Financial Considerations Of Converting Retirement Visa To Spousal Visa

[Lance_A_Lot]

I have been residing in Thailand for a few years on a retirement visa, and it's due to be extended near the end of October. However, due to the U.S. Dollar being depressed, and having had to pay for significant medical bills out-of-pocket over the past several months, my bank account balance is depleted to the point where I may fall short of the total needed on balance for three months preceeding applying for an extension of the retirement visa. Therefore, I am considering 'converting' my retirement visa to a marriage visa if this is possible. I have been legally married for over two years. All is going fairly well with the marriage; and, I feel comfortable in making such a move especially if it's my only option.

I would like to know what financial requirements would apply in my case if the scenario above is possible. Would I be treated as if I had no non-immigrant visa, and have to show the originally required 400,000. Bt on deposit, or would my monthly income (more than 60,000 Bt/mo), plus currently low balance on deposit in a Thai bnak be considered enough to make such a change?

The total of current income and bank balance is way over 400,000. Bt.; but, unfortunately, about 60 - 70K Baht short of what is required for the extension of the retirement visa (800,000. Bt.)

[chinthee]

I have been residing in Thailand for a few years on a retirement visa, and it's due to be extended near the end of October. However, due to the U.S. Dollar being depressed, and having had to pay for significant medical bills out-of-pocket over the past several months, my bank account balance is depleted to the point where I may fall short of the total needed on balance for three months preceeding applying for an extension of the retirement visa. Therefore, I am considering 'converting' my retirement visa to a marriage visa if this is possible. I have been legally married for over two years. All is going fairly well with the marriage; and, I feel comfortable in making such a move especially if it's my only option.

I would like to know what financial requirements would apply in my case if the scenario above is possible. Would I be treated as if I had no non-immigrant visa, and have to show the originally required 400,000. Bt on deposit, or would my monthly income (more than 60,000 Bt/mo), plus currently low balance on deposit in a Thai bnak be considered enough to make such a change?

The total of current income and bank balance is way over 400,000. Bt.; but, unfortunately, about 60 - 70K Baht short of what is required for the extension of the retirement visa (800,000. Bt.)

As a practical matter, most people do the reverse, change from a renewing on marriage to retirement. The reason is that in the case of divorce or death of your spouse, you would be better off with a retirement visa. Don't worry about the money in the bank. Just get a letter from your embassy that you have the monthly amount needed, + make sure you can show deposits into your Thai account for the 3 months preceding your expiry date, and should be no problem. But, I'll let the experts on the forum correct this if needed.

[lopburi3]

If you have monthly pension/income of 60k you only require 5k per month more for your retirement visa (or a bank balance of about 60k). Are you sure you can not swing that? You don't need any bank money with an income of 65k per month. Just go to Embassy and get your letter of income and present that for the bulk of requirement. The retirement requirement is 800k bank deposit or 65k monthly income or combination of the two.

For marriage you will have to prove the 40k income and provide additional paperwork and wait for review and apply with the wife.