Understanding the Thailand marriage visa
The Thai marriage visa, also known as the Non-immigrant O Marriage Visa or Spouse Visa Thailand, is a long-term visa for foreigners married to a Thai national or a foreigner residing in Thailand. It permits a one-year stay in Thailand without leaving the country. If the holder remains eligible, the visa can be renewed annually while in Thailand, and they are permitted to work, provided they obtain a valid working permit.
There are a few restrictions and obligations to keep in mind before you start your Thai marriage visa application, including:
- 90-day notification: Thailand marriage visa holders must report their current address to the immigration office every 90 days. Reporting can be done in person, by mail, or through an authorized representative. If you leave Thailand within 90 days before reporting, the clock will reset upon your return.
- Re-entry permit: If you have a single-entry visa for Thailand and intend to enter and leave within its validity, you require a multiple-entry permit to prevent cancellation. However, the permit isn’t necessary if you’ll stay for the entire visa period. For urgent travel, you can obtain a re-entry permit from an immigration office or international airport before leaving.
- Thailand marriage visa renewal: The Thailand marriage visa is valid for one year and can be renewed with the same documents as the original application for a Thai marriage visa renewal, provided the minimum bank funds have been maintained for at least three months. In case of divorce, the visa is canceled, and you must leave the country quickly; otherwise, you can stay until the visa expires.
3 benefits of the Thai marriage visa
The Thai wedding visa provides several advantages besides being a step toward permanent residency. Some of these advantages include the following.
1. Longer stay in Thailand
A Thai spouse visa allows you to stay in Thailand for one year. You must get a re-entry permit if you leave Thailand and want to re-enter without losing your visa. Consequently, a Thai spouse visa can allow foreigners to reside in Thailand for an extended period.
2. Work Permit
Unlike other long-stay visas, the marriage visa in Thailand lets you apply for a Thai work permit, allowing you to work for a Thai organization.
3. No time limit
You can renew your marriage visa unlimited times upon its expiration if you still qualify for the Thailand marriage visa requirements.
Thai marriage visa requirements
To apply for a partner visa, you must meet the following eligibility criteria and submit the necessary documents:
- Proof of marriage to a Thai citizen: You should be lawfully married to a Thai citizen, accompanied by a Marriage Certificate (Kor Ror 3) and Marriage Registration (Kor Ror 2). If the marriage was conducted overseas, you or your spouse should register it at the District Office (Amphur or Khet) to acquire a Kor Ror 22.
- Financial requirements: Thai marriage visa financial requirements are necessary, and you may either opt for a bank deposit of at least ฿ 400,000 ($11,896) in a Thai bank account for at least two months before applying or for a consistent monthly income of at least ฿ 40,000 ($1,190), supported by an official letter from your home country’s embassy.
- Financial document: A passbook (bank book) evidencing the balance required or a letter from the bank confirming that the deposit was from a foreign source and has been on deposit for two months or more.
- Additional documents: Some immigration offices will ask for an Affirmation of Freedom to Marry, which you can get from your country’s embassy in Thailand. If a country income affidavit from your country’s embassy is not available, then you can provide a 12-month bank statement with monthly deposits of not less than ฿ 40,000 ($1,190).
How to apply for a marriage visa in Thailand
There is no specific application for a Non-Immigrant O Marriage Visa since it is an extension of the 90-day Non-Immigrant O Visa. To maximize approval chances, follow this step-by-step procedure:
Step 1. Get a 90-day Non-Immigrant O Visa
Before applying for a spouse visa in Thailand, you must get a 90-day Non-Immigrant O Visa first. You should apply for the visa at the Thai Consulate or Embassy in your home country or country of residence. You may also obtain it from a neighboring country before you enter Thailand. This visa is the initial step towards obtaining an extended stay on the grounds of marriage.
Step 2. Enter Thailand
After getting your 90-day Non-Immigrant O Visa, you should proceed to travel to Thailand so that it may be activated. With this visa, you get to remain in Thailand for 90 days, at which time you must meet the requirements to have it extended to a complete 1-year Thailand marriage visa.
Step 3. Prepare the requirements
Once you arrive in Thailand, you must prepare all the documents required to apply to convert your 90-day Non-Immigrant O Visa to a 1-year Thailand marriage visa. Doing this within the final 30 days of your 90-day period is advisable. Detailed preparation of all required documents will avoid delays in processing.
Step 4. Submit the visa extension application
Once you gather the Thai marriage visa extension documents, process them immediately to avoid delays. Apply for your visa extension at the Thai Immigration Office in the province where you and your Thai wife reside. The process will take roughly a month, and then you will be given a one-year Thailand marriage visa that does not need frequent renewals in Thailand.
Can I buy property in Thailand with a marriage visa?
Foreigners cannot co-own land in Thailand, even if they are married to a Thai national. You cannot buy property in Thailand with a marriage visa. When a Thai citizen wants to buy land in Thailand while married to a foreign person, the Land Department requires that the land be purchased only with money from the Thai spouse. This proof is usually a joint declaration both spouses sign, which attests that the foreign spouse has no financial interest in the property.
By signing this declaration, the foreign spouse relinquishes all claims to the land. This gives the Thai spouse full ownership rights to sell, mortgage, transfer, or exchange the property without the foreign spouse’s consent. According to Thai law, land can’t be considered marital property, and it shall forever remain the separate property of the Thai spouse. However, structures on the land, such as houses, can be co-owned by foreign and Thai spouses.
Valuable insights and practical advice, distilled from years of expertise and real-world experience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I work in Thailand on a marriage visa?
Yes, you can work in Thailand on a marriage visa, but you must also hold a valid work permit.
Where can I find the Thailand marriage visa application form?
You can find the Thailand marriage application form directly from the nearest Thai Embassy or Consulate or download it from the official Thai Immigration Bureau’s website.
How can I renew my Thai marriage visa?
You can renew your Thai marriage visa by submitting the required documents, including proof of financial stability, to the Thai Immigration Office before your visa expires.
What are the differences between a Thai marriage visa vs. retirement visa?
The difference between a Thai marriage visa and a retirement visa is that the marriage visa is for foreigners married to a Thai citizen and allows them to work, while the retirement visa is for individuals aged 50 or older who meet financial requirements and do not permit employment.
What is a dependent visa in Thailand?
A Thailand Dependent Visa is a Non-Immigrant O Visa issued to dependents of foreign visa holders, such as spouses and children, so they may be able to stay in Thailand legally.
Do I need to show proof of income for a Thai marriage visa?
Yes, the Thai marriage visa requires proof of income by holding a security deposit of ฿ 400,000 ($11,896) in a Thai bank for two months or presenting evidence of at least a monthly income of ฿ 40,000 ($1,190).
How much does a Thai marriage visa cost?
The Thai marriage visa is priced by type and longevity: a one-entry visa commonly costs ฿ 2,000 ($59.48), and a multiple-entry visa approximately ฿ 5,000 ($149). Also, the one-year extension of stay on marriage needs a government fee of ฿ 1,900 ($56.51). However, the cost of a Thai marriage visa may vary depending on the embassy or consulate.
Can I get Thai citizenship by marriage?
Yes, marrying a Thai citizen can make you eligible for a Thai citizenship application. Still, there are other requirements you need to fulfill, such as a certain residency period, financial stability, and knowledge of the Thai language.
