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What are the steps for a US citizen married to a Thai citizen to transition from a tourist visa to a retirement or marriage visa in Thailand?
Thai VisaRetirement VisaMarriage VisaVisa RulesImmigrationExpat LifeHealth ConcernsBank RequirementsIncome Requirements
Jul 4, 2025
10 months ago
Steven ********
ORIGINAL POSTERUS passport married to Thai wife for 47 yrs. We have both spent 2-3 months several times in Thailand since 2000 and I’ve always received tourist visa for our trips We’ve planned on retirement there for some time but it hasn’t been a rush until now I’m 71, she’s 76. Her health is failing now and it’s become more urgent. I sent her 6/28/25 so she could be with her family while I clean out the house and close the lease. I know there are drawbacks to marriage visa (especially with her health) but I would be more able to have 400,000b than 800.000b. If I start the 65,000b transfer as soon as I get there to qualify for income based visa can I transfer to retirement visa after the first year? Do I have to have my own personal account or can I be added to her existing account? Thank you for any advice.
TLDR : Answer Summary
A US citizen married to a Thai national is seeking advice on the best visa options as they plan for retirement in Thailand, especially due to health issues faced by their spouse. They have used tourist visas and are considering a marriage visa, but there are concerns about the financial and health implications. They want to know if they can transition to a retirement visa after the first year using an income-based requirement. Community members advise on the necessity of having a personal bank account, the possibility of using a combination of funds and income for visa qualifications, and share experiences related to visa renewals and residency statuses in Thailand.
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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Gardar ***************************
Apply non-o based on marriage before you go to Thailand cost about 80$. when you have arrived go open a bank and deposit the 400k then go to the immigration ask for the requirements for the one year extension and apply it. Good luck and I wish your wife all the best. 🙏
Steven ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Gardar **************************
Thanks you.Reply to
Steven ********
Reply
Steven ********
ORIGINAL POSTERI seriously thought this was a group whose purpose was to provide advice based on their own experiences for people seeking help on their individual issues. But when a “Top contributor” makes comments like the one below then another idiot suggests I push her down the stairs it’s obvious this is only a joke to your members. I’ll seek my advice elsewhere. Please remove me from the group.
Kevin **********
@Steven *******
It is but you don't like our solutions. My wife goes down I'm marrying one of her sisters. It's just which one to choose🤔Reply to
Kevin **********
Reply
Wannikea *********
I believe you must be on a retirement extension already while transferring the funds for the funds to qualify, you can't change the reason for extension and use funds not transfered on that extension or visa. I may be wrong.
Doug ********
Sorry have no first experience but I do know someone whose wife died and his visa was not renewed as he was technically not married any more. Seems very harsh. Maybe just do retirement visa.
Sorry about your wife's illness. Good luck
Sorry about your wife's illness. Good luck
James *********
@Doug *******
yes very harsh, but a total reality in the land of buffalloesWannikea *********
@Doug *******
keyword here is renewed, you can stay as till your current marriage stamp permission to stay date, but of course you can't extend if the spouse has passed away.Doug ********
@Wannikea ********
yes he didn't get it revoked..just couldn't renew. Again is just someone I knew and not my own experience.Steven ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Wannikea ********
and Doug. Thank you. Her cardiologist expects she has 1-2 years. She has a heart valve that was replaced in 1987 that’s failing and she doesn’t want to go through that surgery again and I’ll respect her decision. I thought the most reasonable option was the cheaper marriage visa for the first year then transfer or reapply for retirement visa if possible. Thanks for the advice.Wannikea *********
@Steven *******
you can change the extension reason from marriage to retirement when the time comes, you'll need to have 800k in a Thai bank seasoned for 2 months or do the monthly method. I'm not sure about the nitty gritty funding details to make the transition, maybe @Brandon ***********
can chime in.Reply to
Wannikea *********
Reply
Andre *******
What happens to the house land and vehicle s.If she wants a divorce?
Doug ********
There so many people on this group who try and help. Then the idiots. Drives me mad.
Wish you both well. Good luck with getting everything done in a stressful time.
Wish you both well. Good luck with getting everything done in a stressful time.
Doug ********
@Andre ******
did you read his post.....they been married 47 years and both In Their 70s.........wtf are you talking about land and divorce for😠Steven ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Doug *******
Thank you Doug. Some people are just idiots. I guess he also never read that her health is failing and she wanted us to spend what time she has left with her family in Thailand.Reply to
Steven ********
Reply
Garry **********
A lot of the visa agents will put the money up into your bank account if you don't have it but you need a bank account
Marcus **********
@Garry *********
reported on fb that Bankok bank has changed policy on deposit certification making this much more difficult.Garry **********
@Marcus *********
Correct but still being doneReply to
Garry **********
Reply
Chris *******
Sorry to hear you wife is sick.
If your wife's health is poor a non-o 90 day based on being over 50 is the smartest.
Obtained from the evisa system before entering.
You would then open a bank account and deposit 800k for the 1 year extension.
Then start deposits 65k per month for the coming year to switch to income method and free up the banked 800k.
By not having a marriage visa you control your extension.
If your wife's health is poor a non-o 90 day based on being over 50 is the smartest.
Obtained from the evisa system before entering.
You would then open a bank account and deposit 800k for the 1 year extension.
Then start deposits 65k per month for the coming year to switch to income method and free up the banked 800k.
By not having a marriage visa you control your extension.
Steven ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Chris ******
at this time I don’t have 800,000b but I have the 400,000. I have $2600/month pension and $2500/ month SS so I can easily start *****
b/month transfers and convert to retirement visa based on income after the first year if that’s possible. Do I need to have my own account or can we make hers a joint account?Marcus **********
@Steven *******
Firstly commiserations on being in this situation. I may be wrong as I am not in the exact same situation but AFAIK for retirement visa the b800k has to be in the Thai account for 3 months after the award then it can go down to b400k until 2 months before renewal when it has to go back up to b800k. Exact dates and amounts are crucial. I'm sure someone else can advise on how to do the b65k monthly on the renewal. It may get you out of the hole to take a loan of b400k for the first 3 months? Good luck.p.s. Bangkok bank are reportedly getting awkward about the certification of deposits required for immigration to do renewal which (reportedly) is making agents more awkward.
Donald ******
@Steven *******
read the income requirements that can replace the bank deposit! Because it looks like you qualify. It was what I hope to do. Keep my money earning money. I am applying using the marriage visa!Chris *******
@Steven *******
you have to have your own account. Also some offices don't allow a switch between marriage and retirement extensions. You would have to ask your local office. You may have to start the process all over anyway.Steven ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Chris ******
Thanks for your advice and for your concern for my wife.Reply to
Steven ********
Reply
Donald ******
@Chris ******
can he qualify with a verifiable monthly retirement income? Like social security, or investment income, or is a deposit in a Thai bank mandatory?Chris *******
@Donald *****
the only way for the 1st extension in Thailand, to use income is if the home countries embassy will give an income letter, the US, Canada, Australia, UK and others do not. Your only choice then is 800k for the first year AND deposit 65k per month to switch to income the 2nd year.Donald ******
@Chris ******
thanks.Eric *********
@Donald *****
As I recall, 90 day family visit + a 60 day family visit extension are possible for foreigners married to a Thai.Reply to
Eric *********
Reply
Phillip ********
I have been here 25 years this time. I’ve been married too a Thai woman for 54 years. You know Thai,hospitals want money up front! If you don’t have the money maybe not a good idea to come to Thailand . I get a retirement visa I used to get the support visa. Little less hassle at immigration. There is of course, government run hospitals that are quite a bit cheaper.
Ruud ******************
Well, if unfortunately, your wife passed away, you don’t have a valid visa any mire if you go for the non/o based on marriage
Wannikea *********
@Ruud *****************
if your spouse dies the current marriage permission stamp is valid for stay.Ruud ******************
@Wannikea ********
keep dreamingWannikea *********
@Ruud *****************
current visa remains valid, you just can't renew. Whereas if you divorce then you must leave immediately on the date of the divorce.Ruud ******************
@Wannikea ********
yes, that’s what I meanGraham ******
@Ruud *****************
but not what you saidRuud ******************
@Graham *****
smart boyReply to
Ruud ******************
Reply
Stuart ***********
Yes you can use the 65,000 method for the second year and yes you can transfer to the retirement visa for your second extension. You will definitely need your own account to deposit your money for visa purposes.
Wannikea *********
@Stuart **********
I'm not so sure, you may need to be on the particular visa or extension to use the funds for another extension, not sure you can change the extension reason and have funds transferred while on a completely different extension or visa qualify.Reply to
Wannikea *********
Reply
Pete *******
Get your own personal account.
Tom ******
You sound like me in 3 months. What are the marriage visa drawbacks with health?
Kevin **********
@Tom *****
I thought that's what sisters were for. (hers not yours) "Next Up!"John *******
@Kevin *********
I am shocked at your insensitivityKevin **********
@John ******
He already predetermined she would pass. It was the focal center of his question .Since this is a Thai Visa I assumed it was a legitimate Visa question and not a superficial cry for sympathy. My bad. However, thank you for accusing me of being insensitive it helps partially offset the 100's of times I've been accused of being "Woke"Reply to
Kevin **********
Reply
Steven ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Kevin *********
I’m glad my situation gives you humor. I’m simply looking for advice on an issue I’m going through with the woman I’ve spent almost 50 years of my life.Kevin **********
@Steven *******
Ummm, that was my advice.Steven ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Kevin *********
To many her sister after she dies? Really helpful and considerate.Kevin **********
@Steven *******
I'm here for you babe.Reply to
Kevin **********
Reply
Det *******
@Tom *****
If a spouse dies then immigration is not the most lenient organization.Wannikea *********
@Det ******
if your spouse dies you can stay for the duration of the stamp you are on.Det *******
@Wannikea ********
many would like to stay longerWannikea *********
@Det ******
Then get a new wife or different visaDet *******
Reply to
Det *******
Reply
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