Answered5 months ago
Is it possible to change my visa extension from retirement to marriage in Thailand?
Hi has anyone changed their extension of stay from a retirement one to a marriage one? Is it as simple as changing the reason on the form? What additional docs are needed? And finally I assume it can only be done at the renewal date? I will of course ask at my local office when I am next in the area.
Answer summary
The post discusses the process of changing a visa extension from a retirement visa to a marriage visa in Thailand. Many replies caution against this change, highlighting complications such as increased documentation and yearly obligations associated with the marriage visa. Key points include the need for marital proof, financial requirements, and the potential necessity of a home visit by immigration officials. Some users share personal experiences, suggesting that the retirement visa is generally simpler to manage compared to the marriage extension.
36 repliesnewest first
Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.
Bill *********
Keep yourself independent and don't be reliant on someone else! If you change your visa, then once the marriage has run its course, do you want to put your longevity in Thailand in the hands of a moody female?
Brandon ************
@Bill ********
That's not any kind of argument for or against it. If you have a problem with your wife you just apply for the next extension based on retirement. If you get divorced, you take the divorce documents to immigration and apply for a retirement extension the same day. It's not complicated or risky.Bill *********
@Brandon ***********
Perhaps not complicated but nevertheless you need to scramble to get things done right away, whereas if you remain independent you have to do nothing. I kind of like that choice better.Brandon ************
@Bill ********
good thing no one is forcing you, or anyone else, to choose that extension.
Stephen ********
I made the switch the other direction, but that was a number of years ago. My original visa, which was a one year multi-entry O, non-imm, was based on Marriage because that was much easier to obtain at the Thai embassy in Vancouver. Then, when I went to extend my stay permit, the immigration officer recommended switching to Retirement purely because I met the monthly income requirements. It was all done with no problems, but that was then. Might be a bit different now.
Steve *******
You'll obviously need to prove your marriage and go under consideration for about 30 days when you can expect a visit from your local Immigration Office to confirm your address and marital status
Dennis *********
Don't do it.
Mark ***********
Why would you even want to and when you do that you bring in the consulate. Retirement visa is a lot simpler and questions like this You should take them up with Thai immigration where you go for your check-in.
Graham ******
Mark Humberger what has an in country extension got to do with the Consulate?
Mark ***********
I’ve only been here a few months. I’m not talking about an extension. I’m talking about revising the Visa. To qualify for the marriage visa don’t you have to file with the embassy requesting a federal document proving that you’re not married?@ Graham Seal
Martin *******
I changed from retirement to marriage, then back to retirement a year later. Marriage extension was too complicated and no one would help (immigration or agent).
Paul ***********
I do wonder why some people find it so difficult to take the extra steps required to change from a retirement extension to a marriage extension. It’s not as though most retirees are rushed off their feet with work commitments. For many, retirement brings more free time than they’ve ever had, so completing a few forms and meeting the requirements shouldn’t be an insurmountable challenge.
Bill *********
Paul De Graaf More time doesn't mean I want to do more work. I personally employ a visa agent for anything immigration related. It's just good business to outsource tasks to experts, especially since it's not big money.
Paul ***********
@Bill ********
Right mate. It’s your money and you spend it how your want. You obviously have more money than many others to go down that path. As they say in Thailand.
UP TO YOU
Mark *********
why? You have complete control on a retirement visa. The minute your divorce is final, should that be the case, you are going to be leaving the country to reapply for the retirement visa!
Brandon ************
@Mark ********
You don't have to leave anywhere. You just go to your immigration office, show them the divorce, and then apply for retirement extension immediately.
Alan ********
I changed from retirement to Thai wife big mistake to much paperwork you have to do every year going back to retirement at next extension
Graham ******
Alan Suiter they may not let you change back so be prepared
Alan ********
I had already asked them and they said I could. They don’t like the Thai wife either it is to much work for them and they want what is easy.
Steve *********
It's not so easy. You have to re register your marriage certificate at the local government office proving you are still married. 6 photos of both of you showing the house number and inside of the house. They have to visit you at your house and you need a Thai witness.They will call you to make an appointment. Minimum 400,000 in the bank or 45,000 bank transfers each month.. Have to provide a copy of all documentation including the photos.
Nev *******
Steve Hamstad true pal 👍. I when from marriage to retirement and so much easier. No comparison.
Brandon ************
@Steve ********
you don't have to re-register anything. You're already registered if you did it once. But you might need to get a new copy of the marriage license from the amphur depending on your immigration office's requirements.Steve *********
@Brandon ***********
I've done for the last 10 years and we have always had to have the date updated each year. There is the marriage certificate and a second page where they update the date. This is at Jomtien Immigration.
Nongnuch ********
Chriss Pelotto Yes, thank you, I corrected my text. A Kor Ror 2 is issued on the Amphur, if the marriage was sealed on the Amphur inside Thailand. If the marriage was abroad and got registered inside Thailand at a later point, the registry printout will be the Kor Ror 22
Chriss *********
Nongnuch Kamdee Kor Ror 2, not 22.
Dennis **********
Nongnuch Kamdee I know that there are additional steps involved with married over the retirement.
Your wife must be present at Jomtien Immigration. My wife goes to the Amphur and gets new documents every year. Seems the photos required change constantly, hopefully this will stabilize now. The 2 IOs at Jomtien both seem to develop an attitude if I ask a question trying to get clarification. Both seem to want to only the Thai spouse. Neither of the IOs are willing to provide a copy of a checklist either. Home visit is done every year when using Jomtien.
So to answer the overall question asked, in my opinion Jomtien makes it more difficult than it needs to be.
Your wife must be present at Jomtien Immigration. My wife goes to the Amphur and gets new documents every year. Seems the photos required change constantly, hopefully this will stabilize now. The 2 IOs at Jomtien both seem to develop an attitude if I ask a question trying to get clarification. Both seem to want to only the Thai spouse. Neither of the IOs are willing to provide a copy of a checklist either. Home visit is done every year when using Jomtien.
So to answer the overall question asked, in my opinion Jomtien makes it more difficult than it needs to be.
Nongnuch ********
Steve Hamstad this is not the "marriage certificate" (that would be your rose bordered marriage certificate) but a printout of the marriage registry from the local Amphur, called Kor Ror 22, if you married abroad and only got the marriage registered in Thailand at a later date. If you got married in Thailand, the registry printout would be the Kor Ror 2. And by the way the transfer proof or income proof is 40,000 THB per month, not 45,000 THB . . . The Kor Ror 3 rose bordered marriage certificate alone does not say anything about your current marriage status. You could theoretically already be divorced and still use the old certificate inorder to apply with half the deposit in your account than you would need for the retirement extension
Peter *********
Better staying on retirement visa a lot easier and no home visits etc
Don ********
I guess the big question would be why are you looking to change it from retirement to a marriage visa. It’s not as simple as just changing it. There are very specific requirements to have the marriage certified registered and a lot of other paperwork.
Stephen ********
My advice is don't do it. The married visa is clunky and cumbersome and has so many conditions attached which you must comply with every year. Retirement visa is streamlined in comparison
Brandon ************
Theoretically, yes, you would just apply for the different extension with the requirements for that extension. You would possibly also need a 12 month bank statement to show you met the requirements of last year's retirement extension (800,000 in your account for 3 months after the extension and then the balance never dropped below 400,000 the rest of the year).
I read a recent report that Chiang Mai is refusing to allow you to change and making people leave Thailand and get a new non-O visa from a Thai embassy. So you're going to want to go to your immigration office and check that they'll allow the change and also request your office's list of requirements for a marriage extension.
I read a recent report that Chiang Mai is refusing to allow you to change and making people leave Thailand and get a new non-O visa from a Thai embassy. So you're going to want to go to your immigration office and check that they'll allow the change and also request your office's list of requirements for a marriage extension.
Richard ****************
@Brandon ***********
I asked the question of an agent and they say you need to leave the country to change from retirement to marriage visa/ extension. I thought that was a bit rough.Brandon ************
@Richard ***************
why would you ask an agent? Ask immigration.Activity
21 joined21
people
Related
25Can I switch from a retirement visa to a marriage visa in Thailand?
1k1052mo
What are the options for extending a Non-O visa for marriage in Thailand?
4k28583mo
What are the CNI requirements for obtaining a Marriage Visa in Thailand and how does it relate to a Retirement Visa?
2.1k15273mo
Have people been refused a visa extension in Thailand when applying as a married person?
35974mo
What are the next steps after being approved for a Non-O retirement visa in Thailand?
6.9k251596mo
What type of visa should I apply for to support my Thai wife during her illness?
8.4k401648mo
What are the steps for an American citizen to obtain a retirement extension on a Non-O visa in Thailand?
1.9k15141y
Can I change my NON-O visa extension reason from retirement to marriage in Thailand?
1.9k13191y
Can I apply for a 90-day Non-O marriage visa from Savannakhet after being refused a 60-day extension?
4.1k27551y
What is the best visa option for retirees married to a Thai citizen wishing to spend more time in Thailand?
1.9k9291y
Can a Non-O visa based on retirement be converted to a Non-O visa based on marriage without leaving Thailand?
1.1k5112y
What is the correct visa to apply for as a foreign spouse of a Thai national?
4.6k43273y
How easy is it to get a marriage visa in Thailand if I am married to a Thai national?
2.3k19143y
What are the rules for maintaining 800k Baht in a Thai bank account for a Non-O visa extension?
8.7k621103y
What are the visa and work permit options for a 68-year-old expat in Thailand looking to teach?
1.6k1263y
What are the current rules and options for extending a non-visa entry stamp and obtaining a Non-O visa in Thailand?
2.2k19114y
Can I get a 3-month extension on my Non-O visa if I’m on holiday right before it expires?
9843125y
What forms do I need to download for a 1-year extension of my Non-O visa in Thailand?
1.5k1095y
Can I apply for a 60-day extension based on marriage and then a 1-year extension in Thailand?
2.6k22186y
What documentation is required for a Family Visa extension at the Chiang Mai Thai Immigration Office?
4.6k22797y
What type of certificate does the village headman need for a marriage visa extension in Thailand?
46837y
Can Dutch nationals use a combination of banked money and monthly income for a marriage-based extension of stay in Thailand?
737287y
Can I switch from a retirement visa to a marriage visa after three years and being married for six years?
3238y
What documents and forms do I need for a Non-O retirement visa extension and multiple entry visa in Thailand?
1.2k758y
What are the options for extending a marriage visa in Thailand without leaving the country?
5.4k56238y
Resources
Need help with your retirement visa?
#1 visa agent · 4,000+ reviews · 100,000+ expats served