The difference between a "marriage visa" and a "yearly extension of stay based on marriage"
This topic comes up quite a lot. So let's take a minute and go over these two very different things.
I hate to break it to you all but a "marriage visa" actually doesn't exist. No matter what thai immigration staff or thai consulate staff or foreigners call it, there is no such animal.
It is in reality a Non-Immigrant Type O <-(O meaning OTHER) visa. Non-O visas are issued for a variety of things, marriage to a thai, raising children, being over 50 (retirement), married to a foreigner who legally works here, volunteering, etc.
If you are married to a thai you can stay here two ways;
Go to a thai consulate and get a year-long, multi-entry Non-Immigrant Type O visa based on marriage to a thai.
Right now the thai consulate in Savannakhet Lao and Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam will issue these visas without any proof of finances.
On this visa you get stamped in for 90 days, when that 90 days runs out you to go the border, stamp out of thailand, stamp in&out of another country and then stamp back into thailand for another 90 days. You do this for the validity of the visa itself which is one year from the date it's issued. Most people get 15 months out of this visa because by exiting and reentering the country just prior to the "enter before" date on the visa itself you get stamped in for another 90 days (taking you to 15 months).
A person on this visa NEVER EVER does a 90 day report at the immigration office (because you can't stay in the country longer than 90 days at a time).
The other way is to get a 90 day single entry Non-Immigrant Type O visa (either from a thai consulate or at the immigration office) and then apply for a yearly extension of stay based on marriage to a thai at the immigration office in your area.
You meet the financial requirements of 400K baht banked in a thai bank account in your name only for 2 months prior to your application OR by using a notarized letter from your consulate stating you get 40K baht a month in income from abroad. You submit a pile 'o documents, photos, and paperwork and the application goes under consideration for 30 days.
Then you go back and get the year extension inked into your passport. During the 30 day under consideration some immigration offices do an in home inspection and talk to your neighbors.
If you are going to leave the country during the year after you get your extension of stay you would need to buy a re-entry permit.
A person on this extension DOES do 90 day reporting if they stay in the country 90 days.
I hope that was understandable, feel free to ask any questions you want to.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The term "marriage visa" is a common misconception as it doesn't exist under Thai immigration law. Instead, foreigners married to Thai citizens can apply for a Non-Immigrant Type O visa for one year, which requires border runs every 90 days. Alternatively, they can obtain a single-entry 90-day Non-O visa and then apply for a yearly extension of stay at a local immigration office, which requires meeting financial criteria. Extensions involve a 30-day consideration period, unlike the visa, which must be reapplied for upon expiration.
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.
