What is the best plan for a British expat to marry a Thai citizen and apply for a NON-O visa?

Question

I am using my girlfriend FB account 
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Hello, I am British and 28 years old. My girlfriend is Thai. I plan to go to Thailand with a single Tourist visa (60 days).  After this, we plan on getting a marriage certificate and applying for NON - O visa based on marriage for staying longer.

This is our plan for getting this process completed:
1. Get a marriage Certificate
2. Open a Thai Bank account by using a married certificate. (I do not have a work permit, due to remote - working in a UK company)
3. Deposit money as 400000 Baht for 60 days
4. Extend the tourist visa for an additional 30 days
5. After 60 days (the bank deposit time), we will start doing the NON-O visa application. 
 
In the above plan, it looks like the timeframe for getting the TR visa is very tight.

Could you please advise us if there's a better way to do this or if this plan is okay?

Is there a way I could get a longer tourist stay in Thailand? Or maybe get a visiting family extension after the marriage is complete?

Thank you in advance.
Alex and Im

Ask Thailand · Answer

A British expat plans to marry his Thai girlfriend and transition from a 60-day tourist visa to a NON-O visa based on marriage. The proposed steps include getting a marriage certificate, opening a Thai bank account, depositing funds, and applying for a visa extension or the NON-O visa within a tight timeframe. Community comments offer detailed guidance on the process, including the bank deposit requirements and recommended procedures, such as obtaining necessary documentation from the UK consulate and being cautious about remote work considerations.

Tod ********* · Answer

okay, thank you one and all for your contributions on how the O/P goes about getting married (y)

Unfortunately, this is the thai VISA advice group, not the "how can I get married in thailand" group. :O

I think the O/P has more than enough info to figure out how to get married AND how to go about converting a 60 day tourist visa entry to first a 90 day Non-O visa based on marriage and then a yearly extension based on marriage

Again thanx one and all for the helpful advice, good luck to the O/P in his endeavor

Pawarat ********** · Answer

Thank all of you for helping us. We really appreciate all your comments.

We make a to-do list every single step attaching required documents.

Hopefully, we get it done in time.

Simona *************** · Answer

My son came to Bkk on a 60 days tourist visa. Last week he went to extend and they gave him 60 days extension . On the stamp it says something in Thai and I google translated and the result was 60 days   to COVID-19 law. He didn’t need 60 days but that was the format of the extension

Tod ********* · Answer

Here's the steps to take;

- get the affirmation of freedom to marry from the UK consulate here

- get it and the data page of your passport translated into thai AND certified as an accurate translation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs office

- go to an amphur and register the marriage

In the mean time open a bank account in your name and get the 400K baht transferred in

Go to the immigration office

- apply for the 90 day Non-O visa for 2000baht

- wait the 2 week under consideration period

- go back, get the Non-O and new 90 day stamp inked in

- wait until the money is seasoned the 2 months

- go apply for the year extension for 1900baht

- wait the 30 day under consideration period

- go back get the year extension inked in

Biff ******* · Answer

There’s a few steps you need to do before you can get married. Check the U.K. in Thailand page by the British embassy. There’s a bit of running around in Bangkok to do before you can go to the Amphur office. You’ll need an affirmation of freedom to marry. That needs to be translated into Thai and stamped by the Thai MFA.

James ******** · Answer

Hope everything goes well...

BTW you got the best advice possible from our Admin [mention redacted]  with his 20+ years providing helpful and correct advice to folks like you 😊

Phil ******* · Answer

Check that you have all the documents you need for the marriage certificate. I seem to recall a letter is require from the embassy saying you are free to marry and an officially  translated passport are required.

Sam ****** · Answer

You should asap  attend  your local Immigration Office and ask for their particular requirements... photo photographs etc.

Again ... asap book an appointment with your local Ampore Office re marriage certificate, there has been delays due to "covid".

(Otherwise... you'll find the timelines work out quite well) good luck.

Tod ********* · Answer

Get married, open the bank account, transfer in the money and then you can apply for the Non-O 90 day visa without it being in the account for 60 days

There is no seasoning requirement on the initial 90 day Non-O application (it can just be transferred in) BUT you do need at least 15 days left on your current entry stamp OR the 30 day extension from that stamp to apply for the Non-O visa in country at most offices.

Once you apply for that Non-O, you'll pay 2000baht and it will go under consideration for 2 weeks, then you go back and get the visa and a new 90 day stamp inked in

THEN you wait the 2 months for the money to be seasoned to apply for the year extension based on marriage

Tod ********* · Answer

sounds like a workable plan

Cathy ******* · Answer

I can’t help you I’m sorry but be careful telling them you are working remotely... I can cause issues with needing a work permit.

What is the best plan for a British expat to marry a Thai citizen and apply for a NON-O visa?

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