17 minutes ago, Liquorice said:

I take it you're searching how to get married first, with the intention of then applying for a Non Imm O visa based on Thai spouse?
If you state your nationality, it would assist in giving advice.

 

Canadian and planning to get married in Thailand.

25 minutes ago, Liquorice said:

The Embassy take a copy of your passport and certify it as an authentic copy of the original.
The translator just translates it and certifies their translation.
The MFA then affix an apostille to the original and translations, which legalises the documents for use in Thailand.

You take these to an Amphoe to register your marriage.

 

I take it you're searching how to get married first, with the intention of then applying for a Non Imm O visa based on Thai spouse?
If you state your nationality, it would assist in giving advice.

 

Hello,

 

My nationality is Canadian. You are correct, my intention is get marry first in Thailand and apply for the non immigrant O visa based on my Thai spouse.  It would be awesome if you can give me advice on the marriage registration and applying for the non immigrant O visa based on my Thai spouse.

 

Thank you,

Mike

1 hour ago, MikeB1 said:

My nationality is Canadian. You are correct, my intention is get marry first in Thailand and apply for the non immigrant O visa based on my Thai spouse.  It would be awesome if you can give me advice on the marriage registration and applying for the non immigrant O visa based on my Thai spouse.

To register a marriage in Thailand, the Amphoe usually requests an 'affidavit of freedom to marry' issued by your Embassy, and an Embassy certified copy of your Passport.
These two documents must then be translated into Thai, then the documents 'legalised' by the Consular section of the MFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) to be accepted by the Amphoe to register the marriage.

 

The problem is that the Canadian Embassy do not issue 'affidavits of freedom to marry' they will only issue a letter to state as such, therefore other documentation may be required, but you need to check what the Amphoe will accept. Read this link: https://www.international.gc.ca/gac-amc/about-a_propos/services/authentication-authentification/lieu.aspx?lang=eng

I would contact the Canadian Embassy for further advice.

Thanks, Liquorice. I’ve contacted the Canadian Embassy, and they provided me with a Marriage Affidavit form -  stating that I’m single and eligible to marry.

Regarding the two-month waiting period after marriage—does this apply when applying for the one-year Non-Immigrant O (Marriage) visa in Bangkok? And does the same waiting period apply if I apply for a 90-day Non-Immigrant O visa outside Thailand, for example in Laos?

 

Thank you,

Mike

29 minutes ago, MikeB1 said:

Thanks, Liquorice. I’ve contacted the Canadian Embassy, and they provided me with a Marriage Affidavit form -  stating that I’m single and eligible to marry.

Regarding the two-month waiting period after marriage—does this apply when applying for the one-year Non-Immigrant O (Marriage) visa in Bangkok? And does the same waiting period apply if I apply for a 90-day Non-Immigrant O visa outside Thailand, for example in Laos?

 

Thank you,

Mike

There's no such thing as a 1 year non-O visa.

First you get the non-O visa from the embassy, it's a 90-day visa who does not require 2 months.  Then in Thailand you apply for the 1-year extension.  Because you will already have to be married to get the non-O from the Thai embassy, the 2 month thing doesn't affect you, because that amount of time will have already passed by the time you are applying for the 1-year extension.

It's only if you already had a Thai bank account and then wanted to apply for the non-O visa from immigration immediately after getting married.  They would reject your request because you're not marriage long enough.

29 minutes ago, MikeB1 said:

Regarding the two-month waiting period after marriage—does this apply when applying for the one-year Non-Immigrant O (Marriage) visa in Bangkok? And does the same waiting period apply if I apply for a 90-day Non-Immigrant O visa outside Thailand, for example in Laos

That 2 month issue would be obtaining a Non O at CW. 

If you already had a Non O eVisa from Canada, Laos etc then the next step is to obtain 12 month extension. 

The entry to Thailand gives you a 90 day stamp. 

2 minutes ago, BrandonJT said:

There's no such thing as a 1 year non-O visa.

First you get the non-O visa from the embassy, it's a 90-day visa who does not require 2 months.  Then in Thailand you apply for the 1-year extension.  Because you will already have to be married to get the non-O from the Thai embassy, the 2 month thing doesn't affect you, because that amount of time will have already passed by the time you are applying for the 1-year extension.

It's only if you already had a Thai bank account and then wanted to apply for the non-O visa from immigration immediately after getting married.  They would reject your request because you're not marriage long enough.

The Sydney consulate still issues 1 year non o multi entries based on marriage.

Unfortunately this is only available to people in that state. The rest have to use the Canberra Embassy which only gives 90 days.

No idea why this is.

@MikeB1 you are in a catch 22.

You plan to enter Thailand (assume visa exempt) then marry Thai then obtain a Non O. 

Issue is to obtain the Non O you need bank account. 

Without side tracking your question. 

What's the plan here. 

You could split this into two separate plans. 

Step 1. Come to Thailand get married. 

Stay in Thailand for a period with 60 day extension to visit wife etc

 

Step 2. At some point exit Thailand and obtain a Non O. That could even be with trip back to Canada or elsewhere. 

5 minutes ago, emptypockets said:

The Sydney consulate still issues 1 year non o multi entries based on marriage.

Most likely outdated info. 

Multi entry Non O is no longer available

@DrJack54 

 

Hi DrJack54,

 

Yes, based on the valuable advices from you and others. I am planning to do exactly that.

 

1. Enter Thailand with my 60 days exemption, get married and If i need more time I will do an extension for another 60 days

 

2. Exit Thailand to near by country like Laos and apply for a Non O. 

 

Thank you

1 hour ago, MikeB1 said:

Thanks, Liquorice. I’ve contacted the Canadian Embassy, and they provided me with a Marriage Affidavit form -  stating that I’m single and eligible to marry.

That needs to be certified by the Embassy, as well as an Embassy certified copy of your passport.
Those must then be translated and legalised by the MFA to present to an Amphur to register your marriage.

 

1 hour ago, MikeB1 said:

Regarding the two-month waiting period after marriage—does this apply when applying for the one-year Non-Immigrant O (Marriage) visa in Bangkok?

No, it applies to the Non Imm O visa in Bangkok

 

1 hour ago, MikeB1 said:

And does the same waiting period apply if I apply for a 90-day Non-Immigrant O visa outside Thailand, for example in Laos?

No waiting period if applying for the Non O from a local Thai Embassy.
 

48 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Most likely outdated info. 

Multi entry Non O is no longer available

Must have changed in the last 12 months.

38 minutes ago, MikeB1 said:

1. Enter Thailand with my 60 days exemption, get married and If i need more time I will do an extension for another 60 days

You can apply for a 30 day extension (unmarried) and a further 60 day extension when married.

You cannot extend a visa, you extend the permission of stay granted on entry, be it 30,60 or 365 days.

 

Based on Thai spouse, applying for the Non O at Immigration would require two visits, as does the 1 year extension application.
Once you get married, open a bank account and deposit 400K THB funds, I would apply for the Non O at a nearby Thai Embassy as @BrandonJT recommends.

On entry that will grant a stay of 90 days, then after 60 days and the 400K has been seasoned for 2 months in the bank apply for the 1 year extension of stay.

4 minutes ago, emptypockets said:

Must have changed in the last 12 months.

It changed when the e-visa applications were introduced.

Thanks

7 minutes ago, Liquorice said:

You cannot extend a visa, you extend the permission of stay granted on entry, be it 30,60 or 365 days.

 

7 minutes ago, Liquorice said:

Based on Thai spouse, applying for the Non O at Immigration would require two visits, as does the 1 year extension application.

 

@Liquorice

 

Hi, can you clarify this. ... The 30,60 or 365 days? this applies to the Non O? 

 

and the require 2 visits at the immigration in Thailand ?

40 minutes ago, MikeB1 said:

 

@Liquorice

 

Hi, can you clarify this. ... The 30,60 or 365 days? this applies to the Non O? 

 

and the require 2 visits at the immigration in Thailand ?

There are two ways to obtain a Non O (marriage) 

 

Firstly obtain via eVisa platform outside of Thailand. 

That is online apart for payment (Laos) where you visit embassy/consulate.

 

The other way to obtain a Non O is from a visa exempt or tourist visa entry. This requires you to attend local immigration. You will be given an under consideration period and return to immigration (perhaps 30 days later) for final stamp. 

The problem with obtaining the Non O in Thailand is that it requires a Thai bank account in your name only. 

Something you can (now) not obtain on tourist status. 

Hence Catch 22.

 

The Non O provides a 90 day stamp upon entry if obtained outside of Thailand and the Non O obtained inside Thailand also provides 90 day permission of stay. 

Either way after the 90 day stamp is in pp you apply for the 12 month extension with up to 30 days prior to expiry (45 days in some offices such as CW, CM, etc

15 hours ago, MikeB1 said:

Hi, can you clarify this. ... The 30,60 or 365 days? this applies to the Non O? 

No, I was pointing out that when you apply for an extension, you're applying to extend your period of stay, not the visa.

For example a VE or TV entry, you can only apply for a 30 day extension and/or a 60 day extension to visit Thai family.
You must obtain a Non O visa to apply for a 365 day extension based on retirement or Thai family.

 

7. Please note that the period of  visa validity  is different from the  period of stay .   Visa validity  is the period during which a visa can be used to enter Thailand. In general, the validity of a visa is 3 months, but in some cases, visas may be issued to be valid for 6 months, 1 year or 3 years. The validity of a visa is granted with discretion by the Royal Thai Embassy or Royal Thai Consulate-General and is displayed on the visa sticker. 

8. On the other hand, the  period of stay  is granted by an immigration officer upon arrival at the port of entry and in accordance with the type of visa. For example, the period of stay for a transit visa is not exceeding 30 days, for a tourist visa is not exceeding 60 days and for a non-immigrant visa is not exceeding 90 days from the arrival date. The period of stay granted by the immigration officer is displayed on the arrival stamp. Travellers who wish to stay longer than such period may apply for extension of stay at offices of the Immigration Bureau.

https://www.mfa.go.th/en/page/general-information?menu=5e1ff6d057b01e00a6391dc5

 

16 hours ago, MikeB1 said:

and the require 2 visits at the immigration in Thailand ?

If you applied for the Non O at Immigration, you must have at least 15 days permission of stay remaining (23 days at some IO's).
This is to allow your application to be processed.
First visit to submit the application, second visit to get the stamp once it's approved.

 

The same applies to 1 year extension applications based on Thai family/spouse.
Local officials are not authorised to approve these types of application.
You first submit the application at your local IO where you will be given a 30 day 'under consideration' stamp

Your application is sent to the regional office for approval by a higher ranking official.
You return after 30 days (the date given on the stamp) to obtain the 1 year extension stamp.

30 minutes ago, Liquorice said:

No, I was pointing out that when you apply for an extension, you're applying to extend your period of stay, not the visa.

For example a VE or TV entry, you can only apply for a 30 day extension and/or a 60 day extension to visit Thai family.
You must obtain a Non O visa to apply for a 365 day extension based on retirement or Thai family.

 

7. Please note that the period of  visa validity  is different from the  period of stay .   Visa validity  is the period during which a visa can be used to enter Thailand. In general, the validity of a visa is 3 months, but in some cases, visas may be issued to be valid for 6 months, 1 year or 3 years. The validity of a visa is granted with discretion by the Royal Thai Embassy or Royal Thai Consulate-General and is displayed on the visa sticker. 

8. On the other hand, the  period of stay  is granted by an immigration officer upon arrival at the port of entry and in accordance with the type of visa. For example, the period of stay for a transit visa is not exceeding 30 days, for a tourist visa is not exceeding 60 days and for a non-immigrant visa is not exceeding 90 days from the arrival date. The period of stay granted by the immigration officer is displayed on the arrival stamp. Travellers who wish to stay longer than such period may apply for extension of stay at offices of the Immigration Bureau.

https://www.mfa.go.th/en/page/general-information?menu=5e1ff6d057b01e00a6391dc5

 

If you applied for the Non O at Immigration, you must have at least 15 days permission of stay remaining (23 days at some IO's).
This is to allow your application to be processed.
First visit to submit the application, second visit to get the stamp once it's approved.

 

The same applies to 1 year extension applications based on Thai family/spouse.
Local officials are not authorised to approve these types of application.
You first submit the application at your local IO where you will be given a 30 day 'under consideration' stamp

Your application is sent to the regional office for approval by a higher ranking official.
You return after 30 days (the date given on the stamp) to obtain the 1 year extension stamp.

@Liquorice  Thank you so much for the valuable information. Really appreciate it!  Have a great weekend

On 10/12/2025 at 12:00 PM, Banky Bee said:

1. I will only have one original document of "affidavit of freedom to marry", but as far as I understand, it must to be submitted multiple times to different authorities:

• When registering a marriage at Amphur office
• When applying for an initial NON-O at the immigration office
• (Maybe somewhere else, like 1 year visa extension?)

Will they just check and return original affidavit to me? 
Otherwise, do I need to make additional copies and have them notarized in advance?

The amphur takes your original "freedom to marry" affidavit.  Make copies before you go there to get married, in case your local immigration office asks to see this (varies).  Some have reported this being demanded years later for an extension, but not before - so, keep those copies in a safe place. 

 

Thailand does not have "notarization," as such, and I have not seen it reported that immigration rejected a copy of this signed by the applicant.  I have read reports where the applicant had to go back to the amphur and ask them to dig-out their original marriage-paperwork, then copy that document.

 

Edit: Also, some Thai translation services will handle getting the MFA stamp for you - can save some steps, and avoids any issue with the translation accuracy. 

H

On 10/16/2025 at 9:48 PM, MikeB1 said:

@DrJack54 

 

Hi DrJack54,

 

Yes, based on the valuable advices from you and others. I am planning to do exactly that.

 

1. Enter Thailand with my 60 days exemption, get married and If i need more time I will do an extension for another 60 days

 

2. Exit Thailand to near by country like Laos and apply for a Non O. 

 

Thank you

 

Hi ,

 

I have another question. When I leave Thailand for Laos to apply for a 90-day Non-O visa, do I need to show 400,000 baht in my bank account in my home country? I’m planning to bring some of the money in cash with me for the deposit in Thailand."

 

 

Thank you

19 minutes ago, MikeB1 said:

H

 

Hi ,

 

I have another question. When I leave Thailand for Laos to apply for a 90-day Non-O visa, do I need to show 400,000 baht in my bank account in my home country? I’m planning to bring some of the money in cash with me for the deposit in Thailand."

 

 

Thank you

You can show any bank account when applying at an embassy. I don't quite understand your statement about cash.  Cash is irrelevant in the process of applying for a visa, except in Laos you will need to pay for the visa application at the embassy/consulate in person, in cash. 

15 minutes ago, BrandonJT said:

You can show any bank account when applying at an embassy. I don't quite understand your statement about cash.  Cash is irrelevant in the process of applying for a visa, except in Laos you will need to pay for the visa application at the embassy/consulate in person, in cash. 

Hi Brandon,

 

Regarding the 400,000 baht requirement: I plan to transfer part of the amount from my home‑country bank account into a Thai bank account, and deposit the remaining balance in cash... I guess I can't do this right?

 

Thank you

4 minutes ago, MikeB1 said:

Hi Brandon,

 

Regarding the 400,000 baht requirement: I plan to transfer part of the amount from my home‑country bank account into a Thai bank account, and deposit the remaining balance in cash... I guess I can't do this right?

 

Thank you

If you are talking about for the extension once you enter Thailand with the non-O visa, the source of the money doesn't matter for marriage extension.  That is only relevant for converting to retirement visa inside of Thailand.

4 minutes ago, BrandonJT said:

If you are talking about for the extension once you enter Thailand with the non-O visa, the source of the money doesn't matter for marriage extension.  That is only relevant for converting to retirement visa inside of Thailand.

 

Hi,

 

I'm referring to the Non O visa for marriage (90 days) outside Thailand not the retirement visa. At the point of the process, do I have to need the show proof of the 400,000 ? or only when I apply for the 1 year extension inside Thailand afterwards

 

Thank you

5 minutes ago, MikeB1 said:

 

Hi,

 

I'm referring to the Non O visa for marriage (90 days) outside Thailand not the retirement visa. At the point of the process, do I have to need the show proof of the 400,000 ? or only when I apply for the 1 year extension inside Thailand afterwards

 

Thank you

You must provide proof of 400,000 in a bank account.  So whatever you are talking about cash is irrelevant, as it's not in the bank.  Some embassies will require the money to be in the account for a certain amount of time, and some will not. You need to check the embassy where you will be applying for what their requirements are.  At an embassy for the non-O visa, it can be any bank account.  For the extension, it must be in a Thai bank account for the required amount of time (2 months).