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Is it easier to obtain a retirement visa than a spousal visa in Thailand?

Retirement VisaSpousal VisaThai Visa TypesVisa Application ProcessImmigration PolicyExpat Life in Thailand
Jan 2, 2024
10 months ago
Rj ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I contracted a visa service and was told that a retirement visa is easier to get then a spousal visa.

Is this accurate?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Yes, obtaining a retirement visa in Thailand is generally considered easier than acquiring a spousal visa. The spousal visa requires extensive documentation to prove the validity of the marriage, including potential home inspections by immigration officials. In contrast, the retirement visa mainly demands a significant amount of funds in a Thai bank account, without the need for much paperwork or complex verification processes.
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.
  • Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
  • Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
Klee **************
Truth
10 months ago
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Terary **********
I have never had a retirement visa. I have had a couple marriage visas. I now choose to get tourist visas until I am old enough for the retirement visa.

I went to a few agents about getting the 1 year extension for my marriage visa and most either wanted to charge me out the wazoo, or simple wouldn't do it.
10 months ago
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Steve **********
Well for the latter, you have to have a Thai wife, which in itself is a difficult process.

Stick to 'O', smile.
10 months ago
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Dirk **************
It depends whether you have any long term plans. A non-O based on retirement like many other visas does not offer any long term perspective. If you are thinking of Thai citizenship you need to opt for the non-O marriage as a starting point for all endeavor along that route.
10 months ago
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Marty *********
@Dirk *************
 You don’t need to be married to get Thai citizenship. You do have to have paid Thai taxes for three years. There is a Facebook group dedicated to Thai permanent residency and citizenship.
10 months ago
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Dirk **************
@Marty ********
 yes, but you can skip the permanent residence part.
10 months ago
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Marty *********
@Dirk *************
 From what I understand there are a list of things you need to do and there is a point system. The tax obligation, maybe marriage, Thai language skills, public service, etc. I am a retiree who has never worked in Thailand but was initially intrigued when I heard a rumor that there was a marriage pathway. I joined that FB group and learned that I was not going to get there without the 3-yrs of tax payments.

I do know a couple of Americans with Thai permanent residency. They have been university professors in Thailand for over 20 years. They aren't much interested in citizenship. I don't really care about it anymore myself. I don't personally know any westerners with Thai citizenship.
10 months ago
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Marty *********
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Steve **********
@Dirk *************
 how many ( seriously ) ever get, let alone apply for Thai citizenship.

In my 20+ years, knowing hundreds of expats...not once heard of.
10 months ago
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Rj ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I ok with them. Checking my home out, pics of us over the last 18 years we have as well
10 months ago
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Rj ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Dirk *************
 i think thats the best visa for me
10 months ago
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Dirk **************
@Rj *****
 I am going the same route. My non-O visa based on retirement in my German passport expires in May and I am changing to U.S. passport and non-O based on marriage. Good luck!
10 months ago
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Dirk **************
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Rj ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
So you changed your visa type
10 months ago
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Paul *******
It is accurate, as long as you have the 800,000 thb in your Thai bank. Over the past 11 or so years I have had extensions based on marriage and on Retirement. Retirement extension is much easier. Wife has to accompany you to Immigration Office for marriage. You need a number of acceptable photos of you and your spouse in various locations at your home. With marriage exension you get a provisional (under considedration) stamp and need to return to Immigration after 14 days to get you full 12 month extension. Immigration may (or may not) require to visit your home and talk with neighbour(s) to confirm that your marriage is valid during the 14 day under consideration period.
10 months ago
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Steve **********
@Paul ******
 why do so many put 800k in account ( tied up ) when largest % of expats are retired and can get visa based on income.
10 months ago
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Russell *********
@Steve *********
 I put ithe 800k there 8 years ago. and left it. . no hassle, no agent, simple every year.
10 months ago
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Paul *******
@Steve *********
 With the income method it is very easy to slip up (or be messed around by banks. 12 monthly deposits sounds sim[le in theory. In pracice not so simple. Exchchange rates can mess it up. Currency transfers can mess it up. Eg, a transfer in 20 Feb (needed as your February payment may, for some reason beyond your control, may not arrive in your Thai bank account until 2 Mar (then no extension is possible). Or one or more transfers may be labled as other than international/ Very easy just to keep 800,000 in a Thai bank - then never a problem.
10 months ago
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Paul *******
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Pete *******
The difference essentially is either 400k in the bank and lots of paperwork OR 800k in the bank and less paperwork. Take your pick…
10 months ago
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Rj ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Pete ******
 im ok with more in the bank if its easier, i was being told i have to show a residency and rental agreement. I am going to travel around and come and go to thailand
10 months ago
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Rj ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I have a family home in korat already for many years
10 months ago
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Rj ******
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Rj ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Richard *******
 i am married
10 months ago
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Andy *******
@Rj *****
 condolences
10 months ago
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Andy *******
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Richard ********
Yes, and you don't need to get married!
10 months ago
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Colin **********
Jus one other thing to add, thai spouse visa needs to be sent to Bangkok, so normally needs 30 day waiting period.
10 months ago
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Cia *********
Yes
10 months ago
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Todd *********
Use an agent. All is easy
10 months ago
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Steve ********
By a "spousal" visa, do you actually mean "married to a Thai" or a "dependant spouse" (usually referred to as trailing spouse). They are very different
10 months ago
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Rj ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve *******
 my wife is a thai as well
10 months ago
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Steve ********
@Rj *****
 Personally I'd go the retirement visa. It's yours as a stand alone. Everything you do with a married to a Thai visa, you need the Thai person to be with you
10 months ago
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Steve ********
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Rj ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve *******
 we are actually lagally married in the united states. Now after 13 years we are moving back there
10 months ago
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Steve **********
@R*
 married to a Thai in America. Fought the marriage visa a few times. I’m now on retirement. Just too much BS. Not worth it (to me).
10 months ago
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Steve **********
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John *********
Yes . Just more money in bank
10 months ago
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Brandon ************
Yes. A Spouse visa requires a lot of proof of marriage, proof of where you live together, and sometimes they will send immigration officers to your home for an inspection and to talk to your neighbors etc.

For a retirement visa you don't need any of that, just a higher proof of funds required.
10 months ago
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Pongs ****************
@Brandon ***********
 How much fund required?
10 months ago
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Brandon ************
@Pongs ********
 400,000 for marriage and 800,000 for retirement
10 months ago
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Evelyne **********************
@Brandon ***********
 each one of you, 1,6 mil for couple pretty steep left in Thai bank acc to sleep
10 months ago
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Evelyne **********************
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Phil ********
@Brandon ***********
 I remember some years back and us doing this. Photos of us outside and inside our house. We took photos of us with our 2 Dobermans and never got the visit. 🤣
10 months ago
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David *******
Brandon Thurkettle

No they always send immigration offices to your residence and the independent witness must be there on time to be asked questions
10 months ago
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Brandon ************
@David ******
 maybe for you, but you use a specific immigration office. Every office is different which is why I use the wording that I use.
10 months ago
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Brandon ************
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Rj ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 we been married for 13 years and everyone in her village knows me.

Been going there 18 years. We have family home we built many years ago
10 months ago
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Michael ********
@Rj *****
 Makes no difference one of the immigration officers lives on same street as us and we see him quite often. The immigration office is 45 minutes away. When i did marriage visa they still came for visits
10 months ago
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Brandon ************
@Rj *****
 that's irrelevant. It's just a lot more paperwork and a lot more hoops to jump through. You'll also get an "under consideration" stamp in your passport and have to return to immigration later to get your extension whereas retirement extensions are given immediately. It's easier to get retirement than marriage extension. But what you decide to go with is up to you. Many married men use retirement just to avoid all the extra work.
10 months ago
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Colin *********
@Brandon ***********
 isn't that "more paperwork and a lot more hoops to jump through", with the Spouse Visa just once a year though, or are some things quarterly? I've likely got the same decisions to make in a little over a year from now.
10 months ago
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Brandon ************
@Colin ********
 no, there's no quarterly updates for any extension that I know of. It's just once a year, technically 3 times per year within a month if you count the initial application, possible home visit, then returning to immigration to collect your extension.
10 months ago
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Colin *********
@Brandon ***********
 ok, that's what I thought. A comment was made that though there's "more paperwork", it's "easy", so for those who are 'commited' to their spouse, it shouldn't be a problem, whereas those who have a Thai partner and 'maybe not so committed' or maybe doubt somewhat their relationship 'bond', then a Retirement Visa is an 'easier way out'.
10 months ago
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Brandon ************
@Colin ********
 that's a potential concern if there are any doubts due to the fact that as soon as a marriage is official ended the visa associated with that marriage is void as of the same day.
10 months ago
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Barry *******
@Brandon ***********
 more paperwork but easy and only half the funds required.
10 months ago
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Colin *********
@Barry ******
 it sounds like you're speaking from experience, right?
10 months ago
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Rj ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 sounds good
10 months ago
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Rj ******
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