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When should I switch from a retirement visa to a marriage visa in Thailand?
Retirement VisaMarriage VisaVisa ExtensionThailand ImmigrationVisa RequirementsExpat AdviceAustralian Embassy
Aug 11, 2025
9 months ago
William *********
ORIGINAL POSTERI've been living in Thailand for 3yrs on a retirement visa. I am now married, have pink id card and yellow house book, my extension is up in Jan 26.
When do I change my visa to married, now or wait until January and do I go to Australian embassy in BKK or Phetchabun immigration?
When do I change my visa to married, now or wait until January and do I go to Australian embassy in BKK or Phetchabun immigration?
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is currently on a retirement visa in Thailand, set to expire soon, and is considering switching to a marriage visa due to their recent marriage. Multiple comments advise against switching to a marriage visa, emphasizing that the retirement visa involves less paperwork and is generally easier to maintain. It's suggested that the user should wait until the current extension expires before making any changes, ensuring they are aware of and meet the eligibility requirements for the marriage visa.
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.
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Cris ******
Ew why would you change. The marriage visa is such a hassle. As we speak im doing mine again haha.
Albert *********
No reason to change if you can keep the 800k deposit. Easier on retirement, no police control less paperwork.
William *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Albert ********
thanks Albert...apart from the moderators who actually answered the question, that's the most sensible answer I've had. I'll look into this.Although we have a good relationship with the police here and the city administration.
Reply to
William *********
Reply
Paul *******
You are certainly not onm a Retirment Visa. Your Retirement visa expired 2 years ago. I suspect that you are on an extension of stay based on being over 50 years of age.
Richard *******
I actually went the opposite way, after two years on a marriage extension I switched to retirement, literally half the paperwork and I am in and out of Samut Prakan Immigration in under 20 minutes.
Michael ********
Stay on retirement for sure.
Michel *****
Embassies don't deal with extensions, only immigration - logical no?
Graham ******
@Michel ****
and certainly not the Aussie EmbassyReply to
Graham ******
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David ********
I'm Australian on married visa....it's a pain...but they never ask for health insurance which i don't have.....not sure if you need it on retirement visa?
Fortune ************
@David *******
Only for a Non O-A they ask.David ********
Application is a pain...marriage ok
Reply to
David ********
Reply
Dave *********************
I'd leave it as it is
Tod *********
As people pointed out, staying on a retirement extension is FAR less paperwork, doesn't usually involve a home visit and gets no 30 day under consideration stamp when you apply for the year extension unlike a marriage extension that does get the under consideration stamp.
Here's the general list of requirements to get a yearly extension based on marriage to a thai national, it's NOT office specific which is why I said to get the hand out from your office when you go for your next 90 day report so you know what's what there 😉
Here's the general list of requirements to get a yearly extension based on marriage to a thai national, it's NOT office specific which is why I said to get the hand out from your office when you go for your next 90 day report so you know what's what there 😉
Ian **********
@Tod ********
Beg to differ, had a 30 day under consideration and a home visit when renewing retirement extension here in Amnat Charoen. They don't encourage married visa here for some reason.Graham ******
@Ian *********
Differ with what " doesn't usually involve a home visit"Reply to
Graham ******
Reply
Ian ******
Stay on retirement.
If things go wrong and divorced you have minimum time to stay on your visa.
If things go wrong and divorced you have minimum time to stay on your visa.
Graham ******
@Ian *****
You leave the day you get divorced ;)Reply to
Graham ******
Reply
Bobby **********
You don't need to change it and it's in your best interest to keep things just the way they are now.
Jakob *********
@Bobby *********
I even had this told to me from the immigration officer, a lot easier to stay on the retirement visa, lot less paperworkReply to
Jakob *********
Reply
Frank **********
Retirement extension is less paperwork and easier.
Paul ********
why change?
Robbie ********
@Paul *******
probably because you only need 400,000 baht seasoned as opposed to 800,000 baht, who knows the secret to the black magic box 😉Reply to
Robbie ********
Reply
Lloyd ********
You would go to immigration for an extension, the same as you have done for the last few years.
Lloyd ********
You would change your reason for extension when your current one runs out, bear in mind that you must still be eligible for the retirement extension when you apply for the marriage one, as in funds and seasoning etc.
William *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Lloyd *******
I need to go to Phetchabun immigration for 90day next month. Can I apply them or do I need to wait until extension runs out?Tod *********
@William ********
most people wait until their current extension runs out as there's no great hurry to switch from one to another. When you go for your 90 day report get the hand out listing the requirements to apply for a yearly extension based on marriage from the immigration office.
Remember if you met the financial requirements for the extension you're on based on banked money method (the 800K) you still need to keep the 800K in the bank for 3 months after the extension is granted and then can't let the balance go below 400K the rest of the year before you switch to an extension based on marriage.
William *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Tod ********
many thanks to Tod and Lloyd for your help.Reply to
William *********
Reply
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