What visa best for getting married?

[wiliamuk]

Hi. 

    Finding it difficult to get right answer off embassy. UK citizen getting married in February in Bangkok. 

 

Arriving January and wish to know correct visa to arrive on so no issues. 

Non Immigrant O or tourist visa or different, thanks

[DrJack54]

6 minutes ago, wiliamuk said:

Non Immigrant O or tourist visa or different, thanks

The only Non O you could obtain in UK is based on retirement.

That would complicate your first extension. 

Could not do that based on marriage.

Tourist visa provides 60 day stamp.

Visa exempt entry the same.

Both can be extended by 30 days.

You can obtain a non O marriage from visa exempt and tourist visa entry at local Thai immigration office.

 

You should obtain "freedom to marry" prior to coming to Thailand. 

[wiliamuk]

5 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

The only Non O you could obtain in UK is based on retirement.

That would complicate your first extension. 

Could not do that based on marriage.

Tourist visa provides 60 day stamp.

Visa exempt entry the same.

Both can be extended by 30 days.

You can obtain a non O marriage from visa exempt and tourist visa entry at local Thai immigration office.

 

You should obtain "freedom to marry" prior to coming to Thailand. 

Thanks Jack. 

 

I will get a tourist visa. 

I have all my documents including freedom to marry. 

Cheers

[DrJack54]

8 minutes ago, wiliamuk said:

I will get a tourist visa. 

Not criticizing you opting for tourist eVisa as flying visa exempt has added issue of possible required onward flight from airline at departure.

However as posted above visa exempt is currently 60 days.

 

This thread explains process from visa exempt to non O marriage. Entry tourist visa same process apart from using TM87 v TM86 

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

 

[wiliamuk]

4 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Not criticizing you opting for tourist eVisa as flying visa exempt has added issue of possible required onward flight from airline at departure.

However as posted above visa exempt is currently 60 days.

 

This thread explains process from visa exempt to non O marriage. Entry tourist visa same process apart from using TM87 v TM86 

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

 

Yes, I just don't want to take any chances as I spent 5 months continuous in Thailand this year from March to August. 

I don't want to get refused and the tourist visa probably gives better chance. 

Also I will have all the appointments embassy and documents for marriage like "affidavit" and "freedom to marry".

 

Btw, if questioned at BKK by immigration, should I mention the marriage or not? 

 

Thanks again

[DrJack54]

7 minutes ago, wiliamuk said:

Btw, if questioned at BKK by immigration, should I mention the marriage or not? 

With a tourist visa you will not be questioned..

To make you feel more comfortable I would have your Thai gf (soon wife) cell number.

You can mention intention to marry if push comes to shove. It's won't.

Chill. 

[wiliamuk]

Just now, DrJack54 said:

With a tourist visa you will not be questioned..

To make you feel more comfortable I would have your Thai gf (soon married) cell number.

You can mention intention to marry if push comes to shove. It's won't.

Chill. 

Thanks very much. 

You helped a lot

[DrJack54]

@wiliamuk do you have a Thai bank account in your name only? 

[wiliamuk]

42 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

@wiliamuk do you have a Thai bank account in your name only? 

Yes, thanks. I've had a Thai bank since 2022 and funded. 

Cheers

[DrJack54]

14 minutes ago, wiliamuk said:

Yes, thanks. I've had a Thai bank since 2022 and funded. 

Cheers

Assumed so.

Posting for others that planning similar pathway.

For those without Thai bank account best option is to apply for non O prior to entering Thailand.

With non O opening bank account is far more simple. 

[Dave0206]

I did the whole process a week ago thought initially I would do everything myself. British embassy you need to do by yourself book online after downloading your documents. Embassy took 15 minutes then to mofa ( went to wrong address) arrived mofa greeted by translation agents gave 2600 baht for translation ready for collection after mofa 4 days later.

Tried getting appointment @ bang lamung waited time phoned translation company another 5000 went laksi married 30 mins after arrival total 8 days and about 8000 baht and £75 to embassy 

 

//Edit by Maestro: For "mofa", read MFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)