Tourist visa exempt then apply for non O based on marriage

[essex boys]

 Hi all, I have even in Thailand for 3 years on a non O based on retirement and then extensions, my current extension expires end of may 2025 I’m going back to the uk middle of may 2025 for a month or possibly longer which means my extension will expire, I’m planning on returning and then getting a 60 day visa exempt stamp in my passport and then a 30 day extension ( assuming the 60 day visa exempt will still be in place by then) whilst on the 60 day exemption I’m planning to marry the gf, so my questions are

can I marry on the 60 day exemption and then apply in Thailand for a non O based on marriage?
do I have to have the 400,000 baht in my account on the day I apply for the non O or does it need to be in my account for a few months before?
 

looking forward to any information you might have
 

[DrJack54]

25 minutes ago, essex boys said:

whilst on the 60 day exemption I’m planning to marry the gf, so my questions are

can I marry on the 60 day exemption and then apply in Thailand for a non O based on marriage?

That will work.

After marriage you can apply for 60 day extension based on "visit Thai wife" if you need to buy time. 

For the non O marriage you require 400k in Thai bank account in your name only on day of application. 

Which immigration office? 

 

Some advice and links in this thread 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1315828-visa-exempt-to-90-day-non-o-spouse-visa-conversion-in-thailand/

[essex boys]

Hi Dr Jack many thanks or your reply, I’m going to be using the Khon Kaen immigration office ,I’m going to try and get an appointment with the embassy to get my marriage paperwork sorted out for when I arrive back in Thailand, so do you think I can arrive in Thailand and get a 60 day visa exempt stamp, during the 60 days get married and then say a week  before my initial 60 days expires get a 60 day extension to that for “ visiting Thai wife “, and then apply for the non O based on marriage? I will have the 400k in the bank anyway but I’m going to try the monthly income route and see how that goes

[steve187]

38 minutes ago, essex boys said:

Hi Dr Jack many thanks or your reply, I’m going to be using the Khon Kaen immigration office ,I’m going to try and get an appointment with the embassy to get my marriage paperwork sorted out for when I arrive back in Thailand, so do you think I can arrive in Thailand and get a 60 day visa exempt stamp, during the 60 days get married and then say a week  before my initial 60 days expires get a 60 day extension to that for “ visiting Thai wife “, and then apply for the non O based on marriage? I will have the 400k in the bank anyway but I’m going to try the monthly income route and see how that goes

a 60 day visit Thai wife extension can only be applied for once on each type of entry into Thailand ( excluding re-entry permit entry) so only apply for it if required, better if possible to keep it in reserve just in case it is needed one day down the line. ( maybe years later)

all the best with the change to a 'married' extension

[DrJack54]

1 hour ago, essex boys said:

I will have the 400k in the bank anyway but I’m going to try the monthly income route and see how that goes

For the first extension use the 400k in bank seasoned for 2 months.

Start the monthly transfers of 40k so when you apply for your next extension you can show 12 monthly transfers as no embassy income letter available for UK pp holders

 

The advice to keep the 60 day up your sleeve is good advice from @steve187 however you need to have 15+ days remaining on your visa exempt stamp when you apply for the non O.

 

Another option would be to apply for the 30 day extension to visa exempt entry. 

All depends on timing of marriage..

Good luck 

[BrandonJT]

15 hours ago, essex boys said:

Hi Dr Jack many thanks or your reply, I’m going to be using the Khon Kaen immigration office ,I’m going to try and get an appointment with the embassy to get my marriage paperwork sorted out for when I arrive back in Thailand, so do you think I can arrive in Thailand and get a 60 day visa exempt stamp, during the 60 days get married and then say a week  before my initial 60 days expires get a 60 day extension to that for “ visiting Thai wife “, and then apply for the non O based on marriage? I will have the 400k in the bank anyway but I’m going to try the monthly income route and see how that goes

Many immigration offices will require you to get the 30 day tourist extension before they will let you apply for the Thai family extension.  You'd be better off just getting the tourist extension then immediately applying for the marriage visa if you are married and have the paperwork.  You must have 14-21 days left on your stay to be able to apply for the marriage non-O visa, as this will be your "under consideration" period so you can't just wait until the last minute to apply.