The Thailand Marriage Visa, officially known as the Non-Immigrant O Visa, is designed for foreign nationals who are married to Thai citizens and wish to live in Thailand on a long-term basis. This visa permits the holder to stay in Thailand for a duration of one year, extendable annually, provided the marriage remains intact.
Qualifications for Thai Marriage Visa
- Must be married to a Thai nationalThis is substantiated through a Marriage Certificate (Kor Ror 3) and Marriage Registration (Kor Ror 2). If the applicant got married abroad, the applicant or the Thai spouse must report the marriage to the amphur and obtain Kor Ror 22.
- Must meet the financial requirement
- Security deposit of THB 400,000 in a Thai Bank Account for at least 2 months prior to the visa application; or
- Monthly income of at least THB 40,000. A letter from the foreign embassy has to be shown to verify this income
Supporting documents as proof of the security deposit in a Thai bank are as follows:
- Updated bank book or passbook
- Bank letter stating that the money had been deposited to the account from an overseas source for not less than 2 months.
- Other documents that may be required to be presented:*
- There are instances depending on the immigration office when a copy of an Affirmation of Freedom to Marry is also required. This affirmation is obtained by the foreigner from his foreign embassy in Thailand.
- For foreign nationals who are unable to obtain income affidavit from their respective embassies, they can show monthly income in the form of a 12-month bank statement of their Thai bank account showing a monthly deposit of THB 40,000 per month.
Requirements for the Thailand Marriage Visa
To be eligible for the Thailand Marriage Visa, certain requirements must be fulfilled. These include:
- Valid marriage: The marriage must be legally recognized in Thailand and registered with the Thai authorities. Both civil and religious marriages are accepted.
- Financial requirements: Applicants must demonstrate financial stability to support themselves and their Thai spouse during their stay in Thailand. This can be done by showing a minimum monthly income or a certain amount of savings in a Thai bank account.
- Police clearance: Applicants are required to provide a police clearance certificate from their home country, indicating that they have no criminal record.
- Medical certificate: A medical examination certificate is necessary to confirm that the applicant is free from any contagious or severe diseases.
- Accommodation proof: Proof of accommodation, such as a rental agreement or property ownership documents, is essential to establish a place of residence in Thailand.
Thailand Marriage Visa Application Process
Please note that there is no direct application for the Thailand marriage visa. It is important that you give proper attention to the requirements and other factors surrounding the entire procedure to eliminate the possibility of an unsuccessful visa application. The basic guidelines when applying for a marriage visa are as follows:
- You must obtain a 90-day visa Non-Immigrant O visa at the Thai Embassy or Consulate from your home country or country of residence prior to your application for the Thai marriage visa. The 90-day Non-Immigrant visa may also be obtained from the nearby countries of Thailand.
- Once the non-immigrant visa is obtained, you must travel to Thailand to activate the initial non-immigrant O visa.
- You must prepare all the needed documents for the conversion of your non-immigrant O visa to a marriage visa.
- The extension will take place on the last 30 days of the 90-day permit to stay.
- The visa extension application is submitted to the Immigration Office with all the necessary documents for the visa application. The processing period may take about a month before issuance of the one year Thai marriage visa.
Additionally, the foreigner on a Visa Exemption stamp or a Tourist Visa can still apply for a Thai marriage visa inside Thailand as long as the foreigner has already met the requirements for the non-immigrant O visa and the one year Thai marriage visa applications. This can be done at the local Thai immigration office in the province where the foreigner and Thai spouse are residing.
Marriage Visa Thailand Special Reminders
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90-day Reporting
This is needed once you obtain a marriage visa. Notification with the nearest Immigration office about your current address or residence is required every 90 days.
If you are not in the country when the report is due, the counting of 90-day period before your next reporting will start again after re-entry to Thailand.
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Re-entry Permit
If you plan to travel in and out of Thailand during the year of your visa validity, you will need a multiple re-entry permit to do so and to avoid your visa from getting canceled. Otherwise, you need not apply if you plan to stay in Thailand the whole time.
In case you find the need to leave the country for whatever reason, you can apply for a re-entry permit at the nearest Immigration Office or at the international airport before leaving the country.
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Bank Account
The marriage visa is valid for a year and can be renewed by presenting the same requirements during the initial application. Please note that the required amount of funds in your bank account must be at least 3 months old before you can renew your visa.
In the event of divorce, the validity of your marriage visa will be forfeited and you will have to leave the country immediately. In some cases though, you may be allowed to stay in the country until your current marriage visa expires.
The Thailand Marriage Visa offers an opportunity for foreign spouses to join their Thai partners and build a life together in this captivating country. By meeting the eligibility criteria, gathering the required documents, and following the application process, foreign spouses can obtain the necessary long-term residency in Thailand. It is advisable to consult with our immigration experts or consultants to ensure a smooth and successful application process.
