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Can I still apply for a reduced retirement visa in Thailand if I'm amicably separated from my Thai wife?
Retirement VisaVisa RequirementsDivorce and ImmigrationThailand Visa PoliciesFinancial Requirements for VisaMarriage Visa vs. Retirement Visa
Sep 1, 2025
8 months ago
Pete ********
ORIGINAL POSTERHere's a question if you are separated from your thai wife , amicably can you still get a reduced retirement visa ?
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user inquired if they can obtain a reduced retirement visa after amicably separating from their Thai wife. Responses clarified that a retirement visa is independent of marital status and is available to individuals over 50, requiring 800,000 THB in a Thai bank account. Divorce terminates a marriage visa, and one must switch to a retirement visa immediately after the divorce, along with fulfilling the necessary financial requirements.
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Andreas *********
@Pete *******
the moment the divorce becomes legit, you would be in overstay because you no longer fulfill the requirements for a "married extension". You need to change from the "marriage extension" to the "retirement extension" ASAP. Put a minimum of 800,000 THB into your Thai bank account, wait for 2 months, then apply for the "change of reason" of the extension from marriage to retirementJim *******
Over 25 years, sometimes I went to my wife home town, Staying there for a night or two.
Sa Kaew provfince, Wang Nam Yen.
At least 5 times I saw officers, on their motor bikes, and "IMMIGRATION" banner on their vests.
I was wondering what are they doing there.
Could and may well be, visiting the houses and checking if the couple are together.
Sa Kaew provfince, Wang Nam Yen.
At least 5 times I saw officers, on their motor bikes, and "IMMIGRATION" banner on their vests.
I was wondering what are they doing there.
Could and may well be, visiting the houses and checking if the couple are together.
Ken ********
Ask your wife
Ian *****
Just find a new wife
Bill *********
@Ian ****
No! He dodged a bullet with the first one, don't repeat the mistake. Thailand is best enjoyed single!Reply to
Bill *********
Reply
John **********
You can't get a marriage visa if you don't live together. They can visit your home to check and also require witnesses to speak to the fact you both live there together.
Det *******
No.
Dennis *********
reduced retirement visa ? say what??
Pete ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Dennis ********
NO it does not exist ... was confused with marriage & retirement visas .Colin **********
@Dennis ********
does not existReply to
Colin **********
Reply
Colin **********
If you are divorced your will have change onto a regular over 50 or retirement visa extension. With all the financial and other constraints. Your probably not on retirement visa at the moment, but one to support your spouse or thai child. Note: the day your are divorced your visa extension ends, and must apply for your new one.
Yvonne **********
@Colin *********
You are correct 👍Pete ********
ORIGINAL POSTERThanks for all for your answers ... people .
Pete ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Colin *********
we are not going to get divorced , we live apart ???Kool *******
@Pete *******
immigration requires that your wife accompanies you when applying for the marriage visa extension, then they normally do a home visit during the under consideration period to make sure you are living together, and they can ask your neighbors. They do know how to tell if you are living together, and not just faking it. If you are not living together then no visa extension approval.Pete ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Kool ******
ok thanks ... that's cleared that up .Reply to
Pete ********
Reply
Colin **********
@Pete *******
perhaps a different question to unlock the mystery of what visa your on, do you have to show 400kthb (marriage or support a Thai child) or 800kthb (over 50thb or retirement) when you get the new visa?Pete ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Colin *********
So Colin all retirement visas require 800,000 baht in bank account even if I'm married . ?Donald **********
@Pete *******
Best to forget being currently married as a means to getting a visa:1. if you are not together, go a different route.
2. If you reconcile different story.
3. If you meet someone else and want to marry again, get divorced from your first Thai wife.
Colin **********
@Pete *******
yesKool *******
@Pete *******
marriage is of no concern with any retirement visa extension. It doesn't matter if you are married, or not, the financial requirement is bt800,000 in your Thai bank account for two months minimum before you apply, then it must stay in your account for three months after you get your year extension, then for the rest of the year it can never drop below bt400,000. Then bring it back up to bt800,000 at least two months before you apply for your next extensionRok ********
Pete ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Colin *********
First thing no children , we parted years ago I'm coming back to thailand still married . So can I get a marriage visa showing 400,000 baht in account . We are not divorcing and we are not going to live together again but I'm still legally married which is ok .Max *************
@Pete *******
You might be legally married, but in the eyes of immigration when not living together, your permission to stay is not valid.Ingvar *******
@Pete *******
I my case the IM officers coming home and check that we are living together and a neighbour have to sign a document that, that is true.Reply to
Ingvar *******
Reply
Brandon ************
I don't know what a "reduced" retirement visa is. Are you asking about the amount of money required in the bank?
A marriage visa/extension requires 400,000 in the bank. This is not a retirement visa, it's a marriage visa.
A retirement visa has nothing to do with being married, the requirement is that you are over 50 years old. The required funds in the bank if using that method is 800,000.
A marriage visa/extension requires 400,000 in the bank. This is not a retirement visa, it's a marriage visa.
A retirement visa has nothing to do with being married, the requirement is that you are over 50 years old. The required funds in the bank if using that method is 800,000.
Pete ********
ORIGINAL POSTERI think I better reword this post .
Yvonne **********
@Pete *******
but if you are getting a divorce you will need to have 800,000 bath when you are applying for your next retirement visa!!Reply to
Yvonne **********
Reply
Pete ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Brandon ***********
I see what you mean now . It's 400,000 for marriage visa .Pete ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Brandon ***********
I thought if you were married it's only 400,000 baht in the bank account .Neil ********
@Pete *******
if you stop being married or separated I believe it reverts to *****
0.Mark ********
@Neil *******
It doesn't actually "revert". The marriage visa no longer exists, so you need to start from scratch with an "over 50" visa (O, OA, OX, LTR) if a person is over 50, otherwise they will need to seek out a different visa (ED, B, DTV, Elite)Neil ********
@Mark *******
perfect. Thank youReply to
Neil ********
Reply
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