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Will I need to prove the source of my funds when converting my marriage visa to a retirement visa in Thailand?
Feb 22, 2024
2 years ago
Peter **********
ORIGINAL POSTEROk. I have a ‘what-if’ question.
I am arriving in Thailand soon, will be getting a bank account and visa extension based on marriage to a Thai lady. I plan to deposit 800k right away. My wife has a weak health and even though she is younger than me, chances are that I will live longer than she.
Now the question (and don’t start vomiting your wisdom about owning land and other irrelevant nonsense - I know and have taken precautions):
When I need to convert my visa extension from ‘married to Thai’ to a retirement visa I must have 800k in the bank. Will I by then need to prove that the money came from abroad or will a bank statement with 800k and supporting bank letter suffice?
I am arriving in Thailand soon, will be getting a bank account and visa extension based on marriage to a Thai lady. I plan to deposit 800k right away. My wife has a weak health and even though she is younger than me, chances are that I will live longer than she.
Now the question (and don’t start vomiting your wisdom about owning land and other irrelevant nonsense - I know and have taken precautions):
When I need to convert my visa extension from ‘married to Thai’ to a retirement visa I must have 800k in the bank. Will I by then need to prove that the money came from abroad or will a bank statement with 800k and supporting bank letter suffice?
TLDR : Answer Summary
The individual plans to move to Thailand soon, obtaining a bank account and a visa extension based on marriage to a Thai citizen. They intend to deposit 800,000 THB and later convert their marriage visa to a retirement visa. The main concern is whether proof of foreign funds will be necessary when converting the visa type. Comments clarify that when initially applying for a retirement visa extension, the applicant needs 800k THB, but subsequent extensions may not require proof of international bank transfers if the funds are already in Thai banks. Further advice suggests applying for the retirement visa directly to avoid complications.
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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Klaus ***********
Hikanoshi - turning red sell &turning green buy.
Ron *********
If you use an agent, you don’t even need the 800 K in the bank. They can handle it for you. 
Bobby *********
@Ron ********
that is vary trueMichael ********
@Ron ********
how much this wife?Ron *********
@Michael *******
your comment don’t make any sense. What are you askingReply to
Ron *********
Reply
Vetsch ********
@Ron ********
but expensive ! Normaly retirement visa B 1900, thru agents more than at least
B
*****
, any questions ?Ron *********
@Vetsch *******
not really that expensive it’s the non-O retirement visa and not much more than doing it yourself. I prefer agents that way you don’t have to stand in line and deal with all the BS. They handle everything for you. Vetsch ********
@Ron ********
ok, but they do it not free of charge. If I go direct to immigration, B1900 and waiting time is about 45 min.Ron *********
@Vetsch *******
it depends what city you are in and what immigration center you go to I’ve seen over two hour lines before plus i don’t have to do the 90 day reporting like you do my agent does it included.Reply to
Ron *********
Reply
Peter **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Ron ********
I am obviously asking how to use and not asking how to abuse the system. 😉PS Lovely profile picture! 😍
Bart **************
@Ron ********
what a weird advice to go bribes if you don't need to.Ron *********
@Bart *************
not advice, just stating options🤣Reply to
Ron *********
Reply
Ang *****
If you have the money why not save any future issues by applying under retirement option now?!
Peter **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Ang ****
Because I am not allowed to work under a retirement visa. I thought everyone knew that. ;)Ang *****
@Peter *********
that’s a smartsss reply to someone replying - useless or otherwise to your ask! You never mentioned work, just switching to retirement visa!Peter **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Ang ****
Extension based on marriage is preferred, but when the wife passes away you’re not married anymore. So you can either move away, commit suicide or change to a retirement extension.I didn’t have to mention work, because it was totally not part of my question. You raised the issue all by yourself, even though it’s not part of the topic. So it’s not a strange thing to receive a smart-assed reply to a smart-assed offtopic comment. 🙄
When someone is looking for a car dealer, it’s really not relevant to say “Why not buy a scooter?”. The question is where to buy (or service) a car. That’s all.
I wish you happiness.
Ang *****
@Peter *********
yet you mentioned the scooter! I’m not a moron and have navigated the visa regulations to live here legally, by myself. So I’m aware of all the rules!It was a genuine reply from a compassionate point of view! How you received it reflects on you.
Reply to
Ang *****
Reply
Bart **************
@Ang ****
maybe there's an age requirement? 🤷Reply to
Bart **************
Reply
Graham ******
If you deposit 800k and are over 50 you can get a retirement Non-O then extension from the start as a marriage Non-O and extension only require 400k. If initially you are on a marriage Non-O your first extension must be for that reason. Subsequent extensions can be for retirement and for a later retirement extension the monry does not have to be from an international transfer. Get the list of requirements for a transfer to a retirement extension from the Immigration Office you will use in case they differ (somewhere like Jomtien do differ for such things).
Peter **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Graham *****
Thanks, mate. I am depositing 800k right away, possibly/quite likely even more, just to make sure that my wife has some cash in case I go first. But I want to enjoy a few hobbies which under Thai law will qualify as ‘work’, so I will need a work permit. Thus starting on ‘marriage visa’.But my motto is “Failing to plan is planning to fail” so I am thinking about a what-if situation if the visa would need to be converted to ‘retirement visa’. Hence the question.
BTW: Reading all the stories about Jomtien I am happy I’ll be in another neighborhood. ;) I’ll be the first farang living permanently in the village. There are four or five more, but they only visit for holidays.
Stuart *********
@Damo **********
he read it correctly and has given the correct answer.Damo ***********
@Stuart ********
he has obviouzxly amended/added to it.. maybe you did not see his original response.Stuart *********
@Damo **********
didn’t see the initial reply.Reply to
Stuart *********
Reply
Damo ***********
@Stuart ********
if you looked at his original 2 line reply.,. he had not.Reply to
Damo ***********
Reply
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