Can I switch from a 1-Year O Visa for Retirement to a 1-Year Marriage Extension in Thailand?

Jun 16, 2024
6 months ago
Tong *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Is there ANY way to go from 1 year O visa based on retirement, to your FIRST 1 year extension based on marriage to a Thai?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Yes, it is possible to switch from a 1-Year O Visa based on retirement to a 1-Year extension based on marriage to a Thai citizen. Your first extension should typically be for the same reason as the visa issuance; however, if you meet the requirements for a different extension type, such as marriage, you can change the reason for your extension without any issues.
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Tod *********
@Tong ****
There was a total miscommunication between what you said you have in the original post and what you're really on ๐Ÿ˜ฎ and that caused this thread to very nearly come off the rails

Reading the stamp IN your passport would have showed you that you are currently on an extension ๐Ÿ˜• not any visa ๐Ÿ˜‰ Your stamp now should say "EXTENSION OF STAY PERMITTED UNTIL" and have a date on it that it's good until

SO after all that it turns out you CAN indeed 'change the reason' for your up coming extension without any issue at all. (y)

As long as you met the requirements for the year extension you're currently on based on retirement and meet the requirements for the new extension you'd apply for based on marriage you should be fine ๐Ÿ™‚
Tod *********
sincerely good luck with it (y)

people do reason changes for extensions all the time

you shouldn't have a problem
John **********
By one year O visa based on retirement do you mean an extension of stay? If so when it comes to time for your next extension you should be able to simply change the reason for your extension, assuming you meet the criteria. Or are you on the initial 90 day non-o visa
Tong *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks all. It seems I didn't realise 90 day to 1 year was classed as first extension ๐Ÿค”
Tong *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
keep the semantics out please. I came in visa exempt, then 90 day o, now have a permission to stay for 1 year based on retirement. My question relates to the FIRST time I need to extend this.
Jan ******************
@Tong ****
If you have a 90 Non O based on retirement and a one year extension of stay also based on retirement you can change your second extension from retirement to based on married to a Thai.
Tong *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jan *****************
this sounds good ๐Ÿ‘
John **********
@Tong ****
semantics are important in this regard. So you're not on a visa at all, you are currently on a 12 month extension of stay based on retirement. In which case when you go to get extend this again you should not have any problems changing the reason for your extension provided you both honour the criteria of your existing extension and the criteria of the extension you will switch to. (Basically my original answer)
Tong *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
I'm even more confused now. So are you saying a retirement visa is only ever for 90 days and everything after that is an extension? If that's the case then when your year is up you will then be applying for a SECOND extension?
Ellie *******
@Tong ****
, read your "1 year based on retirement" stamp very well again.
John **********
@Tong ****
yes. The visa is only valid for 90 days. After that it's done, finished with. You are now on your first extension of stay, just before that expires you will apply for another extension of stay. Nominally this would be your second extension of stay, but will be your first extension of stay based on having a Thai spouse as you're changing reasons. I know it gets confusing but such is life
Tong *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
thank you. I am aware once your first extension is out the way then you can change the reason for subsequent extensions. I thought my question was clearly worded. Perhaps not ๐Ÿคท
John **********
@Tong ****
I think the confusion is the 1 year visa as it will in fact be 90 days. You must get your first extension for the reason the visa was issued. No way round that
Lloyd ********
@John *********
He specifically mentions visa and extension, so he obviously knows what he means.
Lloyd ********
I stand corrected lol
John **********
@Lloyd *******
he may do but I don't. There is no such thing as a 1 year O visa for retirement that I'm aware of
Lloyd ********
You can always ask your local office, but your first extension should be for the same reason as the issuance of the visa.
Tong *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Lloyd *******
thanks Lloyd yes I thought that was the case but you never know for sure. Maybe somebody has done it, I'll definiitely ask at immigration nearer the time ๐Ÿ™
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