What is the best type of visa for living in Thailand: Marriage, Student, or Retirement?

Feb 14, 2024
10 months ago
Wayne **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi help what visa would

Be best a

Marriage visa

Student visa

Retirement visa

Thanks
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The original poster seeks advice on which type of visa would be best for their needs among the marriage visa, student visa, and retirement visa. Several community members respond, noting that each type has its advantages depending on the individual's circumstances, such as age, marital status, and personal goals in Thailand. The retirement visa is frequently cited as an easier option for those over 50, while younger individuals and students may lean towards the student visa. Overall, participants emphasize the importance of detailing personal situations to provide tailored advice.
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Greg ********
The “best” is an Elite visa
Jst *********
I guess all depends on your eligibility on the visa itself but they all come with pros and cons. I’ve done numerous marriage visas for clients who ended up changing to business visa instead because either 1) the marriage didn’t go as planned 2) they want to have a business and earn money while staying in Thailand. So B-visa is the way to go. A bit more complicated in the beginning but safer in a long run and also if handled by the expert and a bit of a shortcut then it’s fine. No need to worry about working illegally or choosing the wrong wife 😅. If you are interested or need more info you can check it out —>
************************
Darrel *********
@Jst ********
but you can earn money while in spousal visa? You get a work permit
Marc *******************
retirement visa is by far the best. if you've no 800k deposit, contact thai visa centre in bkk (via fb) they arranging everything and 'legal'.
David ***************
Too little info to give a good answer
Jj *****
Get the privilege visa , they'll take you around with helicopter .
Christopher *************
St. Neots, Just down the road from where I was born, Bedford. Are you retired, Your best bet is to apply for a tourist visa. You get 60 days plus another 30 if you extend it. I assume you have a UK passport so you will have to do it on line. Just open an account on thaievisa.go.th fill in the forms, follow the instructions, pay and if nothing is wrong you will get your visa. Check the place out before you do anything rash. I am off back there myself on Sunday.
Tobben ********
Depends what you intend to do ?
Pat ****
Are you married?

Are you a student?

Are you retired?
Don ********
Really...well there are different criteria for all of them.. please visit the Thai immigration website..
Jae *******
🤦
Have *******
Depends if you're getting married, studying or retiring
Louix **************
Marriage visa is the most easy
Stephen *********
Retirement. Marriage visa is harder
Luc ********
Depends what you are planning to do 😂
Alan ******
If you're not getting married, a marriage visa ain't no good to you,
Jessie ******
Marriage or retirement... you actually need to study something to be a student and can get into hot water for not doing so
Bart **************
Marriage is not a great option with since recently pretty unrealistic requirements. Friends of mine who own their own house had to get house registration copies from their NEIGHBORS. There's no way you can reasonably require this from your neighbors for your own visa extension, effectively taking this type of extension out of your list of options unless you rent.

Retirement should be better but requires some money in the bank. Student requires studying. These two are usually not considered as alternatives as you'd get them in very different circumstances that don't normally coincide.
Darrel *********
@Bart *************
thats weird never had to do that for marriage. Just bank account and thai marriage certificate.
Nico *********
Retirement
Nigel ********
WEALTHY PENSIONERS VISA

If you meet the requirements
Xr ***
why risk it? get one of each.
Nigel **************
If you explain your personal situation then u will get a proper answer 😉
Christopher *************
I think you should be more specific. The question is vague to say the least? Maybe you should contact the Thai Embassy in your Country?
Jos **************
Can someone PLEASE stop idiots’ post?
Wayne **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jos *************
there everywhere they think there funny but there just idiots
Christopher *************
Depends if uour married or not lol
Rob **********
The best visa is the one that suits your own requirements, as you didn’t mention any details about yourself who can answer that question 🤷‍♂️
Pete **********
What if you are living in Thailand on a retirement visa and then get married? Can you switch to marriage visa and work? How difficult is that?
James *********
@Pete *********
ok. Yes. Copy your questions above, then paste into a brand new post of your own for the best answers.
Frank ************
Marriage visa is a pain in the arse to sort out if you are eligible go for the retirement visa
Richard ********
@Frank ***********
That's not the worst part - you have to get married!
Frank ************
@Richard *******
🤣🤣🤣
Pertti *************
B visa. You can live here independently and do business here legally. And no need huge amount money in thai bank.
Johnny **********
Depends if your getting married a student or over 60
James ***********
Which visa would win in a fight?!
Galenus ******
They are all very good 😂😂😂
Frank **********
Another dumbass post.
Wayne **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Frank *********
where you get bellends like you
Jo **********
Think about LTR visa. ED visa can prevent you in the future from getting an elite visa and hinder getting an LTR visa
Bob **********
What’s your situation
Paul ********
If you are a student who is married to a Thai and you're over 50, you can have them all 🕶
Vladimir ************
PRENAP
Neil ********
Depends what you want to achieve. Each issued for their own reason and have requirements.
Mathias *******
There is a new visa for stupids
Wolfgang *******
If you are 50+ y.o. then it's too late for an ED-VISA (student visa).

ED Visa is for people under 50 who wanna stay in TH for a long period (6 months or more) and really wanna learn the language.
Simão ****************
@Wolfgang ******
unless you can find an agent that simply issues the visa. Met many foreigners under "Ed visas" here that never stepped into a classroom
Wolfgang *******
@Simão ***************
A visa is not issued by an agency, but by an official authority. Misusing a visa is a criminal offense and can result in serious consequences, like as imprisonment and deportation. Only fools take that risk.
Mike **********
I'm actually considering the marriage visa. Simply cuz I don't believe in marriage and it makes everything really easy so I've heard after when it comes to long term stay in Thailand. Just don't mention anything to your home country about it so it's only 'official' in Thailand. I wonder how many here have done it already... finding a Thai woman is the easy part, I just wonder how to make sure you are still a single guy outside of the thai borders so you don't have to explain one day to your actual future wife (if ever and assuming she won't be thai).
Darrel *********
@Mike *********
this does not work lol. Even if you don't register it. Your Countries Embassy will have proof they gave you seals for intent to marry. All she needs to do then is take the translated Thai Marriage certificate to sue if she ever wanted to.
Mike **********
"Your Countries Embassy will have proof they gave you seals for intent to marry." I am not sure about this? What does that mean? The thai gov will send the proof of marriage to your countries' embassy? Yeah that sounds problematic, if they then forward it. I thought you only need a letter that proofs you are single. Have you done this procedure already? Also, why on earth would the partner want to sue? Like I mentioned, you can only do this with someone you fully trust, not expecting the worst possible outcome. Seems like this can be tricky, especially if your embassy gets involved. Sounds like you can only do this for an x amount of time and preferably not remarry during it.
Steve *******
@Mike *********
I don't think you can as you'll need an affidavit from your Embassy to legally marry in Thailand.
Mike **********
@Steve ******
you mean a simple document from your home country that proofs you're single? I don't see the issue with this at all... 😅 You can get this anytime, as long as you're not married (at home)
Steve *******
@Mike *********
Registered at the Embassy and at the Amphoe where you get married. Also at the MFA when it's translated

Good luck!
Frank **********
@Mike *********
that is really stupid.
Mike **********
@Frank *********
can't be more stupid than current visa requirements in Thailand 😉. Great arguments you bring to the table.
Zoe ******
@Mike *********
no country (most people want to be in) has easy visa requirements. At least in Thailand you have some options. Ask a Thai person how hard it is just to visit the US?
Mike **********
@Zoe *****
you're right. Thailand has experienced rapid development over the past few decades, largely fueled by its booming tourism sector. It's somewhat absurd that we inhabit a world where stringent immigration regulations compel people to undertake brief flights to neighboring countries simply to comply with the policies set by overly bureaucratic systems, often perceived as measures to generate additional revenue. In my opinion (as a non-believer that really holds no value to marriage), those looking to settle in Thailand long-term and are below the age required for a retirement visa, obtaining a marriage visa presents a viable solution if you know what you are doing and trust the person you make this m̴a̴r̴r̴i̴a̴g̴e̴ long-term visa with
Lee ***********
@Mike *********
20 years later and you amass a small fortune the thai wife turns up in the UK and goes to a solicitor wanting half, then it's real, a marriage outside of the UK is real in the UK, I know, and so is any assets!

No argument pure fact.
Mike **********
@Lee **********
You know how many wealthy Thai women there are in Bangkok? Who mentioned anything about marrying a poor province girl?
Lee ***********
@Mike *********
even wealthy women can turn, I never mentioned their wealth either, just that your scenario is flawed.
Simão ****************
@Mike *********
wait what?
Craig ********
This is an absolutely terrible idea. For one thing you are just inviting yourself into some serious family law complications. A Thai woman that you are not in a relationship with, you are going to trust this person not to sue you and take half your shit? If her family has money, even worse for you because now she has the means to pursue your assets in your home country. Even if your marriage is not registered there she can still come after your assets if she has the financial means to do so.

Not only that but if you piss her off she can make your life a living hell. If you end up in the Thai court system against her, you are in big trouble. Not only that but maybe the cops just come pay you a visit one night because her cousin's sister's brother is on the force and they make a call.

You are a visitor in the Kingdom, you should treat this place, and it's complex visa system with the utmost respect. Do not take advantage of it if you actually intend on making Thailand your home, long term.

Find the visa that best fits your personal situation and work toward that. If you abuse the visa system there is a pretty good chance you will regret it, and if you marry a Thai for the purposes of a Visa alone then the odds are very high than you will suffer for that choice.

And not only all of that, but immigration will sometimes visit you at your declared residence and expect to see you there with your Thai wife. You have to provide them with lots of photographic evidence and the entire process is quite complex. Faking all that just for your visa? Good luck.

And finally the misuse of a Thai visa is a crime that can result in imprisonment and deportation. You are foolish if you risk these things for a visa.
Mike **********
@Craig *******
I find your arguments valid and I appreciate your post. I agree it's risky and it's not advised in most situations. I don't think it's as risky as you mentioned but I agree that it can cause serious complications if not done properly. You need to be well aware of the risks and fully trust the person you are doing it with. I also wouldn't do it with a woman that's not at least your equal financially, as you mention its that part that could potentially give the most trouble. I also would simply file a divorce, thats been agreed upon from the start, if you don't need the visa any longer or actually considering to remarry. All this should be agreed on with both parties.

It would be great if you do it with someone you actually care about a lot so it isn't hard to provide any proof requested, especially at the beginning.

If all those marks are checked, I don't see why it isn't a great option in case you plan on staying long term. You just make use of the options available.
Craig ********
@Mike *********
my best advice for you is talk to some lawyers.
Mike **********
Simão Vieira Simões

1) find yourself a Thai woman that's willing to marry you for the sake of your visa.

2) sign the documents in Thailand giving you Non-Immigrant O Visa.

3) Never register the marriage in your home country. Keep it under the radar to avoid bigamy and legal consequences if ever you want to actually marry someone out of love.

4) Enjoy hassle-free long term visas in Thailand.

No other country you go to will consider you 'married', only in Thailand you are.

I wonder how many do this to avoid the frustration with visa here if you're too young for a retirement visa and you're planning to live in Thailand for some years or more...
Thomas *******
Are you married, studying or retired??
Wayne **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Thomas ******
yes married 10 years but I'm in England now
Dominic **********
Ludwig ***********
Retirement visa is the easiest, if you are over 50. Marriage visa is a bit more cumbersome but has additional benefits e.g. you are not prevented from working.
Raymond *******
Visa de retraite non immigrant 90 jours
Dennis **********
If your under 30 a retirement visa would be nice.
Roberto *********
Retirement visa is by far the best. Easiest process
Wayne **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Roberto ********
thank you I'll look into the retirement one
Gray ******
Best? They are all equal.
Håkan *******
I guessing you are 50 or over with a Thai girlfriend and studying Thai if you have all those options.

Start with the retirement visa and while studying you have 15 month to think about the marriage visa.
Wayne **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Håkan ******
thank you for your reply
Laurie ******
Its a shame some people,cant give a Honest answer to good Question!! NOT LIKE DOES IT GET HOT IN THAILAND,,😎
Dennis **********
@Laurie *****
no its colder than Iceland. Take heavy clothes with you or you'll freeze.
Kim *********
@Laurie *****
a good question? really? nope
Kim *********
the best for what?
Wayne **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Laurie *****
you always get idiots that think there funny
Kim *********
@Wayne *********
i don't see any idiots as you put it
Michael ********
@Laurie *****
How can you answer the question without knowing more information ?

If they said I am 54 years old married to a Thai but want to Study Thai whats the best visa for me if I dont have all the funds yet.

Then the answer would be ED visa.

If they said same but have funds they may want to work then the answer would be marriage visa.

People have to give more info. You give incomplete info you are going to get incomplete and stupid answers.

So its not a good question
Lincoln *******
@Michael *******
exactly. Ask a stupid vague question, get stupid vague answers
Mike *******
@Michael *******
That’s why I said get all of them. Can’t go wrong then!😜
Håkan *******
@Laurie *****
No. It does not get hot in Thailand.

It IS hot in Thailand and it GET scorching ;)
Mike *******
Get all of them so you will be visa proof!!
SteBu ******
If you are under 50 and don’t have a Wife, Student I guess 😂
Barrie *********
Can you please give me her Email Thanks Barrie
Barrie *********
Can you give me her email Please
Michael ********
The visa that suits your requirements is probably the best
Paul *****
Phil ******
@Wayne *********
all have their benefits
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