The Thailand Marriage Visa, also known as the Thailand Non-Immigrant O Visa or Spouse Visa, is a type of long-term visa designed for foreign nationals who are married to a Thai national and want to settle down with them in Thailand.

This visa grants an initial stay of 1 year in the country, with the option to renew on an annual basis if the eligibility requirements continue to be met.

Benefits of the Thailand Marriage Visa

Other than providing long-term residency, the Thailand Marriage Visa also offers two major benefits that help individuals establish a stable life in Thailand:

Work in Thailand: You may apply for a Thai work permit and legally gain employment with a company in Thailand, which gives you the flexibility to pursue professional opportunities and develop your career in Thailand.
Path to Permanent Residency: The Thailand Marriage Visa can be renewed an indefinite number of times, so long as you continue to meet the eligibility requirements. After holding the visa for 3 consecutive years, you will be eligible to apply for permanent residency in Thailand.

Eligibility Requirements for the Thailand Marriage Visa

To qualify for the Thailand Marriage Visa, you will need to be married to a Thai national and meet one of the following financial requirements:

Maintain a security deposit of 400,000 THB in a Thai bank account for at least 2 months before submitting the visa application
Receive a monthly income of at least 40,000 THB

Besides meeting the eligibility requirements, you will need to provide the following documents:

Marriage Certificate (Kor Ror 3) and Marriage Registration Certificate (Kor Ror 2). If the marriage was registered abroad, either you or your spouse must report the marriage to the district office and then obtain Kor Ror 22.
Evidence of meeting the financial requirement:
- For the security deposit, an updated bank or passbook, along with a bank letter confirming that the funds were transferred from an overseas source no less than 2 months before the visa application.
- For the monthly income, a verification letter from your home country’s embassy in Thailand.

Your Thai spouse is also required to provide the following documents:

Thai national identification card
House Registration Book or Tabian Baan

Keep in mind that any document not in English or Thai must be translated by a certified translator and officially legalized by the relevant embassy or consulate before submission to Thai immigration.

How to Apply for the Thailand Marriage Visa

There is no direct application for the Thailand Marriage Visa, as it is an extension or conversion of the 90-Day Non-Immigrant Visa. Knowing this, there are two main methods of obtaining the Thailand Marriage Visa:

Applying Through a 90-Day Non-Immigrant Visa: You must first apply for a 90-Day Non-Immigrant Visa at a Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate in your home country or current country of residence. This visa can also be obtained from an embassy or consulate in one of Thailand’s neighboring countries. After entering Thailand and activating the visa, you must prepare the required documents and apply to extend your stay based on marriage during the last 30 days of your 90-day permit. The processing time takes about 1 month to complete, after which you will be issued the Thailand Marriage Visa.
Applying as a Tourist: If you entered Thailand with a Tourist Visa or under the Visa Exemption Scheme, you may apply for the 90-Day Non-Immigrant Visa and then convert it to the Thailand Marriage Visa at the immigration office, provided that you meet the requirements for both visas.

Obligations of Marriage Visa Holders in Thailand

As a Thailand Marriage Visa holder, you must comply with the following obligations during your stay in Thailand:

90-Day Report: You must notify the nearest immigration office of your current residential address every 90 days. If you leave Thailand before the 90-day reporting deadline, the count will reset upon your re-entry into the country.
Renewal: The Thailand Marriage Visa is valid for 1 year and can be renewed annually by submitting the same supporting documents as required in the initial application. However, the required funds in your Thai bank account must have been maintained for at least 3 months prior to the renewal date, rather than the 2 months stated in the initial application.

It is important to note that in the event of divorce, the Thailand Marriage Visa will be forfeited, and you will be required to leave the country immediately. That said, in some cases, authorities may allow foreigners to remain until their current visas expire, but this should not be relied upon.