For foreigners who are legally married (with a registered marriage certificate) to a Thai citizen and wish to reside in Thailand legally, applying for a Thai Marriage Visa (Non-Immigrant O Visa for Marriage) is the most suitable option. This type of visa allows long-term stay in Thailand and can be extended every year.

Required Documents

1. Marriage Certificate

• Must be a legally valid marriage certificate under Thai law.
• If married abroad, the certificate must be translated and legalized by the Thai embassy/consulate in that country before submission in Thailand.

2. Financial Evidence
Applicants must show proof of financial stability, using one of the following options:

• A Thai bank account with a minimum balance of 400,000 THB, or
• A regular income of at least 40,000 THB per month.

3. Documents of the Thai Spouse

• Copy of Thai ID card
• Copy of House Registration (Tabien Baan)

Application from Abroad

• Documents can be in the local language of the country where the application is submitted.
• However, applicants should always check with the Thai embassy/consulate in that country for additional requirements.

Application in Thailand

• All foreign documents must first be legalized (certified as genuine) by the applicant’s embassy in Thailand.
• Then, documents in foreign languages must be translated into Thai.
• The Thai translations must be certified by the Department of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand.

Additional Notes

• Prepare all documents in advance to avoid delays. You can start preparing while abroad.
• Sometimes immigration may request evidence of genuine marriage, such as photos together or even an interview.
• Upon initial approval, the visa grants 90 days of stay, which can then be extended by 1 year at a time, indefinitely, as long as requirements are met.

Summary

To apply for a Thai Marriage Visa, the main required documents are:

• A valid marriage certificate
• Proof of financial stability (400,000 THB in a Thai bank OR 40,000 THB monthly income)
• Documents of the Thai spouse (ID card & house registration)

If applying inside Thailand, all foreign documents must be legalized, translated into Thai, and certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.