Do I need a UK pension to qualify for a marriage extension visa in Thailand?

Jul 24, 2019
5 years ago
Richard ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi this is my first post here, but i do read the posts daily. My question is: When I last went to immigration on Jomtien to renew my marriage extension the immigration officer asked me whether I had a UK pension. I though that this was odd because as I understand it one only needs to bring 40K monthly into Thailand from abroad to qualify for the extension. Does it matter where the 40K comes from, so long as its outside Thailand? I transfer the money monthly from my personal UK account to my Thai bank account. It is not in the form of a pension.

Thanks in advance.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion centers around the requirements for obtaining a marriage extension visa in Thailand, particularly focusing on the necessity of proving financial stability through monthly deposits. The original poster questioned the immigration officer's inquiry about UK pensions, understanding that the regulations stipulate that 40,000 THB must be transferred monthly from abroad to qualify. Several commenters affirmed that the source of the monthly income is not crucial, as long as it meets the specified amount. The conversation further elaborated on different visa types, emphasizing the importance of understanding the terminologies and requirements associated with each.
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Bobby ********
@Adrian *****
. If you read Richard Barton's original posting he is asking for advice on an appropriate visa. People who have commented on this are trying to give him a comprehensive overview of what is available to him and what would be most appropriate for his situation, and for this matter it is best to be specific on the correct title of the visa. No-one is trying to be smart. Perhaps you know the differences and perhaps he doesn't. He posted looking for advice which has been given to him. Your childish rant provided zero useful information and is further evidence why the moderators are often quick to close down comments. If you don't like something you read, just scroll on.
Tod *********
@Adr***
There is a HUGE difference between the various things that foreigners routinely call a 'retirement visa' which could be a ME Non-O visa, a ME Non-O-A visa, or a SE Non-O and a yearly extension.

Just as there is a HUGE difference between the things foreigners routinely call a "marriage visa" which could be a ME Non-O visa, or a SE Non-O visa and a yearly extension.

That you do not see the need to differentiate them does not mean the people trying to give advice to people don't also.

To give accurate advice we NEED to know what it is you're actually here on.

I am not ranting, I'm TELLING you it's super important, and you can either believe me or not.
Adrian ******
O-A, Retirement visa,Extension of stay why does it really matter what you call it. It really does not require every other person to be correcting to sound intelligent. I get the point & great full to this page for information but just correcting people on terminology when they probably know but use a well used terminology Retirement visa which many Thais & immigration use as well. Information is good correcting for the purpose of trying to sound clever or informative is not. Rant over
James ********
Thank you Adrian. Rant recognized. Take care and have a pleasant night or day.
Bobby ********
The way things are at present is you have to show
*****
baht (
*****
for married to Thai) going into your Thai bank account from abroad. Where it actually comes from isn't relevant
Francis *******
Having 400,000 in your bank a/c will also do for an extension based on marriage and 800,000 for retirement.
Richard ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bobby *******
Thanks again and that's worth consideration.
Robert *******
@Bobby *******
Actually it is called: an Extension of Stay based on being over 50 years of age and willing to sit out the rest of my life in Thailand. Actually the Non Immigrant O-A visa is only available at the Thai Embassy in your home country. Actually retirement visa and marriage visa do not even exist in Thailand.
Bobby ********
@Richard *******
. Of course the other major advantage of the O-A is that played correctly you never need transfer one baht into a Thai bank account and that successive visa applications can be done in your home country. It means a trip home every two years of course, but many ex-pats do it that way
Richard ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bobby *******
Thanks Bobby I am now clear on that.
Bobby ********
@Richard *******
. It's not actually a "retirement visa", it's an O-A which is only available for over 50's. You don't actually have to be retired, it just makes entry and re-entry a whole lot easier. But yes, the financial criteria is higher than the married visa. You'd be looking at
*****
baht per month.
Richard ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert ******
Yes I get that mate, but i'm happy with the married Visa for the time being. I am in my 60's, so may consider changing to retirement when I actually retire. Cheers
Robert *******
@Richard *******
less documentation and it does not has to go under consideration, more easy for the io, that is why they try to change your mind to retirement or being over 50 years of age
Richard ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert ******
It just seemed like an odd comment when she asked if I had a UK pension. I was not applying for a retirement visa, as I am not yet retired. Thanks for the verification.
Robert *******
the money for Extension of Stay based on marriage did not change in the last 17 years, but yeah, it is almost constant.
Richard ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
The constant changes just make me a bit nervous, so i thought that i would check it here. Thanks for the input.
Richard ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks
@Bobby *******
I can do that.
Robert *******
you can just show a copy of your WP and the minimum salary of 40.000 Thb plus tax payments and sso payments or a monthly foreign deposit of minimum 40.000 Thb over the last 12 months into a Thai bank account in your name
Robert *******
To apply for an Extension of Stay could be super complicated, but you can make your live very easy. Visit your local immigration office, ask the hand out for Extension of Stay based on marriage with a Thai National and tell you like to use the Work Permit and salary option for financial reasons. They will tick the boxes of all you need, you go back and start up the copy machine. When you have all, go back Immigration and apply. Difficult part is most of the times, the company you work for, fired the
***
Thais that where needed for your work permit, does not pay your minimum salary or does not pay the tax or sso.
Vladimir ********
Interesting information, Robert. You mean the WP+salary slips + year tax form (91) is enough to be extended as working? I always avoid extensions by work as I heard this is super complicated, then extend by foreign transfers and affidavit, which is still issued by my embassy...
Richard ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks Robert appreciated.
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