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What is the process and timeline for switching from an O Marriage Visa to a Retirement Visa in Thailand?

NON-O Visa Retirement Visa Visa Agencies Immigration Processes Visa Extensions Financial Requirements Pattaya Immigration Expat Advice

Oct 1, 2024

15 days ago

Stephen *******************

ORIGINAL POSTER

I am currently on a  “O” marriage visa based on marriage to a Thai 

I am considering changing it to a Retirement visa when it exprires in December and using an agent to get through the financial requirements 

My question is has anyone with 1st hand experience using a Visa agency and what are the time frames involved and procedures like how many visits to the immigration office etc. 

Thank you for knowledgable answers only please 🙏

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The post discusses the possibility of changing from a Non-O marriage visa to a Retirement visa in Thailand and seeks user experiences regarding the use of visa agencies for this process. Commenters provide insights about the procedures involved, such as necessary documentation, the typical time frames for processing (usually 2-3 working days), and the importance of having a bank account (preferably with Bangkok Bank) for financial proof. Participants also share personal experiences with various agents in Pattaya, emphasizing the ease of the process and comparing the benefits and requirements of both visa types.

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.
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Pornpatcharanan *************

It's very easy. If you have a non-O marriage, you can easily convert to a retirement visa. It takes only 2-3 business days to extend your visa. Another 12 months From the visa expiration date, it can be done 1 business day before the visa expires and 3 months in advance.

Need Bangkok bank ,Thai account only your name. Have money 800,000 b. In account 3month if you more explain. Can talk

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Michael *******

@Pornpatcharanan ************

surely its better to have a marriage visa( if you married to thai lady) instead of non o retirement visa? Or am i wrong?

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Pornpatcharanan *************

@Michael ******

you marriage with Thai lady (more expensive not easy you must have money show in you account 60days )

🙏 retirement visa more easy more sheap with money

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Pornpatcharanan *************

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Wayne ***********

Hey Stephen, I used an agent in Pattaya from recommendations - no complaints at all. Just so easy. If you are in this location happy to exchange info.

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Ken *****

@Wayne **********

how long was your turn around time? I have bank account, residence, all the paperwork. Can you message me with info on agent? Cost?

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Wayne ***********

👍

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Wayne ***********

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Michael ********

@Wayne **********

How much did it cost to get this visa using an agent.

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Wayne ***********

@Michael *******

message sent bud

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Wayne ***********

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Stephen *******************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Wayne **********

Yes that would be great please messenger me thanks 🙏

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Wayne ***********

@Stephen ******************

messenger sent bud - enjoy

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Wayne ***********

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Ray *********

What are the advantages of going from Non-O married to retirement?

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Graham ******

A retirement extension requires less documentation required but the financial requirement is higher

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Ray *********

thanks

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Ray *********

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Denis ***********

divorce, death of Thai wife.

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Denis ***********

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Paul ***************

I got-a retirement visa through an agency, they got me a bank account an a driver licence. Easy

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Chang ******

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Paul ***************

*****

, but it all went very smoothly

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Paul ***************

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Chang ******

@Paul **************

how much you pay

*****

thb ?? Or more ? Please let me know

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Stephen *******************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Paul **************

Can you advise how long it took from meeting the Agent in the morning to getting your passport back? I have a Bangkok bank account already

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Stephen *******************

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David *******

It will depend where you are.

In Pattaya timescale for a ‘Retirement Extension’ is usually 2 or 3 working days max.

Visit agent with passport, photos, bank book (must be Bangkok Bank if you are using agent for the financial proof), proof of address etc.

Visit bank.

Visit immigration just to have photo taken by agent staff.

Collect passport from agent when ready.

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Tim *********

This is exactly my experience

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Stephen *******************

ORIGINAL POSTER

I have a bangkok bank account t already so just to check would I get my Retirement extension in those

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days and get my passport back as I need it for flights

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David *******

@Stephen ******************

The agent will be able to get the extension early anyway - the one I use can get it up to 3 months ahead of time! Yes 3 working days plenty.

Again, this is in Pattaya with a well known and reliable agent.

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Stephen *******************

ORIGINAL POSTER

if you could pm me with your agents recommendation it will be highly appreciated

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Stephen *******************

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Kenneth *******

Go to immigration and ask what to do. Be very alert if you talk to an agent.

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Michael *******

@Kenneth ******

yip danger is you can get locked in , once immig see an out of town visa, very hard to normalize your visa……not to mention handing your passport over to a 3rd party worries me greatly……

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Michael *******

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Siam *****

You need to check the documents for retirement visa,i am not sure you need to buy health insurance to submit or not but if so comparing which visa is more convenient to you.For me i think O marriage is more easily than retirement visa.

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John ********

no insurance needed and the retirement visa application is much more easy then the married visa

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Linhof *********

no health insurance requirement

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Linhof *********

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Brandon ************

If you're on a non-O VISA (the initial 90 day visa) then you cannot change the reason for the extension because the extension from a visa must be for the same reason the visa was granted.

If you're on an EXTENSION (an extension is not a visa) then you can apply for a different reason when you apply for your next extension.

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Stephen *******************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brandon ***********

100% correct although I did say iny post I was changing my visa to retirement 👍 maybe I should have worded it differently but thanks anyway

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Graham ******

@Stephen ******************

You cannot change a Non-O Visa as Brandon stated but you can change the reason for a 12 month extension when next extending so, are you on a Non-O 90 day Visa or a 12 month Extension of Stay?

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Stephen *******************

ORIGINAL POSTER

My visa is valid for 1 year with the conditions exiting the country every 90 days so I believe you would call it Non O 90 day visa

It was obtained in Savanakhet Laos before they changed the financial requirements

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Graham ******

@Stephen ******************

Your first extension must, therefore, be for the reason that the Visa was issued i.e. marriage then the reason for the second extension 12 months later can be changed to retirement (if you meet the financial requirements etc.)

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Stephen *******************

ORIGINAL POSTER

yes that the route I will be going down.

I guess the process should be straight forward ?

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Brian ********

@Stephen ******************

I am in a similar situation to you. I had a ME Non O (Thai wife) visa issued in Suvanalhet. In December last year I extended for 1 year, in country Non O, so no more border bouncing.

Today I went to immigration to ask about changing to retirement and they said as long as I had 12 months of B65k per month deposits from abroad to my Thai bank account, no problem.

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Stephen *******************

ORIGINAL POSTER

It states 40k for a married person and 65k for a single person but each immigration office dictates their own rules especially the paperwork required for a marriage visa so I am using an agent for simplicity and avoid all that red tape

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Brian ********

@Stephen ******************

I have done both types of Non Os, TBH neither is very difficult to do yourself.

The marriage visa / extn is a PITA because of the docs required, but a retirement is easy

I would not waste money on an agent if you can meet the requirements

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Stephen *******************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Choice and convenience mate

Thanks anyway 👍

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Graham ******

@Stephen ******************

Yes it's a fairly standard process to change the reason for a Non-O extension when applying

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Graham ******

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