Staying in Thailand with Your Thai Spouse
With Yearly Marriage Extensions on a Non-Immigrant “O” Visa
Thailand’s visa rules and regulations are quite strict, but if you’re married to a Thai national
and wish to stay with them in Thailand long-term, things get a little easier. The first thing to
note here is that if you are a foreign lady married to a Thai man, things are far, far easier
than if you are a foreign man married to a Thai lady (as no financial evidence is required
because it’s assumed that your husband will support you). The second thing to note is that
by saying “things get a little easier” there are still many, many hoops to jump through, and
you must be careful to follow the rules to the letter unless you want to fall foul of the Thai
immigration service.
So, once you are married and have your marriage certificate, you can get the ball moving.
If you married in Thailand, and have a Thai marriage certificate then that makes things
simpler. If you married outside of Thailand and your marriage certificate is in any other
language than Thai, you’ll need to get a certified translation at one of the hundreds of
places in Bangkok which can offer this service. Just be sure to get two or three copies.
So once you have your Thai marriage certificate or foreign marriage certificate
accompanied by a certified translation into Thai, the next step depends on whether you are
inside or outside of Thailand but involves getting a Non-Immigrant “O” visa and then
entering the country on it.
If You are In Thailand Already
If you are inside Thailand already, you have the option of exiting the country to visit a Thai
embassy in a neighbouring country (Savannakhet in Laos is very popular for this) or
changing the visa you are currently on to a Non-O visa at an immigration office. Much like
immigration offices in Thailand, the different embassies in places such as Penang, Hong
Kong, Laos, Cambodia etc. all interpret the rules a little differently. This makes things a bit
more complicated and confusing, but Savannakhet has been the embassy of choice as
they don’t ask for evidence of 400k Baht in the bank, whilst almost all other embassies do.
If you fancy a little trip to Laos for the weekend this could be an option.
As mentioned, it is possible to convert a tourist visa into a Non-Immigrant “O” visa at your
nearest immigration office if you are inside Thailand, however, they will want to see
evidence that you have had a minimum balance of 400k Baht in a Thai bank account in
your name only. Considering how hard it is for foreigners to open a bank account in
Thailand on a tourist visa (almost impossible), then you will most likely be looking at a little
jaunt to Savannakhet as mentioned above, as, without it, the visa conversion will be
refused. This process of converting a current visa to a Non-Immigrant visa is laborious,
slow and requires lots of paperwork, which is why most people get their Non-O visa at a
Thai embassy in a neighbouring country.
To obtain your Non-Immigrant “O” visa (single entry) at Savannakhet you will need:
Your passport, with a minimum of 6 months validity.
Your original marriage certificate (and translation if applicable).
Completed application form.
2 passport photos.
Partner’s ID card and copy signed by them.
A copy of your partner’s house registration book (tabien baan) and a copy signed by
them.
1500 Baht.
It is advisable to take your partner with you. Also, there is a small copy shop directly
across from the embassy where they will fill out the form for you and take your photos for a
minimal fee. The visa application is an overnight process, you pick up your passport the
next morning, so if you apply on Friday you’ll need to stay in Savannakhet until Monday.
If You Are Outside Thailand
If you are outside Thailand you will need to contact your nearest Thai embassy and find
out about applying for a Non-Immigrant “O” visa based on being married to a Thai
national. You will need to submit a lot of various paperwork, including marriage certificate,
your partner’s Thai ID or passport (or signed copies), proof of accommodation or a letter of
invitation. You may need to attend the embassy in person and you will certainly have to
pay a fee, usually in the region of 4000-6000 Baht ($132-$199), depending on the
embassy.
Once You Have Your Non-O Visa
So once you’ve obtained your Non-Immigrant “O” visa, the next step is to enter the country
(unless you’re there already). The visa itself lasts for 90 days and can be extended by an
additional 60 days at your nearest immigration office for a fee of 1900 Baht ($63). Once
you are in the last 30 days of validity, then it’s time to start getting your paperwork ready
and prepare for a long visit to immigration to obtain your first marriage extension, which
will let you stay in the Kingdom for a year, if granted.
It will probably take you a few days to get all the documents together so don’t leave it until
the last minute. You will need the following documents:
- Application form TM7 filled out in blue pen (2 copies), download from
- www.immigrationbangkok.com/files/visa_forms/tm7.pdf
- 2 recent passport photographs.
- Copies of every used page of your passport and the data pages (two copies).
- 2 copies of your TM6 arrival card front and back.
- 2 copies of your most recent TM30 and/or 90-day report, if you have them.
Two copies of your marriage certificate, (both front and back as there is usually
something on the back) and make sure you bring the original.
A recent Kor Ror 2 (marriage status certificate), obtained from your local Amphur
office to prove you haven’t divorced, make sure to ask for 2 copies.
Your spouse’s tabien baan (house registration book) with 2 copies of all relevant
pages.
Children’s birth certificates and two copies (if applicable).
Two copies of your spouse’s Thai ID card.
A hand-drawn map showing the directions to your house (2 copies). Maps printed
from the internet will not be accepted.
An official printed, stamped and signed statement from your Thai bank printed on
the same day or the previous day proving that you have had the 400k Baht in your
bank for the seasoning period (two months) and a photocopy of it.
2 copies of every used page of your Thai bank book.
1900 Baht fee.
6 colour photographs showing yourself and your spouse around your house and
garden with at least one standing in front of the property with the property number
visible (two copies). It is advisable to use photo quality paper with one or two
pictures per page. Plus there needs to be room on each page for the immigration
stamp and your signatures.
After presenting these documents, you will be asked to take a seat whilst the documents
are checked over and stamped, this could take several hours, you may even be requested
to come back the next day. You and your spouse should also expect to be asked some
questions about your relationship. Do not get frustrated if one or more of your documents
are rejected and you are required to come to the office again. Providing everything is
successful, you will get an “under consideration” stamp in your passport which permits you
to remain until the extension is granted. During this period, you will also be called to
arrange a visit by immigration officials to your residence for them to verify that everything
is all above board. You must then return on the date written in your passport to have the
extension entered into your passport.
Once you have your Non-O visa with accompanying one-year marriage extension, all you
need to worry about for the next year is doing your 90-day reports. And once you get close
to the expiry date, you will need to return to the immigration office and complete the entire
process again, with new documents and photos. If you leave the country, you must first
obtain a re-entry permit or your extension will become null and void, and if you stay
anywhere other than the residence you gave (even if you stay in a hotel for one night) then
you will also need to attend your local immigration office and complete a TM30.