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What proof of relationship do I need for a retirement O visa application to Thailand?

Mar 26, 2025
8 days ago
Howard *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I am in the UK and applying for 'retirement O' visa. My application has been rejected as I need t show 'proof of relationship' I am going to live with my Thai girlfriend in her house, but not get married. How do I prove a relationship? Will a screenshot of my 'whats app' showing that we have talked daily for the last 3 years suffice?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The original poster's application for a 'Retirement O' visa was rejected due to a requirement for 'proof of relationship', despite planning to live with their Thai girlfriend without marriage. However, community responses indicated that for a retirement visa, proof of a relationship is not typically necessary. Many users suggested that the applicant may have applied for the wrong visa category and clarified that the retirement visa does not usually ask for relationship evidence, focusing instead on financial stability. The poster later acknowledged possible mistakes in their visa application and sought clarification on the correct procedure.
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.
Howard *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Non Immigrant visa (O) Retirement (person over 50 with pension who wishes to stay in Thailand Number of entries: Single Is this correct?
Colin *********
Howard *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks for your help. It appears I applied for the wrong visa. I have tried again and applied as follows:
Peter **********
non O based on marriage means you have to be married to thai, or non O retirement has nothing to do with relationsgips neither does non OA
David **********
Marriage visa will often have home visits,

Retirement visas is very unusual

Reading through here it seems you have applied for a spouse visa

The easier way to do that is come here on the visa exempt, extend that then apply for non 0 based on being over 50.

90 day visa then extend
David **********
That transcript will help photos of you together transcripts of money given to her will also help
Steve ****************
doesnt anyone watch YouTube videos on how to get a visa?

the lawyer are integrity legal walk you through this
David ********
Fail
Beverly **********
I was never asked about a relationship!

I am a widow and my husband is f*cking DEAD....so relationship is irrelevant.

If they ever asked, I'd be puzzled as hell!
Kevin ******
I’m at a loss as to why this is being asked of you.
Ron ******
Did you apply for retirement OR to stay with Thai family more than 60 days? The latter would likely require proof of relationship in the Supporting Documents section. Retirement you're flying solo.
Geof *****
****************************************************************************************************
check under" Long-term Stay" why would you need proof of relationship?? 😆😆
Will ************
For a Non-o based on over 50 there is no need for proof of relationship in the application. You have applied for the wrong category. You only need to show £18k as a final balance on your latest bank statement and a photo of your UK driving licence for proof of location
Pauline ********
@Will ***********
my understanding of current requirement uk is that the 18k (or for husband & wife 36k) has to have been in your instant access accounts for 3 months before travel and the full length of your stay - in our case 90 days. That’s a huge amount earning no interest. You also appear to need proof that you don’t have criminal record - how you’d get that I have no idea? Am I misreading somehow? Your thoughts appreciated.
Will ************
@Pauline *******
Non-o is not Non-OA 2 different visas
Pauline ********
@Will ***********
thank you I’ll look again
Pauline ********
Hey Will I come from Middlesbrough but live Cambridge now.
John ******
I think maybe o/a

He is asking for but still confused over girl friend should not make any difference.
Graeme ******
Applying for a non o 90 day over 50 retirement visa does not ask any question at all to do with relationships married or not? You have applied for the wrong visa
Nigel **************
I just got my retirement extension for the first year at Petchabun Imm. As part of the 'under consideration' period to get the initial 90 day Visa three IO's came to our house and took photos of us inside and outside the house to prove we were living there together. We are not married.
John **********
@Nigel *************
they just came to check you live where you said you live, nothing more
Nigel **************
@John *********
yeah probably
Stuart *********
@Nigel *************
The IOs were confused. They may have thought you were applying for a “married to a Thai” extension rather than a “retirement” extension.

There is no requirement to being in any form of relationship for the (over 50) retirement extension.
Richard ******
@Stuart ********
I think that it’s just a check on your residentcy as you don’t necercarily have a TM30
Nigel **************
@Stuart ********
everyone tells me that, but all the docs had retirement stamped on them.
Michael ***********
The bigger question is WHY would you need to show proof of any relationship since you're not married? I think you made a mistake on how you filled out your application.
Nigel **************
@Michael **********
they came to check on us at the house
Ken ********
@Nigel *************
for a marriage visa they do not for retirement
Richard ******
@Ken *******
I think that if you are living with a woman, they do come and check on you at you house just to confirm that you are living there.

They came and checked on my lady and myself while I was on Non O before extension and also checked with village headman that I hadn’t caused any problems being here.
Nigel **************
@Richard *****
sounds like what happened with us. We had two senior village people and neighbours say I was living there.
Nigel **************
@Ken *******
in Petchabun they do!
Ken ********
@Nigel *************
what if your not in a relationship
Michael ***********
@Nigel *************
Well..they clearly made a mistake then.
Jan ******************
If you want to invite your GF to Europe you might need to prove your relationship. For Thailand it’s irrelevant unless you’re formally married. If you apply for a Non O based on retirement relationship is no issue.
Michael ***********
@Jan *****************
Yeah, it's makes zero sense. I think he made a mistake on his application. Thailand Immigration could care less if he has a gf or is alone.
Stuart *********
Can’t understand where the application is asking for a proof of relationship. If you’re opting for the retirement (over 50) option then there is no need for any proof of a relationship.

If you chose the “marriage” option then it won’t work unless you are physically married. Proof of talking every day would be irrelevant.
Gianpaolo ******
@Stuart ********
now I am in Thailand with a tourist visa! Tomorrow I will get married with my girlfriend! I live in udon Thani and I want to apply for marriage visa in vientaine but I can't book an appointment on line! What can i do?
Stuart *********
@Gianpaolo *****
All embassies and consulates now use the online evisa system
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You have to be in the country where you’re applying from. Vientiane uses a hybrid sort of system where you apply online and when you’ve applied they contact you to tell you to go to the embassy to pay.
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