For 2 years I have done an extension to my Non Imm O based on marriage but to be honest, it's too much hassle. The 1 month under consideration period almost messed up my holiday last year.

 

My renewal is at the end of june this year, we are still married and not going to change that. I have topped up my Kasikorn account to 800k (it's never fallen below the 400k for marriage). Is there anything else that I need to do? i.e.if I am on retirement and not marriage, do I need to get a lease from my wife that I am living at her address as I'm not listed on the Tabien Baan? What do I tell Immigration when they ask me Why you changing? etc. Any help from someone who has changed over would be appreciated

As you stated take the balance up to 800k for two months prior to application.

Also have wife attend immigration office with you..

You should not require a TM30 as your address has not changed.

 

Have your most recent TM47 receipt with you. 

 

Thread here....

https://aseannow.com/topic/1290794-switch-non-imm-o-extension-from-marriage-to-retirement/

3 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

As you stated take the balance up to 800k for two months prior to application.

Also have wife attend immigration office with you..

You should not require a TM30 as your address has not changed.

 

Have your most recent TM47 receipt with you. 

 

Thread here....

https://aseannow.com/topic/1290794-switch-non-imm-o-extension-from-marriage-to-retirement/

Many thanks Doc ????

49 minutes ago, ConnectionNotGuaranteed said:

Many thanks Doc ????

Since immo offices bureacratic needs and 'rules' can vary wildly, tell us what office you will be attending for your extension. In this way, a helpful member may come back with some unique details that may prevent a stubbed toe.

I've been told that immigration much prefer you to have a retirement extension as it's much less work for them. Of course, it's also them who make the rules to generate the extra work, but I don't suppose simplifying it has ever occurred to them. Such as removing the need for photos of you inside your house, which could be taken anywhere. When the IOs made a visit after my first marriage application they didn't even go in the house. Just plain stupid.

24 minutes ago, Bangkok Barry said:

but I don't suppose simplifying it has ever occurred to them

My guess is that they are careful with marriage visa applications because those can be misused by "relatively young" foreigners who aim to secretly work in Thailand or set up a criminal enterprise. Once you are eligable for a retirement visa you are so old you just want to sit on your porch and don't even think about work anymore. So less paperwork is needed by then.

1 minute ago, Bob12345 said:

Once you are eligable for a retirement visa you are so old you just want to sit on your porch and don't even think about work anymore

At 50 "so old" 

Bit rich . ..

1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

At 50 "so old" 

Bit rich . ..

555. Not a bit rich, very rich to retire at 50 and never work again!!!

2 hours ago, Bob12345 said:

My guess is that they are careful with marriage visa applications because those can be misused by "relatively young" foreigners who aim to secretly work in Thailand or set up a criminal enterprise. Once you are eligable for a retirement visa you are so old you just want to sit on your porch and don't even think about work anymore. So less paperwork is needed by then.

I suppose you're right, although a retirement extension is available from 50 years old. And you don't have to be retired to have one either.

51 minutes ago, Kalasin Jo said:

555. Not a bit rich, very rich to retire at 50 and never work again!!!

You don't have to be retired to get a retirement extension. That's what they told me last time I visited the IO and they suggested it to me.

2 hours ago, Bob12345 said:

Once you are eligable for a retirement visa you are so old you just want to sit on your porch and don't even think about work anymore. So less paperwork is needed by then.

That is some theory "Jethro". C'mon Barry you are better than that. 50 is the prime of life.

4 hours ago, NanLaew said:

Since immo offices bureacratic needs and 'rules' can vary wildly, tell us what office you will be attending for your extension. In this way, a helpful member may come back with some unique details that may prevent a stubbed toe.

It's at the Chaiyaphum Office. Great staff there and very helpful normally

4 hours ago, Bangkok Barry said:

I've been told that immigration much prefer you to have a retirement extension as it's much less work for them. Of course, it's also them who make the rules to generate the extra work, but I don't suppose simplifying it has ever occurred to them. Such as removing the need for photos of you inside your house, which could be taken anywhere. When the IOs made a visit after my first marriage application they didn't even go in the house. Just plain stupid.

Yeah it's all that extra hassle that puts me off and is the reason I want to change over. We've been married for over 20 years, have a 15 year old daughter together and they have lived with me all over the world with work. I could understand the need to verify the relationship the first time I applied for marriage extension but to visit and take photo's every year is ridiculous.

When I changed to retirement last year, the immigration wanted a copy of our marriage paper. They said: "Only this time, because I was changing". My wife was with me, but they didn't ask her anything, and she didn't sign anything.

I did include the Tabien Baan of our house and copy of her ID.

It took all of 15 minutes from submitting the documents, and getting the passport back with the extension stamp. That was in Hua Hin.

 

Link to my post about changing from marriage to retirement.

 

1 hour ago, SpaceKadet said:

They said: "Only this time, because I was changing". My wife was with me, but they didn't ask her anything, and she didn't sign anything

This is normal. 

Wife presence needs to show previous extension based on marriage is valid 

Meaning you did not divorce during that year. 

On 4/12/2023 at 4:08 PM, Bangkok Barry said:

You don't have to be retired to get a retirement extension. That's what they told me last time I visited the IO and they suggested it to me.

I suppose not. Especially Thailand. What's in a name anyway? Might be better called an " Over 50 extension" though?