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

@Tod ********

agreed but she wouldn't do retirement until I showed cancelled WP. But know what you mean.

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

she was talking out here backside. NEVER EVER trust an immigration officer about anything that isn't extension or visa related <- which means seeing as work permits are issued by the Ministry of Labour an immigration officer wouldn't have the slightest idea about what extension you can be on to get one.

@Tod ********

also when I last extended visa kind of joked with the IIO about all the paperwork. She suggested using retirement instead of marriage. But then said I would have to cancel my WP first and I could not get a new one.

@Tod ********

it is quite possible we have been told no multiple times because we are using Bangkok. Also when I last renewed my WP we asked if ok to change reason for stay from marriage to retirements and MOL said no can't have WP if retirement.

@Robert ******

thanks. I would like to see an example too.

Tod Daniels you are 100% correct, I spoke to the local office here about work permits, at first they told me I had to find employment, get a contract and fill in all necessary paperwork, leave the country get a non b come back and apply for a work permit.

However another officer butted in and commented I didn't have to do that as each case was based on its own merit, ( however it is easier to obtain a work permit as first pointed out)

I am on a non 0 extension based on being over 50.

When I explained I was living with my gf and in the process of building a house they became quite amiable.

I haven't applied for a permit yet, if and when I do I will update the forum.

I should also point out that I have leased a small 4.3 rai farm, which was the reason I asked about the work permit.

@Robert ******

That is not quite correct. In Bangkok it is not possible to get a work permit on a yearly extension of stay based on retirement BUT I know 20-30 people thru out the country who DO hold valid work permits on yearly extensions based on being over 50 (retirement).

It is TOTALLY up to the Ministry of Labour office in the province you're applying for as to whether you can or can't get one.

There is NOTHING written in the work permit regulations that specifically prohibits it but the MOL in Bangkok is just adamant you can't get one.

I know a person who works for a university in Hua Hin (and sometimes comes up to the Bangkok campus), but the MOL here in Bangkok would not put the bangkok campus on his work permit. he had to go back to Prachuap's MOL and get it added down there.

Yes, it is possible for the holder of a so-called "retirement visa" to obtain a WP. You just have to show the regulations to the immigration officer if he tries to make it difficult.

Officially you can not work on a Visa or Extension of Stay based on being over 50 years of age and sitting out the rest of your live. That there are a few people claiming they do have a retirement visa (which we all know does not exist in Thailand) and a work permit is nice and nothng more. I never seen one. showing any proof of it, so I must believe the black text on facebook as true. But if you speak one of those people who say yes you can, please make a copy of this retirement visa and wp, take out the personal information and post it here. It would be an amazing experience for all of us.

@Robert ******

yes and that's my point. MOL in Bangkok has told us multiple times we can't get a WP for someone on retirement. If you or anyone knows how to do so I would appreciate knowing. FYI we have no problems with someone using marriage.

As you should know that some rules are different at every Immigration Office, well to let you know: The same thing, different interpretation of some rules are at the Ministry of Labor, the Ministry of Transport and all other Government agencies in every district, sometimes even depending on the person you deal with at that moment.

@Robert ******

wow. Ok

But still doesn't answer why some are told no, including me and others, and some yes. But I guess you don't want to hear that. And the OP asked what the difference was. I only pointed out that people have been treated differently. Guess you missed that.

You need company papers to get the Work Permit. And yes, the Ministry of Labor ask you for a Visa that allows you to work in combination with this work permit. I explained this about 3 times before to you, please stop asking the same question in different topics time after time.

@Robert ******

yes. But my point was that it is unclear whether someone here using retirement can get a WP. Some say yes while others no.

Only a Work Permit allows you to work, a Visa allows you to stay inside Thailand.

@Ron ******

555

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

yes she's different.

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

No documents are required to qualify either, just meet the financial requirements and you're all set!

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

True

Tod Daniels once it has been extended you can.. and im sure Alex has done that .. it's the same with retirement visa status.. you haven't corrected me Tod rather just given more details on what I had already said. And now made Alex confused. Explain to me how what I said to Alex Made you think that I'm confused??

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.