How & it Works!
Married to a Thai Partner and really want to live in Thailand indefinitely? Well yes it’s actually possible. As always in Immigration matters it’s lots of paperwork and some money of course.
The good news it’s not expensive at all but you must follow the guidelines I set out below. This guide is the process I took to achieve continuous residence in Thailand.
Why do I know? Well I have lived and visited Thailand for nearly 4 decades and this is how I remain here comfortably today.
Two Step Visa Process to Bliss.
Step 1: Initial Type O Non Immigration Visa Application.
To become essentially a resident full time with some restrictions requires two steps.
- OBTAIN A NON IMMIGRATION TYPE O VISA. (Apply Outside Thailand).
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- APPLY FOR VISA EXTENSION – In Thailand : (Perpetual). Note warning below)
The first requirements is you need a Type “O” Non Immigration Visa (Partner). This is your initial passport to entering Thailand for the first 12 months. These visas require three monthly border runs at a convenient land border. Don’t worry Ill explain as we go. Not a big issue normally. The Spouse Non Immigration Visa must be obtained from any Thai Embassy outside the Kingdom itself.
This visa entitles you to travel into Thailand for three month periods over 12 months which can be extended to 15 months with some planning where you must cross a land border and then return to Thailand every 90 days.
Extend to 15 Months Multi Entry Visa.
If you use one of these Visas if you go to the border before it expires at the 12 month point you can renew for another three months taking you to 15 months.
(Note: You must have the MULTI Visa and not the SINGLE entry. The single entry is just that a three month holiday where you must leave Thailand at the end of the period.
Yes, it seems like a pain especially if your in central Thailand but for me in Chiang Rai it’s a 50 minute comfortable drive to Mesai (Myanma) border crossing. Don’t worry if your prepared you may never need to do it if you follow my plan.
Visa Requirements:
Please note that there are Single and Multiple Entry Visas available. The single entry just gives you 90 days ONLY then you must leave and NOT RETURN until you get a new visa. The Multiple Entry gives you 1 year with 90 day stays but you must leave the country across a land border and then re enter.
If you planning the Visa Extension route then if you have a bank account already in Thailand you probably could use the single entry but safety requires a multi entry just in case in my opinion. Your choice as always. These are my experiences and yours may differ.
Documents:
- Non Immigration Type O Visa Form.
- Passport with at least 6 months remaining & TWO free pages. (Get a new one if your planning to stay long term.)
- Marriage Certificate (Translated if not Thai & translated plus Certified at the Embassy.
- Thai Partner ID CARD (both sides)
- Letter from partner asking that you can join them to Visit them in Thailand.
- Passport photos x2
- Fee $100 AUD for Single Entry and $300 Aud or multiple entry which is the best option in my opinion. Read the latest requirements at the Thai Embassy in Sydney Australia HERE.
Processing normally us pretty quick such as 3-5 days. The visa is being used from the moment it’s stamped in your passport NOT from your arrival in country! So don’t get it 2-3 months before you leave as you will lose that period of time!
IMPORTANT: Check for the latest requirements at your Embassy nearest you as requirements can change. (eg Covit)
Border Crossing Fun – 90 Days.
If you have not yet completed the extension visa sometimes they will offer you an extension for another three months for 1900 thb. This will save you doing a border run. Ask and see if you need it. Thailand does not require any payment when you do cross a land border with Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia or Myanmar.
The other countries may request a payment and in my case going to Mesai to the Thai/Myanmar border it was a 500 Thb payment. When you re-enter Thailand ensure they stamp your visa with another 90 days just incase they miss it.
In fact on your arrival initially to Thailand if you get to work right away you may never need to go to the border ever!
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Partner Visa Extension.
IMPORTANT FACTS:
YOU MUST UNDERSTAND!
DONT GET THIS WRONG!
A. The Type O Non Immigration Visa Must be obtained outside Thailand, but any country is OK.
B. Once you get your Exit/Reentry Visa Extension. DO NOT LEAVE THE COUNTRY without getting a Single or Muti Entry extension at your local Thai immigration office. If you don’t your visa extension will be invalidated!
IMPORTANT PLANNING: You must purchase a single exit/retry extension (1000 Thb) single use. If your planning to come and go across the border regularly but live in Thailand then get the Multi Entry Exit/Re entry Visa extension at (3800 Thb). (Yearly application.)
If you FAIL to do this and leave Thailand even for a day trip with family and all your hard work getting a partner extension visa will be waisted and your visa will be CANCELLED!
You will need to go to another country re-apply for a Non Immigration Type O visa again and start the whole process all over again.
Pre Arrival or On Arrival.
It’s a requirement to have 400,000 Thb in a Thai Bank Account for a minimum of two months before you can apply for a Visa Extension. This money must be in a bank account in the name of the applicant.
It’s your money and no one can get access to it but you. Its not a bribe or anything like that. It’s a security that you have some money. It’s simply insurance you have money available.
If you arrive in Thailand and you don’t have an account it’s a simple issue to go to your bank of choice and create one. Once completed put your 400,000 thb in it and count the days. You can apply for your visa as soon as your two months is up. This will give you several weeks to get the approval and be on your way and not need a border run.
Once your visa extension has been approved you can if you wish withdraw it your money. You can use the money in your account as you wish. Please remember that there must be 400,000 thb in the bank once again two months from your next application.
Note application which takes about a month so at least three months before its due to expire you need to top up the account again. Yes, unfortunately you have to re-apply every year.
So as your approaching the nine months point into tour stay you would need to top up your account. It must sit there prior to applying again above 400,000 thb for another 2 months.
If you have excess to the 400,000 you can use the funds as normal but the account cannot drop a single Baht below the required 400,000 or you visa will be in jeopardy.
Application.
You can download or go to the Immigration office and pick up a TM 7 application form. You need two as you must create two sets complete for immigration.
Here is the list of requirements on the form so note additional steps if you have children. Check the list on the TM 7 application form guide which is available at immigration. It is pink in colour and will be with the other guides probably on the counter.
Application
These are what you need to prepare for your application (You & Partner Only application).
- Immigration form TM7 * 2 (USE Blue Pen Only)
- Valid Passport with a year remaining.
- Passport photos *2
- Partners ID Card – Both sides * 2 copies.
- Photo copy:
- Passport front page * 2
- Type O VISA *2
- Entry stamp page *2
- Thai Immigration Exit Form *2 ea
- Partners Thai house Certificate *2 ea
- Photo of You and Partner in front of home with address sign visible. *.2 ea
- Pictures of you and Partner in the home eg: Lounge & Bedroom *2 ea
- Marriage Certificate copy * 2 ea
- Marrage certificate page 2 * 2 ea
- Copy of Bank Book Total on the day of application. * 2 ea
- Certificate from bank to confirm 400,000 in the bank for 2 months. 2 ea.
- Map from meanest village to your home. It’s just to help them locate your home when they come to visit you. Blue Pen.
- Fee 1900 Thb
Wedding Certificate
If you have your original Thai wedding Certificate you also need a certificate from the Umper. This is known as Tabian Som lot Bai Song or wedding certificate second page. This must be issued from the UMPER is local government office and is valid for 60 days Only from the date of issue.
It’s very easy to get and costs 100thb per copy and I’d suggest getting two signed copies so they are both original for your two sets of application forms.
Getting this can take just a few minutes so it’s certainly not an issue. Go to the most convenient UMPER with your partner. They will need his/her I’d card as it has a chip which they read. It’s important to have this. They will get it for you with little hassle as possible.
Bank Requirements.
Getting a bank account requires just a passport and your away. They have a fee to start one and you are required as in most banks to make a deposit. Once set up you can put your 400,000 thb in or transfer it using swift code and transfering from you home account as you need.
When the big day comes to do your application you must go to the bank first and get an update of your bank account. Deposit 100 thb for example and have the bank book updated to that date. You will need two photocopies of this page for your two application packs.
Next you need to get a certificate from the bank that the money has been deposited for not less than two months. This is costs 100thb per page and you will need two copies. Again one for each application set.
If you have any issues just take your pink TM 7 guide form with you and show them the bank requirement section. They will get it ready for you.
Dealing with Immigration.
I have personally found immigration offices to be pretty helpful. Most do speak English pretty well, even in Provincial areas like Chang Rai is not an issue.
As with all authority figures from doctors to teachers to police and immigration officers it’s a very bad idea to raise your voice at them. They will simply stop helping you and make you wait even longer. Take it from me you need to remain calm regardless.
Yes I get it’s frustrating at times. Yes it often seems they are picky about things but they have guidelines they follow so take a breath, step back and calm yourself. 😉
If your having issues they will explain and guide you. I have found them always to be very helpful.
My own very first application took a whole day because I did not know what they wanted! It took a full day of photo copying things I got wrong! We got through it fine!
Recently I completed my second application and it took a bit over an hour instead of a whole day. I might also suggest don’t go on Mondays or Fridays as it’s always quite busy.
It’s often people with issues that take a lot of time for the offices to resolve I have found. Last minute panic problems and it gets stressful just being there when this happens.
Immigration Home Visit.
Yes, the immigration office will come and visit you about a week or so after your application is submitted. They are required to check you have a residence plus take photos with you to show they were with you at your home.
You will need a second Thai person to act as a referee to say they know you and yes you live there plus other basic questions. A parent or a family member can help with this.
I found the two ladies on my initial inspection very nice. They did not enter our home. They sat down on the porch and had a short chat, filled in a few papers and did the photos with us. Probably 20 minutes or so.
As far as notice they called us at 8am and arrived at 1030 am. I believe they had several families to I visit.
So far I have not had a visit for my renewal but they could come again. I’m hoping my Thai language and jokes left them with a good impression the first time. I was told as they got in the car ” You defiantly Pass the test”. Hoping that was enough.
The Final Hurdle & 90 day Visits.
Once the immigration officers leave you will already have a date to return to your local immigration office to pick up your actual extension visa. Just arrive early and go in as normal to get the stamp/form put in your passport. They will then give you a date to come back which is 90 days.
90 Day Visits.
You can arrive back anytime up to 14 days before the time expires on your current extension and they will grant you another 90 days. If your date falls on a weekend go the nearest working day before. Immigration offices are open 8.30 to 5pm and close from 12 to 1 pm for lunch.
The lunch closure happens everywhere at government offices and even hospitals to a point. It only takes a few minutes normally to be processed.
Mission Complete.
If you have made it this far then congratulations! Your ready to go through the process and it will be a breeze for sure and you can settle into a comfortable happy life with your partner here in Thailand.
Author.
Brendon McAliece, (Aka Gunnie) is a military veteran with 23 years working on Jet Fighters, their weapons systems and ejection seat/module systems as well as munitions and R&D. Involved with flight simulation since the 1980s he has flown all the major flight simulators over the years.
He is an Australian expat who has lived in Malaysia, UK, Saudi Arabia and more recently Thailand. He is a multi lingual blogger who loves to share his life experiences here on www.LetsFlyVFR.com and www.DreamingGuitar.com, his lifestyle and Travel experiences Blog.
