Can someone change their 'O' visa extension from marriage to retirement in Thailand without leaving the country after a divorce?

May 26, 2021
4 years ago
Nicholas *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
A mate is getting divorced. Can he change his “o”based on marriage and extension to retirement without leaving the country?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Yes, it is possible to change a Non-O visa extension based on marriage to a retirement extension without leaving Thailand after a divorce. The individual will need to visit the immigration office with their divorce decree, cancel the marriage extension, and apply for the retirement extension. It is crucial to ensure that the financial requirements are met, such as having 800,000 baht in the bank for the required duration before applying.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
  • Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
  • For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
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Tod *********
and it appears we have the answer for the O/P's 'friend'

He can change his extension. :)
Gregor **********
does he really HAVE TO BE divorced, to change the reason from marriage to retirement? I thought one can do this any time, as long as he fulfills the financial requirements (2 months seasoning of 800K THB)
Sönke **********
Yeah, that' s right! I came here with 49 married wit a thai and get 50 here...
Gregor **********
well, he needs to be over 50 years old for a retirement extension. We don't know his age.
Sönke **********
Yes , can change. I did it in 2020 without any problems.
Andy ********
@Gregor *********
no he doesn't. As long as he or she meets the requirements of the extension he can change.
Tod *********
that is a very good point
@Gre***
(y)

he could just walk in and say he wants to cancel his current extension based on marriage and then apply for a new one right then based on retirement, there is no proof of WHY he's wanting to change required as long as he meets the requirements for the retirement extension they should do it
George **********
I did it, but had to make sure that I had the 800,000 baht in the account for the required time before applying for the change in extension
Tod *********
he needs to get his ducks in a row NOW before he gets divorced so he can meet the financial requirements based on being over 50 (retirement) rather than based on marriage but it's no problem to go into the immigration office with a divorce decree from the Amphur, cancel the marriage extension and immediately apply for a year extension based on retirement

All he's doing is changing the reason from marriage to retirement :)
Jonathan *************
@Tod ********
suitably translated and notarized at MFA? Just for clarity. I'm sorted (and married)
Tod *********
@Jona****
, he takes the divorce decree from what ever country he got divorced from to the immigration office and cancels his extension based on marriage and applies for a new one based on retirement
Ana ************************
at least when his wife go to amphur
Jonathan *************
@Nicholas ********
how will the Thai officials know he is divorced if marriage abroad?
Tod *********
how he gets divorced is his problem, but if he's got a year extension based on marriage he's gonna hafta go to the immigration office the day he gets divorced (because he no longer meets the requirements for a marriage extension) or he's gonna end up on overstay for every day he doesn't get there after he is divorced.
Nicholas *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
he was married abroad - in the Uk 🇬🇧 I think, does that make any difference?
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