Answered3 years ago

What visa should I apply for if my Non-O retirement visa does not allow my wife to obtain a trailing spouse visa?

Non-O Visa Trailing Spouse Visa Retirement Visa Visa Application Process Thailand Immigration U.S. Citizens in Thailand

Lee ******

asked Oct 30, 2023

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Hello,

I am desperately in need of help from the experts in this community.

I have twice applied for a trailing spouse visa for my wife, but her visa application was rejected with the following reason: 

"Your visa application has been rejected because Non-Immigrant O visa holders my not have dependents."

I have a Non-O retirement visa with one-year extension. We are both U.S. citizens. Wife has residency in Hong Kong so we applied there. Which of the following visa should we apply for?

1. To stay with non-Thai family residing in Thailand (more than 60 days).

1. To stay with Thai family residing in Thailand (more than 60 days).

If we select any of the retirement category visa, the document list will ask my wife for her 800,000 baht bank deposit, which is not what we want to do.

Thanks for your help.

Answer summary

A user seeking advice on visa options for their wife, after her trailing spouse visa application was rejected due to the restrictions on Non-O visa holders having dependents, specifically in relation to retirement visas. The user highlights the complications involved with financial requirements for the retirement category and asks for recommendations on alternative visas.

8 repliesnewest first

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Tod *********

Unless I'm greatly mistaken you're not going to be able to get a 90 day Non-O visa based on your wife being trailing spouse to you holding a Non-O visa/extension based on retirement. That consulate doesn't issue it

𝗪𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗮 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘄𝗲 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿?

This one is the choice you want -> 𝗧𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗻𝗼𝗻-𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗶 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 (𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝟲𝟬 𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀).

I believe at this time the ONLY consulate in the area that will issue 90 day Non-O visa based on trailing spouse to a retiree is the one in Penang Malaysia

3 years ago

Lee ******

Thank you very much,

@Tod ********

. Do you know under what circumstances can one apply for "non-Thai" family residing in Thailand?

3 years ago

Tod *********

@Lee *****

usually that is for spouses of people who have Non-B visas and legally work here.

As I said you want trailing spouse visa because you have a retirement visa extension, you use penang

3 years ago

Ellie *******

@Lee *****

, Conditions for Non-O volunteer-related and Non-O retirement-related are very different

3 years ago

Lee ******

@Michael **********

thanks. I plan to go to immigration and see if there is an option. Thanks for your post.

3 years ago

Michael ***********

@Lee *****

They did not. I "think" they are still awarding followers for ED visas. So that may be the next best? I'm really not sure. Perhaps

@Tod ********

has some ideas here?

3 years ago

Lee ******

@Michael **********

I was also planning to go to Penang to get the same visa for a spouse, but I have a Non-O retirement. I guess we are out of options given your recent experience in Penang. Did they tell you what your options are?

3 years ago

Michael ***********

@Tod ********

I am in Penang now. Just went to embassy on Tues and was denied non-o follower visa for our infant. I'm on a Non-O volunteer visa with three other followers and have my 1-yr. stamp... They informed me they are no longer giving Non-O follower visas. We have friends that came here on Aug. 17 and were awarded follower visas so it has changed.. I'm not sure if this applies to retirement non-o visas.

3 years ago