My friend is planning on marrying his long time Lao GF, and is curious if she can stay in Thailand attached to his extension of stay based on retirement, as his wife? Is the income requirement the same or different?

Yes she can.

• She will need to get a non 'O' visa from Laos.
• She'll be granted a 90 days stay and can apply for an extension of stay, as his wife, within the last 30 (maybe 45 days).
• Her extension of stay will be for the remainder of her husbands stay.
• There is no change in the income requirement for the retirement extension.

Edited June 29, 201610 yr by elviajero

So she won't have to reach the financial requirements just him? Thank you.

So she won't have to reach the financial requirements just him? Thank you.

Their is no financial requirement for her to get a dependent extension of stay. Her extension will be based upon his extension based upon retirement.

Not wishing to derail the topic but is your friend aware that obtaining permission to marry a Lao national is a drawn-out and not inexpensive process?

Not wishing to derail the topic but is your friend aware that obtaining permission to marry a Lao national is a drawn-out and not inexpensive process?

Could they not get married somewhere other than Laos? If they don't plan on living in Laos, who cares if the uptight Lao government 'recognizes' their relationship. I would think the Thai govt would not care where they were married, provided the correct documents are translated, etc. But please correct me if I am mistaken.

Not wishing to derail the topic but is your friend aware that obtaining permission to marry a Lao national is a drawn-out and not inexpensive process?

Could they not get married somewhere other than Laos? If they don't plan on living in Laos, who cares if the uptight Lao government 'recognizes' their relationship. I would think the Thai govt would not care where they were married, provided the correct documents are translated, etc. But please correct me if I am mistaken.

I am marrying my Lao girlfriend in the UK as getting married in Laos is almost impossible, especially as we already have a kid. The Thai authorities have no interest in where you marry.

Not wishing to derail the topic but is your friend aware that obtaining permission to marry a Lao national is a drawn-out and not inexpensive process?

Could they not get married somewhere other than Laos? If they don't plan on living in Laos, who cares if the uptight Lao government 'recognizes' their relationship. I would think the Thai govt would not care where they were married, provided the correct documents are translated, etc. But please correct me if I am mistaken.

You would probably still need an affirmation of freedom to marry from the Laos Embassy in Thailand before the marriage could take place in Thailand so you are back to square one.

Just as long as the OP's friend is aware of the requirements.

Not wishing to derail the topic but is your friend aware that obtaining permission to marry a Lao national is a drawn-out and not inexpensive process?

Could they not get married somewhere other than Laos? If they don't plan on living in Laos, who cares if the uptight Lao government 'recognizes' their relationship. I would think the Thai govt would not care where they were married, provided the correct documents are translated, etc. But please correct me if I am mistaken.

You would probably still need an affirmation of freedom to marry from the Laos Embassy in Thailand before the marriage could take place in Thailand so you are back to square one.

Just as long as the OP's friend is aware of the requirements.

Yes. Marrying a Lao in Thailand is almost impossible as it involves the same red tape as marrying in Laos.

Not wishing to derail the topic but is your friend aware that obtaining permission to marry a Lao national is a drawn-out and not inexpensive process?

Could they not get married somewhere other than Laos? If they don't plan on living in Laos, who cares if the uptight Lao government 'recognizes' their relationship. I would think the Thai govt would not care where they were married, provided the correct documents are translated, etc. But please correct me if I am mistaken.

You would probably still need an affirmation of freedom to marry from the Laos Embassy in Thailand before the marriage could take place in Thailand so you are back to square one.

Just as long as the OP's friend is aware of the requirements.

this;

i looked into Marrying my Cambodian gf ( as i cant in Cambodia cause i am over 50)

Cant marry in Thailand BUT can easily marry in Singapore without affirmation of freedom to marry

just need stay there 15 days

Not wishing to derail the topic but is your friend aware that obtaining permission to marry a Lao national is a drawn-out and not inexpensive process?

Could they not get married somewhere other than Laos? If they don't plan on living in Laos, who cares if the uptight Lao government 'recognizes' their relationship. I would think the Thai govt would not care where they were married, provided the correct documents are translated, etc. But please correct me if I am mistaken.

You would probably still need an affirmation of freedom to marry from the Laos Embassy in Thailand before the marriage could take place in Thailand so you are back to square one.

Just as long as the OP's friend is aware of the requirements.

this;

i looked into Marrying my Cambodian gf ( as i cant in Cambodia cause i am over 50)

Cant marry in Thailand BUT can easily marry in Singapore without affirmation of freedom to marry

just need stay there 15 days

Hong Kong is an option too.

Not wishing to derail the topic but is your friend aware that obtaining permission to marry a Lao national is a drawn-out and not inexpensive process?

Yes he is very aware of that, but thinks he can marry her in Thailand, he doesn't care if Lao recognizes the marriage or not, as long as the Thais do. I'm not sure if he can do this or not.

Not wishing to derail the topic but is your friend aware that obtaining permission to marry a Lao national is a drawn-out and not inexpensive process?

Yes he is very aware of that, but thinks he can marry her in Thailand, he doesn't care if Lao recognizes the marriage or not, as long as the Thais do. I'm not sure if he can do this or not.

He can only marry her in Thailand if she gets an Affirmation of Freedom to Marry document from the Lao Embassy. This won't be easy as it involves the same Lao bureaucracy and red tape (and money!) as marrying in Laos.