This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.
What visa do I need to stay in Thailand as an expatriate marrying my Thai boyfriend, and how do I install my baby on my visa?
Thai visaNon-O visaMarriage visaVisa for familyVisa extension in ThailandThai citizenshipDependent visaExpats in Thailand
Aug 7, 2018
8 years ago
Emily ********
ORIGINAL POSTERhi, what is the visa called if I want to marry my thai bf and where can I find all the info about it?
unless there is a different visa I can stay for a long period of time to stay with my thai bf and our baby but I have no intention of working over there and getting a work permit as I work online. I don't wan't to get married just for the sake of a visa unless it is the only way our family can stay together!
I also understand our baby would have to be on my visa if it does not have dual nationality and I can't apply for that unless we're married? how would I go about getting him on my visa?
thanks :)
unless there is a different visa I can stay for a long period of time to stay with my thai bf and our baby but I have no intention of working over there and getting a work permit as I work online. I don't wan't to get married just for the sake of a visa unless it is the only way our family can stay together!
I also understand our baby would have to be on my visa if it does not have dual nationality and I can't apply for that unless we're married? how would I go about getting him on my visa?
thanks :)
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user seeks information on the appropriate visa for marrying her Thai boyfriend and staying with him and their baby in Thailand. Key options discussed include the Non-O visa based on marriage, which allows for a long-term stay without the need for a work permit as the user works online. Users also mention potential options like a dependent visa for the baby, emphasizing the need for marriage for the child to obtain Thai citizenship. The conversation highlights that requirements may differ for men and women in similar situations.
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.
Pelle Eriksson★★★★★
Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...recently on Facebook
Luca G.★★★★★
I used this agency for my DTV Visa...recently on Google
Trusted Retirement Visa Agent
OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED
#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND
Tod *********
And I think at this point we've taken the topic as far as we can.
Tod *********
While the topic of whether her as yet unborn half-thai child will have thai nationality (which I believe it will) is interesting. This is a visa advice page and as such her visa questions have been met.
At present, not being married to a thai and not having a half thai baby there is NO option to get a Non-O visa for her. If those factors change she would have a reason to apply for a Non-O visa.
I believe the only option now would be to come in on a tourist visa.
At present, not being married to a thai and not having a half thai baby there is NO option to get a Non-O visa for her. If those factors change she would have a reason to apply for a Non-O visa.
I believe the only option now would be to come in on a tourist visa.
Darren *********
Would she not also be entitled to a non-imm o/yearly extension to stay based on being the parent of a Thai national also? I know this is a problem for the male outside of marriage as by default they don’t have any parental rights, but as the mother would she not avoid this problem? Maybe the birth location would factor in. Just throwing that out there.
Tod *********
@Emily *******
The baby WILL be thai whether you're married or not :/ As long as one parent is thai the baby (no matter where it's born) is also thai by birth.The procedure is different registering the birth of a thai national abroad and you do that AND get a thai passport from the thai embassy in your country BEFORE you come here with the child.
Emily ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Darren ********
I'm hoping I can go to Thailand before the baby is born if I somehow get enough money to so I can marry my bf as it seems the best way, then when the baby's born will hopefully go and get a non o and I'll be able to get dual nationality for our babyDarren *********
Yeah.. just re-read it again, if the baby is going to be born in England then your going to have to jump through every hoop to register in Thailand although I’m not saying that it’s impossible.. Automatic parental rights are granted upon marriage for male foreigners marrying a Thai woman so if this is the same for the OP then it would seem the most straight forward way. However, get married because you want to and for the sake of your child, if that means that you get a life partner and a happy and well supported child then go for it. Best of luck.
Darren *********
@Bettina **********
it may fall down to where the baby is born then. If the baby was born in Thailand with a Thai father then regardless of marital status the baby would be Thai? Conversely if the mother is Thai and names a foreigner as the father, immigration won’t accept the fathers name on the birth certificate as enough for a visa as the mother can put anyone’s name in it. The father has to go through family court to gain parental rights OR marry the Thai woman. He then is entitled to go down the non o/yearly extension of stay route. But if it’s the mother (and obviously the parent ) then would she avoid this?Betty *****
That's right, assuming she applies for Thai citizenship for the baby and meets the financial requirements. Not sure how easy / difficult it is to get Thai citizenship for the baby, as she isn't married to her Thai partner yet.
Reply to
Betty *****
Reply
Chris ********
Check out this link, it may be helpful
*******************************************************************
Emily ********
ORIGINAL POSTERThank you so much! That's really helpful
Reply to
Emily ********
Reply
Steve *******
You dont need any specific visa to marry a Thai citizen. Once you're married you'll need the Non imm O visa based on marriage to a Thai citizen and then yearly extentions of stay to remain long term in Thailand. If you dont marry I think you need the same visa but based on having a Thai dependant, ie your child. The requirements for women are basically the same as for men but without the financial proofs as Marco pointed out earlier.
Jason ******
Non O visa based on marriage... But you still need to go out of Thailand and apply for a new visa after 3 months. Or you can get an Extension of stay for 1 year if you have proof of 400,000฿ in bank account.
Betty *****
@Marco ********
you mean Bangrak, right? Many foreigners get married there.Marco *********
The friendliest Consulate for Non O is Savannakhet (Laos), you can check their website.
Be aware your marriage must be officially registered, and looks like being registered in a specific Municipality in Bangkok makes the Visa process smoother
Be aware your marriage must be officially registered, and looks like being registered in a specific Municipality in Bangkok makes the Visa process smoother
Emily ********
ORIGINAL POSTERMarco Corallo okay that's good! is there anywhere online I can see the official documents list for a foreign woman to marry a thai man? everything seems to be for a foreign man...
Marco *********
In some Consulates if a foreign woman is married with a thai man, in order to apply for a Non O visa she doesn't need to show any financial proof.
Emily ********
ORIGINAL POSTERI really can't be doing visa runs with a baby every 3 months, the check ins would be fine though... would we have to leave every 90 days on a non o?
Robert *******
The Non B is only based on Working, The Non O could be based on marriage.
Reply to
Robert *******
Reply
Robert *******
As you work online you need the work permit and the Non Immigrant B visa or the Non Immigrant O visa based on marriage with a Thai National. There is no visa that allow you to stay long time just by having a Thai boyfriend and a baby. Or you can apply for the Thai Elite Visa, but this is also Employment Prohibited,
Maxim ***********
@Emily *******
But since u want to get married, go get a non-O based on marriage (not sure of the name), u'll be able to stay pretty much forever with one extension per year if u meet some financial (400k baht locked in bank account 2 months prior to making the non-O and 2 months prior to extension every year). And i'm not even sure that the financial requirement apply if u are married to ur thai bf, depending on the embassy-consulate. Then it's a matter of if it's worth it to get a work permit... for a big bank loan on a house, car, etc, they want to see some money coming in and out of ur thai bank acc every month, but the job need to be register so online work not gonna work to be available for a loan.
Another option is to ask a family member on ur BF side to be *guarantee*, so ur BF alone will be able to get a decent loan cause the bank will be protected if u guys run away. + the fact that u are foreigner from (UK?) u get positive discrimination. This is what we did... we have a new car and my GF mother is the *guarantee*. We dealt directly with mitsubishi, they then fill some paper with a few lies about the situation and their finance got us the monthly payment the next day. They visited my GF mother restaurant, mother said that daughter work with her (half-true), and that she make 30k baht per month (lie). This is how things are done here, there no point in not trying to embelish reality and be a *moral warrior*.
I'm telling u about loan and finance because for me because my GF make only like 10k per month selling drink (we live in Issan), I would have to pay house, car, etc, cash, bank won't allow her big loan for that on her salary alone. This is where her family come to play, or u getting a work permit to have 2 salary, anything that will make the bank trust u.
Emily ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Maxim **********
thanks thats really helpful :)Maxim ***********
@Emily *******
I got asked the question one time during a Laos border run *why are u border run u been Thailand long time!* or wtv, can't remember exactly. I just said that I have a *thai GF, she is right there! (pointing)*, and officer reply *wife, oh!*, with a big smile!If for some reason that answer doesn't work, just say that u have *invested money years ago and it work out very well!*. Don't go more into details, doesn't matter if it's stock market, Bitcoin or wtv, stay vague. I've been ask one time in 5 years...
I even make a new passport in BKK canadian embassy recently, last one only lasted 2.5 years before running out of pages. I didn't know what to write under job in the document, I didn't put that I have invested money, I put *unemployed*. Lady then review document with me, I said *unemployed*, she didn't ask any further question. So even if i've been in Thailand for long time she didn't doubt my answer, they can't.
Everybody financial are different, someone could have a rich family, won the lotto, made good investment, work illegally, or have a thai BF-GF that pay for everything. It's nobody business and if officer ask which is very rare there is plenty of answer that will be fine. No need to talk about investment, or gray area, go with the *I have a thai BF and a baby*, 99% of the time there will be no further question.
Maxim ***********
Emily Hasson 99% of foreigner *working* online don't have work visa and nobody care, it's very hard for them to prove that u are working or to even care, police have more important thing (aka: target) to do. It's even easier if u have thai-bf or gf, they will be asking even less question, if ever.
I have yet to see anyone in trouble for *working online* in Thailand, those who are under suspicions are almost always from africa, middle-east and-or muslim countries, they don't bother european or north-american. This of course is assuming that u don't do anything that could raise suspicion, so whatever u are doing online just keep it mostly to yourself and other foreigner u trust, few thai friends and ur bf.
I have yet to see anyone in trouble for *working online* in Thailand, those who are under suspicions are almost always from africa, middle-east and-or muslim countries, they don't bother european or north-american. This of course is assuming that u don't do anything that could raise suspicion, so whatever u are doing online just keep it mostly to yourself and other foreigner u trust, few thai friends and ur bf.
Simon **********
@Robert ******
'after 1 year you do this again, NO financial requirements needed'... Does this also apply to a foreign male married to a Thai female? ThanksBetty *****
@Robert ******
pm was about something different, but I agree could be useful to share here too.Betty *****
Sorry
@Jessica ******************
thought you were admin of the Thai partner group. But I think Carissa Sirikit is?Robert *******
As you can see, we have female members. And we love to share information, not by taking them to other pages or in PM. So thanks for asking and sharing your information.
Betty *****
@Robert ******
as with everything in Thailand... It depends on the official. It is the list for foreign woman married to Thai men specifically (so not really useful for foreign men married to Thai women), but if there is an interest, I'll ask @Jessica ******************
to share here?Robert *******
@Bettina **********
It would be nice to share this up to date list. I assume that this list is valid to all the Immigration Offices inside Thailand?Betty *****
@Emily *******
sent you an PM :)Emily ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Bettina **********
thank you :)Betty *****
@Emily *******
if you get married + non O based on Thai husband it is quite easy. There is an up to date list in the Expat Women with Thai Partners group.Robert *******
Step by Step, get back in the land of smiles, have a nice wedding, arrange your visa and after that I advice the dual nationality for the baby, That will take time, but it is much easier for the baby if she/he decide to stay and live in Thailand.
Emily ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Robert ******
okay I will do that when im in Thailand. I'll take it step by step, seems overwhelming trying to think of what ill have to do all at once especially with trying to get the baby on my visa or getting it a dual nationalityRobert *******
Best part is the Immigration Office has a hand out with the requirements, Just pick it up, it is in English and Thai. Tick the boxes and get all the papers together. First time it seems to be a lot of hassle but after a few years you know the list by head and get the needed papers in a few hours,
Emily ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Robert ******
okay thanks so much, it is a lot of hassle and paperwork but its what I expect to be honest, no easy way round it haha seems like the best option to do that thoughEmily ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Gunmetal ******
I don't meet requirements for the smart visa unfortunatelyPedro **********
perhaps 'Smart Visa' option??? no need to have work permits, can stay for 4 yrs.. pay tax as per foreign company., only report per 90 days.. etc.. don't have all the details myself..
Robert *******
OK, you can come into Thailand on a Tourist Visa, get married, than apply for the Non Immigrant O visa based on Marriage with Thai National at your local Immigration office, you will get after some weeks consideration time this visa and 90 days of stay. After 60 days you can apply for the 1 year Extension of Stay at the same Immigration Office with the same documents. Again 1 month under consideration and than you pick up the remaining 11 months. After 1 year you do this again, NO financial reguirements needed from you or your than husband. The baby could piggy back on your visa if you like with a Non Immigrant O visa as dependent but children till 15 years are free for overstay fines.
Emily ********
ORIGINAL POSTERor would they look at his income instead?
Emily ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Robert ******
because I am not sure I will even be working online when we do go so I may just rely on my savings and him. If we go on a tourist visa and then get married when we're there, would it be okay for me not to work, especially if there are no financial requirements! at least for the first year?Robert *******
If it is your boyfriend yes, not if it is your husband. For the Extension of Stay based on marriage there are no financiel requirement for ladies.
Emily ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Robert ******
okay that's understandable but what if I don't work online and have no employment/income at all but my savings and bf pays for everything whilst we are there. would they be suspicious?Robert *******
You work inside Thailand, so you need the work permit, there is nothing in the rules about company is outside Thailand or work must have something to do with Thailand.
Emily ********
ORIGINAL POSTERDo you need a work permit even if its a company outside of Thailand and has nothing to do with Thailand? i'll look into the Non O. I understand that just trying to see all my available options, I'd love the elite visa if I had the money haha thank you though :)
Reply to
Emily ********
Reply
Bill ************
Why don't you google Thailand Visa
Tod *********
@Bi**
, the group is for people to ask questions and get answers. IF you are unable to respond to a topic by all means pass it by, don't just parrot out "google". Thanx (y)
Emily ********
ORIGINAL POSTERBill Williamson some of the websites are very dated, I like this group because they know all the changes and law updates and give the best current advice, sometimes google isn't better for research
Bill ************
@Robert ******
Don't get your grass skirt in a mess. Didn't say that I all. I read this site every day. In my humble opinion, I just wonder why people that are planning on traveling halfway around the world would not get their information from official sites. Nothing wrong with trying to get clarification from this site, . I apologize if I offended you.Robert *******
Well if you think the advice given here is incorrect, than use the leave this group button. I wish you happy times in Thailand. Goodbye.
Bill ************
@Robert ******
Yes, understand that. But the most unto date I formation comes right from the horse mouth.Robert *******
@Bill ***********
Because she is member of this page with the purpose to help people with the knowledge and experience of all members.Emily ********
ORIGINAL POSTERI have... The rules also seem different for marrying a Thai man instead of a woman
Reply to
Emily ********
Reply
Anna *************
Why wont your kid have dual citizenship? If the father is thai, the kid is thai (unless u dont want that). It has nothing to do with you two being married to each other.
Tod *********
@Anna ************
I believe that is totally incorrect and as long as one parent is thai the child is thai by birth..Emily ********
ORIGINAL POSTERokay, cant seem to find anything about it on the embassys website though?
Naomi **************
@Emily *******
Yes as long as father in birth certificate.Emily ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Naomi *************
okay I need to look into the dependants visa!Emily ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Bettina **********
yeah I will ask in that group, what kind of proof of documents? we cant get married before as I wont see him until after the baby is born and I go to Thailand unfortunatelyNaomi **************
I was not married have a dependants visa to look after my daughter who was born in Australia.
Betty *****
@Emily *******
have you asked in the Expat woman with Thai partners group about whether your baby can get Thai citizenship without getting married? My guess is, you would need more proof or documentats from the fathers side. Personally I would probably get married before the baby is born because it will probably make your family life much easier.Anna *************
O Gorman Trevor wrong if the dad isnt thai and the mom is then yes no need to get marry but if the dad is thai and the mom isnt then no. The kid isnt thai unless they get marry
Emily ********
ORIGINAL POSTERO Gorman Trevor As im in England and the baby will be born here ill get a English one first to fly out and use the English passport to get in, shouldn't be a problem with a tourist visa to begin with, then ill get a thai passport when I am in Thailand... but it seems we have to be married to do so... I don't know seems complicated with different rules for foreign men and foreign women
Emily ********
ORIGINAL POSTERO Gorman Trevor okay I will look into it more but everything ive seen or people have said they had to be married
Anna *************
They have to get marry because the Thai one is the Dad not Mom
Emily ********
ORIGINAL POSTERGlenn Michael Edwards this post is about my baby having dual nationality and me getting a visa, not about me getting thai citizenship? it will have an English birth certificate as I am giving birth here but I will write his name on it
Emily ********
ORIGINAL POSTERO Gorman Trevor that will be my plan in the future but first thing I want to do is get an English passport and then a thai one, wouldn't that mean you applied for your child to have dual nationality? did you have to be married to do so
Glenn ******************
Emily your marrying will not get you Thai Citizenship not never wont happen. It will allow you to apply for a visa to remain in Thailand based on Marriage. If your baby has a Thai Birth certificate with your Thai Bf's name on it you can apply for a visa as you are looking after a Thai citizen. He is your dependant. As to the babies English Citizenship the UK allow dual citizenship Thailand doesnt but they dont check. It is a Non O visa just the same as if you are married except rather than to visit spouse it is to visit children as in yours.
Emily ********
ORIGINAL POSTERI think I understand what you mean, it could be thai but it would lose its English citizenship which I don't want to do and be getting visas for the baby every time I go back home
Emily ********
ORIGINAL POSTERGlenn Michael Edwards getting married would mean the baby would have thai citizenship and English citizenship... he will be on the birth certificate but it still wont make the baby thai unless I apply for dual nationality which we do have to be married for... I haven't heard for the depandance visa before? what is it
Glenn ******************
Getting Married does not mean you get Thai Citizenship. However if the Father is Thai and is on the Birth Certificate then the baby is Thai. I believe the visa you are looking for is a depandance visa. This has more or less the same requirements as a marriage visa.
Anna *************
My bad. Sorry. I just asked a friend. If the dad is thai then u need to be married to get citizenship.
Emily ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Anna ************
have you done it? I'm friends with a lot of ferang mums with thai partners and non have been able to get dual nationality without marrying... if its possible i'll obviously be interestedAnna *************
You can. No need to get marry.
Emily ********
ORIGINAL POSTERI do, I can't apply for it to have dual nationality unless we are married... The baby isn't born with dual nationality unfortunately
Reply to
Emily ********
Reply
43 comments
2 years ago
14 comments
2 years ago
15 comments
3 years ago
16 comments
4 years ago
37 comments
4 years ago
2 comments
4 years ago
10 comments
4 years ago
4 comments
4 years ago
5 comments
4 years ago
11 comments
5 years ago
25 comments
6 years ago
0 comments
7 years ago
22 comments
7 years ago
17 comments
7 years ago
13 comments
7 years ago
17 comments
7 years ago
What is the best visa option for staying in Thailand, considering marriage and family circumstances?
0 comments
7 years ago
34 comments
8 years ago
24 comments
8 years ago
31 comments
8 years ago
24 comments
8 years ago
2 comments
8 years ago
43 comments
9 years ago
15 comments
9 years ago
25 comments
9 years ago
7 comments
a month ago
9 comments
a month ago
21 comments
a month ago
16 comments
a month ago
8 comments
a month ago
The ask:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.