What is the best and most affordable way for an American citizen married to a Thai national to extend their stay in Thailand to 90-120 days?

January 7, 2023
2 years ago
Dan *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I am an American citizen who is married to a Thai National, I am also over 50yo. I would like to spend between 90 and 120 days in Thailand. What is the easiest and cheapest way of doing this. On this trip I am here on a 60 day visa, but we want to spend more time in Thailand together.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
An American citizen married to a Thai national, over 50 years old, seeking to extend their stay in Thailand for 90 to 120 days has several options. The most straightforward and cost-effective method involves obtaining a 90-day Non-O visa based on marriage, which can be further extended for 60 days at a local immigration office. Alternatively, the individual can enter on a single entry tourist visa for 60 days, then apply for a 30-day extension alongside another extension for visiting a Thai family, totaling 150 days of stay. Other options include considering long-term residency visas or annual extensions for repeat visitors.
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Tod *********
@Dan ******
another option (for you any anyone wanting a year-long, multi-entry Non-O visa based on marriage to a thai) would be to come here visa exempt and then run to the thai consulate in Savannakhet Lao to get the year-multi-Non-O based on marriage for 5000baht. That consulate doesn't require proof of funds and is one of the softest touch consulates in S/E Asia for that visa. you apply one morning and pick up your passport with the visa in it the next business day afternoon..

It's certainly a GOOD option for people that want a year/multi-Non-O based on marriage. That visa gives unlimited 90 day entries for the validity (a year from the date it's issued)
Daniel ***********
Non-O multiple entry based on marriage. Leave after 90 days re-enter get another 90 days...repeat until expires.
Dan *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Daniel **********
You can’t apply for a 90 day visa when you’re in Thailand…one of the requirements is to provide them with your flight booking details. This is a slight problem for me as I plan on flying Space A from the west coast to Japan, then commercial flight to Bangkok.
Daniel ***********
@Dan ******
Quite right... rereading the post I see you're already in Thailand.
Tod *********
@Dan ******
actually you CAN apply for a 90 day non-O visa inside thailand but you'd have to bank 400K baht in a thai bank account in your name only to do it
Eric *********
LTR is 10yrs and 50,000 baht.
Kent *********
Being from the states I do something that was previously mentioned and works out well for me, 60 day TR visa prior to coming to Thailand, then a 30 day extension, cheap and fairly easy to do…
Kent *********
On that note the information I’ve received from this site has me looking into the marriage visa with multiple entry, just need to figure out monthly deposits or one lump sum…
Daniel ***********
@Kent ********
My wife (Thai), and I spend 6 months a year in Thailand. No deposits required... enter get 90 days.... leave, and re-enter another 90 days. Go back to home country, and repeat next year.
Tod *********
@Kent ********
and you can't get the initial Non-O visa or the first year extension inside thailand using monthly income. You'd have to bank the 400K baht for that..
Kent *********
@Tod ********
Ty, man just when I think I have it figured out lol
Tod *********
@Kent ********
careful, there is no "marriage visa with multiple entry" INSIDE thailand.

You could buy a year long multi-entry VISA based on marriage to a thai from a thai consulate outside thailand. That visa allows you to get stamped in for 90 days with unlimited entries for the year it's valid for

OR

You do it insude the country like this

come here and get a single entry 90 day Non-O visa based on marriage to a thai from the immigration office for 2000baht by banking 400K baht in a thai bank account in your name only, (it goes under review for between 14 to 20 days) then you go back to get the Non-O and new 90 day stamp inked in

Then you wait until your funds have been in the bank for 2 months and have 30 days or less left on that you apply for the year extension for 1900baht, (it goes under consideration for 30 days) then go back get the year extension inked in and THEN you buy a re-entry permit 😮 <- that's how you do it INSIDE the country
Robert *************
Get 2 60 day visas before you get here
Tod *********
@Robert ************
no such thing, you can't get two single entry tourist visas

They used to sell double and triple entry tourist visas but they stopped that in Nov 2015 when they went to either the 90 day single entry tourist visa or the 6 month multi-entry tourist visa (METV)

But the 6 month METV would be an option.
Robert *************
Brian **********
Ltr wealthy pensioner is also an option.
Graham ******
@Brian *********
The OP asked for the "cheapest"? I think not.
Tod *********
@Dan ******
the Long Term Residence visa program under the 'wealthy pensioner' option could work.

**********************
Dan *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
I have no desire to “live” in Thailand, just visit
Tod *********
@Dan ******
it's a 10 year visa and you could come here as much as you want or as little as you want for those 10 years 😛 Just saying it's an option was all
Kolby ***********
METV
Tod *********
@Kolby **********
6 month METV would work (y)
Dan *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
what is METV?
Tod *********
@Dan ******
Multi Entry Tourist Visa <- it's good for 6 months and unlimited entry with each entry getting you stamped in for 60 days.

you would come in, get 60 days, then bounce out and back to get a new 60 day entry, and you can do that for the validity of the visa 6 months from the date they issue it.

It's a little overkill for just the amount of time you want (seeing as it's 200USD to buy)
Peter ****************
In my opinion it also depends a bit if you want to come every year and how your timing is. I adviced an Canadian friend to come in on a non imm O and then get the year extension with re-entry, which he did. Every year he comes with more or less fixed timing. Leaves to Canada in March and comes back in october/november. So every year he can take a new year extension with re-entry permit. He can still use the affidavit which is alas not possible for you 🙄. So this possibility to think about, is also a 'money thing'. Banked money in Thailand or 12 times international transfer in your Thai bank account. Good luck !
Tod *********
Two choices

get a 90 day single entry Non-O visa based on marriage to a thai come in get 90 days, take the 60 day 'visit thai family' extension at the immigration office where you live for 1900baht.

That's 80 USD (2800baht) for the Non-O and then 1900baht for the one extension so 4700baht roughly

OR

get a single entry tourist visa, come in get 60 days, take the 30 day extension and then take the 'visit thai family' extension.

That's 40USD for the tourist visa and then 3800baht for the 2 extensions here, so 5200baht roughly

Those are the easiest way to stay as long as you want BOTH let you stay about 150 days max
Cliff *********
@Tod ********
you are accurate, succinct and helpful…..as usual. Thank you for your service!
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