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What can I do about my marriage visa being incorrectly changed to a retirement visa in Thailand?

Marriage VisaRetirement VisaVisa ExtensionThai Immigration IssuesFinancial Requirements for VisaExpat Life in Thailand
Feb 3, 2021
4 years ago
Edgar *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I have an O type marriage visa. I have renewed it (!!!!) three times. Apparently, unknown and unrequested by me they had changed this to a retirement visa by scribbling 'retirement' in Thai over the visa renewal notice stamp in my passport. (I had always kept over 800,000Baht in that account because they kept talking about changing the rules). This past year I spent money from that account installing solar panels lowering the balance to 570,000Baht. They REFUSED to extend my marriage visa saying I had a retirement visa and not enough money in the bank. I would have to REAPPLY for a NEW marriage visa. I naturally objected, as I ONLY have a type 'O' marriage visa with extension stamps in my passport and have never sought a retirement visa, but they insisted... I am now on a temporary extension waiting to see if they will issue me a new marriage visa... I have been waiting now over a month. I am still unsure if I should engage lawyers.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user describes a troubling experience with the Thai immigration office regarding their marriage visa, which they claim was mistakenly changed to a retirement visa without their request. This error led to a refusal of their marriage visa extension due to insufficient funds in their account, which dropped below the required amount after expenses. They are currently on a temporary extension and are uncertain about their next steps, considering legal advice. The community offers suggestions on how to handle the situation, emphasizes the importance of checking stamps at immigration, and shares personal experiences with visa applications.
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.
Edgar *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
UP-date on my visa issue. Today I was issued a visa extension stamp for my marriage visa (no new visa) (the original Visa extension lapsed on the 4th Jan 2021) I was in and out in 5 minutes... Not a word was spoken... No eye contact made... I was NOT charged for the 1 year visa extension. I think someone from Head Office must have had a word in the ear of the local office. Once out of the office, as kindly suggested here, I carefully scrutinized the new extension stamp. This one has Thai WIFE written on it and goes until 28th Dec 2021 which is better than the 4th January because of the Thai New Year Holiday period. It has been a stressful experience but it is pleasing to see Immigration supporting their own published procedures.
4 years ago
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John ********
Good to hear
4 years ago
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Tod *********
@Edgar ********
 congrats (y)
4 years ago
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Bobby ********
Edgar Jenkins. Well done! Chalk up a victory. Now you can relax for 11 months!
4 years ago
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Edgar *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bobby *******
 Yes... very relieved... hope it is all straightforward again next year.
4 years ago
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Edgar *********
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Colin **********
I've swapped from a retirement ext to marriage, its not uncommon. Talk to them again
4 years ago
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Tony ********
@Colin *********
 that's good to hear was it much effort
4 years ago
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Colin **********
@Tony *******
 the immigration officer tried to put us off, but its just a matter of preparing the paperwork
4 years ago
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Colin **********
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Edgar *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I am in the process of reapplying for a Marriage visa.
4 years ago
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Edgar *********
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Jimmy ******
Unbelievable!
4 years ago
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Edgar *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jimmy *****
 Yes... I am rather shocked myself... feel very insecure.
4 years ago
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Edgar *********
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Allan *********
Which immigration office please? Any chance of seeing what was scribbled over the stamp?
4 years ago
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Edgar *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Allan ********
 Well I could message it... it says retirement according to my wife. As the matter is still being processed I will not publicly say which office at this time. When I asked why they would do such a thing they told me Retirement visa's were less trouble and I had 'too much money in my account' for a marriage visa... they also told me my Thai marriage Visa issued by the Thai Consulate in Melbourne was 'Not a proper visa', as only a 3 month visa (though the 225$9A) price (4 years ago) is clearly on the visa... They did not know what the word 'Spouse' on the visa meant... We have sold our home in Australia, moved to Thailand, built a beautiful new home on my wife's family land in her home town... attend local Temple and community functions etc etc... report every 90 days, always have money in the bank... will I have to RENEW my Marriage Visa EVERY YEAR? Every time my bank balance tops 800,000Baht will they change my visa back to Retirement?
4 years ago
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Allan *********
@Edgar ********
 thanks for the info. Hope you get it sorted. Only asked because I'm about to prepare my 1st application for a yearly marriage non O myself. Will have to ask the wife to make sure I don't keep too much money in my bank account !! Problem sorted
*****
5 🙄🙄🙄
4 years ago
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Edgar *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Allan ********
 The minimum balance is 400,000 for 3 consecutive months prior to application BUT they also like to see money coming in and going out of the account on a regular basis.
4 years ago
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Edgar *********
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Ron *****
Hows the solar panel system, worth it?
4 years ago
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Wayne ******
@Edgar ********
 ...when I looked at buying solar it was very expensive...due to the fact one Thai Family have the import rights ....how much was your system please
4 years ago
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Edgar *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Wayne *****
 200,000 Baht
4 years ago
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Wayne ******
@Edgar ********
 thanks for the info
4 years ago
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Wayne ******
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Michael ********
@Wayne *****
 look at Trina one of worlds biggest solar companies, they now have factory in Thailand. That was years ago when there was only one company loads now. I am planning getting in 2 to 3 years 375 mw panels are standard now should be 625 mw by late this year.
4 years ago
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Michael ********
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Edgar *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
We have 18 panels and a 5KVA battery
4 years ago
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Edgar *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ron *******
 I think we really needed a bigger system... It has halved our electricity bill.
4 years ago
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Ron *****
@Edgar ********
 how many kw?

Batteries too?
4 years ago
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Ron *****
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Bobby ********
Lesson to be learned is always scrutinise the new stamp in your passport before leaving the immigration office, or immigration control at the airport. They do make mistakes but they cover themselves by saying it's your responsibility. I think you should be requesting a marriage extension. It's a better extension to have, although a little more clunky at extension time
4 years ago
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Edgar *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bobby *******
 I did request they extend my marriage visa EVERY time and specifically said I did NOT want a retirement visa when they suggested it was less trouble. At NO TIME did they inform me they had changed the type of visa anyway... Yes... Once bitten twice shy.
4 years ago
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Bobby ********
Edgar Jenkins. I believe you 100%. I've been bitten (or nearly) by errors made by immigration over the years. They are not the best at communication (The barbers here are no different. No matter what you tell them, they'll cut your hair the way THEY want to!). Now, whenever I go to immigration I take my lady with me (I'm on OA), I sit her down before we go and I get her to repeat word for word exactly what we're going for (Fortunately she has excellent English, but like most Thais will steer away from any conflict). And I totally scrutinise any new stamps in my passport. It's easier to fix it there and then. If I was in your position, and you're not planning on giving the missus the flick, I'd most definitely be going for the marriage visa. The benefits outweigh the hassles
4 years ago
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Edgar *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bobby *******
 Yes... that was why I wanted my existing 'SPOUSE' type 'O' visa extended. They yelled at me that I could not extend the original visa, had to apply here in Thailand and THEY, NOT AUSTRALIA!!! issued visas (the original Visa is a proper embossed Royal Thai Immigration Service visa) and disputed when I said I was entitled to ask for that to be extended literally yelling at me that I wasn't a lawyer and demanding how I knew. I said from the Royal Thai Immigration Web site... (we were in a Royal Thai Immigration office!!!) I suggested he look it up on their own web site... He demanded WE SHOW HIM so my wife googled Thai marriage Visa there in front of him and clicked on the Royal Thai Immigration Service Web Site and up popped the information that 12 month marriage type O visas could be and should be extended annually through a straight forward procedure at a Royal Thai Immigration Service Office in Thailand... Same conditions for renewal as for issuance... being properly married, living together and maintaining the bank account. He still refused to extend the visa and insisted we reapply for a new marriage visa.
4 years ago
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Edgar *********
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John ********
You should be on marriage visa
4 years ago
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Edgar *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *******
 The only current official visa I have in my passport is a type 'O' SPOUSE VISA issued by the Thai Consulate in Melbourne... I have4 extension stamps issued here at the local office in Thailand.
4 years ago
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Edgar *********
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