What is the correct visa for me?

Hi all, it’s been a while since I’ve posted here but I know there is a wealth of knowledge here that will know the answer to my query so it was a bit of a no brainer and to ask!
My girlfriend and I have been living here in Australia for the past 14 months or so, we’ve gone back to Thailand multiple times but always on a visitor visa (or exemption).
We are now planning on getting married back in Thailand in November this year. We would like to come back in October to do our planning, set up etc but then like to stay in Thailand for about a year or so after the wedding.
Some quick facts about me, I’m about to turn 48 yo and will be 48 in October, I am retired and can easily prove the income requirement of in excess of 40k earning a month. Not sure what else is prudent at this time.
So my question is, what is the correct and most efficient and cost effective visa(s) to apply for to make this happen? In summary, come unmarried, get married, stay for a year (or so)
I’m hoping Todddaniels will chime in here with his advice.
Thanks in advance!

I would guess that you should get a multiple entry tourist visa to start with.

When that runs out after you're married, go to Savvanakhet in Laos and get a non-immigrant o visa (based on marriage).

I think you have to be 50 to get a retirement visa here, so can't get one anyway at the mo, regardless of the fact that you can prove income.

No need for the multi-entry visa.

Get a single entry and just show 40k p/m income or 400k in a Thai bank for 2 months and get a 12 month extension at immigration for 1,900thb.

Depending on the office, his tourist visa is okay and he can get his 12 month extension with that, once showing everything else that is needed for the marriage extension. Go visit them after you arrive.

What he said assuming your soon to be is Thai and you have marriage registered in Thailand.

Luigi and Norton, thanks
Yes my partner is Thai :)
So are you saying I can come on a regular single entry tourist visa, get married and then have the visa converted and extended whilst still onshore in Thailand for a further 12 months? That would be great if that’s the case! Or have I misunderstood your advice?
Also in regards to the 40k, that doesn’t have to be paid into a Thai bank account does it?
Thanks for the quick replies

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Originally Posted by idareu

Luigi and Norton, thanks

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Welcome Sir.

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Originally Posted by idareu

So are you saying I can come on a regular single entry tourist visa, get married and then have the visa converted and extended whilst still onshore in Thailand for a further 12 months? That would be great if that’s the case!
Also in regards to the 40k, that doesn’t have to be paid into a Thai bank account does it?

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Yes, and yes.

Or should be. Many officers and offices have their own rules. :) When you arrive go speak to the local one that you will be doing it at. Should be fine.

If it's some lowly gunk giving you the info, note down their name, the date and the info they give you. It will help relieve some of the embarrassment when you chuck a shit-attack when you go to do it and they say they cannot do it, after someone there told you yes. :)

Great thanks.
The second yes wasn’t in regards to the 40k having to be deposited into a Thai bank was it? (Please say no ��)

yes, but go to speak with your local immigration office first.

Any hassles, you can go and get a multi-entry Non-O based on marriage.


Just don't work on it, unless you get a work-permit and extension based on employment first. That would be illegal.

Ahh bugger, I might have to enquire about setting up a Thai bank account and having my money deposited into it then, bit of a pain.

That will be another experience I’m sure, opening an account on a tourist visa

At this time I have no intention at all of working in Thailand

An option. Check with Aus Embassy Thailand but you can get an affidavit from them showing you have 40k income. This can be used at Thai immigration without having cash in local bank.

With this depositing money in a Thai bank account can it be a joint account or has to be an account solely in your own name?

I like the idea of a signed affidavit from the Embassy, I will bring along that paperwork for sure. That would be a really good outcome

Id go the hassle free way of getting a non o based on marriage at Savannakhet.

You'll have to leave Thailand every 90 days but its a bonus to leave the madhouse and youll be able to take in other more civilised countries like Cambodia or Beirut

The pluses are;
Its only 5,000 baht.
You dont have to transfer funds to a Thai bank, although as an Ozzie you just need an avidavit as Norton states i think although i dunno why they trust you crims.
you wont need any visa from Oz to Thailand
you wont need to piss about back and forth to immigration and the Oz embassy
You wont have to draw a map of where your house is, supply pics of yourself boning the wife and have the nosey fuckers pay you a visit.

The minus is:
Youve gotta get to and spend a night in that shithole Savannakhet

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Originally Posted by Dillinger

The pluses are;

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Come back with duty free stuff.

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Originally Posted by buriramboy

With this depositing money in a Thai bank account can it be a joint account or has to be an account solely in your own name?

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My understanding is that it must be an account in your own name. If in a joint account it counts as zero

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Originally Posted by buriramboy

With this depositing money in a Thai bank account can it be a joint account or has to be an account solely in your own name?

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I believe the account should be in your name, based on a couple years ago when Somchai at Jomtien S5 graciously credited me with 50% of the joint account balance which was adequate anyway, so I guess he was just trying to make a point or on locoweed.

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Originally Posted by idareu

That will be another experience I’m sure, opening an account on a tourist visa

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It certainly will be and no matter the visa. Your experience will vary from bank to bank and branch to branch
A couple of years ago my request to open a bank account at a branch up country was declined. I was legally here on 1-year extensions of stay.
When I informed the bank that I already had an account with them at another branch they relented.

At least some time ago the major banks had specific branches in Bangkok focussing on international customers/business. Check their websites to see if they still exist. That might be one way to approach it

I think thats all stopped now, the ability to open a bank account on a tourist visa.

IF you go in Oct/get married in Nov.

get urself a tourist visa, valid for 60 days, extend 30 days if needed, after ur married head up to Laos an get a single entry non o visa, take ur marriage certificate.
Back in Thailand, put ur 400,000 in the bank, (needs be ONLY ur name, not joint account), and after 2 months go to immigration and extend to a 1 year extension... ask at immigration what paperwork is required..Every immigration office is different..

Kasikorn Bank sometimes allows u to open an account on a tourist visa.

Best of luck

Re bank account. If you open an account in a place that is used to dealing with foreigners say Hua Hin or Pattaya you are less likely to have a problem for in these places they will have done it before and there are usually some bank staff who speak English whereas in places that are not used to dealing with foreigners they probably wont know what to do so may say no automatically.

If you go the money in the bank way once you have an account you can take it to a local branch and ask to have it transferred to that branch for you will have to get a letter from the bank on the day you renew permission to stay. Note, you have to deposit a small amount into the account on the day you get the letter before you ask for the letter, for the account will only show the date of last deposit or withdrawal and you need to show the money is in the account on the day you apply for your extension.

If you are going to live in Thailand then it is as well to have both a personal account and a joint account with you and the Mrs for then you can use the joint account for day to day purchases and transfer money between accounts as needed for once you have renewed permission to stay the 40k no longer needs to be in the personal account until 3 months before the next permission to stay date.

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When did you open your accounts on tourist visas? I bet it was yonks ago.

To help the op- name the bank branches where you think you can open an account on a tourist visa.

I opened one at Bangkok Bank on a tourist visa nearly a decade ago near soi 10. Theyve stopped doing that there now, ive heard.
You need a visa or extension and a certificate of residence

If theyre clamping down on sim cards i doubt theyll be allowing tourists bank accounts for obvious reasons

Thanks for the advice so far, I need to spend a little bit of time and read through each and give each due consideration, I thank each of you for your advice so far, it’s much appreciated!!!