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What are the requirements for changing from a marriage visa to a retirement visa in Thailand?
Marriage VisaRetirement VisaNon-O VisaVisa ExtensionsThailand ImmigrationVisa RequirementsFinancial Requirements for Visa
Jan 7, 2026
4 months ago
John ********
ORIGINAL POSTERWhat is the criteria for changing a marriage visa to a retirement visa?
TLDR : Answer Summary
You cannot directly change a marriage visa to a retirement visa in Thailand. However, you can change the reason for your extension of stay when applying for your next extension. To switch from a marriage-based extension to a retirement-based extension, you must be 50 years old and demonstrate financial stability by showing 800,000 THB in a Thai bank account, instead of the 400,000 THB required for the marriage visa. It's important to file this change when your current extension is nearing expiration and not to change the original type of visa upon entry.
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.
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Mick ********
Over and over
Andrew ********
I went from retirement to married back to retirement (it's way easier). You just request whatever extension you want to do.
Matthew *********
Every single person knows what he means. Fucking nerds need to chill.
Daren *********
It's not a visa, it's an extension of stay. Just show the funds of 800,000 baht and all the other paperwork.
Bri ****
Is insurance required for retirement visa ?
Not required for marriage visa.
Not required for marriage visa.
Brandon ************
@Bri ***
noReply to
Brandon ************
Reply
Nongnuch ********
normally you can't change the reason of a visa that already got issued, after you have entered Thailand on it. You can only change the reason of an extension
Bob **********
Meet the financials change the reason for your extension done
Greg ***********
@Bob *********
yes, you can change the reason for a 1-year extension, but you cannot change the reason of a visa once you have entered Thailand on itBob **********
@Greg **********
correct your visa is void as soon as your stamped in and you need that extended once to change the reasonGreg ***********
@Bob *********
not really . .think again 🙂 wording is importantReply to
Greg ***********
Reply
Nongnuch ********
you cannot change the "reason" of the visa you entered with, from married to retirement. You must apply for an extension under the same reason the visa was based on . . . . . You can however change the reason the 1-year extension was initially issued on, near the expiry of the 1-year extension from married to retirement, if you fulfill the requirements for the retirement extension
Robbie *****
400k more
Graham ******
@Robbie ****
plus further banking requirements after the extension is granted (800k 3 for months then 400k)Jan ******************
@Robbie ****
and minimum 50 years old.Reply to
Jan ******************
Reply
Alexey **********
You do not need to change type of visa. You have Non-O already. But for next 1 year ext you need to show 800.000+THB (not 400.000) and sure you must be 50 y.o. Yes RETIREMENT visa is much better if you do not need work permit. It's much better to be independent of your Thai wife and not to wait approval from Immigration withing 30 days but to get new extension for 1-2 working days. You wife can cancel your visa even without divorce because you are official sponsor of your wife. Also governmental Krungthai bank does not open new bank accounts for foreigners with marriage visas!!! With smile! 🙂
Graham ******
@Alexey *********
only a divorce cancels a marriage extension of stay, not an enraged wife yakking to Immigration despite what she tells you ;)Alexey **********
@Graham *****
3 cases: A. Wife can visit Immigration to say that her foreign spouse does not live with her anymore or no money from him. Immigration has a right to cancel last ext of visa without divorce. B. Official divorce. C. If Thai wife does not want to visit Immigration Office to extend her husband visa. No wife here - no visa ext.Graham ******
@Alexey *********
A I doubt it very much B yes as I said and C that does not cancel anything, just prevents a new extensionReply to
Graham ******
Reply
Jim *******
@Alexey *********
Krung Thai bank is not government owned, it is a public company, like Kasikorn bank.Alexey **********
@Jim ******
Its major shareholder is the Ministry of Finance through a shareholding of 6,184 billion shares by the Financial Institutions Development Fund (FIDF), accounting for 55.31 percent of total shares.Jim *******
@Alexey *********
Then, I was wrong, you are right.Reply to
Jim *******
Reply
Steve **********
I did this a few years ago. Your initial visa was based on “marriage to a Thai”. When you file this years extension you simply change the reason to “retirement”. Obviously you would have to meet the increased financial requirements. That’s it.
Michael ********
I've just done it two day's ago, no problems you just need the funds.
Pete *******
@Michael *******
nope you did not change a marriage visa into a retirement visa. You simply changed the reason for your new extension of stay.Michael ********
I know it's been said thousends of times, but everyone still calls it change of visa 🤣
Reply to
Michael ********
Reply
Graham ******
@Michael *******
and being over 50 ;)Reply to
Graham ******
Reply
Phil ******
@John *******
agree with Pete.Denis ***********
Age 50
Pete *******
You cannot change a marriage visa into a retirement visa, not possible. You can change the reason for your second extension of stay based on marriage to one based on retirement. Basically just need to prove funds.
Reply to
Pete *******
Reply
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