jaxon

Thanks, good to know the marriage certification process can be done in Bangkok too (via embassies). Annual update stamp would be an annoying situation but I suppose it is what it is.

No need to waste your time replying if you have nothing useful to add.

Many people have alluded to the fact that a Type O extension based on marriage requires far more paperwork than one based on retirement. And, from what I can gather, a one month "under consideration" period plus some home photos. I am wondering what is the main extra paperwork that is required, and is it really that onerous. Are these mainly Thai forms which I would need to sign ?

Thanks for clarifying Licorice. So it's simply the Non O visa (visiting Thai spouse/family) rather than some specific marriage category of Non O. Some others mentioned the need for a Thailand registered marriage, and that's something I'll have to do prior to applying for an extension.

Serious questions. I haven't decided if I want to arrive and begin a long term stay or visit for three months and then return for a long term stay or, frankly, whether the hassles with residency will put off the project entirely. The responses I have had on my threads have been very helpful, but there are differing opinions on differing visa options. For instance, it didn't occur to me until a few days ago that the marriage base visa was available to me, but not some of the other respondents that were discussing O vs OA. I've looked at the Thai Embassy website and emailed the consulate for clarification, but they slow and opaque. Unlike AN !

In terms of terminology are the two visas being discussed here: (Non Imm) Type O (visiting friends & family reason) (Non Imm) Type O (retirement reason) And then it's case of the annual extension either being "for retirement" or "married" ? Is there a visa based on marriage that can be applied for prior to Thailand entry? Also, if one were on the retirement extension, and then wanted to apply for a work permit, would the procedure be to go to Immigration and ask to change the extension reason from retirement to marriage, and the apply for the work permit? Is there a problem doing that mid-extension or do you have to wait till the next renewal?

Really helpful info ! Will live central BKK. Good to know about the potential bank account issue. How do these agents work, by the way, are they simply expert in the regulations and engineer some kind of solution or is it some kind of money under the table situation?

Thanks ! Does the 400k only need to be in the Thai bank on the day of application? I don't have an account yet but I do have a marriage certificate (of course!).

That's good to hear. Reading AN has been making me feel like it's a very complex process (despite many doing it). Is it possible to arrive on a SEV and then convert to a long stay marriage visa from within Thailand (married abroad years ago)?

It will be. Long time married.

Thanks George, will read that thread ! I'm asking on both, correct.

Is there a diffrent long term visa recommendation for retirees depending on whether they are married to a Thai or not ? It seems that on the retiree basis (Type O, OA) the main criteria is age 50+ and financials. Does being married effect the extension of stay process at the expiry of the visa.

Ah ok, got it. So does the "extension of stay" based on marriage typically have requirements for health insurance and finances (800K / 65K pm)? Or is it case by case.

Why so much trouble with renewing visas then? Couldn't everyone make a case to Immigration that there visa has exired and they wish to extend their stay to be with family? What is the length of the typical extension?

A rather opaque answer, Grasshopper.