Answered2 years ago
Can my wife be a dependent on my Retirement Visa in Thailand, or do we both need separate visas?
Hello all. My question is this, as I can’t find an answer on the official page in regards to Retirement Visas. My wife and I are both over age 50. I am retired and she does not work and hasn’t for some years. We would like to move to Thailand and apply for a Retirement Visa but the requirements state each applicant must show individual income proof. Is my wife able to be a dependent on my retirement Visa? If not, if we both apply for retirement Visas, can we both use the same joint bank account as income verification? Thanks in advance.
Answer summary
The user inquired about the possibility of their wife being a dependent on their retirement visa in Thailand. Responses indicate that both individuals need separate financial proofs for retirement visa applications. Using a joint account for income verification is not feasible unless it meets the required total funds for both applicants. However, it was noted that if applying for a Non-OA visa in their home country, the wife may qualify for a dependent visa without needing additional funds. Overall, both would need to show individual financial documentation unless specific conditions were met.
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Michael *******
You need to show 800k in separate accounts.
Don-Laura *******
We do the Non-O based on being over 50. My wife comes is a dependent on that and remains so for each yearly extension. The primary (you) has the bank account under your name only to satisfy the financial requirement for both of you. Just maintain the balance in your account per immigration's rules. Super-easy.
Ka *****
@Don-Laura ******
sorry I didn’t get it. So you have retirement visa and your wife is dependant? So she doesn't need separate funds for her?Don-Laura *******
That's correct, she's a dependent on mine, which does not require that she have separate funds. She does have her own bank account, but not to support our visas+extensions. That said, some people choose to do a Non-O for each spouse, without one spouse being a dependent of the other. That would of course require separate funds for each spouse. One 'pro' for having separate visas/extensions and funds for each spouse is that if something happens to the leading spouse (they pass away), the dependent spouse doesn't have to leave the country and get their own visa/extension.
Adaryll **********
OP@Don-Laura ******
Did you do your visa in Thailand or in your home country?Don-Laura *******
We did our initial 90-day Non-O in the US. We had been here prior to that on the old STV from covid days, but couldn't convert that to a Non-O in-country, so made a quick trip back to the US to get that Non-O visa and do a few other things before returning. Pray it all goes smoothly for you, and welcome to Thailand when you're able to arrive!
Don-Laura *******
The Non-O visa we got didn't require a background or medical, so I'm sorry I can't advise on that. There's an "O", "O-A" and "O-X" forms of this visa/extension. I went with the "O" which was simplest. I think the O-A and O-X have the other requirements per this website:
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Adaryll **********
OP@Don-Laura ******
I appreciate it. We hope everything goes smoothly. Some of the stuff they ask for seems vague or not explained all the way, like the criminal check…is that just proof of a background check? Who did you use for that? The medical certificate…is a note from my primary care doctor enough? Would you be able to list how you did everything to qualify for your Visa? Sorry for all the questions, just would appreciate a script to follow. Thanks!Adaryll **********
OP
Randy ******
BWI !
Bob *********
I do not recommend a education visa at this time unless she is going to go to a university here.
Adaryll **********
OP@Bob ********
in my situation, what would you recommend for her if we wanted a long term stay (me with retirement visa). What would be good options for her?Bob *********
@Adaryll *********
I think John gave you The best answer. truthfully there is no easy answer. if you're wealthy Thailand will welcome you. if you're not wealthy Thailand will still welcome you but not for a long time. 3 to 6 months. there are multiple options for visas and they are changing constantly. I recommend trying to get your Visa in your country before leaving but that will mean you will have to have Thai health insurance but with your age it will not be too expensive. I don't have a good answer on whether you could use one bank account you would think that it would be okay but you never know.of course your other choice is to use an agent. that is the simple way that will get you a Visa.
Adaryll **********
OP@Bob ********
I appreciate the response. I did reach out to the embassy and they advised me to apply for a Non-OA visa and have my wife apply for a Non O visa (Visiting Non-Thai Family residing in Thailand) after my approval is done. Not sure how the renewal process works for her option for long term but gonna give it a shot.
John **********
@Adaryll *********
get her own retirement visa, or sort your visas out before coming to ThailandAdaryll **********
OP@John *********
Thanks John.Tom ********
You would both have to have separate bank accounts with your own funds for you both to get retirement visas, alternatively you can apply for the retirement visa and your wife does an ED Visa (Education) and once you have your retirement visa she can follow you, but first you have to have 3 months non O and then apply for the retirement Visa, your funds need to be in a Thai bank for at least 2 months before you apply.
Steve *******
@Tom *******
The Non Imm O IS the 'retirement visa'(based on being 50 or over). What you apply for after is the 1 year extention of stay(again based on being 50 or over) technically not a visa at all.Adaryll **********
OP@Tom *******
Thank you. This gives me some options to look at. I appreciate it!Adaryll **********
OPAnd do you have a link for TLC?
Nongnuch ********
@Tom *******
"and your wife does an ED Visa (Education) and once you have your retirement visa she can follow you" . . . . . . . . . you are about to find out very soon that it is not possible that your wife can "follow you" (i.e. as a dependant) . Your wife can get the yearly extension on her Education visa, however she won't be able to maximise the extensions any longer than 3 years in a row #Adaryll **********
OP@Tom *******
much appreciated! You’ve been very helpful! I may come back to this post again later with more questions if you don’t mind.Tom ********
@Ada****
There you go *****************************
Adaryll **********
OP@Tom *******
That’s awesome. Cant wait to tell her about this!Tom ********
@Ada****
You're welcome, that's how we have done it and we are both 'Farangs' I did the retirement visa myself which is fairly easy and I used TLC ( the learning center) for my wife's Ed VisaAdaryll **********
OP@Tom *******
Ty again.Tom ********
@Ada****
We did it here in Hua hin about a week before the 60 days ran outAdaryll **********
OP@Tom *******
did you have her apply for the educational visa in your home country or does she do it upon entry to Thailand?John **********
First question is what are you calling a retirement visa, there are 6 or 7 visas that fall under that category.
The most common is the Non-O based on being over 50, no insurance requirement, you can get it in your home country or in Thailand but your wife won't get a dependent visa based on that so you will each need to show money in the bank etc and if it's a joint account you will need to show double the money (half each).
If you apply for a Non-OA visa in your home country before travelling to Thailand your wife might be able to get a dependent visa based on your visa without showing additional funds, but you can only get it in your home country and will require insurance and police check etc.
There are other options such as the LTR Wealthy Pensioner which is probably the best if you qualify for it but it's quite a high bar
The most common is the Non-O based on being over 50, no insurance requirement, you can get it in your home country or in Thailand but your wife won't get a dependent visa based on that so you will each need to show money in the bank etc and if it's a joint account you will need to show double the money (half each).
If you apply for a Non-OA visa in your home country before travelling to Thailand your wife might be able to get a dependent visa based on your visa without showing additional funds, but you can only get it in your home country and will require insurance and police check etc.
There are other options such as the LTR Wealthy Pensioner which is probably the best if you qualify for it but it's quite a high bar
Adaryll **********
OP@John *********
I appreciate the response. Thanks!Activity
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