@Roger *******

There's no "easy" path to permanent resident. But out of everyone, it's foreign women married to Thai men that will meet the least resistance. But that takes years, and it would have to be completed before the spouse dies or else their application would be cancelled.

If your visa is based on a marriage, and your spouse dies, you can remain in Thailand until the end of your extension. After that you either need to apply for an extension based on a new reason, or leave Thailand.

Anonymous participant Just based on questions people have received when entering Thailand, it would be best to apply in Australia if at all possible.

Some people have been asked "why didn't you apply at home?" rather than a country near Thailand. It just looks better to them. That you planned it out and you are legitimate, rather than someone who was already living in Thailand and then got the DTV just to continue doing so.

@Vicki ******

When all else fails, an agent can help you. But if you want to do it on your own, you'll need to start planning from scratch most likely.

1) you have 5 years to enter. You can enter as many times as you want until the expiration date on the visa.

2) there's no requirement to enter from anywhere.

You cannot apply together. You must have yours before she can apply for hers. One of the requirements for a dependent DTV application is the already issued DTV of the sponsor.

You should not extend. Just leave Thailand and return to get a new 180 day stamp.

Absolutely do not apply in Malaysia. They are very strict and you have a high chance of being rejected. It will also take more than a month to process. Most people are going to Vietnam lately. 1-2 weeks.

Why don't you apply in Australia before traveling though?

Not sure where you're getting your information, but you're way off on a lot of things.

First of all, there is no 30 day entry. If you entered without a visa then you received 60 days.

Next, bank statements don't mean anything. If you want to apply for a non-O you only have 2 options. Proof of 800,000 in your Thai bank account, or income verification from your embassy in Thailand. It appears you are from the US, and the US embassy does not offer this, so that means your ONLY option is 800,000 baht in your Thai bank account. You do not have any other options for the non-O visa, or the first 1-year extension.

Finally, there is no insurance requirement for a non-O visa or the extension based on a non-O visa. Whether or not you need a lease is up to your immigration office. Some might require and some will not.

@Ian *********

Thai citizens line is not the same as fast track line. Also neither of those is the same as "safe entry" fast track which is a guaranteed entry through an agent.