When should I apply for a Wife or Retirement Visa before my 90-Day Non-O expires, and what are the differences between these visas?

Feb 20, 2022
3 years ago
Stephen ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Could someonre please tell me when should you apply for a Wife/retirement visa before a 90 Non O expires., and also what is the difference between a wife visa & retirement visa
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TLDR : Answer Summary
You should apply for a Wife or Retirement visa at least 30 days before your 90-Day Non-O visa expires. For a Thai Wife extension, you will need a Thai wife and a minimum of 400,000 THB in your Thai bank account. For a Retirement extension, you need to be at least 50 years old and have 800,000 THB in your bank account, which must be sourced from an overseas transfer. The major differences include the ability to work with a Wife visa (which allows a work permit) versus not being able to work with a Retirement visa (which can lead to deportation if caught working). Additionally, the type O Retirement visa does not require health insurance, while type OA/OX does. You can apply up to 45 days prior to expiration at some immigration offices.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
  • Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
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  • Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
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Mark **********
I opted for a Non-O spousal visa. A bit more paperwork on the extension proving the legitimacy of your relationship, but the financial requirement is half the amount of the Non-O based on age. And, should your ever want to do some work here and obtain a work permit, you can do that under the visa where you are supporting a dependent. Best of luck to you.
Stephen ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mark *********
many thanks
Kool *******
For either you do need money in your Thai bank account in your name only. For the Thai wife extension the amount is a minimum of bt400,000, and it can come from anywhere. For the retirement extension the amount in your Thai bank account in your name only is bt800,000, and it must come from an overseas transfer. You can't just deposit bt800,000 in your account like you can do for the Thai wife extension. The other big difference is under a Thai wife extension you can get a work permit, and work in Thailand. Under a retirement extension you can not work at all, and can be deported if you are caught working, even helping your wife in her work. Also, under the Thai wife extension there is no insurance requirement, although it is a good idea to have health insurance. Now, there are two types of retirement extensions, a type O, with no insurance requirement, and a type OA/OX that does require health insurance in order to extend it. You get the type O inside Thailand, and the type OA/OX outside Thailand. Those are the main, and important differences.

In both cases the money has to be in your Thai bank account a minimum of two months before you apply, and you can apply 30 days before your visa expires, and at some immigration offices, like Chaeng Wattana up to 45 days before. Whatever date you chose your year extension will start from your visa expire date, even though with the Thai wife extension you will have a 30 day under consideration stamp and date to return to get your extension. It will still be dated when your original visa expired.
Yash **************
@Kool ******
hi, as you said for getting an extension of 1 year on a non O visa based on Thai wife, minimum of
*****
0 baht should be there in the bank account a minimum of 2 months before applying for the extension.

Can you please tell me how about the minimum funds requirements in the bank account for the other ten months ?
Kool *******
@Yash ******
for Thai wife extension there are no minimum requirements for the other 10 months. Once you get your extension you can spend it all if you want.
Yash **************
@Kool ******
okay, thank you.. 😊
Stuart *********
@Yash ******
see comment above
Steve *******
@Kool ******
Good info but you CAN get the 'retirement' non imm O in your home country too, in fact it's easier to get in your home country as the money doesnt have to be in a Thai bank and in the UK you dont need the equivalent of 800,000bt. You only need ÂŁ
*****
about
*****
0bt
Stuart *********
@Steve ******
not all countries will sell a non O based on retirement. Australia for example won’t. They’ll do the Non OA but not the Non O.
Steve *******
@Stuart ********
Strange! UK, mainland Europe and the US all sell them, as do countries neighbouring Thailand. Must only be Australia that doesnt sell them.
Kool *******
@Steve ******
that technically is true, but Thai embassies have been approving type OA/OX only, because of the insurance requirement. It is almost impossible to get a type O out of the country.
Chris ********
@Kool ******
I applied for Non O in the UK late last year and had the confirmation and certificate 4 days later!
Steve *******
@Kool ******
Total crap. I got the non imm O evisa from RTE London in November. So easy to do.
Andy *********
@Kool ******
We got a OA & a O visa in December. From the Washington DC, USA embassy
Stephen ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve ******
Hi Steve, many thanks for your help, could you please advice if I go for a wife visa, how long can i keep applying for extensions, and can I re-new my visa in Thailand, what I do not want to do is leave the country, it was fun when I did it 35yrs ago, but too old now. And just want to have a visa I can renew every year. Sorry for so many questions, but I just want to get it right.
Steve *******
@Stephen *******
You can re-new your extention of stay every year at your local immigration office. Just need the 400,000bt in the bank.
Yash **************
@Steve ******
Is multiple entry possible in the one year extension of non O visa based on Thai wife.
Stuart *********
@Yash ******
yes but you need to buy a reentry permit. Cost is 1,000 baht for a single or 3,800 for a multiple. It’ll be valid until your existing stamp and whenever you reenter Thailand you’ll be stamped back in until that date.
Yash **************
@Stuart ********
For getting an extension of 1 year on a non O visa based on Thai wife, minimum of
*****
0 baht should be there in the bank account a minimum of 2 months before applying for the extension.

Can you please tell me how about the minimum funds requirements in the bank account for the other ten months ?
Stuart *********
@Yash ******
most offices require you to keep the balance whilst you’re under the one month “under consideration” period. Once you’ve got your year stamp then you can spend all of it. However it’ll need to be back up to 400k 2 months prior to your next application.
Yash **************
@Stuart ********
hi, sorry to bother you again. I have another question if you don't mind.

I am an Indian citizen and I can get a 60 days tourist visa with an extension of 30 days.

Is it possible for me to apply for a non O visa based on Thai wife from inside Thailand if I entered on a tourist visa ?
Stuart *********
@Yash ******
yes. You need to have 400k in a bank account in your name only. You apply for a non O in country You must have at least 15 days (21 in Chiang Mai) left on your current stamp. Once you get that visa you return to immigration to get the year extension when you’ve 30 days or less left. 400k would needed to have been in your bank for 2 months prior and most offices require you to keep it there for the under consideration stamp.
Yash **************
@Stuart ********
Hi, can you please tell me if the 60 days family extension is also applicable for 90 days non O visa based on Thai wife ?
Stuart *********
@Yash ******
yes. You can get a family extension for 60 days. Once per entry.
Yash **************
@Stuart ********
thank you..

If you don't mind, Can you please tell me what's the process and requirements for obtaining this extension for 90 days non O visa ?
Stuart *********
@Yash ******
most offices require at least 15 days (21 in Chiang Mai) to process.
Yash **************
@Stuart ********
thank you 😊
Yash **************
@Stuart ********
thanks a ton for the crystal clear information.. you are a life saver.. 😊
Yash **************
@Stuart ********
thanks a lot for clarifying.. 😊
Yash **************
@Stuart ********
Okay, thanks a lot.. 😊
Stephen ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve ******
many thanks
Kool *******
@Stephen *******
as long as you meet the requirements you can keep renewing it, as long as you are married.
Steven ***************
Firstly, it's an extension , not a visa ,and you apply before your visa expires.

Secondly, I'll give you a clue.. you need a Thai wife for one of them, same as your visa. The other one you need to be 50 years old minimum and don't need a Thai wife..
Stephen ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steven **************
Many thanks for the clue, I think I qualify for the wife visas I have been married to a Thai for 30 years, could you advice what visa would be best for me, the wife or the retirement. Many thanks
Steven ***************
@Stephen *******
. Send me a direct message and I will talk you through it.
Paul ********
Good Idea ask your local Embassy
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