What visa should I apply for after marrying a Thai citizen while my retirement visa is expiring?

Jan 28, 2024
10 months ago
James *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I have just married a Thai girl , my retirement visa runs out 27th March

We live in Hua Hin ,can anyone advise which visa I should apply for now.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is unsure about which visa to apply for following their marriage to a Thai citizen, especially since their retirement visa expires soon. Comments suggest two main options: continuing with the retirement visa, which requires 800,000 THB in the bank but entails less paperwork and hassle, or switching to a marriage visa that has a lower financial requirement of 400,000 THB but involves more complex documentation and potentially a home visit by immigration. Several users advocate for sticking with the retirement visa due to its simplicity. Others mention considering permanent residency for a long-term solution, which allows legal work, or the Elite Visa as a long-term option without frequent immigration hassles.
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.
Brandon ********
The end is neigh
Terary **********
Marriage Visa is a horrible mess.. When I was shopping for visa options (like you are), everybody I talked to was unwilling to do the marriage visa or wanted to charge me 3-5 times more than the retirement visa.

I decided not to do the marriage visa because my wife would have to come stay with me for a month (probably not your case) while we wait to see if the immigration office was going to come check on us.

Several people suggest the marriage visa isn't too bad.... but almost everybody will choose the retirement visa over the marriage visa.
Brandon *********
Alimony
Colin *********
Apologies if I'm 'hijacking' this post - it raises a question in my mind considering responses so far;

Can you marry a Thai (legally, not just a village wedding, or defacto) and be on a "Retirement" Visa & Extensions? Or would Immigration say that if you're legally married to a Thai, that you need to be on a Non-O based on Marriage? Some things for me to ponder over the next year.
Rel***
@Colin ********
I’ve been married 47 years and you would think a marriage visa would be obvious. But no, immigration says I should just do a retirement visa. Make me a bit suspicious.
Graham ******
@Colin ********
Yes you can, the choice of Visa is yours if you qualify
Colin *********
James *********
Def not wishing on anyone, but If ever divorcing from a Thai, it's much easier if you're on a retirement visa 😉
James *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Wow thank you all for your comments I intend to stay in Thailand we own land and a bar stroke restaurants

Thank you
John ********
@James ******
please dm me re bar and biz info free
DK *****
Marriage visa has gotten more strict now. Proof of income is hard to get recognized. I was denied a renewal when I showed them the contract and the deposit record. You have to have a deposit for some time in most immigration offices. They even check again a month after the renewal application. They are more flexible with retirement visa. There's a plenty of agents who can help you.
Aidan **********
Marriage visas are a joke in this country don't bother
Евгений **********
Agency might solve this problem.
Ian ************
Renew the retirement visa.
VaiAna **********
I used a thai visa agent in Bangkok . Its a reputable company , theyre on FB , theyre on Line . They're responsive , speak English & great customer service . I'll send you their contact # if you want .
Herve ********
stay retirement visa ...
Brown ********
I'm guessing you haven't got the 800k anymore if you need to change your visa type.
Deanna *******
We have friends who go through the marriage visa process every year. It's awful! Not worth it. Having to take the headman of the village with you, SO much paperwork, and headache.

If you have the money in the bank, DON'T do it!
Michael ********
@Deanna ******
Wow only time needed Pu Yai Ban was for signature for my pink ID
Kool *******
@Deanna ******
after the first year the paperwork is identical, except for new bank letters, and new pictures, as long as you kept copies from the preceding year. It is very easy. It's not as you portray it at all. We've been doing it for nine years.
Deanna *******
@Kool ******
I think our local immigration is the thing that makes it hard here.
Frank **********
@Deanna ******
never took the village boss to immigration for a marriage visa.
Deanna *******
@Frank *********
Our friends have to! Of course we are in Nakhon Si Thammarat. There's that.
Frank **********
@Deanna ******
yes, it may vary by province just like everything else.
Frank **********
Very simple, you don't have to be a rocket scientist. Look at the requirements and see which one you want.
Kool *******
It depends on what your long term plans are. If Thailand is now your home then you should consider permanent residency as a long term solution, or even Thai citizenship, but you can not do this without working, and paying Thai income tax for at least three years uninterrupted. You can never accomplish this on a retirement visa extension as working is restricted on a retirement extension. You can legally work with a type O visa extension based on Thai wife. With permanent residency you no longer deal with immigration, except for re-entry permits, and you simply file your address with the local police station once a year. You no longer need any visa extension for the rest of your life in Thailand. Just something to consider depending on your long term plan. Extension every year, and 90 day reports for the rest of your life, or only dealing with immigration if you need a re-entry permit. Think about it.
Andy ******
Retirement visa no money in the bank you can go through a visa agent who will do all the work for you at a cost or about £650 .. and do all ur 90 day reports then renew is cheaper for the next year or so it ur self and save a lot of money .. but like everyone said
*****
0 in the Thai bank
Roberto *********
@Andy *****
Or just do the 65k/month transfer and pay only 1900 baht for visa extension each year
John *********
@Andy *****
23.800 baht for the first retirement visa which consists of 3 +12=15 months then
*****
every year after 😃
Anthony ****************
@Andy *****
£650 I would get a new agent if I was you
Andy ******
@Anthony ***************
too late now but next time this was a recommendation from some mates
Anna *****************
Continue you retirement, lest documents
David *********
Stay on retirement visa 100 %
Roberto *********
I'd stick with the retirement visa. So much less hassle to maintain
Roberto *********
Marisol **************
@Roberto ********
what about an elite Visa? 10 - 15 years?
Grant *******
Stay on the retirement visa. Less hassle
Terry **********
@Grant ******
agree totally
Paul *******
You could apply for an extension of stay based on being married to a Thai citizen. Extension of stay based on being over 50 years requires 800,000 thb in the bank but needs jumping through ,uch less hoops so in my opinion is the better option.
Michael ********
Up to you carry on with retirement visa less paperwork but
*****
0 baht in bank or transfer to marriage visa
*****
0 in bank but more paperwork and maybe home visit by immigration. Check with local immigration office exact requirements
Simon **********
Mina *******
@Michael *******
I think Michael is right .. if you carry on retirement visa , it’s likely less paperwork and saves lots of time . Good luck
Brandon ************
Are you on the initial 90 day non-O visa, or are you on a 1 year extension of stay based on retirement? They are not the same thing and your options are different depending on the answer.

If you're on the 90 day non-O visa then the only extension you can apply for is a retirement extension since that's what your initial visa was for.

If you're on an extension of stay already, then you can apply for an extension for a different reason next time.

Which one you choose if up to you, no one can advise you which one you should use.

A retirement extension has the higher 800,000 for the financial requirements, but it's also much simpler and requires only one trip to immigration.

A marriage extension has a lower financial requirement at 400,000 but requires much more paperwork. It will require at least 2 trips to immigration as you will receive an under consideration stamp and during this waiting period immigration officers may come to do a home inspection, interview your neighbors, etc. You'll also need to submit various photos of you with your wife in your home, and any other requirements your immigration office may have.

You cannot work on a retirement extension as it is a work prohibited extension, but on a marriage extension you are still eligible for a work permit.
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