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Can I apply for a marriage extension after obtaining a Non-O visa based on retirement?
Nov 21, 2023
2 years ago
Tom ************
ORIGINAL POSTERI was talked into applying for non o visa based on retirement by Khorat Imm. Instead of based on marriage because "it was easy". I hope to pick up my visa on the 28th Nov, my question is, once I have the 90 day non o, in 60 days after can I apply for extension based on marriage. I have all the qualifying docs but was niave. I had no definate answer on other forums.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The original poster has applied for a Non-O visa based on retirement but is considering switching to a marriage extension after their first 90-day period. Responses indicate that once a Non-O visa is issued based on retirement, the first extension must also be for retirement. Changes to a marriage extension can only be made after the second extension application. Additionally, there are differences in paperwork requirements and options for work permits between the visa types, which should be considered when deciding on the type of visa.
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Tod *********
And this is yet another instance of a person taking the advice from an immigration office and doing a visa/extension they didn't want initially..
Stand your ground, tell them the visa/extension you want to apply for, don't take their excuse that its "easier" for this or that, DO what YOU want. Keep in mind you're dealing with low/mid level paper pushing passport stamping gov't officials who will always try to get you to do the "path of least resistance" <- where they do the least work š®
Good luck with it.
All you can do is TRY to see if you can get the 60 day visit family extension and after that the year based on the reason you want.
MOST all offices make you get the first yearly extension for the reason you got the visa <- that means IF you got the visa based on retirement you are shoe-horned in to having to do the first yearly extension for that reason.
No one on this group is gonna have the definite answer you want so when you go to the office on the 28th to get the Non-O visa and new 90 day stamp inked in talk to them.
Stand your ground, tell them the visa/extension you want to apply for, don't take their excuse that its "easier" for this or that, DO what YOU want. Keep in mind you're dealing with low/mid level paper pushing passport stamping gov't officials who will always try to get you to do the "path of least resistance" <- where they do the least work š®
Good luck with it.
All you can do is TRY to see if you can get the 60 day visit family extension and after that the year based on the reason you want.
MOST all offices make you get the first yearly extension for the reason you got the visa <- that means IF you got the visa based on retirement you are shoe-horned in to having to do the first yearly extension for that reason.
No one on this group is gonna have the definite answer you want so when you go to the office on the 28th to get the Non-O visa and new 90 day stamp inked in talk to them.
Ian *********
I agree that retirement Visa is easier but more expensive as retirement visa requires 800,000 in the bank but marriage visa is only 400,000
Brandon ************
The immigration office was correct in that the paperwork is much easier for retirement.
You need to keep in mind a couple of important things though:
1) With a marriage visa/extension you have the option of getting a work permit sponsored by an employer and working. On a retirement visa/extension you do not have this option.
2) With a marriage extension, once you have the extension you no longer need to show any funds in your bank account (if you used banked money) after you receive the extension and then just need to refill to 400,000 next year 2 months before you apply for your next extension. With a retirement visa the requirements are much more stringent (once again assuming you are using the banked money method and not the income method).
If you decide you actually want to go with the marriage visa and extension and not the retirement visa, you'll have to leave Thailand without a re-entry permit, thereby canceling your stamp, and then re-enter and start with a new visa application.
You need to keep in mind a couple of important things though:
1) With a marriage visa/extension you have the option of getting a work permit sponsored by an employer and working. On a retirement visa/extension you do not have this option.
2) With a marriage extension, once you have the extension you no longer need to show any funds in your bank account (if you used banked money) after you receive the extension and then just need to refill to 400,000 next year 2 months before you apply for your next extension. With a retirement visa the requirements are much more stringent (once again assuming you are using the banked money method and not the income method).
If you decide you actually want to go with the marriage visa and extension and not the retirement visa, you'll have to leave Thailand without a re-entry permit, thereby canceling your stamp, and then re-enter and start with a new visa application.
Greg *****
@Brandon ***********
just as an FYI.. Khon Kaen immigration are now saying that you cannot be issued a work permit with a Non O marriage any longer, you must apply for a NonB.. verified by the labour department also.. times are changing, although hopefully KK will ease up again sometime, after the fiasco earlier this year with the fraudulent applications madeTod *********
@Greg ****
and your mistake is even talking to the immigration office about ANYTHIING to do with working here in the country. Immigrations doesn't control what visa/extensions can hold a work permit the Ministry of Labour does. AND you most definitely CAN work on a Non-O visa/extension based on marriage to a thai or raising half thai children here
Angelo ***********
@Greg ****
Then you should probably move for a while to another province. I'm not aware about such a change in laws, but immigration offices like to bend them. Here where I live my TM30 from the next police office is not accepted. By law it should. They even tried to fine me, and I have no idea if it was fraud or a fine that went to the office.Reply to
Angelo ***********
Reply
Tom ************
ORIGINAL POSTERThank you for the information
Colin **********
Go for the retirement visa less paperwork like you said
Ellie *******
@Colin *********
OP applied for in-country Non-O based on retirement already but wants to change it based on marriage to a Thai... Or at least I read so.Tom ************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Ellie ******
so, a 90 day non O visa based on retirement, is a different visa based on marriage. I would have thought the 90 non o visa was just a requisite for applying for either, as long as you fulfilled the requirements. You still need to apply for an extension anyway!!!Colin **********
@Ellie ******
ok I miss understoodReply to
Colin **********
Reply
Dao *********
But do ask what that reason was
Ellie *******
If you applied for Non-O based on retirement, no, you cannot apply for the first 1-year extension for a different reason from your initial visa. You have to apply for a 1-year extension based on retirement when your first 90 days from in-country Non-O visa remains less than 30 days. You can change the reason to based on marriage to a Thai national for a 1-year extension on or after the second extension application.
George ******************
@Ellie ******
I applied for and received a 90 day Non O visa based on marriage from the Savannakhet IO. When I went to extend it, the immigration office in Mukdahan, extended it based on retirement, even though I asked for the extension based on marriage, and even took my wife with me.Ellie *******
the point and what matter is, as a general rule, you should apply for the first 1-year extension for the same reason as your initial visa. Not many provinces allow applying for different reason.
Ellie *******
@George *****************
, Iām aware there are a few offices that do that. But as a rule, you must apply for the first extension for the same reason as your original visa. And if you happened to move to another province, you might have issue to apply for further extension there.George ******************
@Ellie ******
actually I have never moved, but have had to apply at three other provinces and have got the extension based on retirement at all three.Reply to
George ******************
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