Answered3 years ago

Can I use the 400k baht in my bank after getting a NON-O visa based on marriage and still qualify for a retirement visa later?

NON-O Visa Retirement Visa Thai Marriage Visa Visa Requirements Financial Requirements for Visa Expat Visa Advice

asked Apr 19, 2024

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Hi. I’m getting non-o based on married to Thai. Have 400k in bank and in consideration from now and will get stamp within 30 days (not touching the $)

I’m also planning to switch to retirement visa next year (when I’m 50). 

The question is:

 1) can I used the 400k after consideration and have 800k 2 months before change of visa

2) or keep 400k all year long and should have 800k 2 months before applying for retirement visa. 

TIA

Answer summary

The user inquires about the financial requirements for transitioning from a NON-O visa based on marriage to a retirement visa. They seek clarification on spending their 400k baht after their marriage extension is approved and the requirement to maintain 800k baht for 2 months before applying for a retirement visa. Respondents confirm that they can spend the 400k after obtaining their marriage extension, but they must have the 800k baht maintained for 2 months prior to applying for the retirement visa. Additional insights suggest that a marriage-based extension may be more beneficial than a retirement visa due to legal work opportunities and future residency applications.

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Kool *******

Why change? A type O extension based on Thai wife is much better than a type O based on retirement, and after the first extension the paperwork is basically the same, as long as you keep copies of everything. The following years you just need updated bank letters, and new pictures, unless you move, but the big difference is you can legally work with a marriage extension, getting a work permit, which you can not do with a retirement extension. It is illegal to work on a retirement extension. This makes a big difference if you ever want to get permanent residency or citizenship never having to deal with immigration anymore, as you must work for at least three years, and you can never do it with a retirement extension. Being under the legal retirement age in your passport country, the government is going to want to know where the money you live on in Thailand is coming from on a retirement extension, legally, as you will be too young to be getting a pension. Just something to keep in mind.

3 years ago

David ******

@Kool ******

good question but I’ve thought about it because there is always possibility of separation and losses of assets. Secondly, it is becoming more difficult as I had to hire an agent but this was my first time. I definitely got the hint. We will see how it goes next year.

3 years ago

Kool *******

I can only relates my personal experience in Bangkok. There could be confusion about what is added for the retirement extension recently, at some immigration offices outside Bangkok.

3 years ago

Bart **************

@Kool ******

based on retirement is usually preferred. I know several, well above 50, who are now switching to retirement, because the hassle of the marriage extension has now become disproportionate.

3 years ago

Kool *******

@Bart *************

the procedures for the type O based on Thai wife hasn't changed in the 9 years I've been doing it. Everything is the same way each time. People that don't save the documents needed do have problems, but if you save everything the only updates required are new bank letters, and new pictures, the same as retirement.

3 years ago

Bart **************

@Kool ******

then I must have found three sources that were even more outdated than 9 years, one of whom was an agent.

But to be fair, although she had the marriage extension on her menu, I don't think she ever applied for one in her life. She was specialized in work related stuff.

The other sources are renowned pages though. And friends of mine who did switch to retirement have indeed said that these requirements were recently added. I think you may be wrong, I do believe my friends. Sorry.

3 years ago

Kool *******

@Bart *************

what you listed has always been the requirements. None of those were added last year for marriage extension. It was always rental contract, copy of owner's Thai ID card, and copy of the house book they are listed in. That has been required for the last 9 years I've been doing it, at least, and probably longer. Like I say, the only the bank letters and pictures are updated, unless you move.

3 years ago

Bart **************

@Kool ******

rental contract, house registration of landlord was added last year. If you are your own landlord they could then of course just accept your own house registration, but I've heard of offices requiring very unrealistic replacements.

3 years ago

Daniel ****

@Kool ******

thank you for your advice, I’ll keep in mind.

3 years ago

Tong *****

Can you change reason for extension the first time? Thought you could only change from second extension onwards.

3 years ago

Graham ******

@Tong ****

Yes, the first Extension of Stay must be for the same reason as the original Visa. The second or any subsequent Extension can be for a different reason.

3 years ago

Tong *****

@Graham *****

thanks for confirming.

3 years ago

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

#1 is correct. Once you have your marriage extension in your passport you can spend the 400,000 as you want. You just need to make sure you're at 800k for 2 full months before you apply for your extension. Make sure you know it's 2 months before you apply, not 2 months before your extension ends.

Also you're not changing any visa. You won't have a visa it all. You're changing your reason for extension of stay.

3 years ago