What visa should I apply for to enter Thailand before marrying a Thai citizen?

Thai visa Non-O visa Tourist visa Marriage visa Visa extension Visa options for expats

Feb 1, 2022

3 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi,

Not sure if this has been asked before - I am going to be married to a Thai citizen at the end of the year. I'm wondering what's the appropriate visa for me to enter Thailand early this year while I make the arrangements for the marriage. So basically, what's a good visa to have before transitioning to an actual marriage visa. Thank you!

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The best visa option for entering Thailand before your marriage to a Thai citizen is to initially apply for a tourist visa, which grants you a 60-day stay upon arrival, with the potential for a 30-day extension. Alternatively, you could enter with a 30-day visa exemption followed by a possible 30-day extension, but this may be more time-sensitive. Once married, you can switch to a Non-O visa based on marriage, provided you have enough time left on your entry stamp to apply.

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Emil ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks for the advice everyone. Im currently in my home country, but planning going back to Thailand in May. Wedding is on Dec, but we'll see if we can do it on paper sooner than that.

3 years ago

Wayne **********

Perfect advice as usual.

3 years ago

Tod *********

It all depends on how fast you can get your shit together to get married and then to apply for the initial 90 day Non-O visa based on marriage

IF you think you can do it quickly you could come in on a 30 day visa exempt entry and if you needed more time you could get a 30 day extension on that. SO that means you'd have to get married and get your money into the thai bank account in your name only with enough time left on your entry stamp/extension to apply for the in country Non-O visa (most offices require 15 days left on your stamp to apply)

OR

If you want to give yourself some 'breathing room', get a single entry tourist visa from the thai consulate in your country before you come here. That would stamp you in for 60 days when you arrive and you could get a 30 day extension on that as well so a total of 90 days.

With the ongoing covid shit show I would say get the tourist visa to give you the maximum amount of time you can get to get married, get the funds in place and apply for the 90 day non-O based on marriage

3 years ago

Graham ******

I did it (marriage) last year entering 30 day visa exempt entry with one 30 day extension. Just about managed it as the Embassy wasn't open for business until 3 weeks before my departure. I didn't extend beyond that but my timings under Covid conditions show it can be done without a visa because when married I could have got an extension based on visiting Thai family if I needed it.

3 years ago

Jonas *****************

@Graham *****

did you have a visa on arrival 30 days and then extend that for another 30 days, then got the marriage visa?

3 years ago

Graham ******

@Jonas ****************

No, I left at the end of my extension. I indicated that from the Embassy re-opening to appointments to marriage took just under 3 weeks in my case (it should have taken less but that's another story). You can do it easily (getting married) without a visa, there's plenty of time.

3 years ago

Tod *********

@Jonas ****************

there is no such thing as a 30 day visa on arrival.

@Graham *****

said he came in on a 30 day visa exempt entry (showed up here and got stamped in for FREE for 30 days) and then got a 30 day extension on that at the immigration office for 1900baht

3 years ago

Reply to

Tod *********

James ********

I assume you will be leaving Thailand soon ..if not already.

Just when are you planning to reenter Thailand?

When will you be getting married to a Thai?

Entering with a tourist visa then transitioning to an Ed Visa to learn Thai language would be a good plan to consider as you prepare marriage plans

3 years ago

James ********

Are you still in Thailand?

As your prior post of September 15, 2021 says you were applying for the second 90 days extension of the STV visa.

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3 years ago

Emil ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Im already back in my home country last December. Plan to go back this May