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

The end is neigh

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.

Alimony

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.

Def not wishing on anyone, but If ever divorcing from a Thai, it's much easier if you're on a retirement visa 😉

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.

Marriage visas are a joke in this country don't bother

Agency might solve this problem.

Renew the retirement visa.

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 .

stay retirement visa ...

I'm guessing you haven't got the 800k anymore if you need to change your visa type.

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!

Very simple, you don't have to be a rocket scientist. Look at the requirements and see which one you want.

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.

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

Continue you retirement, lest documents

Stay on retirement visa 100 %

I'd stick with the retirement visa. So much less hassle to maintain

Stay on the retirement visa. Less hassle

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.

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

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.