Which visas are best for long term stay? (Married to a Thai)

[dbxx]

I'm a UK citizen married to a Thai, our marriage is registered in the UK but not in Thailand. My wife went back to Thailand to care for her sick mother, and I'll be joining her soon.

 

Previously, I used the 30-day Thai tourist visa, renewing it through short trips outside the country. 

 

Starting this October, I plan to use Thailand as a base for 1-2 years and also traveling to other Asian countries a few times each year.

 

I'm 46, with a monthly income from a UK business and savings [currently] in non-cash investments. I'm researching Thai visa options that allow multiple entries in a year. \

 

Do you have advice on visas for my situation (with reasoning) and the cost comparison between self-application and using a professional agent? Any agent recommendations would help. Thanks!

[DrJack54]

You can obtain a multiple entry Non O based on marriage in the UK (eVisa) OR 

 

You can arrive in Thailand visa exempt and obtain that same visa in Savannakhet OR

 

You could obtain a Non O marriage either in UK or in Thailand and subsequent annual extensions.

 

The non O requires 400k in bank day of application and for annual extensions money in bank for two months prior to application. 

 

This option would require you to buy a multi reentry permit 3800baht.

The ME Non O marriage I believe is 5000b.

The non O obtained in Thailand is 2k and the associated 12 month extension is 1900b 

 

Assume you have a Thai bank account in your name only 

Edited August 23, 2023 by DrJack54

[bbko]

4 hours ago, dbxx said:

Any agent recommendations would help. Thanks!

Where do you plan on staying while in Thailand?

 

If I were you, I'd first start with applying for a Non O visa based on marriage, with the Thai Embassy in your home country, no agent needed.  Then when you arrive here, you can open a Thai bank account in your name only with the required 800,000 THB (or a joint account with 1,600,000 THB), get your marriage registered at your local amphur.  Depending on the length of stay your on that visa, you'd either have 3 months and then apply for a extension, in which time you can make ready for a yearly visa based on marriage.

 

https://london.thaiembassy.org/en/page/spouse-and-family-visa

Edited August 24, 2023 by bbko

[bigt3116]

5 minutes ago, bbko said:

Thai bank account in your name only with the required 800,000 THB

400k for marriage

 

[bigt3116]

32 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Assume you have a Thai bank account in your name only 

Or a joint account with double the amount

 

[bigt3116]

33 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

You can obtain a multiple entry Non O based on marriage in the UK (eVisa) OR 

 

You can arrive in Thailand visa exempt and obtain that same visa in Savannakhet

These are your best 2 options, sorted for over a year, and as you want to travel, they fit the bill perfectly

 

[DrJack54]

12 minutes ago, bigt3116 said:

Or a joint account with double the amount

 

Not all immigration offices accept this.

He would need to check with his immigration office. 

[Lite Beer]

25 minutes ago, bigt3116 said:

Or a joint account with double the amount

 

That wont work.

Bank account in applicants name only.

[bigt3116]

Just now, Lite Beer said:

That wont work.

Bank account in applicants name only.

That is not a requirement, if they accept joint accounts (and many do), then the balance needs to be double

 

[Lite Beer]

3 minutes ago, bigt3116 said:

That is not a requirement, if they accept joint accounts (and many do), then the balance needs to be double

 

And most do not. Yes it is a requirement.

[BritTim]

5 hours ago, bigt3116 said:

Or a joint account with double the amount

Be warned that while most immigration offices will accept that, some offices will refuse to accept a joint account, regardless of the amount in the account.

[steve187]

as others have posted a multi entry non immigrant 'wife' visa would give you a 90day permission to stay stamp on each arrive during the validity of the visa

 

every entry into Thailand ( tourist visa, visa exempt, or a non immigrant visa) other than a re-entry permit entry allows you to obtain a 60 day visit Thai wife extension at local immigration office 1,900thb wife has to be with you.

 

once in Thailand on a non immigrant visa you can obtain a 1 year visit Thai  wife extension again 1,900thb, but as you married outside Thailand you will need to jump through lots of hoops to have your marriage accepted and registered in Thailand, these hoops need to be done in The UK ie translated, legalized with  apostille' stamp. sent to Thai embassy etc.

[dbxx]

Wow, thanks everyone for so many quality responses. ????

 

I don't currently have a Thai bank account -- I have been  operating under the [perhaps mistaken] belief that as a tourist I couldn't open one. 

 

I'd be happy to deposit 400,000 THB in a Thai bank account to meet a visa requirement but...

 

... how do I actually open one? (I'm currently in the UK, can it be done remotely or do I need to enter Thailand to open one, and if so on what visa should I enter?)

[BritTim]

Try to enter with a Non O visa.

 

It is totally impossible to open a Thai bank account from overseas. You will need to arrange it after your arrival which will be easier with a Non O visa. Unless very persistent, you will likely still need an agent to assist with opening the bank account. If you want to go to the effort of opening the account without the assistance of an agent, there are guidelines that can improve your chances, but it is tough.

[brianthainess]

The  first thing you need to do, is get your UK marriage cert. translated, and I believe registered at an Amphur (council office)   have a Thai bank account with 400k take your wife marriage cert. etc. that will help open a bank account, you may need a letter of residence from immigration (that is a long story). once you have your 400k in the bank your up and running, the first time it may seem quite daunting, but treat it as a quest, you don't need an agent. go for it good luck

[bigt3116]

10 hours ago, BritTim said:

Try to enter with a Non O visa.

 

It is totally impossible to open a Thai bank account from overseas. You will need to arrange it after your arrival which will be easier with a Non O visa. Unless very persistent, you will likely still need an agent to assist with opening the bank account. If you want to go to the effort of opening the account without the assistance of an agent, there are guidelines that can improve your chances, but it is tough.

Maybe the branch of Bangkok Bank in London would be able to help?

 

https://www.bangkokbank.com/en/International-Banking/Europe-and-North-America/United-Kingdom-Business-Banking

 

[Sophon]

9 minutes ago, bigt3116 said:

Maybe the branch of Bangkok Bank in London would be able to help?

 

https://www.bangkokbank.com/en/International-Banking/Europe-and-North-America/United-Kingdom-Business-Banking

 

They will not.

[steve187]

12 hours ago, brianthainess said:

The  first thing you need to do, is get your UK marriage cert. translated, and I believe registered at an Amphur (council office)   have a Thai bank account with 400k take your wife marriage cert. etc. that will help open a bank account, you may need a letter of residence from immigration (that is a long story). once you have your 400k in the bank your up and running, the first time it may seem quite daunting, but treat it as a quest, you don't need an agent. go for it good luck

its a bigger job than just getting a translation and registering at amphur, of the UK marriage cert, needs to be apostille' stamped and also stamped at the Thai embassy in London

[oldcpu]

On 8/24/2023 at 6:31 AM, DrJack54 said:

You can obtain a multiple entry Non O based on marriage in the UK (eVisa) OR 

 

You can arrive in Thailand visa exempt and obtain that same visa in Savannakhet OR

 

You could obtain a Non O marriage either in UK or in Thailand and subsequent annual extensions.

Further to Dr Jack54 suggestions, note that this would be a Type-O based on marriage to a Thai. 

 

At your age of 46, if you and your Thai spouse were to split, I suspect it could be difficult to maintain that Type-O Visa (as I believe one needs to be age-50 or over to obtain 1-year extensions of the Visa of reason of retirement).  Hopefully all is well in your relationship and that my comment is a mute point, but its something worth understanding, I believe.

Edited August 26, 2023 by oldcpu

[DrJack54]

32 minutes ago, oldcpu said:

I suspect it could be difficult to maintain that Type-O Visa (as I believe one needs to be age-50 or over to obtain 1-year extensions of the Visa of reason of retirement). 

Indeed upon divorce he would need to exit Thailand.

[dbxx]

Thanks again to everyone for their useful replies.

 

In the meantime, I've also received the following response from the Thai Embassy in London, which looks like a good route forward:

 

Dear Sir/ Madam,

Non-Immigration Type O visit and staying with family in Thailand

Eligible Applicants for O Spouse Visa

- This category of visa is issued to applicants who are spouses, parents, or children of Thai nationals and are currently residing in the UK Ireland UK Territories.

- This category of visa is issued to applicants who are spouses, children (under 20), and parents (with special care requirements) of the applicants working in Thailand.

O Spouse Visa Conditions

- The O Spouse is valid for a single entry 90 days or multiple entries 1 year from the date of issuance (period of stay not exceeding 90 days for each visit).

- (In case of the dependant of applicants working in Thailand) The visa entry (single entry / multiple entries) will be issued in accordance with the main applicant who is applying for a Non-B Visa. If the main applicant applies/has a non-immigrant B single entry visa, the family will get a non-immigrant O single entry visa.

- The extension of stay is at the discretion of the Immigration Officer. Extension applications can be made at the Office of Immigration Bureau (visit https://www.immigration.go.th/ for more information).
- If the O Spouse Visa holder breaches the entry conditions, the stay permit will be revoked and he/she will be prohibited from entering Thailand in the future.

Required Document

1. Biodata page of Passport or Travel Document.

2. Declaration.

- Visa declaration must be downloaded and signed. Illegible youth declaration form can be signed by their parents/ guardians.

3. Financial evidence, e.g. bank statements, proof of earnings, proof of sponsorship from a third party

-Your recent official UK/Ireland bank statement shows your name, address, and a minimum

closing balance of £500 (for individual single entry) £1,000 (for family single entry), £5000 (for individual multiple entries, and £10,000 (for family multiple entries) , proof of earnings (payslips) or sponsorship letter from your sponsor with official ID and their Bank Statements. (Do not send the screenshot)

4. Photograph *taken within the last six months. If the photograph does not reflect your current appearance you may be refused to enter the Kingdom of Thailand.

- If the photograph is inappropriate, and does not reflect your current appearance your visa may be rejected to enter the Kingdom of Thailand.

5. Personal details of a family in Thailand, e.g. ID card, Passport and the visa page or stay permit in Thailand .

- Applicants who are spouses and children of person working in Thailand are required to submit a confirmation letter from the employer of their family members working in Thailand mentioning all applicant names, visa page/ work permit of their family members.

6. Proof of accommodation in Thailand, e.g. Accommodation bookings, and invitation letters from family/friends in Thailand.

-  Invitation letters from family/friends must be submitted with their respective official photo ID.

-  Accommodation booking must have details of applicant name/ date (check in and check out)/ address and contact no. of your accommodation.

7. Proof of relationship to a family in Thailand, e.g. A copy of marriage certificate/birth certificate/certificate of adoption.

- Copy of original document (Documents in foreign languages must be translated into English and the translation must be certified by the relevant embassies in London.).

8. Residence permit in a country in which the visa application is submitted (In case the applicant is not a national of the country in which the visa application is submitted.).

- In the case of non-UK / non-Irish national applicants, a copy of the BRP card / Ireland residence card or letter from UKVI(UK visa) settlement status must be provided. UK nationals can provide a UK Driving licence (for UK/Ireland nationals) or any UK ID to fulfil the requirement of the application.

9. The letter from your spouse indicated that you both are still married and he/she acknowledges of your visit.

10. All travel records for the past 12 months (1 year) since the last international trip.

- International travel record over the past 12 months from the application date.

11. Document that can verify applicant's current residency (Applicant must apply for e-Visa via a specific Embassy/Consulate conforming with his/her consular jurisdiction and residency.).

- Applicants are requested to submit their local utility bills eg. electricity bills/ gas / mobile phone / rental agreements.

12. Bank statement, showing GBP10,000 minimum, with name & visible

Below are the steps to apply for a visa.

3)

1) Please visit www.thaievisa.go.th
2) Sign up for individual
3) Complete the visa application, submit and make a payment online
4) From 27 September 2021, you do not need to post your passport and original supporting documents to the embassy.
5) Instead, your visa will be approved online, and a confirmation e-mail will be sent to your registered email address.
6) You may print a copy of your visa for airlines and Thai Immigration officials to carry out checks when travelling to Thailand.

4)

Providing you meet all the eligibility criteria, and uploaded all the required documents in the visa system, the current online visa processing time is approximately 10-15 working days, from the date your visa application is submitted

Please check online for your visa status. "Finished" & "Issued Visa" mean your visa has been granted, and the online email confirmation has been sent to you.

If you did not get the visa through your email, please log in to your E-visa system to print a copy of your visa.

1. Log in to your account
2. Click Manage Visa Application
3. Click the "blue paper" on the top right corner
4. Click download to get a copy of your visa

I hope this is of assistance, but please do let us know if you have any further questions.

Warmest regards,
The Visa Team

Email: [email protected]Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThaiEmbLondonWebsite: https://london.thaiembassy.org/
 

[Karlo]

I am similarly planning to return to Thailand to be long term with my Thai wife, in the past I have entered on 60 day visas to visit my wife and applied for extensions of stay. However, now I want to return on a non o marriage visa based on being married to my Thai wife. I noticed in the above response from the the visa team that….O Spouse Visa Conditions- The O Spouse is valid for a single entry 90 days or multiple entries 1 year from the date of issuance (period of stay not exceeding 90 days for each visit). I will be based in the far south and don’t want the hassle of leaving the country every 90 days on a multi entry visa. I apologise for my lack of visa knowledge I have not been looking at the visa requirements for sometime. I don’t want to go down the non o retirement route, any advice is greatly appreciated. 

[flexomike]

On 8/24/2023 at 6:57 AM, bbko said:

Where do you plan on staying while in Thailand?

 

If I were you, I'd first start with applying for a Non O visa based on marriage, with the Thai Embassy in your home country, no agent needed.  Then when you arrive here, you can open a Thai bank account in your name only with the required 800,000 THB (or a joint account with 1,600,000 THB), get your marriage registered at your local amphur.  Depending on the length of stay your on that visa, you'd either have 3 months and then apply for a extension, in which time you can make ready for a yearly visa based on marriage.

 

https://london.thaiembassy.org/en/page/spouse-and-family-visa

Marriage Visa, not retirement