What visa options are available for a long-term expat in Thailand who is in a long-term relationship but not married?

Visa Types Non-O Visa Non O-X Visa Non A-O Visa Thai Elite Visa Long Stay Visa Expats in Thailand Visa Requirements Retirement Visa

Oct 1, 2021

3 years ago

Ian *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hope this post finds everyone well. Hopefully in the next 12/18 month's when Covid is in the rear view mirror I will be applying for a long stay Visa.If my understanding is Correct As I am in a long term relationship (8 years) but NOT Married I believe the multiple entry Non-O visa is not suitable for me?.So I have Roughly 3 Choices. A Multiple entry Non A-O, multiple entry Non O-X, or one of the Thai Elite Visas. Thanks in advance for any Advice.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The individual is seeking advice on visa options for living long-term in Thailand while in a long-term relationship but not married. They are considering a multiple entry Non-AO visa, Non-OX visa, or a Thai Elite Visa. Community comments highlight the importance of being over 50 years old for specific visa types and the necessity for official marriage documentation for a Non-O visa, suggesting that a long-term relationship alone may not meet the requirements.

NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES

Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
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Ellie *******

IF Thai consulate in your country still issues Non-O being over 50 multiple entry (valid for 1 year, 90days stamp on each entry) could be another choice for you, but many countries don't issue this anymore.

You will need official documents (certificate, registration, etc) for marriage (that is Thai government recognizable) Non-O being married to a Thai national. A long-time relationship (or common-law marriage) is not.

3 years ago

Ian *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Ellie ******

yes Australia does issue Non-0 Visas but my understanding is that this is granted to someone that is married to a Thai national which I am not.

3 years ago

Benjamin ******

@Ian ******

a non-o visa means “other”. This can be issued for marriage, volunteering, retirement, raising a half Thai child, and many other reasons.

I do not think they are offering the multiple entry visas (the ones that let you stay for 90 days on each entry) now.

3 years ago

Ian *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Benjamin *****

thanks Benjamin. The reason I'm banging on about the multiple entry part of the Visa is because while I will have finished work and will be spending most of my time in Thailand I would still like to get back to Australia a couple of times a year to check on property and family. Also I intend on traveling by land out of Thailand on trips so I'm thinking a multi entry visa would make that easier. Thanks again to you and the rest of the moderators for the great job you guys do. 🙏

3 years ago

John **********

@Ian ******

You can buy either a single use or multiple use re-entry permit on a standard 12 month extension of stay from an immigration office inside Thailand

3 years ago

Ian *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@John *********

thanks John.i thought the multiple entry or single entry was part of the Visa and not separate.👍

3 years ago

Benjamin ******

@Ian ******

This is where terminology is vital for understanding how to stay and return to Thailand.

A VISA is permission that grants a person to enter Thailand for a certain amount of time. A VISA can be single entry or multiple entry. A single entry visa allows a person to enter Thailand ONCE. A multiple entry visa allows a person to enter Thailand for multiple times, up to the "valid to" date on the visa.

A single entry Non-O Visa Based on Retirement is valid for 3 months, allows a person to enter Thailand for 90 days, and once entered, is marked used.

A multiple entry Non-O Visa Based on Retirement is valid for One year, allows a person to enter Thailand for 90 days, and once entered, can be used multiple times, allowing additional 90 days. This allows "border bouncing", or crossing over the borders for an additional 90 days.

HOWEVER... for people who are on EXTENSION OF STAYS, to keep the extension of stay alive, a "re-entry permit" needs to be purchased. A single entry re-entry permit can only be used once. A multiple entry re-entry permit can be used multiple times. If a person leaves Thailand on an extension of stay WITHOUT getting the re-entry permit, the extension of stay would be voided.

3 years ago

Ian *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Benjamin *****

thanks again Benjamin great explanation 🙏

3 years ago

Tod *********

@Ian ******

you are confusing two separate things

VISAS <- that you buy from a thai consulate before you come here are usually sold as either single or multiple entry

BUT

yearly extensions of stays <- that you get inside thailand from an immigration office are sold as "no entry" <- meaning they have no re-entry permit because you're already IN thailand. Once you get a yearly extension if you want to exit/come back and keep that extension 'alive' you buy either a single re-entry permit for 1000baht or a multiple re-entry permit for 3800baht

3 years ago

Ian *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tod ********

thanks Tod Clears up a lot and makes it clear. Thanks again to all the moderators for helping out. 🙏

3 years ago

Ellie *******

@Ian ******

you seem to have a long time before you really get a visa. Keep watching what kind of visa would be available and how traveling circumstances would be then..

3 years ago

Reply to

Ellie *******

Benjamin ******

IMPORTANT GROUP RULE REMINDER:

This group *WILL NOT* discuss or debate COVID-19, vaccines, or if the Thai government is implementing a successful COVID-19 policy. This is NOT the group for it. I'll remove any comments that does NOT help the OP in figuring out how to stay in Thailand.

Thank you

3 years ago

Benjamin ******

Just to confirm, are you over 50 years old, and do you have 800K THB in cash that you can transfer to a Thai bank account?

3 years ago

Ian *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Benjamin *****

yes Benjamin closer to 60. I have that amount in BKK bank now and will when applying for the Visa.

3 years ago

Reply to

Ian *******

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