This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.
What are the advantages of a Non-O marriage extension compared to a Non-O retirement visa in Thailand?
NON-O Marriage ExtensionNON-O Retirement VisaVisa ComparisonThailand ImmigrationExpat Life in ThailandVisa RequirementsIncome Affidavit
Oct 15, 2025
7 months ago
Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTERHallo, I'm on my second non O marriage exstenion, I'm thinking about changing to non O retirement next time, less paperwork only have to visit immigration once, are there any advantages with the Marriage exstenion which the retirement one deosn't have? I get my income letter from the Embassy.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion revolves around the comparison between the NON-O Marriage Extension and NON-O Retirement Visa in Thailand. The key advantages of the Marriage Extension include a lower financial requirement (400,000 baht less) and the ability to obtain a work permit, while it also requires the spouse's presence for application. Conversely, the Retirement Visa involves less paperwork, no requirement for the spouse and an income affidavit from an embassy for proof of monthly income (40,000 baht versus the 65,000 baht required for retirees). However, the Retirement Visa does not allow for work, and the Marriage Visa may be void if the spouse passes away.
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.
Pelle Eriksson★★★★★
Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...recently on Facebook
Luca G.★★★★★
I used this agency for my DTV Visa...recently on Google
Trusted Retirement Visa Agent
OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED
#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND
Peter **********
just better to keep only 400,000 baht in the bank
Ivan ******
in your 1st marriage visa extension (after the 1st marriage visa). Did you need to find witness like the first time?
Stuart ******
@Ivan *****
hi what do you mean by witnesses. I've not done a married visa before. Been together 17 years and married 15 years. We have lived in the UK for 10 years and will be 11 years before we both come to Hui Hin to live. We don't know anyone in Hui Hin so how do we get witnesses. Any information would be helpful.
Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stuart *****
after the first 3 months of living there you can use nabours or friends just to witness that you live together.Stuart ******
@Michael *******
thanks mate. Would that be before i do the visa. Maybe the people we buy the villa from.Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stuart *****
thay come round once after you have applied for the first exstenionReply to
Michael ********
Reply
Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Ivan *****
no second time no problemReply to
Michael ********
Reply
Nico *************
One disadvantage married visum: your wife must survive you, otherwise the married visum will be canceled and you can leave the country.. (or you must have children there, then sometimes they make an exception…)
Graham ******
@Nico ************
Wrong, your stamp will not be cancelled, your next extension cannot be for the reason of marriage if your wife is deceasedMichael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Graham *****
thank you someone who knows what they are talking about.Reply to
Michael ********
Reply
Kim *********
@Michael *******
you think it's funny you have to leave if your wife divorces you? what a strange emojiMichael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Kim ********
how come I can change my visa to Retirement now when I'm still married but can't when I'm devorced or widowed, I'm not sure if you have to leave the country, I'll ask immigration in December.Graham ******
@Michael *******
Correct. If widowed, your current extension is honoured then next extension you either change the reason or leave. Regarding divorce, that does not happen overnight so, again, you plan your change to the reason for your extension or your have to leave when the divorce takes effect.Reply to
Graham ******
Reply
Kim *********
@Nico ************
well it's "you MUST leave the country" - and you don't get many days to do that (if no children)Nico *************
@Kim ********
I read a similar story somewhere: a 90-year-old retiree who had been happily married to his Thai wife for 27 years. When his wife died, he had to leave the country, back to his native country. Where he had nothing. Well, he took his own life in Thailand. Very sad.Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Nico ************
he probably didn't have enough money for the retirement visa.Kim *********
@Nico ************
ohh very sorry to hear that 😞 terrible 😔Reply to
Kim *********
Reply
Cris ******
Less money and can work. Other than that. Retirement 100%.
Nigel ***********
If your on a,retirement visa, why would u want to work, ha
Colin **********
@Nigel **********
some people come to Thailand and are in-between working and retirement, and therefore like the flexibility of working or not. The over 50 or retirement visa is one of the easiest to obtain without the restraints of marriage or the like, but no flexibility in working.Reply to
Colin **********
Reply
Stuart ******
Hi what country do you come from please.
Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stuart *****
I'm English but worked in Germany 40 years, so i have a German Pension.Stuart ******
@Michael *******
thanks for that do you use the German embassy to verify your pension, because the UK embassy do not issue you letters anymore. I used to get a letter every year when I lived there before.Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stuart *****
Yes the German Embassy even add up all my pensions together even my Army pension because i let it be paid into a German Bank.Stuart ******
@Michael *******
thanks for that. I will just leave 400k or 800k in bank when I decide which way to go. Last time I had my Army pension and war pension paid directly into my Thai bank account. But not even got one of them at the moment lol 🙃. I know the married visa is a pain to do, well so my friends say but only have 400k tied up rather then 800k. How much different is to do then retirement? Will always do myself. Thanks. You obviously stayed in Germany when you finished in the Army?
Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stuart *****
heres the list i have from Phetchabun Immi, its not that bad but have to travel twice to apply and pick up. yes stayed in germany after 6 years RA.Stuart ******
@Michael *******
weather are looking to move to Hui Hin next year. I done 12 year’s in Germany 6 yrs Bieldfeld and 6 yrs Munster. Done 24 yrs in total. What is family Registration? My missus not sure lived to long in the UK. Lol
Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stuart *****
its a form you get from your local town hall to state that you are still married. I was in GüterslohStuart ******
@Michael *******
cheers mate. Where do you stay?Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stuart *****
A little town called Wichian buri near Phetchabun. i go to Cha am on holiday twice a year maybe we can have a beer when your over.Stuart ******
@Michael *******
no problem add me as a friend. Cheers stay safeReply to
Stuart ******
Reply
Colin **********
You can't work on retirement extension.
Jan ******************
If you still obtain an income affidavit from your embassy, you only need to prove a monthly income of at least 40,000 baht — without a lump sum of 400,000 baht in a Thai bank. For retirement it’s at least 65,000 baht a month.
Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jan *****************
my pension covers that, thanksStuart *********
@Jan *****************
Good point. Didn’t think of that.Reply to
Stuart *********
Reply
Stuart *********
The advantages are that the amount of money you need is 400k less, and that you could get a work permit from a “marriage extension”.
As you rightly point out there is far less paperwork to go the retirement option and your wife doesn’t have to be with you when you apply.
As you rightly point out there is far less paperwork to go the retirement option and your wife doesn’t have to be with you when you apply.
Wayne ********
@Stuart ********
I agree with you, Stuart 99.9% of the time, but for the Ext based on marriage is quite a bit more of a hassle than just the Non o based on retirement. With the non-O based on marriage You have to go through the house to visit. You have to have photographs of you and the family where you live. You have to have photographs of you and your wife standing in front of the house number on your home. You have to go through the 30 day under consideration. And you can’t get your stamp until they come to your house, unless they tell you there is no need for a home inspection, that hasn’t happened to me yet after four extensions .Then after the inspection you go back to immigrations for your extension stamp sometimes, they will show up on day 29. I even had him come on day 30. I’ve never had them come out to the house more than two or three days before the 30 day under consideration is over. The under consideration timeDoes not add any time to your Extension. The biggest hassle is you have to pretty much block the entire 30 days and be within a day from your home because you never know when they’re gonna call and tell you they’re coming. My friends who get their Ext in HuaHin,I don’t know which office, they tell me they walk in with their paperwork file for the Ext and get it approved. Maybe they’re just trying to make me feel bad because I’m getting an extension based on marriage.
Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Wayne *******
but that's only the first time, then it's just a few Foto copies and Fotos.Reply to
Michael ********
Reply
Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stuart ********
thanksReply to
Michael ********
Reply
21 comments
7 months ago
14 comments
10 months ago
54 comments
a year ago
133 comments
a year ago
1 comments
a year ago
12 comments
2 years ago
32 comments
2 years ago
17 comments
2 years ago
What are the benefits of applying for an OA retirement visa versus an O retirement visa in Thailand?
9 comments
3 years ago
5 comments
4 years ago
36 comments
4 years ago
28 comments
4 years ago
9 comments
4 years ago
35 comments
4 years ago
4 comments
5 years ago
39 comments
6 years ago
10 comments
7 years ago
0 comments
7 years ago
3 comments
8 years ago
43 comments
8 years ago
37 comments
8 years ago
40 comments
8 years ago
10 comments
8 years ago
147 comments
8 years ago
7 comments
a month ago
9 comments
a month ago
21 comments
a month ago
16 comments
a month ago
8 comments
a month ago
The ask:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.