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What is the best visa option for an American married to a Thai, wishing to spend 6 months in Thailand and 6 months in the USA?

Apr 16, 2025
3 days ago
John **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I got married in December. I was on a 90 day O-visa. I want to be able to go to Thailand for 6months every year and spend 6 months back in USA. What's the best option for me? I was thinking marriage visa, is this my best option?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
An expat married to a Thai citizen seeking to split their time between Thailand and the USA (6 months in each country) is exploring visa options. Comments suggest considering the Non-O visa for family (marriage visa) as a viable option. For those over 50, a retirement visa may be easier. Financial requirements apply differently; for the Non-O marriage visa, a minimum of 400,000 THB in a Thai bank account or a monthly income of 40,000 THB is needed. It is advised to ensure compliance with stay regulations to maintain eligibility for visa extensions.
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.
Nongnuch ********
you just have to make sure you will be in Thailand every year in order to apply for the next "1-year extension of the stay permit" . . . . . .However, if you really plan only to stay less than 6 months in every calendar year, the best visa, that doesn't require any financial proof, is the 6-months multi entry Tourist Visa.
Nongnuch ********
Application to the 90-days Non-Imm-O visa in the E-Visa System in your home country, the requirements for the two reasons (married to a Thai wife, or over 50 years old/Retirement) are as following:

*** for the 90 days Non-Imm-O Retirement Visa:

either

a minimum of 800,000 THB or equivalent in USD in any bank account anywhere, in your name

or

proof of monthly income of a minimum of 65,000 THB or equivalent in USD. For the application to the initial visa, it can be proven with original income documents of your home country

*** for the 90-days Non-Imm-O family (married to a Thai) visa:

Either

a minimum of 400,000 THB or equivalent in USD in any bank account anywhere, in your name

or

proof of monthly income of a minimum of 40,000 THB or equivalent in USD. Can be proven with original income documents

ATTENTION:

for the application to the 1-year extension of stay, for both reasons “family” and “retirement”, on Immigration inside Thailand, as a U.S. citizen you CANNOT use the income proof, at least not in the first year, because the U.S. embassy does not issue an affidavit of income.

You will need the aforementioned 400,000 THB respective the 800,000 THB in your Thai bank account as a financial proof, at least in the first year of a 1-year extension of stay permit
Jim *******
@Nongnuch *******
"a minimum of 800,000 THB or equivalent in USD in any bank account anywhere, in your name"

Does it mean that my own bank account with more that 800,000 BAHT in Japan would quialify me?
Nongnuch ********
@Jim ******
for the application to the 90-days Non-Imm-Visa, YES. For the application to the 12-months Extension of Stay, NO
John *********
That is what my Thai wife and I do. Non-O visiting family in Thailand. There is no actual category that is marriage visa.
Mike ******
Why I can’t find such a 90 visa for American? Which category it fall in?
Nongnuch ********
@Mike *****
in the e-visa menue, you need to look underneath Non-Imm-OX and Non-Imm-OA . . . there it will say "other". Just click onto it and all the other Non-Imm-visa categories will open
Nongnuch ********
@Mike *****
be careful, there is a lot of misinformation on that website. It actually does not clarify which financial proofs you are required to show when starting out with a 90-days Non-Imm-O Family Visa, or with a 90-days Non-Imm-O Retirement Visa
Damo ***********
@Nongnuch *******
the financials 'starting' out are minimal.. it is when you go to open your Thai bank account within the first 30 days of your 90 day 'O' Non Immigrant visa, the financials will become more apparent. ie. 800,000 thb in the Thai account for a full 2 months before applying for the 12 month extension.

A little bit of research will reveal everything required. Not as scary as you make it out to be.
Nongnuch ********
@Damo **********
yet these important details didn't get mentioned on this non-official website. Please refrain from linking non-official websites, they are full of BS
Damo ***********
@Nongnuch *******
never tell me what to do f'witt... who do you think you are? f'witt.
Damo ***********
@Mike *****
Not going to answer 'why' you can find it.. (as I would be banned again from FB lol)

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Chuck **********
Retirement visa. I’m married and it’s the easiest.
Damo ***********
I would advise the 'O' retirement Visa (if you over 50). You should adhere to the financial requirements (unless you go to an Agent) and make sure you come back to Thai just before the 'expiry' date of your current retirement visa so you can extend it again for another 12 months. Sounds like you should get the single entry retirement extension (1,900thb), and pay 1,000 for a 're-entry' permit when you go back to USA.
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