What are the differences and benefits between a marriage visa and a retirement visa in Thailand?

@David ***********

yes she's different.

Unless you do like I did, and I am sure others. Marry the right Thai.

As Ron says, go with the Thai Elite visa....no headaches and stay full time.

True

The top image is what a Non-O VISA from a thai consulate looks like <- on this example it is a year-long, multi-entry visa meaning the holder exits/re-enters the country every 90 days for the validity of the visa.

This person NEVER does 90 day reporting

The bottom image is what a yearly extension of stay based on being married to a thai looks like <-on this example the holder applied for it on 17 Nov 2016 and was given permission to stay until the 15 Nov 2017.

This person does 90 day reporting.

If you look in your passport, the latest stamp has on the first line the Immigration Office and the second line start with Extension of Stay is permitted up to ../../.. It is called an Extension of Stay. THis is an example:

So, what do I have then? Every year I have to apply for another year extension. Have to show 0 in the bank and then I have to report every 90 days to the immigration office. I don't need to leave the country.

@Paul ******

There is NO Non-O visa where you just report the immigrations every 90 days. It's not available inside or outside the country. A regular Non-O visa only lets you stay inside the country 90 days at a time.

@Tod ********

what did I say in my previous text that are different from what you have written.. ? What you said is what I was also trying to explain.. no differences

@Paul ******

okay, you are confusing two VERY different things

A year-long, multi-entry Non-O VISA based on marriage <- bought from a thai consulate OUTSIDE the country (at a consulate that doesn't require proof of funds) which requires you exit/re-enter the country every 90 days

AND

A year-long extension of stay based on marriage from the immigration office INSIDE the country <- which requires 400K baht banked in an account in your name only for 2 months before you apply OR a notarized letter from your consulate stating you get 40K baht a month in income from abroad. On an yearly extension you do 90 day reporting.

They are totally different things though. And truth be told NEITHER of them is a 'marriage visa', one is a Non-O visa <- the O means other reason. It's issued because you're married to a thai. The other is a year long extension of stay issued because you're married to a thai.

Alex Pokorny you have probably not been doing anything wrong.. And you have been given o visa based on marriage and just report to immigration every 90 days.. if you hadn't shown funds you would have been give the same visa but instead of reporting to immigration, you would have to leave and re enter the country every 90 days. That's what my friends do anyway, who never showed funds but have marriage visas.. maybe multi entry visa I'm not sure about that part.

You don't? Well what I have been doing wrong for past 12 years?

You don't NEED to show any money for a visa based on marriage.. just there are benefits if you do.