Change retirement extension to Marriage extention

[n210mp]

The  "search facility" is not working (for me at least) and so could you please help in the protocol of what I need to do and  what forms I need  to complete,  to change my  current retirement extension to a marriage extension next month (August)

 

Reason for the change is  it lessens the need for the 800K to a more agreeable 400K 

 

My immigration office is in Pattaya.

 

Thank you very much in anticipation

[ubonjoe]

You will apply for an extension of stay based upon marriage instead of retirement using a TM7 form.

The 400k baht will need to be in the bank for 2 months on the date your apply.

This is my general list of the required documents to apply for the extension. Marriage Extension Requirements 2.pdf

[n210mp]

17 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

You will apply for an extension of stay based upon marriage instead of retirement using a TM7 form.

The 400k baht will need to be in the bank for 2 months on the date your apply.

This is my general list of the required documents to apply for the extension. Marriage Extension Requirements 2.pdf

Thank you so much Joe, just a point, i  quote from you post;

 

"Marriage certificate and an updated Kor Ror 2 marriage registry (Kor Ror 22 for foreign marriages"

 

I take it that if you were married in Thailand, just the Thai marriage certificate is sufficient or what is an updated Kor Ror 2 marriage registry ?

 

Thanks once again.

[ubonjoe]

8 minutes ago, n210mp said:

I take it that if you were married in Thailand, just the Thai marriage certificate is sufficient or what is an updated Kor Ror 2 marriage registry ?

A Kor Ror 2 was done when you registered your marriage. It has all the details on it about your marriage registration including the names of the witnesses. It is 2 or 3 pages long. Your wife can get a print out of it at any Amphoe by showing her ID card and paying 20 baht for it. The signed, stamped and dated printout of it is to is to prove you are still married.

[n210mp]

A million thanks Joe all explained perfectly !

[rick99]

Hi mate. I did this two years ago and again this year.   They're making it very difficult.  I'll be changing back to retirement.   They have a long list of things to do.  You can ask for it at immigration.  But,  even after you have completed all the tasks it was clear that they appeared to try to deny us.  We succeeded,  it's a long story each time.  Horrible experience both times. ( renewing my retirement visa was easy. ) Just a word of warning.  Pm for details. 

[ELVIS123456]

42 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

You will apply for an extension of stay based upon marriage instead of retirement using a TM7 form.

The 400k baht will need to be in the bank for 2 months on the date your apply.

This is my general list of the required documents to apply for the extension. Marriage Extension Requirements 2.pdf

Quick question if I may, as I dont recall this being covered before.

 

Does the 400K have to be only in bank accounts in my name, or can the 400K include bank accounts in the wife's name?

 

[ubonjoe]

3 minutes ago, ELVIS123456 said:

Does the 400K have to be only in bank accounts in my name, or can the 400K include bank accounts in the wife's name?

It has to be in an account or accounts in your name only.

[n210mp]

1 hour ago, rick99 said:

Hi mate. I did this two years ago and again this year.   They're making it very difficult.  I'll be changing back to retirement.   They have a long list of things to do.  You can ask for it at immigration.  But,  even after you have completed all the tasks it was clear that they appeared to try to deny us.  We succeeded,  it's a long story each time.  Horrible experience both times. ( renewing my retirement visa was easy. ) Just a word of warning.  Pm for details. 

Thanks for your input, which immigration office  was it  that gave you problems and can you say what they were, maybe a PM would be better  if you feel that you dont want to discuss it on the open forum.

[Pungdo]

Years ago when I first switched over from a Non O and doing border runs at the Chonburi (Pattaya) Immigration office i was shooting for a Marriage extension, on my 2nd trip in there I was told I had everything I needed, but she couldn't give it to me and I would need to come back again in 9 days, had me completely baffled, eventually I found out the reason why, I had to be inside of the last 30 days of a 90 day period or they couldn't / wouldn't do it.

 

In the end she said, you can have a Retirement extension right now instead, so I slid across to the next desk and got that, it is far less stuffing around than a Marriage extension.

 

Anyhoo, after getting the retirement extension I asked if in the future I wanted to switch over to a Marriage extension could I do it, I was told in no uncertain terms that I can't pick and choose what extension I have and I would have to stick with the Retirement extension.

Could have just been an IO having taken a grumpy pill, but just letting you know what I was told, good luck with it.

[ubonjoe]

8 minutes ago, Pungdo said:

Anyhoo, after getting the retirement extension I asked if in the future I wanted to switch over to a Marriage extension could I do it, I was told in no uncertain terms that I can't pick and choose what extension I have and I would have to stick with the Retirement extension.

That was false info. There is no rule that states you cannot do it. Many people have done it,

8 minutes ago, Pungdo said:

Could have just been an IO having taken a grumpy pill, but just letting you know what I was told, good luck with it.

That is what it was or one just putting out nonsense.

[ThaiWai]

If you want to search Thaivisa in Google add what you are searching for to "Thaivisa" and you should see all the threads you need. 

[colinchaffers]

I switched to an extension based on marriage from retirement, the imm office did not want to do it and told us it had more chance of being rejected, but we pressed ahead and did not encounter any real problems, the retirement extension is easy for them. We renewed it twice since then without problems. By the way I wanted to switch because at the time there was a possibilities of me working again.


Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect

[4MyEgo]

I switched from an extension of stay based on retirement, to the extension of stay based on marriage after the first year, why, because the IO at the time said it would be much easier as I had enough money in the bank and could be given it on the spot which it was, but after one year, I wanted the extension of stay based on marriage which is what I wanted in the first place, they were not too happy about it and thanks to Ubonjoe providing with the details I required, I got it. 

 

Might have something to so with them having to come out to the property initially, a one hour 20 minute drive, (you pay for their tea money upfront of course), I paid 1,500 baht and the reason was for their petrol, yeh right, whatever 555.

 

My Mrs is the one that does all the paperwork for me, so it was no sweat, but to be honest, what a lot of paperwork, that said, you have to go back in 30 days to get it as it has to go to BKK for approval.

 

I am due to do it all again in October, and like I said, it's no sweat off my back, as the Mrs does puts it all together, but from my observations, its a hassle for them with all the paperwork to go through, check and also copy if anything is required again.

 

Not saying that I won't go back to the extension based on retirement one day if the Mrs jacks up, but as it's a once in a year event, she can't really complain as she lays around like a pussy cat all day long with her other fat cat (me) 555 

[Phuket Man]

Don't believe the doom and gloom merchants.

Marriage extensions are relatively straightforward to do.

Never had a problem in 13 years.

[Toscano]

There is no need to change from retirement extension to Marriage extension , I strongly advise against doing so .

I have read there is a variation from the Bt800,000 in the bank , that you can have Bt400,000 deposited in the bank and show income of Bt40,000 monthly , 480,000 annually .  The marriage visa is a pain in the ass , an enormous amount of paperwork , photos , letter from head man , document from Amphur , you will rue the day you change .  Immigration  officers don't like dealing with all the paper and can often give you a hard time , send you home sometime a long distance to get more documents to bring again the next day .  Another important consideration is that if you and your wife separate , divorce , or she dies before you ; on a retirement visa no problems you can continue to live in Thailand wherever you like .  I would advise all 50+ men to have a retirement visa from the start , you can still marry a Thai girl/woman , but have a simple Thai wedding , not an official amphur wedding .  If anything goes wrong you are free to pack your bags and go .

[Phuket Man]

It's all doom and gloom. ?

Marriage extension are not a problem.

Just do whatever suits you best.

[Toscano]

16 hours ago, ELVIS123456 said:

Quick question if I may, as I dont recall this being covered before.

 

Does the 400K have to be only in bank accounts in my name, or can the 400K include bank accounts in the wife's name?

 

The Bt400,000 has to be in your name only !!!  Under no circumstances a joint account !!! You can open an account in your wife's name and feed money into it .  You cannot include your wife's bank account as a part of your 400,000 .

[Toscano]

2 hours ago, Pungdo said:

Years ago when I first switched over from a Non O and doing border runs at the Chonburi (Pattaya) Immigration office i was shooting for a Marriage extension, on my 2nd trip in there I was told I had everything I needed, but she couldn't give it to me and I would need to come back again in 9 days, had me completely baffled, eventually I found out the reason why, I had to be inside of the last 30 days of a 90 day period or they couldn't / wouldn't do it.

 

In the end she said, you can have a Retirement extension right now instead, so I slid across to the next desk and got that, it is far less stuffing around than a Marriage extension.

 

Anyhoo, after getting the retirement extension I asked if in the future I wanted to switch over to a Marriage extension could I do it, I was told in no uncertain terms that I can't pick and choose what extension I have and I would have to stick with the Retirement extension.

Could have just been an IO having taken a grumpy pill, but just letting you know what I was told, good luck with it.

Immigration officers hate all the paperwork involved in the marriage visa extension .  I have found the new documents are required each year and you may get sent home a long distance to get them and return the next day .  Many foreigners get very upset and angry if their are unexpected problem , that too is upsetting for the immigration officers .  Stick to the Retirement visa at all costs !!!

[Toscano]

1 hour ago, Phuket Man said:

Don't believe the doom and gloom merchants.

Marriage extensions are relatively straightforward to do.

Never had a problem in 13 years.

A lot depends on where you live and which immigration office you have to go to .  I dare say Pattaya may be easier , I am told Udon Thani is good ;  I at first went to Nong Kai with no problems at all .  Some immigration officers can be all smiles while giving you a hard time .

[ubonjoe]

10 minutes ago, Toscano said:

I have found the new documents are required each year and you may get sent home a long distance to get them and return the next day .

I am on my 10th extension based upon marriage and have had no problems with immigration.

Less than 1 or 2 hours and it is done.

I cannot see how they could keep coming up with more documents. There are only so many they can ask for. I cannot think of anything more that they could want than I supply now.

[keeniau96]

I was starting the process to do so some ten years ago, mostly because of the less money in bank requirement. The Phuket immigration gents very strongly discouraged me, said it would be much work every years. They are a lazu bunch, so best to just keep it simple.

 

 

[fvw53]

2 hours ago, Phuket Man said:

Don't believe the doom and gloom merchants.

Marriage extensions are relatively straightforward to do.

Never had a problem in 13 years.

I agree

[moontang]

19 hours ago, rick99 said:

Hi mate. I did this two years ago and again this year.   They're making it very difficult.  I'll be changing back to retirement.   They have a long list of things to do.  You can ask for it at immigration.  But,  even after you have completed all the tasks it was clear that they appeared to try to deny us.  We succeeded,  it's a long story each time.  Horrible experience both times. ( renewing my retirement visa was easy. ) Just a word of warning.  Pm for details. 

Exactly...I was in line for retirement extension and plenty of guys were married, but said they were simply taking the easier route.  Surely, a few were using letters from the Embassy, but others just didn't sweat having the money in a Thai bank.  My 800K fixed deposit matures in a few days..the interest is enough to pay my condo maintenance fee for a year and five cases of Tiger....nothing to sneeze at, and should be getting better. 

[billd766]

19 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

A Kor Ror 2 was done when you registered your marriage. It has all the details on it about your marriage registration including the names of the witnesses. It is 2 or 3 pages long. Your wife can get a print out of it at any Amphoe by showing her ID card and paying 20 baht for it. The signed, stamped and dated printout of it is to is to prove you are still married.

 

 I am thinking about this but we married in the UK 18 years ago and not in Thailand.

 

I have both the original and the Thai Translations certified by the MFA which were accepted a few years ago at Suan Phlu when we lived in BKK.

 

We now live in KPP province and I am on a retirement extension but it would be nice to know what I need for a marriage extension should I have the need for it.

[ubonjoe]

17 minutes ago, billd766 said:

I am thinking about this but we married in the UK 18 years ago and not in Thailand.

You would have to register your foreign marriage at a Amphoe to get a Kor Ror 22 marriage registry that immigration requires now.

You would have to have your marriage certificate legalized in the UK and have it translated to Thai again to do the registration.

[billd766]

6 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

You would have to register your foreign marriage at a Amphoe to get a Kor Ror 22 marriage registry that immigration requires now.

You would have to have your marriage certificate legalized in the UK and have it translated to Thai again to do the registration.

 

I don't understand about getting my marriage certificate legalised in the UK.

 

I always thought that it was a legal document. Even the MFA seemed to think so.

 

Can you explain it a bit further and deeper.

[ubonjoe]

2 minutes ago, billd766 said:

 

I don't understand about getting my marriage certificate legalised in the UK.

It is to confirm it is legal and not a forgery. Amphoes have been asking for it for a long time now. Immigration started wanting it done a few years ago.

Procedure from UK embassy website. 

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/712469/Legalising_sig_stamp_Sept_15.pdf

[billd766]

5 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

It is to confirm it is legal and not a forgery. Amphoes have been asking for it for a long time now. Immigration started wanting it done a few years ago.

Procedure from UK embassy website. 

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/712469/Legalising_sig_stamp_Sept_15.pdf

 

Thank you for that information.

 

It looks as though I have not registered it at the amphur either.

 

I have been on a retirement extension since 2009, first at Mae Sot for 1 year, Nakhon Sawan for 6 years and now Khampaeng Phet for 2 years and nobody has said anything before, probably as I am on a retirement extension.

 

I have sent an email today to the UK asking what they need and what I needed to do,

 

I will update you on the reply.

 

Cheers

 

Bill

[Tofer]

I can't speak for your (Pattaya) area, but I had problems because I had too much money in my account and the IO simply refused to consider a Marriage extension as it was unnecessary, in his opinion, stating "you have over 800k and only take 10 mins for retirement" was his attitude.

 

Although I had spent a lot of time and money obtaining the correct documentation, he proceeded to provide obstacles to the marriage option. Sadly I had not seen Ubon Joe's list and didn't know I needed a witness, and one that is a government employee by the way!

 

I am pleased to hear that PM and UJ have had no problems, but that does not mean every IO is so cooperative. It is not 'doom & gloom', simply a fact of life in Thailand.

 

Too much work and too lazy, or maybe they make more money sat at their office desk. In my working days I would relish a day out of the office, and in our case, to a beautiful island paradise for a pleasant day out!