Visa Conundrum

Hi guys. I am having some difficulty obtaining current information. Visas and their procedures have changed and I find myself lost. My situation.

I am presently employed at a school in Roi Et. I will leave this school at the end of June and begin working at a school in Bangkok. Here is the information my new school has given me. I am unable to convince the new school of changes in their thinking.

1) I must be present in Roi Et to cancel my visa and work permit on June 30. It is impossible to quickly be in Bangkok on the same day to transfer my Non-B from one school to another (I have checked flights). The earliest I could arrive at Bangkok Immigration is 01 July. However, according to the new school, this would put me on a 1 day overstay. Bangkok immigration will refuse the transfer process if I am in an overstay situation. I can't use the 7 day visa extension option as Bangkok immigration will not process the visa transfer if my on on this 7 day extension. Is there a way around this problem?

2) I am investigating a Non-O marriage visa as I have been married with a Thai citizen for over 5 years. I do not have 400,000 Baht in the bank but my Thai salary is more than double the required 40,000 Baht. However I am finding mixed information about using my Thai salary. Some sources say that the 40,000 Baht must come from abroad. Some sources say Thai salary is OK, but I will need a letter from my embassy to verify my income. My embassy (U.S.A.) will not provide such a letter. Some sources say that isn't important and that 12 months of salary slips is sufficient (this I do have). The other issue is timing. I have two months before I will need everything processed. Additionally I have a work permit. Most websites indicate that I would need to cancel my current work permit when transferring from a non-B to a non-O. Does anyone have any suggestions about this option or any information that can clarify some of the questions I have posed?

I think this leaves two further options.

3) Get a Thai tourist visa from a Thai Embassy/Consulate in a neighboring country. I am having trouble finding updated information on this. Which is the best country (nearby) to do this? How does the e-visa system work? It used to be simple, but things seem much more complicated these days. If I need to do a tourist visa I would like to do it in the cheapest and most time-efficient manner. Any suggestions?

4) Get a Thai non-B from a Thai Embassy/Consulate in a neighboring country. My new employer is willing to provide the necessary documents for this. Again, if I go this route I would be looking for the most economical and efficient process. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thank you for any assistance and insight. Sorry for the long post.

I have been living in Thailand on a NON-O marriage visa, that expired when I returned to UK for a 3 week holiday with my thai wife. I didn't renew Non-O as I didn't have 400k baht in thai bank account at that time. What are the chances of me having problems entering BKK with a visa exempt on my return?

I just got my email from The Thai embassy in Los Angeles and I have been approved for my Non-O marriage visa! I want to thank everyone on this page who helped me with a huge shout out to Brandon Thurkettle! Every single thing he said here has proven to be totally accurate. He was the one who first told me the Non-O marriage would best suit me. So it’s a huge relief to have that out of the way, now we are on the clock. We will be in Thailand by the end of May at the latest and then it’s time to stress out over building our new house! 😎🤪😎🙏🙏🙏🇹🇭🇹🇭🇹🇭. Thanks again everyone and maybe we will bump into you at The Monkey Bar in Korat. Brandon I will definitely buy you some drinks!

I wanted to say it’s amazing how much conflicting information you can get regarding all the different visa options for entering/retiring to Thailand. I saw someone say if you talk to 10 different agents/experts you will get 10 different results and that appears to be true. So after much reading and deliberation and asking questions here I believe I have finally arrived at the best option; GET DRUNK! No just kidding.

My best bet appears to be the Non-O marriage visa as I am married to a Thai woman. It requires the fewest hoops to jump through and has the smallest amount of required money I need to keep in a Thai bank, etc. I am still not 100% sure if I have to apply online here in The US, or if I can come to Thailand and then apply for the visa, but I am going to go with what Brandon Thurkettle has told me because he seems to be extremely knowledgeable on the subject; I will do the application here and then get the bank account after arriving there and do whatever else I have to to secure our retirement in my adopted country.

Thanks again for all the help and I hope to run into some of you Farangs when we get there in the next couple months. Peace from Seattle, Washington, USA.

Jast got my first yearly extension on my Non O marriage visa today did the paper work early December they put in passport come back 28th January immigration phoned yesterday to say all done and come in any time to get the stamp. I'm 10mins from them so went in this morning out in 15mins the whole thing from start to finish was just so easy I'm in Roi Et. Ps thanks Tod for some help earlier.

Ok guys thanks for the help on my last question, now this question please. Am I required to have health insurance on a non o marriage visa. Where to buy, cost (72 years young).

I am US citizen and my Thai wife has US and Thai citizenship. We have a house in Ratchaburi province. We want to spend 6 months a year in Thailand. I did have a Non-O marriage visa in 2023, but because I did not know to get re-entry stamp when we went to the US, my visa was cancelled. I’m disappointed because the Non-O marriage visa was more difficult than climbing Mt. Everest. I could do the marriage visa again, but is there an easier option to get a 6 month visa in Thailand for a US citizen?

My tourist visa is expiring (long story) and I need to get back on my Non-O marriage. I moved my money out of Thailand and I will move the 400k back in, however my visa expires next week and I already extended it once. I read on another forum that Savanakhet wants to see the bank funds (400K) but it is not mandatory to have it in for 2 months. Could anybody possibly confirm this or give me any other advice?

Hello there.

Is it possible to make a switch from a one year extension of stay from University (ED) to a one year marriage extension at CW?

I went to the immigration at CW last week and talked to a few officers there. They all insisted that I would need to get out of the country and get a Non-O marriage visa outside of Thailand then apply for a one year extension after.

If anyone has done it recently or knows any agents, please PM me. 🙏

Hi all

I am fairly new to this group and I am seeking advice.

I work for a multinational company that has offices in Bangkok I have asked my company if I can relocate to Thailand. I requested this in December last year and they have been dragging their feet.

They have just informed me that they are happy to employ me in Thailand if I go through the process of getting my marriage visa and applying for a work permit myself.

I am married to a Thai national and I am in the process of buying a house. I have a bank account and my plan has always been to move to Thailand in November this year.

My manager has asked me to check if there is another way of them getting me to Thailand they say that their quota is full.

My question is this, I know that I have to apply for the 90 day visa which I can exchange to the 1 year ‘ marriage visa’ after 2 months but can I apply for the work permit only after the extension is granted?

I.e will I have to be unemployed for 2 months whilst waiting for my extension