Thailand Marriage Visa Guide
To extend your stay in Thailand based on marriage to a Thai national, you must be legally married and already hold Non-Immigrant O status before filing for the one-year extension.
Requirements and procedures vary by immigration office. Always confirm locally before applying.
Step 1. Ensure you are legally married
A marriage-based visa or extension starts with the marriage itself. If you are already legally married to a Thai national, whether in Thailand or abroad, you can move on to the visa process. If you are not married yet and plan to marry in Thailand, the usual path is to prepare your documents, legalise them in Thailand, and register the marriage at the local district office.
Country differences matter
The exact paperwork and embassy process can differ by nationality. Some embassies issue a marital status affirmation directly, others may ask for a document from your home country first, and naming can vary. Treat the list below as the usual starting point and confirm the exact checklist with your embassy or consulate before booking the marriage appointment.
1. Before the marriage: Preparation
- Marital status affirmation / Affidavit of Freedom to Marry
- A certified copy of your passport
- Proof of address (examples include a residence certificate or bank statement)
- Divorce certificate/decree absolute (if previously married)
- Death certificate of former spouse (if widowed)
2. Translate and legalise your documents
You will need to translate and legalise the documents before the marriage can be registered.
- Use a reputable translation service familiar with the MFA legalisation requirements, such as Sawadee Translations
- Translate both the affirmation and certified copy of your passport into Thai
- Submit the Thai translations, plus the originals, to the Thai MFA Legalisation Division
- Wait for the MFA to certify and legalise them (2-4 business days)
The Thai MFA Legalisation Division is at the Department of Consular Affairs, 123 Chaeng Watthana Road, Bangkok.
3. Register the marriage at the Amphur / District Office
Take the following to the Amphur or district office:
- Your passport
- Legalised Thai translation of the marital status affirmation
- Legalised Thai translation or certified copy of your passport
- Thai partner's ID card
- Thai partner's house registration book (Tabien Baan)
- Generally, 2 witnesses are required
After registration, you should receive:
- Kor Ror 3 - marriage certificate
- Kor Ror 2 - marriage registration record
Always check requirements and procedures with the district office before attending.
Step 2. Start with a 90-day Non-Immigrant O
Before applying for a 1-year extension of stay, you must hold valid Non-Immigrant O status that allows you to apply for an extension based on marriage. You can obtain this in one of two ways:
If you have just married in Thailand, this is the stage where the immigration process usually begins.
Option 1 - Apply outside Thailand (Recommended): Apply for a 90-day Non-Immigrant O visa at a Thai embassy or consulate in your home country or a neighbouring country. This is generally the most straightforward route, making it easier to open a bank account and deposit the required funds before applying for the extension.
Option 2 - Convert inside Thailand (If eligible): Enter Thailand on a visa-exempt or tourist visa and convert to Non-Immigrant O. This is generally a more difficult route because most offices will require you to demonstrate that you can meet the financial requirements before approving the conversion. You must also normally have at least 15 days remaining on your current permission to stay to apply for the conversion.
Step 3. Meet the Financial Requirements
For a marriage-based extension, you must meet one of the following:
- 400,000 THB deposited in a Thai bank account, OR
- 40,000 THB monthly income (supported by appropriate documentation)
Step 4. Open a Bank Account and Season Your Funds
Many applicants open a Thai bank account shortly after obtaining Non-Immigrant O status in order to meet the financial requirements. You can read our guide on this here: Opening a Thai Bank Account
If using the 400,000 THB deposit method:
- For a first extension, the money must be deposited at least 2 months before applying.
- For renewals, many offices require 3 months.
Step 5. Apply for the 1-Year Extension
Apply at your local immigration office before your current permitted stay expires. Many offices allow applications up to 30 days before your current permission to stay expires. Also ensure that your TM.30 is up to date before applying.
Step 6. Under Consideration Period
Marriage extensions are commonly placed under consideration for 21-30 days.
You will receive a stamp with a return date for the final result. During this period, immigration may:
- Review documents
- Request additional evidence
- Conduct a home visit
The funds normally need to remain in the account until the extension is approved, with some offices requiring the money to remain 3 months after approval, but that varies.
After approval: keep your status active
- File 90-day reporting while staying in Thailand: 90-day reporting guide
- Get a re-entry permit before leaving Thailand: re-entry permit guide
- Keep TM.30 updated when residence details change: TM.30 guide