thai wife in Thailand permanently, and don´t have the money required concerning visa rules?
TLDR : Answer Summary
If you're looking to live permanently with your Thai wife in Thailand but cannot meet the necessary financial requirements, such as the 400,000 THB bank deposit, it's crucial to explore your options. Key suggestions include consulting with a visa agent for professional guidance, considering a Non-Immigrant O visa possibly based on retirement, or exploring the education visa route where you can learn Thai. Community advice emphasizes the importance of having financial stability for a sustainable life in Thailand, as well as the realities of dealing with visa regulations. Many community members recommend saving money either before moving or seeking stable income sources once in Thailand.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
Pelle Eriksson★★★★★
Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...recently on Facebook
Luca G.★★★★★
I used this agency for my DTV Visa...recently on Google
Trusted Retirement Visa Agent
OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED
#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND
Tom ********
Use a Visa Company that 'shows' you have.
Bbc *********
Get another rich wife to support you 😇
Scott *********
Make more money
Stephen *******
Same problem I spent all my money build the house in Thailand I've had an accident in England and my wife is being bastard now give them nothing
Ralph *******
@Stephen ******
Yes. A common story.Reply to
Ralph *******
Reply
Jet ********
To be honest with you, you should have at least $30,000 in savings for emergencies just in case if you don’t have that, I agree with the rest of the people here you should probably save that in your country and when you save money then come back to Thailandbut you might wanna wait till you have a pension or some type of income that’s generating income
David **********
How are you supposed to survive if you don't even have that? You are basically asking how to get around thai law which is a very silly idea.
Morris *****
You look like you are twice my age if not more and even I know the answer is to make more money....
Pete *******
You are the bread and butter of an agents business. You are why they exist. They can facilitate a retirement visa for you, obviously for a fee. However getting a retirement visa is certainly the least of your issues. What lifestyle are you going to live? How are you going to fund ill health? Things to think about before deciding what your going to do.
Ralph *******
@Pete ******
Very sensible.Reply to
Ralph *******
Reply
Cubi ******
Good luck. Sounds like a future disaster.
Us *****
Thai women are very difficult to deal with if you do not have money. That 400k in the account is a rainy day fund. It could easily disappear with one trip to the hospital. I advise you to stay home as it will cover any medical condition. Thailand is not a friendly country if you do not have money.
Jet ********
@Us ****
but I agree with you about Thai women being very difficult. I’ve been married for 19 years to a Thai woman. Sometimes you have to bite your tongue.Jet ********
@Us ****
that’s not true. They’re not that friendly to foreigners that don’t have money. Majority of the people in Thailand are poor and I find people very nice even if they’re poor, but it’s always good to have money.Jet ********
One piece of advice never let your Thai wife handle your finances ever for any reason you will end up broke luckily I control my household. As far as money goes she controls everything else.
Reply to
Jet ********
Reply
Todd *********
@Us ****
try USA without any money if you want to see unfriendlyRalph *******
@Todd ********
Yes indeed!Us *****
@Todd ********
the emergency room will see you if you have money or not in the US. But in Thailand, they will not take a look at you if you cannot pay the bill or have insurance. In the US, it is best to be super rich or very poor. It is the middle class that suffers.Todd *********
@Us ****
You have that reversed. ER's in the states will absolutely NOT see you without a credit card run through (money grubbing pond scum). In Thai public hospitals they absolutely will see you. The USA is a great spot to be wealty. And a horrible spot to be poor. Looked down upon, homelessness, addictions, high costs, lack of caring in society. It's a shitshowRalph *******
@Todd ********
Yes. Thank you for pointing out that public hospitals are indeed available to tourists. They are very basic and will charge a nominal fee but probably more than adequate after an accident or major incident.Todd *********
@Ralph ******
agreed, they are serviceable and quite possibly better in the event of trauma or accident as they have lots of experience.Ralph *******
@Todd ********
That’s very reassuring. Especially as I can’t afford travel insurance. I use the cover provided by my credit card.Reply to
Ralph *******
Reply
Kevin ***********
@Todd ********
I totally agree with youTodd *********
@Kevin **********
not many worse places than that to be stuck without money. Maybe CanadaReply to
Todd *********
Reply
Benjamin *********
Education visa? Learn Thai?
LikWid *******
@Benjamin ********
can I apply for an education visa if I'm already in Thailand on a tourist visa?Ahmed *******
@LikWid ******
yes you canLikWid *******
@Ahmed ******
ok thank youReply to
LikWid *******
Reply
Brian ********
Would your wife not return to England together and work and save money ?
Jet ********
@Brian *******
agreed England is absolutely horribleTodd *********
gosh that would be awful. England is a damp, dreary mess.
Ralph *******
@Todd ********
Not always. And London is a very vibrant city. Plenty to see and do. But, better with money, like anywhere else.Anyway, he lives in Sweden.
Todd *********
@Ralph ******
only 9-10 months a year of miserable weather. And many other far more vibrant cities around the globe with far better weather and far better pricing/quality of life. Great if you are rich, otherwise no point at all in going. And if you are rich, may as well go to Paris, Rome, Barcelona or Monaco and enjoy lifeRalph *******
@Todd ********
Look, they get 6 months of winter followed by 6 months of weather🤣Todd *********
@Ralph ******
lol, exactly. Thanks but no thanks 🤣Ralph *******
@Todd ********
I go there most summers. Spend 3 months or so. Had some glorious weather in recent years except last summer which rained a lot. I prefer their summer rain to a New Zealand winter - just too cold for me.Todd *********
@Ralph ******
i can totally understand!Ralph *******
@Todd ********
I should probably got to Koh Samui for 3 months but it gets a little expensive. And wet, I guess.Todd *********
@Ralph ******
the wet month is definitely November (still warm and beautiful though) and it spills into oct and/or Dec a bit also.Ralph *******
@Todd ********
I could cope with that. Only been there once and I loved it.Reply to
Ralph *******
Reply
Brian ********
@Todd ********
yes I agree, but having no money even worseReply to
Brian ********
Reply
Chang ******
Get a job in Thailand or go home
Since u don't have a money work hard save some money.
Please don't look for easy way 🙏pain and gain
Since u don't have a money work hard save some money.
Please don't look for easy way 🙏pain and gain
David ***************
Must meet ONE of the financial requirements
A security deposit of 400,000 THB in a Thai bank account that has been present for at least 2 months prior to the visa application OR
A monthly income of at least 40,000 THB and a letter from your country’s embassy verifying this income.
A security deposit of 400,000 THB in a Thai bank account that has been present for at least 2 months prior to the visa application OR
A monthly income of at least 40,000 THB and a letter from your country’s embassy verifying this income.
Jet ********
@David **************
you are correct sir so anyway basically it’s you need US$1200 a month proven if you’re US citizen that I am are you have to do is go to the embassy prove your retirement if you live on Social Security like I do it’s very easy and the embassy will give you a letter and basically you just fill out the forms. I personally went through an agency because I hate filling out paperwas well worth the $450 I paidReply to
Jet ********
Reply
Paul ********
Just go with the Non Immigrant O based on "retirement". As advised, see a visa agent.
Nigel **************
Send me a PM and I will give you details
Henrik *****
Write the details here, so anybody can benefit from the wisdom.
That’s how the group is keept going on.
That’s how the group is keept going on.
Nigel **************
@Henrik ****
incorrect adviceIan ********
@Nigel *************
no it isnt . You could be a scammer . Post it hereFrank ******
@Nigel *************
not incorrect transparency is a safety net we can use in this groupNigel **************
@Frank *****
You don't already knowHenrik *****
That is exactly the correct advise, since it eliminates the danger with PM, where somebody may give you false advice, or try to earn money on helping, in stead of contributing to the group.
When openly written in the comments, others will help the OP to get the right informations.
When openly written in the comments, others will help the OP to get the right informations.
Reply to
Henrik *****
Reply
Eddy *******
No money no honey !
Jim ********
Speak to a visa agent.
Frank-Steven ***********
Living in Thailand based off of being married to a Thai requires you to demonstrate 400k THB in savings. If you do not have at least that amount of money to show, what would you plan to live off of?
Reply to
Frank-Steven ***********
Reply
22 comments
2 years ago
123 comments
2 years ago
60 comments
2 years ago
14 comments
2 years ago
152 comments
2 years ago
89 comments
2 years ago
16 comments
3 years ago
141 comments
3 years ago
58 comments
3 years ago
8 comments
4 years ago
30 comments
4 years ago
91 comments
4 years ago
37 comments
4 years ago
32 comments
4 years ago
6 comments
5 years ago
79 comments
5 years ago
66 comments
6 years ago
76 comments
6 years ago
10 comments
6 years ago
12 comments
7 years ago
14 comments
7 years ago
What visa options are available for living in Thailand after previously holding a 1-year Non-O visa?
30 comments
7 years ago
0 comments
7 years ago
39 comments
8 years ago
30 comments
9 years ago
7 comments
a month ago
9 comments
a month ago
21 comments
a month ago
16 comments
a month ago
8 comments
a month ago
The ask:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.