The “Married to a Thai” One Year Visa
The Thai Marriage Visa is one of the most common, and yet highly misunderstood, visas. It is also probably the most difficult to obtain in Thailand aside from the notoriously complex business visa. A marriage visa is normally sought by foreigners under the age of 50 years old, as before that age they cannot apply for their easier to obtain retirement visa.
The Thai marriage visa is just what it sounds like. It means you are legally married to a Thai national and have met certain documentary and financial prerequisites.
Immigration may visit your home and ask your neighbours to confirm that they know you and your wife as a couple. This is to determine that it is not just a marriage of convenience in order for you to get a visa. Providing that you have a good relationship with your neighbours this should be a fairly straight forward procedure.
Check out the financial and documentary requirements below.
A Visa Is Needed to Start The Process.
Before you apply for a marriage visa, you must make sure that before you come to Thailand you apply for a non immigrant 90 day visa from a Thai consulate in your home country.
This visa is getting more difficult to obtain so you must show your Thai marriage certificate and income or monies in a Thai bank account. If you have children together it is always advisable to show the birth certificates as well.
You must remember if the documents are only in Thai that you must get them translated to English before you apply for the 90 day visa whilst overseas.
If you are in Thailand and wish to apply for the visa you can travel to a Thai consulate in a neighboring country, i.e. Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, etc., using the same paperwork and return on a 90 day non immigrant visa.
Financial Criteria for the marriage extension.
- You can deposit 400,000 Thai baht in a savings or a fixed deposit account in a Thai bank and leave it there for 2 months before you apply for your first visa and three months before applying for each consecutive visa.
- You can show an income of 40,000 Thai baht per month by obtaining a letter of confirmation from your associated Embassy,
- This must be the foreign man’s own income, it cannot be a joint income or the wife’s income. It should not be paid into a joint account.
- If you are a foreign lady married to a Thai man then there is no financial requirement for your extension of stay.
Documents required at Thai Immigration.
1. Your passport, your wife’s passport, and copies
2. Husband/Wife’s ID card
3. Husband/Wife’s household registration AKA tabian baan
4. Children’s birth certificates if available
5. Your legal marriage certificate
6. Bankbook in Thailand showing funds of 400,000 Thai baht or a letter from your Embassy showing income of 40,000 Thai baht per month.
7. Letter from your Thai bank confirming your funds
8. Drawn location map of your residence
9. Proof of where you reside with your husband/wife, if you rent you need a copy of the ID card and the household registration of the owner
10. 2 photographs together inside your home
11. 2 photographs outside the home showing the house or condo number
You must provide two sets of photocopies for all the above and also the original documents to the Thai Immigration bureau for their perusal.
What happens when the documents are given.
When you have collated both copies of the documents you will then submit them to the Thai Immigration in your home area. They will check your documents and, if the Immigration officer verifies the documents are satisfactory, you will be granted a one month ‘under due consideration period’.
Within that month your documents will be sent to the Thai Immigration office in Bangkok for verification and you may find that you will get a visit from your local Thai Immigration officers to verify your home address and to confirm you are in a legitimate relationship. When the month is ready to finish you will go back to the Thai Immigration who will stamp you for the rest of the year if they feel the documents are fine.
Once I have the marriage visa is there anything I must do?
There are important steps that must take place when you have this visa to make sure you do not overstay in Thailand and also to make sure that you do not lose the visa in your passport:
1.You must report to any Immigration office in Thailand every 90 days to show that you are in the country. This is what we call 90 day reporting. It is law that a foreigner has to produce his address if staying in Thailand 90 days or more. You can also complete your 90 day report online.
- If you wish to leave Thailand to protect your visa you must get what is called a re-entry permit and this is obtained at any Immigration office, This is a square stamp placed in your passport that protects your visa when you re-enter Thailand through the airport or a land border. You would normally obtain the re-entry permit around 1 week before you leave Thailand. The form is a TM8.
If we were married in a foreign country can we still apply?
The answer is yes, but there are extra steps you must take, including:
- You must take the original marriage certificate to the embassy in Bangkok who will stamp the certificate as an original and verify it is real.
- You then must get it translated into the Thai language
- You then must take it to the Ministry of foreign affairs in Bangkok and get it stamped and verified.
- You then take it to your local amphur office or town hall who will then register the marriage certificate on the Thai system. It then can be used to apply for a ‘Thai Marriage Visa’.
The first application is a difficult process but once you have completed your first the rest will normally just flow.
For more info you can contact [email protected]
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05:14 20 Nov 24
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This was the best visa service I have ever experience very fast I got my retirement Visa and bank account all the staff was very professional, I highly recommend this agency. You will never regret it thanks very much much to all the staff at the visa service. Your sincerely, ARMANI
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06:55 31 Oct 24
Timely and great service for extending my tourist visa. 15 minutes, a quick trip to immigrations for a photo. Passport was ready the next day.
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06:00 25 May 24
I would once again like to thank Ann and the staff at keyvisa for a great service. I have been using them since 2016 both for passport renewal and also for my annual visa. They are a very professional company and always willing to help. Many thanks and keep up the great work.
เป็ด ฤทธิรงค์ ส.
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Geoffrey E.
10:17 11 Apr 24
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I've used this agent for the last 3 years. They can help you navigate the system.
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Darren was so easy to work with and made everything simple to do for us this is the second time …
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09:08 18 Dec 23
Key Visa is the best. I couldn't ask for better service in regard to renewing my U.S. Passport. Imagine an Embassy where they don't want their citizens appearing in person? Key Visa helped to alleviate a lot of stress and anxiety regarding this matter. I paid the fee, gave them the photos and some information....and they did the rest. My renewed passport was back in less than 6 weeks and now, all the stress is gone. I cannot thank Key Visa service enough. Nice staff as well. Ray Zimmerman U.S.A.
N L.
13:47 08 Dec 23
I have used this service for obtaining a second UK passport. Excellent service where I obtained my passport hassle free. Just doing the same again. Highly recommend you use. Darren sadly passed away and his wife continues the business. I was able to get my second British passport renewed with excellent service a few days ago.
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04:06 01 Dec 23
If you are considering to get married to your thai partnerThen I recommend key visaIt was a stress free procedure thanks to kook who was very professional, and arranged everything for us in a very short time periodMany thanks Ray and kai
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04:03 23 Nov 23
Good visa agent. Ann is Thai but succeeded the business from her falang husband who recently passed to the best of my knowledge. She is efficient and knowledgeable and my visa process was less expensive than my experience in Phuket as well. I would recommend Key Visa to future Visa seekers.
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02:55 16 Nov 23
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08:28 07 Nov 23
It took about 3 weeks for the UK to process my daughter's passport. We had to send better quality pictures and documents, which caused a slight delay beforhand, but overall, their service was excellent. I'm grateful to the Key Visa staff for their help in renewing my daughter's passport, and I would definitely use their services again.
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06:39 06 Nov 23
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Non imm "O" extension quick efficient no hassles service.
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Excellent.
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Good and reliable service
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Always excellent service for this retired American.
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04:22 27 Jul 23
Excellent service. I got my retirement visa here it was quick and painless.
J T.
13:29 21 Jul 23
So far so good. If you want to make some money in Thailand, don't open a bar, get into opening a visa consultant agency.However this agency has been good so far on a small matter l used them for.I definitely recommend them.
Michael M.
08:53 15 Jul 23
We have been trying for a long time to get an Australian tourist visa for our Thai friend. We applied in the past using an Australian immigration lawyer based in Australia and the application (which was expensive and time consuming) was rejected for lack of evidence (intention to return to Thailand etc). Second time round we used Gemma from Key Visa and were successful. Unlike our first agent/lawyer, Gemma examined our evidence in detail and gave suggestions as to where it could be improved. It's clearly beneficial to use an agent who is familiar with this specific visa stream (ie someone in Thailand familiar with getting Thai people into Australia) and the "no win, no professional fee" clearly incentivizes them to help as much as possible. As always in Thailand the service is not perfect and there are some communication gaps etc, but we are very happy with the outcome and would recommend these guys 100%.
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14:41 14 Jul 23
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11:20 12 Jul 23
Once again i would like to thank the staff at keyvisa for there service .
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06:10 06 Jul 23
Excellent, professional, trustable Agency. The best Visa Agency services I've been use in many years here in Thailand. A little issue... They told that my passport will back in 30 days. Actually 33 days..
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14:53 27 Jun 23
Got my first retirement visa with these. Great service. Everything sorted by them.
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00:53 16 Jun 23
Very helpful. The place to go if you want solutions to your visa problems.
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00:40 05 Jun 23
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03:04 21 May 23
If you need assistance with any visa related this is the place in Pattaya.
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07:41 05 Mar 23
Key visa was the best. Sadly the owner, Darren, past away December 22.
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Absolutely fantastic service great staff totally stress free and professional services I highly recommend.
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11:33 09 Feb 23
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14:30 08 Feb 23
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04:01 26 Jan 23
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10:17 18 Jan 23
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06:47 17 Jan 23
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10:43 01 Jan 23
Very helful and efficient.
Francisco M.
08:20 31 Dec 22
I went to key visa company for a consultation about marriage visa. it turned out they don't do that type of visa but there was another option and the lady was professional and courteous. but since my visa is not finalized I can't honestly give a full report on visa company.
tony L.
01:17 30 Dec 22
The service and support I received from Darren & his Team in relation to a recent Passport Application for my son was exemplary.The service & professional way in which they expedited the application & explained clearly each step of the process's involved, was faultless.All of which resulted in a speedy & positive result.Darren & TeamThank you very much & I wish you all,A Very Happy & Prosperous New Year 2023 ( post Covid)Tony
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16:48 22 Dec 22
Great helpful staff
Sean T.
11:39 21 Dec 22
Job done, Thank you team and sorry to hear of the passing of Darren 🙏
Thomas K.
14:21 13 Dec 22
Thank you for your reply, but there is no ringtone or pickup when ringing your office and none of my mails and messages have been answered.
Michael S.
15:42 10 Dec 22
I read today that Darren suddenly has passed away - far too early in his life.It's never too late to write a review and his services on his company - named Key Visa Co. - so I will use this review to say that I have always been satisfied helping me by his large knowledge about the visa system in Thailand.Every time I met him I was surpriced to noticed his honest and friendly commitment, and over the years I was always convinced that he was not only helpful but also indicated in his way of recognizing his customers. You could always count on him and I was never disappointed.It pains me that he has passed away at such an early age, but I believe that his customers will always remember him as a businessman who only wanted to give his customers the best possible experience and service.He will be missed!R.I.P. Darren.
C B
15:54 09 Dec 22
Seems to know about visas in Thailand
Peter W.
07:23 08 Dec 22
The Key visa team led by Darren have 18 years of experience navigating the visa minefield.I am just one of Darren’s satisfied clients.
Chris T
13:24 03 Dec 22
Fast and friendly
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16:28 30 Nov 22
Fantastic company. Darren & his team couldn’t of been better! Polite, responsive, knowledgeable and most importantly they know what they’re doing & get the job done!! Very pleased with the entire process start to finish, me & my GF will be using the company for all of our visa needs moving forward! Thank you Darren & the team!!UK tourist visa application for Thai national.
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09:53 25 Nov 22
Fantastic service
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08:01 25 Nov 22
key Visa has a proven track record. They have got me a retirement visa for years and renewed my passport without me having to go to Bangkok. They also got my daughter, born in Thailand, an English passport.Use Key Visa to sort out your retirement visa problems and for getting passports renewed or being obtained for citizens of dual nationalityExceptionally efficient
finlay S.
10:06 24 Nov 22
Had to renew my uk passport and chose key visa to deal with my application as I am up country in Chaiyaphum province.Great service from Darren and staff always quick and friendly replies to emails.Passport back in 11 weeks time it takes for uk to process.Collected by Key visa and posted by ems to me with old passport and letter to transfer visa stamps to new passport.Great service.
Michael H.
07:31 20 Nov 22
Michael “Mick” N.
11:05 19 Nov 22
Polsky E.
01:56 11 Nov 22
After attempting for 2 days to get a retirement visa myself with my Thai girlfriends help to no avail and being left totally frustrated I eventually gave up and contacted Darren. After consultation with Darren he calmly brought me back down to earth, reassuring me that the visa would be procured with little effort by myself. I left feeling very confident and reassured at what Darren had said. Yesterday I collected my passport with said visa for 15 months. Many thanks to Darren and team, Key Visa did a great job.
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02:53 06 Nov 22
Very pleased with the service I received here. Darren was very knowledgeable. Now my retirement Visa has been issued. I am delighted with Key Visa. Fantastic service. I am very grateful.
Tim M.
08:08 30 Oct 22
No wasting time
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09:43 27 Oct 22
Only go to the best !!!
Joe on the Go !
02:44 24 Oct 22
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10:51 21 Oct 22
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berny P.
06:23 20 Oct 22
Australian friend having problems with thai wife spouse visa, agency are being very helpful with a excellent customer service
Christopher B.
15:21 18 Oct 22
As always absolutely top class advise and speedy response - these guys have been looking after us for around twenty years and in my opinion the very best.
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07:55 15 Sep 22
Thanks to Darren and his team for renewing my retirement visa and re-entry permit! I got it back in ONE DAY! Awesome service. I highly recommend Key Visa and will definitely be using them again in the future!
Brenda B.
03:16 12 Sep 22
Friendly and efficient service ...
Nicholas D.
22:35 19 Aug 22
In difficult times they got the job done. UK passport renewal in 2022. My only gripe is my emails and phone calls went unanswered during the process. I was rude to the lady in the office. Sorry about that. When we asked for my (old) passport to be sent back on short notice for the 90 day renewal they sent it back immediately. Thanks guys. Sorry for the trouble
Steve H.
06:47 12 Aug 22
Darren and his staff are friendly, helpful and most of all very knowledgeable. If you need real and accurate advice then look no further.
สาวLA.ร้อยเอ็ด C.
05:33 05 Aug 22
Ian L.
04:53 08 Jul 22
Darren and his team are truly excellent offering an exemplary service. Was updated regularly as visa was processed and everything went smoothly. Darren took time to explain the process and was always available to answer questions. Highly recommended. Thank you
Wayne C
01:52 07 Jul 22
Great service from Darren and his Team, highly recommended! They get the job done courteously and professionally every time.
