Marriage Visa Cost in Chiang Mai
A full breakdown of the real cost of the Thai marriage visa in Chiang Mai: government fees, bank deposit, insurance, and renewal costs.
The Thai marriage visa (Non-Immigrant O for spouses of Thai nationals) has several cost components that are often poorly explained online. This guide breaks down every cost: government fees, the bank deposit, insurance, translation costs, and agency service fees, so you know exactly what to budget before you start.
Summary: what the marriage visa costs in Chiang Mai
| Cost item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Government fee (initial) | 2,000 THB | Paid to Thai immigration |
| Government fee (annual renewal) | 1,900 THB | Per year at immigration |
| Bank deposit (held, not spent) | 400,000 THB | Must stay in Thai account |
| Health insurance | 5,000–25,000 THB/year | Depends on age and coverage |
| Marriage certificate translation | 1,500–3,000 THB | If married abroad |
| Document legalisation (apostille) | Varies by country | Required for some documents |
| Agency service fee | Contact us for quote | We prepare everything end to end |
| Re-entry permit (if travelling) | 1,000–3,800 THB | Single or multiple; per trip |
Total first-year cash outlay (excluding the bank deposit, which is held not spent): approximately 15,000–40,000 THB depending on your situation.
The 400,000 THB bank deposit: held, not spent
This is the largest number in the marriage visa process, but it is important to understand: the 400,000 THB is a deposit, not a fee. The money stays in your Thai bank account. You can use it freely after your visa is approved (subject to maintaining a minimum balance before each renewal).
The practical cost is the opportunity cost: what you could otherwise earn on those funds. At current Thai savings rates (1–2% per year), 400,000 THB might earn around 4,000–8,000 THB per year in a savings account. If you have those funds earning more elsewhere, factor in what you are giving up by moving them to Thailand.
The deposit timing rules
Thai immigration has strict timing requirements on the bank deposit:
- The 400,000 THB must be in your Thai bank account for a minimum number of days before you apply
- It must remain in the account for a minimum number of days after your visa is approved
- For annual renewal, the funds must be present with the required seasoning again
The exact number of days varies and has changed in recent years. We advise every client on the current requirement before they fund the account. Do not move the 400,000 THB into the account the day before you apply. Timing violations are the most common cause of marriage visa complications.
Using the income method instead
If 400,000 THB in a Thai bank is not practical, you can use the monthly income method instead: 40,000 THB/month transferred to a Thai bank account from abroad. This is popular for applicants with a regular pension, salary, or investment income stream.
A combination is also accepted: monthly income plus Thai bank savings, totalling 400,000 THB.
Government fees
The official Thai immigration fee for the Non-Immigrant O marriage extension is:
- Initial application / first extension: 2,000 THB (approximately USD 56 / AUD 90 / GBP 44)
- Annual renewal: 1,900 THB each year
These fees are paid directly to Thai immigration at the time of your application. They are non-refundable.
There is no fee for the 90-day report filing (it is free and can be done online).
Health insurance
Health insurance is not required for the Non-Immigrant O marriage visa in the way it is for the O-A retirement visa. However, living in Thailand without adequate health coverage is not advisable. Chiang Mai’s private hospitals are excellent but expensive without insurance.
Most of our marriage visa clients carry international health insurance in the range of:
- Basic coverage: 5,000–12,000 THB/year for younger applicants
- Comprehensive coverage: 15,000–40,000 THB/year for older applicants or those wanting hospital networks
This is an optional cost for the visa but a practical necessity for life in Thailand.
Document costs
Marriage certificate translation
If you were married outside Thailand, your foreign marriage certificate needs to be:
- Translated into Thai by a certified translator
- In some cases, legalised with an apostille from your home country before translation
Translation cost in Chiang Mai: approximately 1,500–3,000 THB depending on the certificate length and language.
Apostille cost: Varies significantly by country. In the UK, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office charges around £30–40 per document. In Australia, DFAT charges around AUD 85. In the US, the State Department charges USD 20. Allow 4–8 weeks if doing this from abroad.
If married in Thailand
If you registered your marriage at a Thai district office (amphoe), your Thai marriage certificate (Kor Ror 3) is already in Thai and requires no translation. This eliminates a significant cost and several weeks of preparation time.
Other document costs
- Medical certificate (some offices still request it for the Non-O): 300–600 THB from a Thai clinic
- TM30 house registration (your landlord must file this; some charge a small fee): 0–500 THB
Annual renewal costs
Each year, you return to Chiang Mai immigration to extend your visa for another 12 months. The costs are:
| Item | Annual cost |
|---|---|
| Immigration fee | 1,900 THB |
| Bank letter confirming 400,000 THB balance | 100–200 THB (from your bank) |
| Updated insurance certificate | Included in your annual insurance premium |
| Agency service fee for renewal | Contact us for quote |
The annual renewal is simpler than the initial application: the main variables are the bank letter timing and your spouse’s Thai documents. We handle the preparation and the immigration office visit.
Re-entry permits
If you need to leave Thailand at any point during your visa year, you must buy a re-entry permit before departure:
- Single re-entry permit: 1,000 THB, valid for one trip out and back
- Multiple re-entry permit: 3,800 THB, valid for unlimited trips within your visa validity
If you plan to travel internationally during the year, the multiple permit is almost always better value.
What our agency service covers
Working with Vera Visa on your marriage visa application means:
- A free initial consultation to confirm your eligibility and financial route
- A complete document checklist tailored to your situation
- Review of every document before submission: bank letters, marriage certificate, translations
- Preparation of all immigration forms
- Attendance at Chiang Mai immigration on your behalf or with you
- Follow-up on any immigration queries
- Annual renewal service including all of the above
Contact us on WhatsApp for a specific quote for your situation.
Frequently asked questions about marriage visa costs
Is the 400,000 THB refundable if I leave Thailand? The money is yours and remains in your bank account. You can withdraw or transfer it once you no longer need it for visa purposes (i.e., after your visa expires or you switch to a different visa type). There is no government holding or forfeiture.
Can I use a joint account with my Thai spouse for the deposit? This is a grey area. Some immigration offices accept a joint account; others require the account to be in the non-Thai spouse’s name only. We advise opening a personal account in your own name to be safe.
Do I need to maintain 400,000 THB for the full year? No, after your visa is approved, you can use the funds. However, the balance must be built back up to 400,000 THB and held for the required seasoning period before your annual renewal.
What if my income drops below 40,000 THB/month? If using the income method, a shortfall in one or two months is unlikely to be an issue if your annual average remains strong and your statements show consistent transfers. A sustained drop means switching to the bank deposit method. Contact us in advance so we can plan.
Is the marriage visa cheaper than the retirement visa? The annual government fees are similar (1,900 THB vs 1,900 THB). The marriage visa requires 400,000 THB (vs 800,000 THB for retirement) and no mandatory health insurance, so the initial capital requirement is lower for many applicants.