What should I know about switching to the Non-Immigrant O Marriage Visa for expats in Thailand?

Dec 26, 2024
a month ago
Helpful ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi everyone!

I’m planning to switch to the Non-Immigrant O Marriage Visa soon as I am now married to a Thai citizen with a child.

I’ll be canceling my current visa, then apply for the initial 90-day visa out of the country.

Since I don’t want to be away from my wife and child for too long, I’m trying to ensure everything is prepared and that the process is as smooth as possible. I have some questions I’d love your advice on if you’ve been through this recently:

1️⃣ E-Visa Process: Has anyone recently applied for the 90-Day Non-Immigrant O Visa through the new e-visa process? Any tips?

2️⃣ Country Choice: Should I go to Vietnam, Lao, or Cambodia to apply? Which is more efficient or hassle-free? The embassy in Vientiane says about 10 to 15 days while Ho Chi Minh City says only 5.

3️⃣ Address Details: Should I list the hotel address where I’ll stay in the country I apply in, the Thai house I’m renting, or my home country address?

Should I add my Thai home or home country as a permanent address option?

4️⃣ Intended Departure Date: Should I put the date 3 months from arrival or a year out?

5️⃣ Accommodation Type: I rent a house—should I select “Guesthouse” or “Private Property”?

6️⃣ Financial Evidence: Will an online bank statement from ibanking.bangkokbank.com work? Or should I get the bank to print it out and then scan it for upload?

7️⃣ Proof of Relationship: When I was going to apply in person they asked for a copy of the Kor. 2 from the local office, so do I need that as well or just upload my child's Thai birth certificate and original Thai marriage cert.?

When applying in person, they asked for additional documents like maps, photos of us at home, and house registration. Do I need anything else like that?

Any advice, experiences, or tips would be greatly appreciated! Thank you.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is looking to switch to a Non-Immigrant O Marriage Visa after marrying a Thai citizen and has several questions regarding the application process. They seek advice on the e-visa process, choosing the best country for the application, address details, intended departure dates, accommodation types, financial evidence requirements, and necessary proof of relationship documentation. Other community members have shared insights on the visa process and encouraged applying online rather than at an embassy, noting possible changes due to evolving visa procedures.
Michael ********
After new year think they will be all e visa and no one knows how long the different embassies will take and i guess there will be teething problems at the beginning as well
Graham ******
@Michael *******
They normally quote 10 working days so not a quick process now
Michael ********
@Graham *****
Yes thats what they all saying, time will tell as i said how long it will actually be. Like we know from this forum roughly times for all the various embassies likee UK fairly quick, France and US not
Tida ****************
If you already have another type of Thai visa, it maybe easier if you switch to Non-O visa (Thai wife / Thai child) in Thailand 😀
Helpful ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tida ***************
Currently on an Ed visa
Graham ******
@Tida ***************
can do if it's a Tourist Visa, can only change the reason for an Extension when it is next due if it was based on a Non-O originally
John ********
The point of the e visa is it is done online not in the embassy. My understanding is the embassies are now closed or are in the process of closing and that you apply online in your home country to the embassy of that country. I recently applied for a 90 day Non O from London, it took about 3 weeks to be approved. An online PDF of my Thai Bank and UK bank were accepted as proof of funds. The process was very straightforward
Rob ***********
@John *******
good to know, does this go for an extension based on marriage too when applying from outside of Thailand, say the UK? And do you have the link to the E-Visa site?
Graham ******
@Rob **********
You do not get extensions from outside Thailand, only the initial Visa.
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Helpful ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *******
Thank you, I may use the online PDF as well as a scanned printout of my statement from the bank.
Jan ******************
Just one question first, what kind of visa/stay are u currently on?
Helpful ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jan *****************
ED. I came here to get a degree, and the few years I have been studying I got married, and now have a kid. Don't have the time to finish the degree, and now Immigration is saying it looks bad to do a swap like this for some reason, as if I was playing the system. haha So a lawyer told me my best bet was to leave Thailand and get the 90 day visa first then the extension should be easier since I was already approved for the non o. Just trying to ensure I don't get separated from my family.
Jan ******************
@Helpful *******
Ok thanks for your reply. All embassies/consulate goes online now. I don’t have a complete overview but I know HMCH Vietnam is known to be easy.

Personally I would have considered to use a land border transport company to bounce me for a 60 days visa exemption if you’re entitled and applied for a Non O through an agent because of your previous history. I mean by the rules and no bypass of formal requirements, only as a help with the process.

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