Last updated on April 12, 2026
Do you have a Thai wife or husband? Do you want to stay longer in Thailand? If you are married to a Thai national, you may be eligible for a visa and extension based on Thai spouse. It is the same if you are supporting a Thai child. Do note that unmarried father might need documents to show they are the legitimazed father under Thai law.
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There is No “Marriage Visa“: Terms should be visa and extension based on Thai spouse
There are many type of visa. It exists in most countries and Thailand is not different. People often talk casually about a “marriage visa.” However, the truth is that there is no such thing with the Thai Immigration Department. Instead, one is able to obtain a Non-Immigrant visa, then extend this visa based on having a legal Thai spouse. The visa or extension is given in case of being a family member and normally need a legal marriage. Do note that “gay marriage” has been adopted in Thailand. It will start in January 2025. We presume that any legal spouse will be entitled to a visa and extension based on a Thai spouse.
You Need a Non-Immigrant Visa
If you want to visit your Thai spouse or live in Thailand permanently, you can apply for a Non-Immigrant O visa. Since 1st January 2025, you must apply online at this website: https://www.thaievisa.go.th/. You can no longer apply at the local Thai embassy or consulate. You will get an answer by email and should keep that document for the future. Other types of non-immigrant visas may also be granted or extended if you have a Thai spouse.
A final option is to visit Immigration in Bangkok (only the main office) and apply for a change of visa. Example, changing from tourist Visa to a Non-Immigrant visa. This option is tremendously complicated and requires extensive paperwork . It’s a good choice for those who cannot travel to other countries to get visas. Covid has now stopped and it is easier to travel.
Visa and Extension based on Thai Spouse or Supporting a Thai Child.
Non-immigrant visas are usually given for 90 days. After that, you must leave the country or get permission to stay longer. If you are married to a Thai citizen, you can get an extension of stay for up to one year. After your initial 90 days, you will receive 275 more days to complete the year. After your first extension based on your Thai spouse is approved, you can extend your stay for 365 days. You can do this every year without any limit. Do note the owner of the place you live might have do a TM30 form at your arrival from abroad.
Supporting a Thai child or Thai spouse have same conditions
All of this is of course conditional. First, to be legally married your Thai spouse must:
- Be 17 years of age or older (for spouse) and less than 20 yo for a Thai child.
- Be a Thai citizen with proof if identification
- Not be legally married to anyone else
You must have appropriate proof for the immigration officials that you are legally married. This is normally obtained at the amphur each year to show that you are still married and not divorced. The form must be recent so do that just before asking for your visa and extension based on Thai spouse. The amphur called this for Kor Ror 22. To support a Thai child, you must have a Thai child. Some immigration offices will need proof that you are legally supporting the child. Text: This is like a court decision or a divorce agreement. It gives you parental rights over a child. In Commonwealth countries, this is called “custody of a Thai child.”
Proof of 400,000 baht at the bank or 40,000 baht income
The other major condition relates to finance. A foreigner married to a Thai spouse had to provide proof of 40,000THB/month income or else a lump sum of 400,000 in the bank. Thai Immigration does not want foreigners in Thailand to use up resources. They prefer foreigners who can make positive contributions. The 40,000 baht incomes can be a job in Thailand or must be transferred to the Thai bank account that you have in Thailand.
It’s important to know that foreign men who lived in Thailand before can still get visa extensions. They can continue this under the new law. They are basically grandfathered in. If you are concerned about your marriage and think it might end in divorce, consider extending your visa based on child support. This could be a smart choice. If your visa relies on being married to a Thai wife and you get divorced, you must act quickly. You have only 7 days to leave the country and update your visa.
How The Process Works
To get the extension, you need to apply at your local Immigration office. Bring all the required paperwork. Make sure your current Non-Immigrant visa is still valid. Normally you will receive a temporary extension of 30-45 days if your paperwork seems to be in order. After this short time, you will need to go back to Immigration. You will hear the results of your extension application then.
At which time, you should be granted an extension which will allow you to complete a year’s stay. Never applied for an extension on the last day : They are quick to find you problems and you won’t have the time to correct. You can apply 30 days before the end of your current visa or extension and in the province where you reside.
After the first time, you simply prepare the same fee and paperwork and apply for a year on year extension. Again this will require 2 trips to Immigration, for application and for hearing your results. Once your extension is granted, you must report to immigration every 90 days. This rule applies to all foreigners living in Thailand. You have a 1-week grace period before or after your 90-day date to make your report in person.
What You Need to Prepare for Extension Based on Thai Spouse
To apply for a visa extension based on marriage to a Thai national, you need to prepare and submit 9 documents. You can find the list of these documents below:
- Application form T.M. 7
- 1 photograph (4x6cm)
- Copy of passport, especially Non-Immigrant visa and TM6 arrival/departure card. Passport must be 6 months valid at least.
- Visa extension fee 1,900 THB
- Copy of your marriage certificate. If you got married in another country, a letter of evidence is required from your embassy as well.
- Copy of Kor Ror 22 (marriage registration or long tabian) from amphoe office. This is a proof that you are still married and not divorced. The dated of this document should not be older than 6 months from issuance.
- Children’s birth certificates (if applicable)
- Copy of spouse’s house registration
- Copy of spouse’s identity card
- Proof of combined income of 40,000THB or over for the previous 2 months. Like proof of income tax records PDN1. forms, pension documentation, proof of income through investments, work permit, etc. Some embassies like Canada can still confirm your incomes but not UK, and many others.
- A bank book (when you apply with 400,000 baht) that you update the day of your extension to show the current money on that day.
- And you will need a letter from your bank, stamped 7 days maximum before you apply. This is to confirm the money in your account if you do the 400,000 baht two months in advance.
- Pictures of the couple inside and outside. See the list below.
Here’s a document from immigration showing 9 critical documents needed for a visa and extension based on Thai spouse. Remember that immigration has discretion criteria for consideration and can ask additional documents. Since 2015, it has become more common for immigration to visit applicants and their Thai spouses. They do this to check if the couple is really in a relationship. They really want to verify that the visa and extension based on Thai spouse is real and not provided for fake reasons.
Outside Bangkok
Outside of Bangkok, it is often require to prepare 2 COPIES of every required document and photos. Ensure that all copies are signed in ink prior to submittal. This list is what most immigration offices request. However, officials can ask for more proof of the marriage if they choose. Therefore, the following should also be prepared in case they are requested:
- Map to your home in Thailand
- Picture of your house and yourself with family, both inside and outside showing the house number. At least 3 and dress properly, no t-shirt, no flip flop, no shorts, etc.
Immigration staff may also interview both spouses to determine if they are actually married. It’s best to have your spouse accompany you for your application. The Thai spouse has actually have to fill some documents regarding their relationship. (see an example of documents here). Not only that, since many years, immigration officers often visit the house of the couple during the first month. They want to be sure that it is a real marriage and not a fake one.
Marrying a Thai national allows foreigners to extend their stays in Thailand for up to 1 year at a time. But you are also require to notice every 90-day your address in Thailand. You and your spouse need to be legally married. You also need to earn enough money together. If you meet these conditions, you should qualify for yearly visa extensions. Each year, you will have to do again your extension based on Thai spouse.
Other obligations
Of course, if you have a visa and extension based on your Thai spouse, you still need to do a few things. You must complete your TM30, which is for the owner of the property where you live. You also need to file your TM47, which is the 90-day report. On top, if you decide to travel abroad, do not forget to get a re-entry permit.
No insurance needed
You do not need insurance. The law has changed since 2008 but it is similar. It is 40,000 baht PER MONTH or 400,000 2 months in advance at the bank. The same morning that you go for extension, print your bank book and bring it with you. You will also need a letter from the bank. This letter must show that you have the money in your account. It should be dated no more than 7 days before you apply. Banks normally charge 100 to 300 baht for that document.
- Official website of Immigration – Check under 18 for Thai spouse or supporting a child
- DO NOTE THAT THE IMMIGRATION WEBSITE WAS CHANGE MARCH 2024 AND VERIFY THERE