Answered19 days ago
Is it common to switch from a Non-O visa based on marriage to a Retirement Visa in Thailand?
I’ve recently turned 50 and considering moving from Non O based on marriage to Retirement Visa. Will there be any issues? Is this seen as strange?🤔
Answer summary
The user is considering switching from a Non-O visa based on marriage to a Retirement Visa after turning 50. Responses indicate that this transition is common and often encouraged due to less paperwork and more stability, especially since a Retirement Visa is less affected by divorce. It's important to ensure that the financial requirements for the Retirement Visa are met during the application process. Overall, this switch is not seen as unusual among expats.
42 repliesnewest first
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John *******
Your Wife will need to attend with "paperwork" for the first transition to extension based on retirement.
Andrew ********
Well on a marriage visa if she seperates from you and reports that to immigration they cancel your visa and got 7 days to leave
James ********
On a recent visit to the immigration office, the IO was actually encouraging me to do this. I think they like it because it is less paperwork for them
James ********
On a recent visit to the immigration office, the IO was actually encouraging me to do this. I think they like it because it is less paperwork for them
Dave *********
Another good reason to make the switch is IF she divorces you on a marriage visa your visa becomes VOID immediately once it’s final and u gotta leave. No prob on a retirement visa if she divorces you. Doesn’t affect the visa at all.
Wayne ********
Well I've been on retirement since 07. They know we are married. Married has always required higher level approval, whereas retirement is done the same day. Now as the 800 was required when the embassy letter era ended, we decided to just leave there. And we have been visited by immigration. Last year they were really looking at many people married or not. But marriage for some was weeks
Nik *****
I had the marriage non o extension for a year, then changed to retirement, much less hassle and immediate visa same day. Yes more funds needed in the Thai bank. But so much less hassle.
Dave *********
Another good reason to make the switch is IF she divorces you on a marriage visa your visa becomes VOID immediately once it’s final and u gotta leave. No prob on a retirement visa if she divorces you. Doesn’t affect the visa at all.
Graham ******
Dave Goodman or change the reason to of the extension to retirement for example (divorce does not happen overnight so the finances can be put in place to season if required) BTW If still on a Non-O visa the 90 day entry stamp is honoured, only an extension stamp gets terminated.
Nik *****
I had the marriage non o extension for a year, then changed to retirement, much less hassle and immediate visa same day. Yes more funds needed in the Thai bank. But so much less hassle.
Wayne ********
Well I've been on retirement since 07. They know we are married. Married has always required higher level approval, whereas retirement is done the same day. Now as the 800 was required when the embassy letter era ended, we decided to just leave there. And we have been visited by immigration. Last year they were really looking at many people married or not. But marriage for some was weeks
Graham ******
Just make sure you meet the new increased financials at the time of your new application when you request making the change
Tod *********
People switch from yearly extensions based on marriage to ones based on retirement often. Nothing strange about it at all.
Joaquin **************
Lees Hassle
Pete **********
Please forgive my ignorance but isn't it "cheaper" to stay on marriage visa as you only need 400k in Thai bank and other advantages over a retirement non O? Just curious.
Cool_Ba********
Are you talking about moving from a 1 year extension of stay based on marriage to 1 year based on retirement? Then no issues. Or are you talking about moving from a NON O based on marriage to a year long extension of stay based on retirement? In which case the answer is usually no.
Joaquin **************
Lees Hassle
Lee **********
OP@Joaquin *************
which?Joaquin **************
@Lee *********
Retirement
Cool_Ba********
Are you talking about moving from a 1 year extension of stay based on marriage to 1 year based on retirement? Then no issues. Or are you talking about moving from a NON O based on marriage to a year long extension of stay based on retirement? In which case the answer is usually no.
Graham ******
Just make sure you meet the new increased financials at the time of your new application when you request making the change
Lee **********
OPGraham Seal what are they?
Vin *******
@Lee *********
40k per month to 65k per month. No biggie.Graham ******
800k not 400k ;)
Lee **********
OPGraham Seal so still the same then
Graham ******
Jakob Raschle yes, the same seasoning
Jakob *********
Graham Seal 2 months in the bank before applying for extension
Tod *********
People switch from yearly extensions based on marriage to ones based on retirement often. Nothing strange about it at all.
Harry ************
@Tod ********
Can you move from non-o marriage to non-o retirement before getting the first extension? I’m still on the initial 90 day stamp.Graham ******
Harry Beasor Jr Some eVisas do not have marriage or retirement mentioned so if that's the case you can choose your extension (ask your wife to translate the Remarks in Thai text)
Tod *********
Check with your immigration office but as a general rule;
nope, you have to get the first extension for the reason you got the visa,
so if you bought a 90 day Non-O visa based on marriage to a thai you get that first yearly extension based on marriage
nope, you have to get the first extension for the reason you got the visa,
so if you bought a 90 day Non-O visa based on marriage to a thai you get that first yearly extension based on marriage
Brandon ************
Ernie Johnson immigration websites are mostly useless. You need to go to your specific office and ask for their handout of requirements for whichever extension you're going to be applying for. You should do that every year to make sure nothing has changed.
Ernie *********
@Tod ********
The Thai immigration website says NOTHING about the Marriage visa or it's requirements. Odd? We go next week to apply.John Smith
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