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What is the best visa approach for my wife to reside in Thailand while I apply for a non-immigrant O visa?

Non-Immigrant O Visa Dependent Visa ED Student Visa DTV Visa Visa Application Process Immigration Advice

Jan 26, 2025

a month ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi everyone, great to be a part of this group! 

I’m a 50YO New Zealand citizen currently residing in New Zealand looking to relocate to Thailand this year on a non immigrant O visa. I meet all the criteria and am comfortable to apply via the eVisa website. However my wife (also a New Zealand citizen) is only 44YO. What is the best approach to getting her a visa to reside in Thailand? I contacted the Thai Visa Center and they advised she would need to apply for an ED student visa which would need to be extended once, after which she could then apply for a dependent visa connected to my retirement visa.

Has anyone else been in this situation before and is able to share what approach they took? 

Thanks!

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A New Zealand citizen, 50 years old, is planning to relocate to Thailand on a non-immigrant O visa and is seeking advice on obtaining a visa for his 44-year-old wife. The Thai Visa Center suggested she apply for an ED student visa, which would require extension, followed by a dependent visa linked to his retirement visa. Community members provide various suggestions, including applying for a DTV visa directly and caution about retirement pension regulations.

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Scott ******

U should wait until you get your pension good luck from Scott Auckland

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Butch *******

Just remember that if you're planning on retiring there or anywhere other than NZ and expect to get the old age pension, the current requirement is you must spend 5 consecutive years there between the age of 50 -65, given that you're already 50 you might want to rethink your plans or you will have to return for this 5 year period sometime in the next 10 years, admittedly the rules are constantly changing but generally for the worse !

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Innes ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

great point, thank you.

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Innes ******

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Shayne **********

DTV from Vietnam for both of you. Easy as.

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Stuart *********

Get her to apply for a DTV - although not through the NZ embassy. Their prices are just stupid.

TVC may be able to get a dependent visa for her as suggested but it’s not an option DIY.

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Innes ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Stuart ********

thanks! Just on the point of prices, the Thai Consulate in NZ states a service fee of NZ$2,000 for a Non Immigrant visa for 1 year with multiple entry. Is this steep? Am I better off entering Thailand on an exempt visa and then using an agent to apply for my O visa once I’m in the country?

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Greg ***********

you should read this, again. If you need a one-year visa with multiple entries, then you should apply for the Non-Imm-O/A Longstay visa

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-non-immigrant-visa-o-other

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Greg ***********

there is no multi entry Non-Imm-O Retirement Visa any more. Only 90-days single entry! READ what the Wellington website says: = NZ$800 with single entry (or NZ$2,000 with multiple entries for Non-immigrant "O" Spouse/Family only)

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Stuart *********

@Greg **********

I think he was referring to the Non OA visa which is still an option but a stupid price in NZ.

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Greg ***********

this would be the Non-O/A visa, however I do not recommend it.

NOTE: some embassies are willing to grant your wife a "trailing spouse Non-O visa", if you, the main caretaker, are on a Non-O/A visa. They might NOT grant her a "trailing spouse visa" if you are on a Non-O visa. I suggest you send an email to the Wellington Thai Embassy and ask them . .

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Innes ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Greg **********

I’ll contact the Wellington Thai Embassy for advice. Hopefully they reply!

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Greg ***********

you might get lucky, as far as the embassy is maybe willing to issue a 90-days Non-O trailing spouse visa to your wife, if you are on a Non-O/A. try it, at least you could still go the route the Visa Agency proposed

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Greg ***********

@Stuart ********

he mentioned Non-Immigrant O several times, I don't think he confused it with the Non-O/A visa

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Innes ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Greg **********

sorry for confusing the visas, I’m new to all of this and have been researching. So I understand the 90 day single entry visa I would apply for falls into the Other category in the Thai eVisa website as opposed to the OA or OX visas which also apply to foreigners over 50 wanting to retire in Thailand.

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Innes ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Greg **********

thanks for clarifying. So I would first obtain a 90 day single entry visa via the Thai eVisa website which costs NZ$800, then open a bank account and transfer 800,000 THB within the first 30 days, then apply for the 1 year extension of stay prior to the 90 day expiry.

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Greg ***********

yes, that is the route to the one-year extension of stay based on retirement, from out of a single entry 90-days Non-Imm-O visa. It doesn't come with a health insurance requirement, unlike the Non-O/A visa.

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Greg ***********

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Stuart *********

It’s the priciest embassy in the world. Save the $2k. Come visa exempt and either use an agent or DIY.

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Innes ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Stuart ********

sorry last question! Can my wife apply for the DTV in Thailand or only from outside the country?

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Lee-Ann *******

no she can't unfortunately, DTV visa cannot be applied for in Thailand

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Stuart *********

Only from outside. Any of the neighbouring countries embassy will work. It’s all online these days but you need to be (and stay) in the country from where you’re applying until the visa is issued.

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Innes ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Stuart ********

awesome 😊 thanks for the advice!

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Greg ***********

it means you will have to apply for the 1-year extension of stay. So either have a deposit of a minimum of 800,000 THB in your Thai bank account seasoned for 2 months on the date of application, or have a proof of monthly income (if your embassy still issues an income affidavit, that is) over a minimum of monthly 65,000 THB

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Greg ***********

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