Which is preferable, a marriage visa or a retirement visa?

[Espanol]

 

I am retired, over 60 years old, and married to a Thai citizen.
Therefore, I am eligible for both a retirement visa and a marriage visa.

 

In my case, what would be preferable? A marriage visa or a retirement visa?

Both for ease of obtaining it and for price.

 

Thanks for your advice and comments

[KhunBENQ]

If you have the money for retirement extension (not visa) and no ambitions to work then this is by no doubt the easier option.

Cost for the extension as such is identical 1900 Baht.

Difference can result from documents needed.

Two trips to immigration for marriage extension.

Edited December 1, 2023 by KhunBENQ

[DrJack54]

What do you mean by price.

Assume that you plan to do this by yourself without agent.

 

Financials for marriage are ridiculously easy compared to retirement.

 

Paperwork for marriage requires more (much) than retirement.

Also extensions marriage require home visit (most) and an under consideration period 

Up to You

[steve187]

both the same price, marriage 400,000thb only has to be in the bank for 2 months, or maybe 3 at some offices, a few more forms etc than retirement,  retirement money can not drop below 400,000thb

[Bill97]

Do you like hamburgers pizza?

[IvorBiggun2]

I do a Marriage Visa (Extension) I do have enough money to do a Retirement but I don't see much difference or hardship. Okay a little bit more paperwork but its nothing to moan about.

[Lemsta69]

1 minute ago, Bill97 said:

Do you like hamburgers pizza?

 

Not that simple and you know it. This was discussed at length just recently but I CBF searching for the thread, OP can give that a go himself.

[proton]

1 minute ago, IvorBiggun2 said:

I do a Marriage Visa (Extension) I do have enough money to do a Retirement but I don't see much difference or hardship. Okay a little bit more paperwork but its nothing to moan about.

 

What if the wife dies?

[IvorBiggun2]

1 minute ago, proton said:

What if the wife dies?

I should be so lucky. I have children to support so I'd go down that road.

[DrJack54]

22 minutes ago, steve187 said:

both the same price.....

Hardly.  No if you include opportunity cost.

Marriage 400k for couple of months.

For retirement with 800k being maintained for 5 months and with the 400k minimum for other months there is very real risk of accident.

Thinking most maintain 800k all year round.

Hardly same boat as marriage financial requirements. 

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1311246-retirement-visa-versus-marriage-visa-which-is-best/

Edited December 1, 2023 by DrJack54

[KhunBENQ]

8 minutes ago, IvorBiggun2 said:

I do a Marriage Visa (Extension) I do have enough money to do a Retirement but I don't see much difference or hardship. Okay a little bit more paperwork but its nothing to moan about.

I neither like the under consideration period (another burden interfering with your own schedule trips or the like.

nor photos of house, with wife, in room etc.

Two trips to immigration (200 km roundtrip).

Nor do I wait for home visits. Extra run to district office for marriage status certificate etc. etc.

Retirement usually much easier .

Edited December 1, 2023 by KhunBENQ

[IvorBiggun2]

1 minute ago, KhunBENQ said:

I neither like the under consideration period nor photos of house, with wife etc.

Nor do I wait for home visits. Extra run to district office for marriage status certificate etc. etc.

Retirement usually much easier .

Each to their own. Had one home visit in 18 years. No problem. I live Buriram Province.

[OneMoreFarang]

I love my gf and I am together with her since many years.

And I try to do anything legal without her in Thailand.

I never want to be in the situation that she can pressure me because of some obligations.

Currently I don't think this could happen. But then, I saw enough guys who married and thought they will be happy ever after... 

[KhunLA]

@Espanol both are easy, both are same price.  Different financial requirement, which may matter to some.  

 

Retirement easier, less paperwork, instantly approved.  Marriage takes 30 days for approval.  I prefer and do retirement & extensions now.

[KhunBENQ]

8 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

I love my gf and I am together with her since many years.

And I try to do anything legal without her in Thailand.

I never want to be in the situation that she can pressure me because of some obligations.

Currently I don't think this could happen. But then, I saw enough guys who married and thought they will be happy ever after... 

Divorce or run away is enough (she has to join for application).

No one wants to think the worst. But in the sad case she dies you have to immediately care for legal stay whatever way because extension is void.

Edited December 1, 2023 by KhunBENQ

[Jack1988]

20 minutes ago, IvorBiggun2 said:

I do a Marriage Visa (Extension) I do have enough money to do a Retirement but I don't see much difference or hardship. Okay a little bit more paperwork but its nothing to moan about.

the difference is that you only lose money with a thai wife

[JeffersLos]

Marriage. 400k+wife.

Retirement. 800k+health insurance. 

[scottiejohn]

2 minutes ago, JeffersLos said:

Marriage. 400k+wife.

Retirement. 800k+health insurance. 

What health insurance for a standard retirement extension obtained in country?

[Morch]

25 minutes ago, IvorBiggun2 said:

I do a Marriage Visa (Extension) I do have enough money to do a Retirement but I don't see much difference or hardship. Okay a little bit more paperwork but its nothing to moan about.

 

Apart from the first time, the Mrs. handles all the paperwork, I sign where I should. She also knows when we need to go there and all the other things. I don't need to feel in charge, and trust her well enough to do a good job. Been about 20 years now, system works fine. I get it retirement is easier on the paperwork, but can't be arsed switching, Mrs. likes official things kept routine, so no opposition.

 

 

24 minutes ago, proton said:

 

What if the wife dies?

 

Then you do what needs to be done.

[DrJack54]

11 minutes ago, KhunBENQ said:

But in the sad case she dies you have to immediately care for legal stay whatever way because extension is void

For divorce yes.

For death of Thai wife no.

[DrJack54]

10 minutes ago, JeffersLos said:

Marriage. 400k+wife.

Retirement. 800k+health insurance. 

The insurance is only required for extensions from a  non O-A based on retirement. 

[soi3eddie]

There's a huge and obvious downside to the marriage visa/extension :) Retirement best option for sure 555

 

[DrJack54]

4 minutes ago, soi3eddie said:

There's a huge and obvious downside to the marriage visa/extension :) Retirement best option for sure 555

 

Apart for big difference in financial requirements and ability to obtain a work permit.

Pretty significant reasons for many. 

[RetroGTAndrew]

48 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

For divorce yes.

For death of Thai wife no.

Could you expand upon what happens if your Thai wife dies and you are on marriage extension? Is there a grace period to swap to a retirement extension? Or is there some way to maintain the marriage extension legacy?

 

Andrew

Edited December 1, 2023 by RetroGTAndrew
Spelling

[LennyW]

I opted for the marriage visa, quite easy to do, and if i do contract work again i can get a work permit, cant get a work permit on a retirement visa.

 

[DrJack54]

9 minutes ago, RetroGTAndrew said:

Could you expand upon what happens if your Thai wife dies and you are on marriage extension? Is there a grace period to swap to a retirement extension? Or is there some way to maintain the marriage extension legacy?

 

Andrew

It's a good question.

My comment was based on old posts from ubonjoe (absolutely #1 expert) 

The current extension would be honored upon death of Thai spouse.

(Not the case for divorce)

 

I'm not clear if someone could just change to extension based on retirement at time current expiry of permission of stay.

 

Normally the wife would need to attend for that change.

A simple option would be to exit Thailand and reenter visa exempt and do conversion to non O and obtain subsequent extension based on retirement.

Obviously need planning for different financial requirements. 

Edited December 1, 2023 by DrJack54

[BritManToo]

Minor crimes 

Retirement extension = deportation 

 

Divorce 

Marriage extension = cancelled 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[BritManToo]

2 hours ago, proton said:

 

What if the wife dies?

Marry someone else!

[Bill97]

2 hours ago, Lemsta69 said:

Not that simple and you know it

It is for a lot of folks.

[CartagenaWarlock]

2 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

No if you include opportunity cost.

Wondering what's the opportunity cost of using an agent instead of keeping the money in a Thai bank?

Edited December 1, 2023 by CartagenaWarlock