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What visa options and procedures should a couple over 65 consider when moving to Thailand?

Visa TypesNon-O VisaTourist VisaBank AccountMarriage in ThailandImmigration ProceduresExpat Life in ThailandLiving in ThailandRetirement VisaLong Stay Visa
Oct 5, 2023
a year ago
Debbie ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello! I have some questions regarding timing of applying and waiting for visas and would like some advice.

We are a couple, residing in Canada. He has a British passport and I have a US passport. We are both over 65. We would like to apply for a non immigrant O visa. We have booked tickets from mid Jan to mid March. Plan to apply for the 60 day tourist visa and spend 2 months looking at different areas in which to move. Ideally, we would apply for the 30 day extension and change our return plane ticket. The plan is to then return to Canada, pack things up and make the move. Here is what I would like to know. Once we arrive, should we try to open the bank account right away? Then apply for the 90 day visa? Or can we wait until after we have looked at different areas before we open the bank account and apply for the visa? Also, if we apply and don't have an answer can we still leave and return once it's approved? Do we need to go into immigration once it's approved? I'm sorry for my confusing questions. I guess what I'd like to know, is it possible to get this done in 2 to 3 months then return to Canada to close things up. Also, we plan to marry while we visit Thailand. Is that to our advantage as far as Visas are concerned? Thank you!
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A couple from Canada, holding a British and US passport and both over 65, plans to visit Thailand for two months starting in mid-January and is seeking advice on visa options, bank account opening, and their intent to marry while in Thailand. Key recommendations from the community include applying for a tourist visa initially, possibly extending it, and emphasizing the importance of having a bank account, especially when applying for a Non-O visa. Marrying in Thailand was advised against due to bureaucratic challenges, with suggestions to marry in Canada instead. Individuals were encouraged to research and prepare for their move while considering various visa applications that can help streamline their transition.
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Graham ******
The steps for getting married in Thailand are listed in this article. It can be done easily over a period of a couple of weeks with a visit of a few days to Bangkok (Embassies, translations & MFA ministry) then getting married locally at your Amphur office (there can be a long waiting list in Bangkok and other tourist areas).
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a year ago
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Debbie ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Graham *****
 thank you so much.
a year ago
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Debbie ***********
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Andy **********
If you marry in Thailand, its expensive. Both of you will likely need to book time at your respective embassies to get an affirmation. The UK charges citizens for this service. Then that paperwork needs to be translated and notarised. Then the paperwork needs to go to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to be check, accepted and approved (takes 3 working days. Be mindful the UK embassy only does its affirmation service on tuesdays and thursdays, and you need to book well in advance). You can DIY, but most use an agent to do all the running round (MFA shuts at 3pm M-F, closed public holidays and weekends). Cost me £500 to marry a Thai national, so you will be twice that, porobably, if using an agent.
a year ago
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Stuart ***********
You can book a cheap flight to a neighbouring country for very little money to meet the requirements. It's your airline that might insist on this not immigration.

I agree with others about getting married in Canada instead, it's not that easy in Thailand, but if you decide to do it I would recommend using an agent for that.

The most difficult part of the visa process is definitely getting a bank account opened, so do that as soon as possible. Bangkok Bank was the only one that would open for me and they used to insist on buying an insurance policy at the same time. The rest of the visa process is straightforward, just a case of filling out a couple of forms and going to the office at the right times. I wouldn't rush into buying a property, there are lots available, so rent first and check you are happy in the area. Good luck and enjoy.
a year ago
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James *********
@Stuart **********
 My bank also insisted. I told them my Rich Thai Uncle is an agent and sold me good insurance, and would disown me if I bought elsewhere. They laughed and said "OK".
a year ago
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James *********
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Debbie ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you for all the information. It's been very helpful. We have our tickets booked to return in 2 months but is it okay if we change them now to return in 3 months even though we are entering on a 2 month tourist visa?
a year ago
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Lyndon ************
@Debbie *********
 yes, however your airline may require you to have a ticket out of Thailand within 60 days, before they will let you board the plane leaving Canada.

Normally satisfied with a cheap fully refundable ticket to Laos, Malaysia etc which you then cancel after arriving in Thailand.

Opening the bank account is the biggest hurdle if not on a non imm visa.

Consider the 90 day non-oa from Canada, open a bank account, get things ready etc... Then on your return to Thailand apply for a non-o (no mandatory insurance required) and then extend that annually. No need to leave again.
a year ago
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Lyndon ************
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Todd *********
I’m Canadian and this is such a dramatic improvement in life in every way, I would just pack up and move now. Upgrade your life. If you qualify for LTR, that is by far the best visa option. If not, to keep things simple and easy, consider using an agent to handle your visa at least for first year while you sort things out.
@Thai *****************************
a year ago
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จอนห์ *******
@Todd ********
 agreed !
a year ago
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จอนห์ *******
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Chris *******
Okay you have a layered question.

*1st get MARRIED before arrival for retirement. This way one of you can be a dependant on the other, requiring only 800k for the primary applicant.*

2 foreigners getting married in Thailand is not the easiest thing, I suggest do it in Canada.

Here's my suggestion:

Come on a 60 day tourist visa and extend once at immigration for 30 days. Giving 90 days in country.

You could also do a border bounce for another 30 days and extend once for 30 days. Essentially getting 5 months to get situated.

When you are ready, go back to Canada and prepare.

Apply for a 90 day Non-o visa based on retirement.

The other apply for a 90 day non -o based on staying with family on longstay. Also known as "dependant".

Enter Thailand with the visa so you can easily get a bank account, because you already have a Visa.

Get the money transferred, 60 days later apply for 1yr extension.

This would be your easiest path and most economical .

**If you apply in country for the 90day non-o, you both apply separately and deposit 800k each, a dependant spouse cannot apply in country.
a year ago
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Debbie ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Chris ******
 sorry to bother you. Can you clarify the last statement for me please? A dependant spouse cannot apply in country?
a year ago
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Chris *******
@Debbie *********
 if you don't get a non-o 90 day visa before you arrive and try to do it in thailand.

The primary can convert from tourist to non-o but the dependant can't.

The dependant would have to go to a neighboring country apply and come back.

So it's beneficial to come with it first.
a year ago
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Chris *******
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Debbie ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Chris ******
 so to be clear... If we were to get married in Canada before applying for visas, we would only need the one bank account with 800k? Thanks!
a year ago
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Chris *******
@Debbie *********
 yes that is correct.

One is dependant on the other.
a year ago
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Chris *******
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Henrik ****
Getting a bank account might not be as easy as you think without a long-stay visa. Therefore, the one-year Non-OA visa might be the best option as a start. This will make it more easy to open a bank account.
a year ago
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John **********
You can come on tourist visas without a bank account but if you are planning on applying for the Non-O visa in Thailand you will each need your own bank account with 800k baht in it before you can apply.

Situation changes if you are married, but currently you are not.
a year ago
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จอนห์ *******
@John *********
 and how long does that 800,000 baht each have to be in the Thai Bank for
a year ago
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John **********
@จอนห์ ******
 to apply for the initial 90 day Non-O visa usually it just needs to be there, except for a couple of offices where it has to be there for 2 months before you apply. For an extension everywhere it has to be in the account for 2 full months before applying, has to stay there for 3 full months after the date of your stamp and can't drop below 400k baht at any point in the year.
a year ago
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John **********
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