Can i change the visa extemption to Non O based on marriage?

[deliric]

Hello, 

 

I am moving back to thailand with my Thai wife and daughters and i will get a Non O based on marriage which i will renew yearly.

 

The question is : can i change my visa extemption (60 days or soon to be 30 days) into NON o based on marriage at the Koh Samui immigration office? 

 

Also, can i extend the new 30 visa extemption in Thailand and after that change it to Non O ?

 

 

 

 

[DrJack54]

What you plan re visa exempt to Non O (marriage) is fine.

The process is outlined in threads such as this one.

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

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1342849-tourist-visa-exempt-then-apply-for-non-o-based-on-marriage/

 

 

There are a couple of immigration offices that do not. 

Not sure if Samui is one of those.

Someone will advise with first hand experience.

Did you consider obtaining the Non O prior to entering Thailand via the e-Visa process.

2 hours ago, deliric said:

Also, can i extend the new 30 visa extemption in Thailand and after that change it to Non O ?

Yes that's not a problem. You could also consider 60 day extension "to visit wife". Same fee 1900b 

 

Assume that you have a Thai bank account in your name only. 

[BrandonJT]

While it may be possible, is there a reason you don't just get the non-O visa online through the e-visa system before you go to Thailand? It'll save you 2 trips to immigration and a lot of wasted time.

[Sparkling]

Listen to DrJack54, it is all right.

 

Do not know if Samui is different.

 

I have been to Samui Immigration only once for an extension decades ago and found them friendly and fast.

Sawasdii -  what you want - extension of visa - looks in passport - stamp - thank you - smile

[deliric]

16 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

 

Did you consider obtaining the Non O prior to entering Thailand via the e-Visa process.

Yes that's not a problem. You could also consider 60 day extension "to visit wife". Same fee 1900b 

 

Assume that you have a Thai bank account in your name only. 

Thank you for the answers!

 

I considered the NON o prior but not sure i have enough time left, was thinking maybe save the 150 euro fee and also i can transfer enough money to thai bank around 2 months after i get there, i might need it faster for the 1 year extension.

 

Also regarding the account I had a BKK bank account but probably closed by now because i havent used in 7 years. Maybe the same branch will be keen to open a new one even if on visa extemption. Maybe if i go with wife and daughters they will be more understanding?

 

[Liquorice]

26 minutes ago, deliric said:

Thank you for the answers!

 

I considered the NON o prior but not sure i have enough time left, was thinking maybe save the 150 euro fee and also i can transfer enough money to thai bank around 2 months after i get there, i might need it faster for the 1 year extension.

 

Also regarding the account I had a BKK bank account but probably closed by now because i havent used in 7 years. Maybe the same branch will be keen to open a new one even if on visa extemption. Maybe if i go with wife and daughters they will be more understanding?

 

What date are you planning to come to Thailand?

Safer to get the Non O based on Thai spouse to enter Thailand with.

You could have difficulty opening a Thai bank account, entering visa exempt as a Tourist.

[DrJack54]

4 hours ago, deliric said:

Maybe the same branch will be keen to open a new one even if on visa extemption. Maybe if i go with wife and daughters they will be more understanding?

Wife and daughters won't help.

You will have difficulty in opening a bank account on visa exempt.

That is why people suggest obtain the Non O in home country as with a Non O you would be able to open a bank account.

An agent can open a bank account.

Where will you be located in Thailand meaning which immigration office? 

[deliric]

I will be in Samui. I already booked the plane tickets for 7 april. 

 

[DrJack54]

10 hours ago, deliric said:

I will be in Samui. I already booked the plane tickets for 7 april. 

 

Assuming that you fly to Thailand visa exempt then use of agent to open bank account may be necessary.

When you apply for the non O (marriage) you require 400k in the bank on day of application. 

You stated the following......

" ....i can transfer enough money to thai bank around 2 months after i get there, i might need it faster for the 1 year extension".

 

Without sounding rude ...I don't follow.

If you can't transfer 400k as soon as you have a bank account what's the thinking here.

Requirements (financial) is outlined above.

The Non O gives you a 90 day stamp and 30 days prior to expiry you obtain the 12 month extension.

For the extension the funds need to have been in bank for 2 months.

After you obtain the extension the funds can be used 

 

Does your countries embassy provide "income letter" 

 

Given the fact you don't have the bank account in place and also require time to transfer the funds, you may consider obtaining 60 day extension to visit wife to visa exempt entry to buy time to organize things. 

 

Edit: be aware that flying visa exempt the airline at departure may want to see onward flight.

 

Edit: I was looking for agent reports re bank account and found this thread. I posted at the start of thread that not sure about Samui for obtaining the Non O.

https://aseannow.com/topic/1343209-visa-agent-koh-samui-surat-thani/ 

 

Read post in thread from @khunPer who suggests might be issue with obtaining Non O from visa exempt entry. 

 

[Liquorice]

5 hours ago, deliric said:

I will be in Samui. I already booked the plane tickets for 7 april. 

 

What is your age, nationality and are you in receipt of any pensions?

Did you marry in Thailand or overseas?

[khunPer]

On 3/18/2025 at 10:39 PM, deliric said:

Hello, 

 

I am moving back to thailand with my Thai wife and daughters and i will get a Non O based on marriage which i will renew yearly.

 

The question is : can i change my visa extemption (60 days or soon to be 30 days) into NON o based on marriage at the Koh Samui immigration office? 

 

Also, can i extend the new 30 visa extemption in Thailand and after that change it to Non O ?

You shall not expect to change from visa exempt to non-O on Koh Samui; the immigration has from others history for not issuing non-O visas. However, you can always ask at Samui Immigration in Maenam Soi 1, if they'll do it. In the case that they'll do it, please share it in the local Samui-forum.

 

May I kindly suggest that you get your non-O E-visa issued abroad. There is – to mine and other's knowledge – no such thing as a visa-agent on Samui like you find in Pattaya, the visa agent service is limited to help with paperwork and documentation for extension of stay.

 

In the the local Samui-forum, there is a (long) pinned thread about immigration. Even that it is titled about "retirement extension", it also mention extension of stay based on marriage a few times. Be aware of booking time in person and show documents about one month before application for extension of stay, which you can find information about in the latest posts in the pinned thread.

You can however easily get a 30 days extension to a visa exempt entry stamp – no need for booking time for that service – and probably also a 60 days extension based on marriage to a Thai; the latter should also be possible with a non-O visa.

 

Opening a bank account without a long-stay visa might be difficult. You'll need an address verification letter from Samui Immigration, work permit with address (if address stil mentioned there), or a yellow house book. There are only few bank-branches left on the island, mainly in Central Festival in Chaweng and the head offices in Nathon. Bangkok Bank in Nathon might be best first option for you. Be aware that Bangkok Bank requires about a weeks notice if you need bank statements beyond a six month-period when applying for extension of stay. Kasikorn (K-bank) is also known to be friendly to foreigners.

 

 

[DrJack54]

11 hours ago, deliric said:

I will be in Samui. I already booked the plane tickets for 7 april. 

 

Seems touch and go re obtaining Non O e-Visa.

Don't think you have indicated home country.

Read carefully the post above from @khunPer.

No offense but you have not made your inquires well in advance 

So in summary No Bank account.

Funds not yet in place .

Family in tow and located on Koh Samui.

 

For general information to others....for your first 12 month extension it must be obtained at immigration office where the Non O is issued. 

A Non O e-Visa would solve your problems if time permits. 

[deliric]

Thank you for your replies, very informative.

 

I realize my planning wasn't the best but it is due to circumstances.

 

I am from Romania, 44 year old. we married here 6 years ago and we haven't been to Thailand since.

 

I will only be able to transfer the money in june-july, I am arriving in Thailand in April.

 

I will apply today for the Non O, i think there might still be time. Is the e-visa processed by the local embassy? If so i could go there and speed things up if needed.

[DrJack54]

26 minutes ago, deliric said:

Is the e-visa processed by the local embassy? If so i could go there and speed things up if needed.

No and you can't go to embassy there and "speed things up" .

e-Visa is an online platform. 

26 minutes ago, deliric said:

I am from Romania, 44 year old. we married here 6 years ago and we haven't been to Thailand since

You have other issues. You married in Romania and for extensions etc in Thailand you require various docs to verify the marriage. 

That is another topic in itself.

26 minutes ago, deliric said:

I will only be able to transfer the money in june-july, I am arriving in Thailand in April.

So you cannot have funds in bank till june-july.

The Non O e-Visa has financial requirements. Have you looked into that.

Also the Non O marriage along with 12 month extension also has financial requirements.

 

26 minutes ago, deliric said:

I realize my planning wasn't the best but it is due to circumstances.

Understatement. 

 

[Liquorice]

To reiterate and confirm information already provided.

 

1 hour ago, deliric said:

I will apply today for the Non O, i think there might still be time. Is the e-visa processed by the local embassy? If so i could go there and speed things up if needed.

Visiting the Embassy will not speed up the process.  https://bucharest.thaiembassy.org/en/content/evisa-general-information?cate=5d7e89db15e39c1d900056f6 

You could ring and ask them for the processing time, which will be dependent on supplying the correct documents in the first instance.

 

1 hour ago, deliric said:

I am from Romania, 44 year old. we married here 6 years ago and we haven't been to Thailand since.

Whilst the Thai Embassy in Bucharest may accept your Romanian marriage certificate as proof of marriage, Thai Immigration will not.
To apply for an extension based on Thai spouse, you must have registered that foreign marriage in Thailand at your local Amphoe, which requires following a legal procedure known as legalisation of foreign documents. Basically, your Romania marriage certificate must first be authenticated, then translated to Thai and both documents legalised by Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in order to be accepted by an Amphoe to register the foreign overseas marriage.

Without following that procedure as far as the Thai authorities are concerned, you have no proof of being legally married to a Thai.

You cannot apply for an extension based on retirement due to being under 50 years of age.

 

2 hours ago, deliric said:

I will only be able to transfer the money in june-july, I am arriving in Thailand in April.

That would be too late to meet the financial requirements for a 1-year extension of stay.

 

In your current position, if you entered Thailand visa exempt you would be granted permission of stay for 60 days, which you could extend for a further 30 day - then depart and repeat with a further 60 day visa exempt entry.
If you entered with a Non Imm O visa, you would be granted permission of stay for 90 days. You cannot extend your stay as there is no registration of your foreign marriage with the Thai authorities.

 

 

[Liquorice]

@deliric

As we can no longer post PDF or doc files, I'm copying and pasting a document that deals with the process of legalising a foreign document to be accepted in Thailand as genuine.

Either the Thai Embassy in Bucharest, or the Romanian Embassy in Thailand should be able to advise on this process.

 

Register a foreign marriage in Thailand.

 

Not all foreigners marry their Thai spouses in Thailand, some tend to marry in their home Country.

However, if you plan to settle in Thailand at a later date and apply for 1 year extensions of stay based on Thai spouse, then it's important you register your foreign marriage at your local Amphoe.

The reason is simple, although you may be legally married, Thailand has no record of the marriage and do not accept foreign marriage certificates in their current form.

 

The foreign marriage certificate first has to be 'authenticated', 'translated' and then approved by the legalisation division of the consular section of Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“Legalization is the process of authenticating a legal document so a foreign country’s legal system will recognize it as valid, and with full legal effect.”

 

Different Countries will all have their own procedural process to authenticate a marriage certificate issued in that Country. However, there are usually two basic procedures to 'legalise' a foreign marriage certificate to be recognised as a legally presentable and acceptable document in Thailand.

 

1. a). The marriage certificate must first be certified as an authentic document by the legalisation division of your home Countries department dealing with Foreign Affairs. In the UK this would be the Home Office, in the US Department of Homeland Security, or in Australia the Department of Home Affairs.

b). It is then forwarded to the relevant Thai Embassy for certification of the authorised signature by that Countries legalisation department attesting the certificate to be authentic, who will attach an Apostille

d). In Thailand have your Embassy make certified copies of your marriage certificate and also certified copies of the information page of your Passport.

e). Have the certified copies of Passport and marriage certificate translated into Thai.

f). Take the original marriage certificate, certified copies and translations to the legalisation department of the Consular section of Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to have them 'legalised'.

 

2. Certain Embassies provide the service to make a sworn oath in the form of an affidavit as to the marriage certificates authenticity. In this case, then follow steps d,e and f, above.

 

Once you have certified and legalised translations of your Passport and marriage certificate, these should be acceptable to an Amphoe to register your foreign marriage on their database for further use. Keep your original legalised foreign marriage certificate, do not let the Amphoe keep it.

[deliric]

So my options would be :

 

Go with the vista exempt, try to open bank account, if not successful try to talk to a visa agent from Pattaya or Bkk if cannot find one in Samui (the branch shouldn't matter, I will stop for a few days in BKK to buy a car and do marriage docs before heading to Samui anyway).

 

Extend this until I can get the money in the thai bank and then try to change this visa exempt to a Non-O for marriage at Samui or Surat Thani office (i have been there before while living in Samui and they told me to not come back, go deal with Samui immigration, after giving me the extension or what was that i needed back then).

 

If not possible go to Penang and get a Non O from there and extend it yearly in Samui. They used to give 1 year Non O based on marriage some years back, not sure if that is still the case. I will have the money to show so it should be no problem.

 

Marriage certificate should not be a problem, i will do everything that needs to be done about it here(translate, legalize, get the embassy stamp, etc) before i leave and give it to translator in Bkk to do the rest of the stuff. I will also make an appointment to Romanian embassy in BKK for when i will be there.

 

Many thanks for the help in this thread, it is of enormous use. I will report back with my journey maybe i can also help others.

[DrJack54]

25 minutes ago, deliric said:

I will stop for a few days in BKK to buy a car and do marriage docs before heading to Samui anyway

As stated throughout thread. You (most likely ) will not be able to open a bank account on a visa exempt.

Suggest that you use agent in Bangkok and that could be organized in advance. 

Could start with ThaiVisaCentre.

Is the plan to put car in wife's name as COR would be required and that takes time. 

Almost no point in trying to obtain Non O in Samui it would seem.

Be aware that if you obtain the Non O in Thailand you also have to obtain the first 12 month extension at that office. 

 

Don't forget the option of obtaining a 60 day extension "to visit wife". Buys you time.

[BrandonJT]

44 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

As stated throughout thread. You (most likely ) will not be able to open a bank account on a visa exempt.

Suggest that you use agent in Bangkok and that could be organized in advance. 

Could start with ThaiVisaCentre.

 

Most agents in Bangkok, including Thai Visa Centre, do not offer standalone bank account service.  They only offer bank accounts if you are doing a visa or extension with them and the bank account is needed.

 

Pattaya is where people can get bank accounts as a standalone service, but that's also the cause of the recent problems, since they were doing so many that it created an anomaly.

[DrJack54]

27 minutes ago, BrandonJT said:

Most agents in Bangkok, including Thai Visa Centre, do not offer standalone bank account service

Siam Legal assisted with opening bank accounts.

Not sure if currently offering that service. 

 

Slightly off topic however if the OP is 50+ he could consider agent Non O retirement+ extension. 

Could be temporary option as seems current plan not practical. 

Start over with Non O marriage in the future.

 

Edit: indeed just checked with Siam Legal site here: https://www.siam-legal.com/other-services/opening-a-bank-account-in-thailand.php

 

They are currently not assisting with UK USA AU Canada etc pp holders.

And suggest Pattaya agents for bank account.

 

Back to the OP ... can't see his time frame and current plans workable. 

[ThaiVisaCentre]

2 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Siam Legal assisted with opening bank accounts.

Not sure if currently offering that service. 

 

Slightly off topic however if the OP is 50+ he could consider agent Non O retirement+ extension. 

Could be temporary option as seems current plan not practical. 

Start over with Non O marriage in the future.

 

Edit: indeed just checked with Siam Legal site here: https://www.siam-legal.com/other-services/opening-a-bank-account-in-thailand.php

 

They are currently not assisting with UK USA AU Canada etc pp holders.

And suggest Pattaya agents for bank account.

 

Back to the OP ... can't see his time frame and current plans workable. 

 

We currently assist with account setup for clients applying for Non-O ( Retirement / Marriage / Family ) visas, and the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).

 

If you're currently in Thailand on a tourist visa / exempt entry, we can still assist you, provided your intention is to obtain a long-term visa.

 

Please note that for any banking services, clients must be accompanied by our staff.

[DrJack54]

5 hours ago, deliric said:

If not possible go to Penang and get a Non O from there and extend it yearly in Samui. They used to give 1 year Non O based on marriage some years back, not sure if that is still the case.

That's the multi entry Non O visa valid for 12 months.

That is no longer available.

Outlined by Tod Daniels post here.

https://aseannow.com/topic/1352010-simple-question-for-this-idiot-about-non-o-marriage-multi-entry/#findComment-19593852

 

[Liquorice]

@deliric

Regarding opening a bank account.

I recommend you first visit the HQ branch of Bangkok Bank whilst in Bangkok.
There have been reports of those entering visa exempt successfully opening accounts there.

333 Silom Road, Silom, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500

[Rob Browder]

On 3/19/2025 at 11:11 PM, deliric said:

Thank you for the answers!

 

I considered the NON o prior but not sure i have enough time left, was thinking maybe save the 150 euro fee and also i can transfer enough money to thai bank around 2 months after i get there, i might need it faster for the 1 year extension.

 

Also regarding the account I had a BKK bank account but probably closed by now because i havent used in 7 years. Maybe the same branch will be keen to open a new one even if on visa extemption. Maybe if i go with wife and daughters they will be more understanding?

 

Come on a Non-O, so you can easily open a bank-account.

Get a 60-day extension to "visit Thai family" if you need that extra 60-days to get your 400K in the bank and "seasoned" for 2 months.

Note that the "agent service" which can involve a bank-account assistance is generally for retirement-type extensions - few will help with thai-family type extensions, and for those that do, it is more expensive than retirement-based.  And, you would pay more for that service-package, than the cost of a Non-O 90-day Visa from your home-country + 1900 baht 60-day extension from immigration.

[DrJack54]

12 minutes ago, Rob Browder said:

Come on a Non-O, so you can easily open a bank-account.

The thing is the OP has tickets to Thailand on April 7 and not clear if required docs in place to make Non O marriage e-Visa application. 

Obviously obtaining the Non O prior to entering Thailand was the best option. 

As it stands he want to 

1. Lob in Bangkok for few days and open bank account and also buy a car. Answer No and No. 

2. Go to Samui a d obtain a Non O marriage. Answer No. 

3. Obtain an agent Non O retirement. Answer No (he is 44).

 

As you pointed out he can obtain 60 day extension to visit wife. 

Perhaps exit Thailand at some point and obtain the Non O. 

[Liquorice]

6 hours ago, Rob Browder said:

Get a 60-day extension to "visit Thai family" if you need that extra 60-days to get your 400K in the bank and "seasoned" for 2 months.

He doesn't qualify for a 60 day extension in his current position as his overseas marriage isn't registered in Thailand.
Thai authorities do not recognise overseas marriage certificates unless he follows the legalisation process.

 

6 hours ago, Rob Browder said:

Note that the "agent service" which can involve a bank-account assistance is generally for retirement-type extensions - few will help with thai-family type extensions, and for those that do, it is more expensive than retirement-based.  And, you would pay more for that service-package, than the cost of a Non-O 90-day Visa from your home-country + 1900 baht 60-day extension from immigration.

He is only 44. Non O or extensions not available on the basis of retirement.

 

His priority is to get his Romanian marriage certificate authenticated, legalised and register their foreign marriage with the Thai authorities, otherwise his stay in Thailand will be short-lived, or continual exit and reentries.