What are the easiest visa options for someone with a Non-O based on marriage in Thailand?

and I think we're done with this topic too. The O/P has their options :)

The retirement visa would be a lot easier paperwork wise. Also you won't need to drag your wife over and provide pictures etc.

Try the retirement visa, based on marriage. Have been doing this for the last 5 years and it's very easy.

Retired is more easy

It's a lot of stuff I know but like Todd said after the first year you know what to bring and it gets easier.

It depends on YOUR circumstances.

Marriage extension,

-more paperwork, those of us that have done it know. But, you get used to it.

-you can eventually apply for Permanent Residency (>3 years of unbroken visa, plus a number of factors, donations, nationally quota, not available all years)

- you can seek employment, serve as a director, etc

- easier to switch reasons for extension within Thailand

Retirement

- more money in the bank

- easier paperwork

- ineligible for permanent residency

- any work is prohibited

- EXTREMELY difficult (nearly impossible)to change from a retirement extension to a different reason for extension without leaving the country. So while changing from marriage to retirement is a piece of cake, IIRC the opposite (retirement to marriage) is not possible within (is covid19 an exception?)

Please correct me if I’d made any errors! YMMV

Only you know your

Guess I have been fortunate. Been doing the extension of stay for over twenty years, non-o retirement, and never takes more than an hour. Knock on wood. Lol

I done it 3 times here my list: TM 7 Application x 2 both must be originals

Photos (4 x 6 cm) on both application forms.

Copy of passport, main page, plus copies of old extensions, TM 6 arrival / departure card. TM30 and latest 90 day report

Copy of marriage certificate.

Updated copy of Kor Ror 2 (long tabien) from Amphur office.

Copy of house registration (blue book / tabien baan).

Copy of wifes ID card.

Bank book to prove 400,000 Baht in bank for at least 2 months before. In Prachinburi they also require you to keep the money for 3 months after. The bank book should be updated on the same date of the application. (I move 100THB in and out of the account on the day of the application or else it will be out of date)

A bank letter that should be dated on the day you submit your application, your bank should know what’s required but the letter should include: Your name, Passport number, bank account number and the balance

The bank letter should have the same balance as the bank book

Map location of house, hand drawn, I also give a printed Google map

They will call you to visit your home and may require a witness.

Photo's of marriage: In Prachinburi they want 4 photos of you have your wife: One outside the house showing the address, one in the bedroom, one in the kitchen and one the lounge

There is a Thai form: that will need to be filled to say you understand your be deported if you don’t comply with the visa

A second copy of all document

Fee1900 Baht

An extension based on retirement using the embassy income declaration is the easiest extension there is. Is your embassy still issuing the income declarations?

I have a retirement VISA...and every year they want the same.copy's yes...Often they invent something new..

Since last year they want extra a copy of your Bankbook/expensis....

I'm looking forward to the next surprise.

Think of it this way, EVERY year you apply for a new extension and it requires ALL the same paperwork as the previous years did because it's a totally new yearly extension of stay.

There's not much really to suggest to you and I don't know what you're really asking :/

You either meet the requirements to get the extension based on marriage, based on retirement OR you talk to the elite people about that visa.