Visa Exempt to 90-Day Non O Spouse Visa conversion in Thailand

[TravelingWell]

I will be entering Thailand visa exempt & wish to submit a request for the change of visa to 90 day spouse visa. From what I see, the requirements are the same for a one year visa. Is this accurate? Is the ฿400,000 for two months requirement still in effect for adding 60 days to the trip for the 90 Day visa? Some sources say one day for the 90 day visa.

[DrJack54]

48 minutes ago, TravelingWell said:

Is the ฿400,000 for two months requirement still in effect for adding 60 days to the trip for the 90 Day visa? Some sources say one day for the 90 day visa.

To apply for non O (marriage) the 400k needs to be in the account on day of application and on date for applying for 12 month extension the funds need to have been in the bank for 2 months.

You need to apply with min 15 days remaining on your permission of stay from the visa exempt entry.

Which immigration office and do you have a Thai bank account in your name only?

[TravelingWell]

Hi and thank you so much for your reply.

 

No, I do not have a Thai Bank account in my name, but I can open one the day I arrive. I would probably go to the Immigration office closest to Nonthaburi. (Do you recommend a particular office?)

 

I’m assuming the requirements for the 90-day conversion are not as expansive as the one-year extension - Visa Change Form TM87 marriage certificate, passport photos, US passport, letter from spouse, address in Thailand, flight tickets for end of 90 days. Am I missing anything? 

[Maestro]

Application for the non-O visa and for subsequent one-year extensions of stay must be made at the immigration office in the province where you will be living with your wife.

[DrJack54]

1 hour ago, TravelingWell said:

No, I do not have a Thai Bank account in my name, but I can open one the day I arrive. I would probably go to the Immigration office closest to Nonthaburi. (Do you recommend a particular office?)

As pointed out above....you need to apply for the non O in the province where you file your TM30.

Be that Nonthanburi or CW. 

You will find opening a bank account difficult especially on visa exempt entry. 

Thinking 30 days would be cutting it fine.

Did you consider obtaining the non O in your own country? 

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1292317-open-thai-bank-account/

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1262876-can-you-open-a-bank-account-as-a-tourist/

[bigt3116]

2 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

the 400k needs to be in the account on day of application

 

To clarify for others reading, Jomtien requires 2 months seasoning for the initial visa too

[TravelingWell]

Would I still need to have money in Thai bank if applying from the USA or present proof of funds from a USA bank?

[Lite Beer]

2 hours ago, TravelingWell said:

Would I still need to have money in Thai bank if applying from the USA or present proof of funds from a USA bank?

If applying in USA that would depend on what the Embassy in USA requires for a Non Imm O Visa.

[DrJack54]

2 hours ago, TravelingWell said:

Would I still need to have money in Thai bank if applying from the USA or present proof of funds from a USA bank?

Applying for non O in USA does not require funds in a Thai bank, however the subsequent 12 month extension will.

To open bank account in Bangkok you require certificate of residence or address verification from your embassy.

USA embassy does not provide that.

Also CW immigration (Bangkok) will not provide a COR without having done a TM47 (90 day report) 

You need an agent.

 

Current threads.

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1262876-can-you-open-a-bank-account-as-a-tourist/

 

[OJAS]

9 hours ago, TravelingWell said:

I’m assuming the requirements for the 90-day conversion are not as expansive as the one-year extension - Visa Change Form TM87 marriage certificate, passport photos, US passport, letter from spouse, address in Thailand, flight tickets for end of 90 days. Am I missing anything? 

 

The following link sets out the detailed official requirements for seeking a non-O visa conversion for marriage:

 

https://www.immigration.go.th/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/6.FOR-PROVIDING-SUPPORT-TO-OR-BEING-A-DEPENDANT-OF-A-THAI-CITIZEN-SPOUSE-VISA-NON-O.pdf

 

[blazes]

Please forgive my muscling in on this topic, but my query is in the same general area as that of the OP.

 

My Thai wife (we married in LoS 10 years ago) and I live together (obvs) and she works in and is by now a citizen of my  country.  She also owns a house (rented out) in Thailand.

 

So when we visit Thailand, she obviously, being a citizen, has her Thai passport and does not have to worry about things like visas.

Question: how can we satisfy the demand in the link (in OJAS's reply) to have photos etc in our Thai house when we don't live in it. 

In other words, I would prefer to apply for an O-A marriage visa to avoid all the extension stuff that is involved in coming on a Tourist Visa (extended).

I have no Thai bank at present.

Many thanks for any opinions offered.

[Liquorice]

25 minutes ago, blazes said:

So when we visit Thailand, she obviously, being a citizen, has her Thai passport and does not have to worry about things like visas.

Question: how can we satisfy the demand in the link (in OJAS's reply) to have photos etc in our Thai house when we don't live in it. 

In other words, I would prefer to apply for an O-A marriage visa to avoid all the extension stuff that is involved in coming on a Tourist Visa (extended).

The key question here is contained in your question "When we visit Thailand"

How many times and for what durations of stay would you visit Thailand each year.

A Visa exempt entry would permit a stay of 30 days, which can be extended for a further 60 days.
A Tourist visa entry would permit a stay of 60 days, which can be extended for a further 60 days.

 

The Non Imm O-A visa is applied for purely on the reason of retirement (not marriage).
The O-A visa is valid for entry for 1 year and each entry permits a stay of 1 year (intended for long stays, not 'visits').
The O-A visa must be applied for at a Thai Embassy/Consulate, in your case, from the USA.

You must meet the financial requirements for retirement, that being the equivalent of 800,000 BHT in a US bank account, as well as a compulsory Health Insurance policy of 3M BHT is also required, and a Criminal record check.

 

[DrJack54]

1 hour ago, blazes said:

 I would prefer to apply for an O-A marriage visa to avoid all the extension stuff that is involved in coming on a Tourist Visa (extended).

I have no Thai bank at present.

You don't want a non O-A.

How long do you wish to stay in Thailand each visit

[DrJack54]

39 minutes ago, Liquorice said:

Tourist visa entry would permit a stay of 60 days, which can be extended for a further 60 days.

Thinking he can also obtain a 30 extension so it would be 60+30+60.

The last 60 (to visit wife) 

[blazes]

Thanks for quick replies.  Much appreciated.

Intention is to stay for about 4/5 months, no more. 

In the "old days" before Covid, I used to obtain a "retirement" visa, and since I wanted more than 5/6 months, a 12-month visa did the trick and was good for the 8 months that I actually stayed.  And if you timed things properly, you could (with a re-entry stamp obtained at the airport on departure) return to LoS before the original visa ran out, and return in time to be stamped in for a one-year extension of stay.  That was ideal.

 

Thanks again.

 

 

 

[bkkexplorer]

Is it possible to start the Non O spouse application on a tourist visa instead of visa exempt visa?

[DrJack54]

33 minutes ago, bkkexplorer said:

Is it possible to start the Non O spouse application on a tourist visa instead of visa exempt visa?

Yes

Do you have a Thai bank account in your name only.

Also which immigration office? 

 

This thread outlines non O from visa exempt.

Zero difference for tourist visa apart from tourist visa use TM86.

From exempt use TM87 

 

 

[bkkexplorer]

2 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Yes

Do you have a Thai bank account in your name only.

Also which immigration office? 

 

This thread outlines non O from visa exempt.

Zero difference for tourist visa apart from tourist visa use TM86.

From exempt use TM87 

 

 

DrJack, I did a border run and now have the TM6 with 2 months visa.  I've got the bank account will read through the thread shared. You've been most helpful previously and now again. Thank you.

[DrJack54]

8 hours ago, bkkexplorer said:

I've got the bank account will read through the thread shared

Excellent that you have the Thai bank account in your name only.

At some point deposit 400k into the account for the Non O marriage visa.

That provides a 90 day stamp.

In the last 30 days prior to expiry and the 400k having been in bank for 2 months apply for 12 months extension.

There is other paperwork for the Non O and extension. 

Which immigration office? 

[bkkexplorer]

3 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Excellent that you have the Thai bank account in your name only.

At some point deposit 400k into the account for the Non O marriage visa.

That provides a 90 day stamp.

In the last 30 days prior to expiry and the 400k having been in bank for 2 months apply for 12 months extension.

There is other paperwork for the Non O and extension. 

Which immigration office? 

My 60 day visa ends on the 25th of March. I already have 400k in the bank (deposited on the 15 of Dec), been there for about 40 days.. On the 25th of Feb it would reach the 2 month required. Can I with the current visa go to immigration on the 25th of Feb and start the application process? Do I need the 90 day stamp?

[DrJack54]

13 minutes ago, bkkexplorer said:

My 60 day visa ends on the 25th of March. I already have 400k in the bank (deposited on the 15 of Dec), been there for about 40 days.. On the 25th of Feb it would reach the 2 month required. Can I with the current visa go to immigration on the 25th of Feb and start the application process? Do I need the 90 day stamp?

Think you on wrong page.

 

You have a 60 day visa EXEMPT stamp.

First step is to apply for the Non O marriage. You will need 15 days + remaining on your permission of stay. 

 

That only requires the 400k to be in your Thai bank account on day of application.

 

That Non O visa gives you a 90 day stamp.

I'm last 30 days apply for 12 month extension. 

[bkkexplorer]

1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

Think you on wrong page.

 

You have a 60 day visa EXEMPT stamp.

First step is to apply for the Non O marriage. You will need 15 days + remaining on your permission of stay. 

 

That only requires the 400k to be in your Thai bank account on day of application.

 

That Non O visa gives you a 90 day stamp.

I'm last 30 days apply for 12 month extension. 

How many days after the application will I receive the approval? Asking as I'd like to make travel plans outside the kingdom and my understanding is I cannot travel while the application is in process til the time it's approved.

[DrJack54]

7 minutes ago, bkkexplorer said:

How many days after the application will I receive the approval? Asking as I'd like to make travel plans outside the kingdom and my understanding is I cannot travel while the application is in process til the time it's approved.

The first step is apply for Non O.

Basically it's approved on that day however is forwarded to divisional headquarters for "checking".

The day you apply for the non O you will be given a "return to immigration office" date for final stamp.

That can be 30 days later.

You may also have a home visit durning that time. 

Travel outside of Thailand during that time is possible however would require a reentry permit.

That permit would only cover the under consideration period.

Not advised. 

If something coming up requires this travel you would be better advised to push the Non O application back.

This can be done by obtaining a 60 day extension to visit wife added to current visa exempt entry. 

What travel is so important.

Seems your timing/planning is off

[bkkexplorer]

1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

The first step is apply for Non O.

Basically it's approved on that day however is forwarded to divisional headquarters for "checking".

The day you apply for the non O you will be given a "return to immigration office" date for final stamp.

That can be 30 days later.

You may also have a home visit durning that time. 

Travel outside of Thailand during that time is possible however would require a reentry permit.

That permit would only cover the under consideration period.

Not advised. 

If something coming up requires this travel you would be better advised to push the Non O application back.

This can be done by obtaining a 60 day extension to visit wife added to current visa exempt entry. 

What travel is so important.

Seems your timing/planning is off

Given the choice I wouldn't want to travel during this period but was asking as I may have to because of family concerns. Now I have a better understanding of the process. Thanks again DrJack.

[thesetat]

On 1/29/2025 at 7:05 AM, DrJack54 said:

Excellent that you have the Thai bank account in your name only.

At some point deposit 400k into the account for the Non O marriage visa.

That provides a 90 day stamp.

In the last 30 days prior to expiry and the 400k having been in bank for 2 months apply for 12 months extension.

There is other paperwork for the Non O and extension. 

Which immigration office? 

Is there a special type of account to use if wanting to use the monthly income method of 40k sent from the USA? Or can it be any type of account? Also, can the money sent monthly be made by wire transfers? 

[DrJack54]

7 minutes ago, thesetat said:

Is there a special type of account to use if wanting to use the monthly income method of 40k sent from the USA? Or can it be any type of account? Also, can the money sent monthly be made by wire transfers? 

You would best opt for savings account using income method 

Yes can be Wire transfer. 

Keep in mind being USA your embassy does not provide income letter.

To obtain extension you need to show 12 months of transfers.

 

[thesetat]

16 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

You would best opt for savings account using income method 

Yes can be Wire transfer. 

Keep in mind being USA your embassy does not provide income letter.

To obtain extension you need to show 12 months of transfers.

 

Can show that since I currently deposit money monthly for 65000 baht for the past few years through wire transfers from my US bank..

 

I am curious though. I receive letter from Social Security about my yearly and monthly income from them. Can that not be used at Embassy and Immigration to get notarized and use as proof of income? 

 

[DrJack54]

5 minutes ago, thesetat said:

I receive letter from Social Security about my yearly and monthly income from them. Can that not be used at Embassy and Immigration to get notarized and use as proof of income?

No. 

If you are asking about changing from money in bank method to income method the without embassy letter it's best to run both methods in concert over a 12 month period.

Then you can show 12 month of transfers and use income method ongoing. 

[BrandonJT]

1 hour ago, thesetat said:

Can show that since I currently deposit money monthly for 65000 baht for the past few years through wire transfers from my US bank..

 

I am curious though. I receive letter from Social Security about my yearly and monthly income from them. Can that not be used at Embassy and Immigration to get notarized and use as proof of income? 

 

No, it cannot be used.  But you should bring it with you, as there are scattered reports of immigration offices asking to see "where the money came from" when applying for a retirement extension using monthly transfers.  Don't volunteer it, but have it if asked.