Answered4 years ago

Can I switch from a Thai spouse extension to a retirement extension of stay?

Extension of Stay Retirement Visa Thai Spouse Visa Immigration Process in Thailand Visa Requirements Hua Hin Expat Community

John *********

asked May 11, 2022

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I have an extension of stay stamp based on Thai wife. I just read a post about someone needing to get a new extension of stay based on retirement and some of you kindly told them what they needed to take to immigration. In reading it, it dawned on me, what the heck am I doing all this "stuff" for the Thai wife stamp when I can simplify the process and just go with the retirement stamp. The witness, the Kors, the pics, the blue book, wife's ID, map, etc.  Almost double the paperwork! Can I just apply for the retirement extension of stay next time I go for the stamp? I already know about the 800K requirement. Has anyone changed over? Any information is greatly appreciated. Btw, I live in Hua Hin.

Answer summary

The user is considering switching from an extension of stay based on being married to a Thai citizen to a retirement extension of stay due to the simpler requirements. Comments indicate that it is possible to apply for the retirement extension at the next visit to immigration, as long as the user meets the requirements such as being over 50 and having a minimum of 800,000 THB in a Thai bank account. However, some paperwork may still be required, similar to the spouse extension.

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Robin ******

Been married for 7 years however chose to go the retirement extension route, once I get the bank letter in and out of my immigration office (Sakon Nakhon) in 20 minutes including re entry stamp also, if you can afford to have the money in your bank I find this so easy.

4 years ago

Evan ********

Is there a mandatory insurance component for the retirement O extension ? I know there isn’t for the married Spouse extension

4 years ago

Ellie *******

@Evan *******

No, no insurance is required for extension based on retirement from Non-O entry

4 years ago

Mario *********

@Ellie ******

i tought we need to have health insurance 100,000$ usd to have extension of stay (retirement)

4 years ago

Ellie *******

@Mario ********

, insurance requirement is only for those who entered on a Non-OA visa. If you entered on Non-O (<-without A) or start with in-country Non-O, no insurance is required for 1-year extension based on being over 50/retirement.

4 years ago

Lyndon ************

I still needed most of that list apart from the Kors for my change to non-o retirement, and subsequent extension.

Pics (they came around to take), map, copy of lease, signed copy of my partners id, affidavit from her we live together (it's her lease), 800k in the bank, bank letter, foreign transfer confirmation, TM30. Copies of passport, all pages since arrival, id page, TM6, 90 day report.

4 years ago

Ellie *******

@Lyndon ***********

Big difference other than Kor-lor-s and

wife's docs are:

- you don't need witnesses

- 1-time less Immigration office visits (no under-consideration for retirement extension)

- you don't have to expect IO visit

- you don't need photos

And most offices don't require your partner's documents for a retirement extension

4 years ago

Lyndon ************

@Ellie ******

thanks again for another good steer. 🙏

If I'm hearing you correctly, one can go straight from a marriage extension to a retirement extension, without needing to do a "90 day change visa" (as when going onto non-o retirement for the first time) when you have to wait for the home visit and then return to get the visa stamped in. I didn't know that. Many thanks again.

4 years ago

Lyndon ************

@Ellie ******

thank you for clarifying, much appreciated. And great news for me, on a retirement non-o. Previously on, TR60, 30 day extensions and covid extensions etc... I'd been going through pages in my passport faster than a teenager writing a diary of his first love.

4 years ago

Ellie *******

@Lyndon ***********

As Brandon mentioned above, you don't need to apply for another visa to apply for an extension based on retirement.

But what I meant was, you go to the immigration office once for 1-year extension based on retirement and get a whole 1-year stamp at that time.

When you go to apply for a 1-year extension based on marriage to a Thai national, you would get an under consideration stamp first, then have to go back one month later to get a stamp for the rest of that 1-year. And this is for every time (year) when you apply for a marriage extension.

4 years ago

Brandon ************

@Lyndon ***********

you're already on non-O extension, so you can't "change" to a non-O, which is what that 90 days is. So there won't be a transition, just a new reason for the extension.

4 years ago

Robert *******

No problem to apply next time for the Extension of Stay based on being over 50 years of age, but you have to meet the requirements like 2 months prior application a minimum of 800.000 Thb on a Thai bank account on your name.

Less paperwork to copy but more money in the bank, choise is yours.

4 years ago

Mario *********

@Robert ******

am i right if i say with retirement visa we need insurance and do not with visa based on marriage ?

4 years ago