Answered2 years ago

Should I get a re-entry permit before applying for an over 50 visa in Thailand?

Non-O Visa Over 50 Visa Visa Extension Re-entry Permit Thai Immigration Proof of Funds

Stephen *******

asked Jul 24, 2024

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I'm currently on a Non O based on marriage to a Thai that expires 21st September and want to change to based on over 50 because it requires much less paperwork.

I need to leave Thailand for a week at the beginning of September.

Would it be easier to not get a re-entry and just return on t 60 day, then apply for the over 50 visa or get the re-entry? Funds will be seasoned.

Thanks.

Answer summary

The user is currently on a Non-O visa based on marriage, expiring on September 21, and wishes to switch to an over 50 visa due to its simpler paperwork. They need to travel outside Thailand in early September and are contemplating whether to get a re-entry permit or return on a 60-day visa and then apply for the over 50 visa. Comments highlight that visa extensions can be processed within 30 days of expiration, and sufficient proof of funds is essential for obtaining the new visa.

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Colin *********

I've read on more than one occasion that much of the paperwork for the Non-O based on marriage can be the same as from the year before, or copies anyway, saving much of the work. Is that right, or not? I plan, all going well, to be doing a Non-O based on marriage in the near future.

2 years ago

Stephen *******

@Colin ********

each office has different requirements. Mine wants things like new photos of wife and family in front of house, kitchen, lounge and bedroom each year. An updated marriage certificate verification letter less than 2 months old and more.

Retirement is so much easier.

2 years ago

Colin *********

@Stephen ******

I can understand that proof of being still married is required, which is things that you mentioned, but I got the impression that there's a few other documents that have to be provided and can use the same ones as last year.

Still, without having gone through it yet, I would think that the 'money in the bank' requirement differences would make it worth the marriage option rather than retirement. At least the marriage option only requires half the funds in the bank and doesn't require a minimum amount in the account where the retirement option requires half the funds to remain untouched for 5 months of the year.

2 years ago

Colin *********

@Wayne ******

thank you

2 years ago

Wayne *******

Colin Boyland correct. The funds can come into your account from anywhere for marriage visa. Do not have to come from overseas. They just want to see 400k baht in your account seasoned for the 2 months prior to the day ‘you apply’.

I’ll leave the ‘documents’ queerie to Tod and Ellie as it can vary from different offices.

2 years ago

Colin *********

@Wayne ******

I may be misunderstanding you, but are you saying that one doesn't have to prove the funds for the marriage visa are from overseas, whereas they do with the retirement visa?

As for the documents required, I'm aware that immigration offices in the different provinces have some slight variations, depending on what you need to get done. I have seen mention by expats that some of the documents that are exactly the same each year and don't need to be dated and signed each year or things that Stephen mentioned, they just use again, or make copies and use again the next year. I've not seen mention of the specific documents though.

2 years ago

Wayne *******

@Colin ********

speaking from my experiences Colin all of what you said is spot on (for myself and wife anyway). And the funds don’t need ‘international’ flagging. But not sure about the mention of ‘using last years documents’ ?

But there is a lot more paperwork and running around with the marriage visa as opposed to the retirement visa.

2 years ago

Tod *********

@Stephen ******

At most offices you can apply for a new extension when you have 30 days or less left on your current stamp and some offices are when you have 45 days or less left

You say expires Sept 21 so going with the 30 days before you can apply for a new yearly extension any time AFTER 22 of Aug 🙂 Retirement extensions are issued on the spot (a few offices have you come back the next day to pick up your passport)

So as long as you meet the proof of funds (if you're using banked money method you'd need 800K baht in the bank for 2 months before you APPLY for the extension) you won't have any issue getting the new yearly extension at the end of Aug, buying a re-entry permit and traveling in the beginning of Sept like you plan to

2 years ago

Ellie *******

Just an additional.

At some offices, a 1-year extension with changing reason starts on the day of application, not being added to the current one as when you apply for an extension for the same reason.

OP may want to check their local office to see what their policy on this.

2 years ago