What visa options should I consider for moving back to Thailand with my Thai spouse and children?

Dec 15, 2023
a year ago
James ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi , I'm legally married to a Thai ( 30 years ) , have 2 children , which visa you recomend to move back? US citizen
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user, a US citizen married to a Thai national and with two children, seeks advice on which visa to choose for relocating back to Thailand. Suggestions include the Non-O Visa for marriage or retirement, an investment visa, and noting that family considerations may influence the decision. The discussion highlights the financial requirements associated with various visas, such as maintaining a bank deposit for a retirement visa, and touches on the possibility of establishing a business in Thailand.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
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Mathias *******
Back to where
James ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mathias ******
back to Thailand , I had lived there years ago for 10 years
Mathias *******
@James *******
Okay. I would get a retirement visa. Pay the THB 800‘000 deposit on a bank account. Renewal every year at Immigration. Stay independent.
Andrew ********
Retirement, 100%
Av **********
Has to be a marriage visa...just fyi I know an American with two adult Thai children, married over 30 years to a Thai, has tons of property, money etc....still was denied.
Ian *********
I note the comments re: marriage or retirement options. As a US National, I believe you also have the option of setting up a company with 100% ownership and associated visa. Just another route
Doug *********
@I**
100% ownership of a company under the UA - Thai Amity Treaty. Through that company you could apply for a work permit and visa but conditions apply.
Doug *********
A high level overview I wrote a few years ago. Not much has changed since I wrote this.
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/27/facing-the-foreign-business-act/
Ian *********
@Doug ********
perhaps mate. I’m not a Yank 😉
John ********
Coz she will
James ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *******
we have been married 30 years , I'd welcome her " running " ..lol
John ********
@James *******
time to trade her in for a younger model
James ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *******
I've been through that already many years ago., and recentely ..But evidentely she is the matriarch of the family at this point . We are all kind of stuck with her ..lol
John ********
Run 🏃‍♀️ 🏃‍♂️
Jean-Francois ***********
Marriage with 400k-.
Magnus ***********
LTR for pensioners if you qualify for it I would say (800k USD in passive income). Otherwise non O.
Carsten **********
@Magnus **********
80k, not 800k.
Kool *******
If you can afford it, the investment visa is the best option. It's the only one you can make a decent profit on, without doing anything. There are other nice benefits with it also.
Vernon *********
Married for 30 years or your wife is aged 30?
James ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Vernon ********
huh . she is 51 ,??
Vernon *********
@James *******
Ok, not clear from your post
James ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Vernon ********
i noticed that after I wrote it ..
Vernon *********
@James *******
I bet she still looks 30 anyway!
Graham ******
As a US citizen your first 12 month extension of your Non-O Visa (marriage or retirement) will need to be via the seasoned funds route (400k or 800k respectively) but subsequent years can be using the international deposits method which most prefer (40k or 65k respectively). You don't have to leave unless you wish to do so (but will need a re-entry permit if you do).
Colin **********
Support of Thai is an option if the children are under 18, similar to Thai spouse ext.

Note: a visa is issued in your home country, normally for 90days.
James ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Colin *********
oh , the kids are in their mid - late 20s and have careers .so that won,' t be an issue ..
Phil ******
@James *******
if you over 50 and wish to work a married visa. Otherwise a retirement visa
James ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Phil *****
direct and to the point ..Thanks for the info I 'll look into both options . Oh , is it possible to use the marriage visa and not work , years ago i lived for 10 years on the Non 0 Visa in the 90s ..but I had to leave every 90 days .
Steve **********
@James *******
non O is just a 90 day check in, not leave country

My 90 day yesterday was from drive thru, took 2 min.
Phil ******
@James *******
yes no work unless your wife gets you working.

฿400k for married visa and ฿800k for retirement seasoned for 2 months and yes you may need to leave. After 12 months you apply for an extension.
James ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I am surprised the requirments to have to leave every few months hasn't changed in all these years ..I was hoping things had eased up a bit over all these years .
Phil ******
@James *******
no you don't have to leave just report every 90 days
Alistair **********
@James *******
having to leave and re-enter every 90 days is only for a multiple entry marriage visa. If you get a 12 month extension in Thailand there's no need to leave.

If money's not an issue the retirement visa is reportedly a lot less hassle than a marriage visa just requires 800k in the bank vs 400k.
Paweł ***********
@James *******
no, you don't have to leave on retirement or marriage visa, but you are required to do 90 day report, it's TM30.
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