What is the best visa option for moving to Thailand when getting married?

Hey Pete, what ever you decide to do best wishes and I hope everything works well for both of you 🤗🥰

Enjoy your early retirement.

I wish i was there already

Retirement Visa is hands down the best Visa for anyone above 50 years old.

At the end of the day, the DTV is a tourist visa.

As such, you are subject to much closer scrutiny compared to those on a retirement visa.

DTV visa holders are frequently hassled by the immigration officers at the airport.

If you follow the posts on Reddit or Facebook groups, these issues are mentioned frequently enough to be a genuine concern.

In addition, even seasoned visa agents CANNOT open a bank account for you because - again - the DTV is fundamentally a tourist visa!

Even a Thai woman will leave you when the money runs out. Some of these posts are straight up hilarious!!

Best to discuss your situation with a visa agent prior to travelling to Thailand

They will suggest whatever suits your situation best

You look intelligent, rethink everything. Thai girl friends come and go quicker than 100 baht notes.

Unless her family is wealthy, you won't make it.

If you can live without a bank account, and OK with border runs every 6 months, get the DTV. It's the obvious place to start. One year goes too quickly and you are out of pocket every time for a retirement visa. I recommend using an agent for the DTV in a nearby country.

Retirement Visa vs. DTV

A Retirement visa is a much better option by far!

Any visa agent can facilitate the process for a reasonable fee without requiring you to maintain a large balance in a Thai bank account.

I pay 13,000 baht to renew my retirement visa every year, and I don’t keep much money in my Thai bank account.

DTV visa holders face several hurdles and restrictions:

1. Banking Limitations:

You will not be able to open or even maintain a Thai bank account as easily compared to other visa types.

2. Strict Entry Requirements: At the airport, immigration officers may demand proof of funds in cash and extensive paperwork confirming your remote work arrangements.

3. No Guarantee of Approval: Even after paying the 10,000 THB application fee, approval is never guaranteed. Many applicants are denied without being provided a specific reason.

4. Mandatory Departures: Every 180 days, you are required to leave the country. Upon re-entry, you must again provide proof of work arrangements and show at least 20,000 THB in cash.

A Retirement Visa bypasses all these complications entirely!

You were going good until you said you would change to a marriage Visa....no no no! Keep yourself independent on your own Visa, whichever you choose. After the marriage has run its course do you want to have your longevity in Thailand determined by a moody female?

What is your plan after you have run out if money?

You say:” …enough money to be OK for a few years”

If you’re only ok for a few years, how will you support yourself long term? That will factor into your visa decision

Get the 90 day Non-O based on being over 50 then annual extensions based on retirement, much easier for a long stay and less hassle than extensions based on marriage. With a DTV you won't be able to open a bank account, have to leave Thailand every 180 days, and won't easily be able to change to another visa type for 5 years