What is the simplest way for a U.S. citizen to stay in Thailand for 3 1/2 months when married to a Thai citizen?

Visa Rules Non-Immigrant O Visa Thai Family Visa Visa Extension Visa Exempt Entry U.S. Citizen in Thailand Immigration Expat Advice

December 7, 2022

2 years ago

Ron *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

My wife is Thai, we plan on visiting family for 3 1/2 months. I am a U.S. citizen. What is the simplest way for me to stay in Thailand for this duration? I don’t mind traveling to other countries for extensions. Thanks in advance.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

To stay in Thailand for 3 1/2 months as a U.S. citizen married to a Thai citizen, you can start with a visa exempt entry that allows for 45 days, then extend your stay by applying for a 30-day extension for 1,900 baht. After that, you can exit the country and re-enter for another 45 days. Alternatively, if you have documentation proving your marriage, you can directly apply for a Single Entry Non-Immigrant O visa to get 90 days on entry and a 60-day extension based on visiting a Thai family, totaling approximately 150 days without visa runs.

Robert *******

OR just apply for the Single Entry Non Immigrant O visa based on being married to a Thai National, get 90 days on entry and extend once with another 60 days based on visiting Thai family. 150 days without bouncing and using visa run companies.

I know I like to give visa advice, not how to avoid buying a visa.

2 years ago

Tod *********

yep I totally didn't notice the "my wife is thai" part he can indeed come in visa exempt, get the 45 days, take the 30 day regular extension and then apply for the 60 day visit thai family extension giving him a total of about 135 days in country Well spotted Ellie and Brandon

2 years ago

Brandon ************

If you have the documentation to prove the marriage, you also have access to the 60 day "visiting Thai family" extension.

2 years ago

Willem ****

45 days exempt back to back with a border bounce is possible. Givng you 90 days. Then extend it with 30 days if needed.

2 years ago

Tod *********

come in on a free visa exempt entry stamp (which is 45 days until Mar 31) take a 30 day extension for 1900baht, bounce out and back in to the country to get a new 45 day visa exempt entry when that runs out

2 years ago

Ellie *******

@T**

, IF

@Ron ******

has a legit marriage certificate, can't he apply for a 60-day visiting family extension after a 30-day tourism extension?

2 years ago

Ron *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Ellie ******

we are legally married in the US and Thailand.

2 years ago

Ellie *******

@Ron ******

, then you should be able to apply for 60 days family visit extension for 60 days for the same 1900 thb fee after you get 30 days tourism extension. Most offices only allow you to apply for this once you already get a tourism extension.

So your choices when you enter on visa-exempt gonna be

- (45 + 30 + 60) days for (1900 thb x 2 at the local IO) without leaving Thailand

- (45 + 30) days for 1900 thb at the local IO + 45 days (or 30 days after April 2023) by border bounce.

2 years ago

Reply to

Ellie *******

Richard *********

@Ellie ******

I would like to know the answer to this question!!

2 years ago

Reply to

Richard *********

Ron *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tod ********