Extension Of "o"- Marriage Version Visa

[croydon]

Am I correct to assume that if all the normal criteria (money, no criminal record, marriage cert etc) are met, the 3 month stay will be extended to 1 year on/after arrival, if a request for such is made?

I am married to a Thai who lives in Thailand (she has been to the UK 3 times), I am Irish and live in the UK.

If granted, can this same visa be extended for another year or does one definitely have to leave Thailand and if so, back to the UK or just to a neighbouring country?

Thanks.

Croydon

[Krub]

Am I correct to assume that if all the normal criteria (money, no criminal record, marriage cert etc) are met, the 3 month stay will be extended to 1 year on/after arrival, if a request for such is made?

I am married to a Thai who lives in Thailand (she has been to the UK 3 times), I am Irish and live in the UK.

If granted, can this same visa be extended for another year or does one definitely have to leave Thailand and if so, back to the UK or just to a neighbouring country?

Thanks.

Croydon

If you are over 50 you have the option of extension for retirement which requires 800k in bank or 65k/month pension

Ifyou are under 50 you can extend on basis of Thai wife but you need to show between you and your wife an income of 40k/month

This in adition to the normal fomrs, pctures, copies of passports, bank books etc

[lopburi3]

If you meet the requirements you can obtain extension of stay and continue to do so each year. There is never a need to leave the country but if you want to leave you must obtain a re-entry permit first to keep any extension of stay alive.

[croydon]

Thanks Lopburi3.

So, just to be clear, if all of the usual requirements are met, my assumption that an extension to the 3 months is moreorless automatic on or soon after arrival and extensions for additional years is possible without leaving the country and there is no need to convert from "O" Marriage to "O-A" Retirement?

Thanks again for earlier concise reply.

Croydon

[Krub]

Thanks Lopburi3.

So, just to be clear, if all of the usual requirements are met, my assumption that an extension to the 3 months is moreorless automatic on or soon after arrival and extensions for additional years is possible without leaving the country and there is no need to convert from "O" Marriage to "O-A" Retirement?

Thanks again for earlier concise reply.

Croydon

If you have a non-immigrant O visa you will receive a 3 month validity entry stamp when arriving in Thailand

If you want to extend the stay beyond the 3 months, you need to go to immigration in Thailand without the need to go out of the country and apply (if for retirement and you are over 50) with either 800k in the bank for more than 3 months or pension of 65k per month or a combination of both

[lopburi3]

If you meet the requirements for a retirement extension of stay it is easy and immediate. Each year you will have to show that you meet the requirements. What you do is extend your non immigrant visa stay for long stay (retirement) and the name O-A has nothing to do with it.

The non immigrant O-A visa is only issued by a Consulate for first entry (if you want to do this way) and is done in the country you normally live. Has nothing to do with conversion/extension within Thailand.

[croydon]

I'm a little confused now!

To clarify please, if I meet all the requirements, is the 3 month period extended, on request, to 1 year and only per retirement visa financial terms and the initial "O" visa then becomes a retirement visa so an extension per "O" Marriage visa financial terms is not possible?

Thanks.

Croydon

[Lite Beer]

I'm a little confused now!

To clarify please, if I meet all the requirements, is the 3 month period extended, on request, to 1 year and only per retirement visa financial terms and the initial "O" visa then becomes a retirement visa so an extension per "O" Marriage visa financial terms is not possible?

Thanks.

Croydon

The initial O Visa becomes an extension of stay if you are successful.

To get it because of marriage to a Thai lady you have to have a monthly income of 40,000 Baht. To prove this you will have to get a letter from your national embassy in Bangkok verifying this.

[lopburi3]

I'm a little confused now!

To clarify please, if I meet all the requirements, is the 3 month period extended, on request, to 1 year and only per retirement visa financial terms and the initial "O" visa then becomes a retirement visa so an extension per "O" Marriage visa financial terms is not possible?

Thanks.

Croydon

You asked about extension of stay for marriage (relative/family). For retirement the requirement is 800k bank deposit for 3 months/65k pension as in Embassy letter or a combination of the two. The extension is immediate and can start with a tourist visa (with extra step) or normal non immigrant visa.

Yes you can change from the 40k family income per month extension to retirement at a later date if you so choose but it will require your wife signing off that she understand you are changing your status.

The normal marriage extension of stay requires a family income of 40k baht per month and is extend able yearly but takes a month or more of review each time before the final word is received/stamped.

So if you are married to a Thai and over age 50 you have the choice of methods. The retirement has a higher financial amount but is easier for all concerned if you can meet it.

[croydon]

Thanks Lopburi3.

Yes, I am 51 and just checking out the possibilities of a possible move to Thailand later this year.

So, an extension from 3 months to 1 year under the marriage visa terms is possible and the same is possible for subsequent years?

It is possible to change from marriage to retirement visa and you think that if I can afford it, I should opt for the latter?

Thanks.

Croydon

[lopburi3]

Very doable and I have done the marriage to retirement extension change. They do want your wife to sign a paper that she understands you have changed your status (due to marriage laws) but other than that routine and makes it easier for everyone.