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Why is a one-year marriage extension in Thailand more expensive than a retirement extension?

Visa Types Marriage Extension Retirement Extension Visa Process Immigration Regulations Cost of Visa Services

Oct 23, 2025

7 days ago

George *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Without naming any particular agent or quoting exact prices, it's obvious that using an agent's help to get a one year extension based on marriage is far more expensive than retirement extension, even if you use your own money and you do all the running around getting all the required paperwork together. Why? 

Please, save yourselves a few seconds of your valuable time and don't type "do it yourself" it's just a question that I've wondered about for a while.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The conversation discusses the factors leading to the higher costs associated with a one-year marriage extension in Thailand compared to a retirement extension. Key reasons include the increased paperwork and coordination required for marriage visas, which involve processing at the district office rather than just local immigration offices. The complexity of the marriage visa process, including the need for two sets of documents and longer processing times, contributes to the overall higher fees charged by agents.

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Robin *******

Cos being married you should be used to paying out! Therefore get charged more.

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THAI ******************************

🧐

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THAI ******************************

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THAI ******************************

Visa cases that require more coordination between departments may have higher service fees.

This is the core reason.

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George *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@THAI *****************************

Thank you 🙏

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THAI ******************************

@George ********

Many agents avoid handling these types of cases for good reason.

They can focus on other services that require far less time and coordination, and they already have a steady flow of clients needing those services.

That being said, we do assist with these matters.

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THAI ******************************

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Todd *********

What is your time worth? Do you pay for convenience and services?

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George *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

not the question but get your point.

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Todd *********

@George ********

it’s just a matter of weighing those options. Yes- it costs more. And yes, it’s definitely more expensive.

Another financial factor to consider is that the agent won’t require the 400k in the bank. You can leave that money invested how you wish

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Todd *********

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Chris *******

To further the understanding from

.

An extension that requires one set is kept in that local office. Retirement for example.

And extension that requires 2 sets of documents means 1 set stays local and the other goes to the district/head office.

Marriage for example.

This makes the "massaging" more difficult and problematic.

As the banking and scrutiny has increased, costs increase and remain inflated.

It's getting harder to "fix" and will get harder if other banks and institutions follow Bangkok Bank.

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Donald **********

There’s more involved in the marriage extension, which is why many people opt for the retirement extension.

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Michael ********

its pretty simple, more paperwork more work more expensive.

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Steve **********

When I first got here I asked a few agents to do a marriage visa extension and they all said “sorry we don’t do marriage, only retirement extensions. Marriage extensions are just too difficult.”

It’s not a direct answer to your query but it’s a small insight. They obviously changed their stance but charge more. I’m guessing the kick back to immigration is probably higher as well.

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THAI ******************************

@Steve *********

We do assist with marriage visas, and family based visas.

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Steve **********

@THAI ****************

thank you!

I was speaking of 6 years ago 😃.

I have an LTR visa now but I will definitely pass that on to anyone needing assistance.

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Steve **********

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George *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Steve *********

thanks Steve

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George *********

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

Because no marriage extension is handled at the immigration office. They have to be sent to the district office for approval. That signature costs a lot more than the one from your local immigration office.

This is the reason marriage extension always has an "under consideration" period where you have to return later. Everything is sent to the district office.

For retirement extension, everything is handled instantly and locally.

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Frank *********

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

is that also for the guardian visa?

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

@Frank ********

Not sure. Does guardian visa extension normally receive an under consideration stamp to return in 30 days to receive the full 1-year extension?

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Frank *********

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

i dont know, still have to apply for the first time. But if that is so this visa will not be possible for me, as a remote worker i do not have the time to wait 30 days. I guess the LTR is what it will be untill i can retire

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Frank *********

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George *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

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

makes sense. Never thought about that. I believe there may be a home visit too which would add to expense?

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John *********

Perhaps this is why many married guys still took the retirement route and put the extra 400k in the bank.

Im doing marriage 12 month too also thought the cost was considerably higher than I expected.

Is it possible to change from marriage to retirement option once on a 12 month marriage?

Maybe its not such a big deal and slse. Depends on the IO in question

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Garrett ***********

@George ********

That's because you're not a thinker, just a talker.

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George *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Garrett **********

grow up Garrett

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George *********

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

@George ********

home visits vary by office. But if yours is an office that often or always does them, then that likely factors into the cost.

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

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Phil ******

@George ********

there's more requires for a marriage visas thus the higher cost. You chose a particular agent and I hope you asked for a quote first. In life I've always got 3. I can recommend 3 agencies if you need

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George *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

thank you Phil. I'm ok re agents and I'll end up doing it myself, just wondered about the difference in price which seems across the board.

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George *********

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Garrett ***********

If you're "doing all the running around yourself" then why use an agent?

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George *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Garrett **********

Can you not read?

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Peter **********

@George ********

Why resort to being rude? I just lost my interest in a post from a rude person…

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George *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Peter *********

ok bye

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George *********

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The Thai Visa Advice And Everything Else group allows for a broad range of discussions on life in Thailand, beyond just visa inquiries.

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