Thai spouse visa requirements: the visa, the money and the 1-year extension

There is no official "marriage visa" in Thailand. If you're married to a Thai citizen, you normally apply for a Non-Immigrant O visa to stay with Thai family, then extend your stay in Thailand one year at a time. The money you must show is checked twice: by your embassy for the visa (each embassy sets its own amount and documents), and by Thai Immigration for the 1-year extension (for a foreign husband of a Thai wife: THB 400,000 in a Thai bank for 2 months, THB 40,000 a month, or a combination).

This guide explains both stages. It's general, preliminary information, not legal advice.

Two stages: the visa, then the 1-year extension

Stage 1: the Non-O visa from your embassy. You apply through the Thai e-Visa portal to the Thai embassy or consulate for where you live. The visa is usually single entry with a stay of up to 90 days. The general Thai e-Visa checklist asks for THB 40,000 a month or THB 400,000; your embassy may set different amounts, sometimes in local currency. Each embassy also sets its own documents and its own fee, and most only accept applications from people who live in their area. Check your embassy's e-Visa page.

Stage 2: the 1-year extension in Thailand. Before your stay runs out, you apply to the Immigration office for where you live in Thailand for an extension based on your marriage. Immigration sets this money test. Passing the embassy's test doesn't mean you pass Immigration's, or the other way round.

The embassy stage: what to check

Before you apply, look up on your embassy's e-Visa page:

• how much money you must show, and whether it's a bank balance, monthly income or either;
• which bank statements they accept, and for what period;
• which marriage and relationship documents they want, and whether they need translations or certification;
• whether you must live in, and stay in, that country while the application is processed;
• the visa fee (non-refundable).

Want this done for you? Our Document Review checks your documents against your own embassy's current checklist before you file.

The 1-year extension in Thailand: THB 400,000 or THB 40,000 a month

For a foreign husband of a Thai wife, Immigration's published criteria are:

• a deposit of at least THB 400,000 in a Thai bank, held for the 2 months before you apply, or
• income of at least THB 40,000 a month, or
• a combination adding up to at least THB 400,000 a year;
• a fee of THB 1,900;
• an interview that you and your spouse attend in person.

Each permission is for up to one year, and you apply again each year. The deposit has to be in a Thai bank.

Does the rule differ for a foreign wife of a Thai husband?

Immigration lists the THB 400,000 / 40,000 test under "staying with Thai wife". Its published criteria for "staying with Thai husband" don't list a money amount, but local offices can ask for more. Because this affects your application directly, ask a lawyer before you rely on it.

Documents for the extension in Thailand

• your Thai marriage certificate: Khor Ror 3, or Khor Ror 22 if your marriage abroad has been recorded in Thailand;
• your spouse's Thai ID card and house registration;
• a house lease plus the owner's ID card and house registration;
• 4 family photos no more than 6 months old (2 outside and 2 inside your home) and a map to your house;
• proof of money as above.

The marriage must be legally registered. A religious or traditional ceremony on its own isn't a legal marriage for Immigration.

Can you apply from inside Thailand?

Sometimes. If you entered Thailand visa-exempt or on a tourist visa, Immigration's rules allow an application for a Non-Immigrant visa in Thailand (form TM.87 from visa exemption, form TM.86 from a tourist visa). The fee is THB 2,000, and Immigration's regulation sets a decision within 15 working days (in practice it can vary by office). For support from a Thai national, you must file at least 15 days before your permitted stay ends. Since 15 September 2026 visitors from most visa-exempt countries get only 30 days visa-free, so apply early.

Whether it works for you depends on your current status and documents. Visa on arrival, DTV and other long-stay visas need checking with Immigration or a lawyer first.

Can you work on a marriage visa?

You can apply for a work permit; whether your stay must change depends on your case. Talk to a lawyer before you start work.

Family visiting for a shorter time

If you only want to visit your Thai spouse or child, Immigration can grant a one-time stay of up to 60 days for that purpose. It's a different application from the 1-year extension.

How Thailand Visa Corp helps

• Check my eligibility (free). About 3 minutes. The check flags whether your money and status appear to fit, and what's missing. Results are preliminary.
• Check my documents – THB 5,000. Our team checks your documents against your embassy's or Immigration's current checklist, and our lawyer signs off the review.
• Talk to a lawyer. A 40-minute video call with a Thai lawyer, in English or Thai (a free interpreter can help in Russian or Italian). Useful if you're a foreign wife of a Thai husband, want to change visa inside Thailand, or plan to work.
• Full Legal Service for family visas. Request a Quote.

FAQ

How much money do I need for a Thai marriage visa? For the visa, the general Thai e-Visa checklist asks for THB 40,000 a month or THB 400,000; your embassy may set different amounts, so check your embassy's e-Visa page. For the 1-year extension in Thailand, Immigration's published test for a foreign husband is THB 400,000 in a Thai bank, THB 40,000 a month, or a combination.

Does the money have to be in a Thai bank? For the 1-year extension in Thailand, yes: THB 400,000 held in a Thai bank for 2 months before you apply. For the visa itself, your embassy decides which statements it accepts.

How long must the money be held? For the extension, 2 months before you apply. For the visa, it depends on your embassy.

Is the rule different for a foreign wife of a Thai husband? Immigration's published money test is listed for a foreign husband of a Thai wife. For a foreign wife, the published criteria list no amount, but offices may ask for more. Ask a lawyer before you rely on it.

What documents do I need for the extension? Your Thai marriage certificate (Khor Ror 3 or 22), your spouse's ID and house registration, a lease with the owner's ID and house registration, 4 recent family photos, a map to your house and proof of money.

Can I work on a marriage visa? You can apply for a work permit; whether your stay must change depends on your case.

This guide is general, preliminary information, not legal advice. Embassy requirements differ and change; your embassy's e-Visa page is what counts. The Thai authorities decide every application.

Last updated from official sources: 12 October 2026. Written by: Thailand Visa Corp Team · Last reviewed: 12 October 2026.