Non-Imm-O: Marriage vs. Retirement based

[XGM]

I've been doing yearly extensions of Non-Imm-O, based on Marriage, for the last 10 years. I will turn 50 this year and wondering if there's any advantage in switching to Non-Imm-O based on Retirement.

The biggest disadvantage of Retirement-based extension is the higher bank deposit requirements.

Any other things to consider?

 

[Moonlover]

There is a lot less paperwork involved with a retirement extension and it only involves one visit to the immigration office. Would you be using deposit in bank method (800k) or the monthly remittance method 65k/month?

[DrJack54]

Based on retirement.

1. No home visit

2. Far less paperwork 

3. No under consideration period 

4. Wife does not need to attend immigration with you.

5. etc

 

Based on marriage.

1. Extremely easy financials 

2. You can work 

3. No insurance requirement for       extensions from a Non O-A 

4. etc

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1313160-which-is-preferable-a-marriage-visa-or-a-retirement-visa/ 

 

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

 

[Upnotover]

None really.  The financial requirement is "worse" but if that's an issue for you is a personal judgement.  Normally people shift from marriage because of the photo's/house visits/witnesses/wife needed to accompany, etc.  But as every office is different it all depends on how much of a pain it is for you personally in your location.  Oh, and if she leaves you you don't have any worries.

[Presnock]

15 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Based on retirement.

1. No home visit

2. Far less paperwork 

3. No under consideration period 

4. Wife does not need to attend immigration with you.

5. etc

 

Based on marriage.

1. Extremely easy financials 

2. You can work 

3. No insurance requirement for       extensions from a Non O-A 

4. etc

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1313160-which-is-preferable-a-marriage-visa-or-a-retirement-visa/ 

 

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

 

great and complete response!

[XGM]

15 hours ago, Moonlover said:

There is a lot less paperwork involved with a retirement extension and it only involves one visit to the immigration office. Would you be using deposit in bank method (800k) or the monthly remittance method 65k/month?

Probably the bank deposit path.

[XGM]

15 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Based on retirement.

1. No home visit

2. Far less paperwork 

3. No under consideration period 

4. Wife does not need to attend immigration with you.

5. etc

 

Based on marriage.

1. Extremely easy financials 

2. You can work 

3. No insurance requirement for       extensions from a Non O-A 

4. etc

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1313160-which-is-preferable-a-marriage-visa-or-a-retirement-visa/ 

 

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

 

Thanks. I wasn't aware that extension based on Retirement doesn't require an "under consideration" period. That's a nice plus. As for home visit / Thai witness, certainly not a pleasant experience, we had it only once though in 10 years.

[matta01]

I'm surprised no one talks about compulsory health insurance

[DrJack54]

3 minutes ago, XGM said:

Thanks. I wasn't aware that extension based on Retirement doesn't require an "under consideration" period. That's a nice plus. As for home visit / Thai witness, certainly not a pleasant experience, we had it only once though in 10 years.

Yes the under consideration period can sometimes be longer than a month.

That's an issue for eg Roster workers such as oil/gas etc. 

 

Some folk don't mind the home visit.

For me it's a deal breaker. 

 

A minor consideration and perhaps more for others.....

If you divorce then with marriage extension then that extension ends.

 

[Moonlover]

1 minute ago, matta01 said:

I'm surprised no one talks about compulsory health insurance

What compulsory health insurance? He's came on a non imm-0. It not required.

[DrJack54]

2 minutes ago, matta01 said:

I'm surprised no one talks about compulsory health insurance

I mentioned in my first post .

That only applies to extensions from a Non O-A.

If extension based on retirement insurance required.

If based on marriage no insurance required. 

[jesimps]

I changed from retirement based to marriage because I feel that the powers that be, when considering rule changes, might show a bit more leeway if one of their own were affected. Probably wouldn't make the slightest difference to them, but there you go. It is a pain in the backside though.

[ExpatOilWorker]

One tiny advantage of marriage extension is that it has a higher priority then the retirement extension. We saw that during Covid, when only marriage extension holders could enter the country. 

 

It is kind of assuring to come together with the wife. I always feel like I am sitting next to a Seal 6 team member when doing the yearly extension and the IO is always extremely polite to the wife.

[Thingamabob]

Changed from marriage to retirement some years ago because it involves less hassle, although more expensive. A personal choice that would not suit everybody. 

[Tookea]

17 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Based on retirement.

1. No home visit

2. Far less paperwork 

3. No under consideration period 

4. Wife does not need to attend immigration with you.

5. etc

 

Based on marriage.

1. Extremely easy financials 

2. You can work 

3. No insurance requirement for       extensions from a Non O-A 

4. etc

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1313160-which-is-preferable-a-marriage-visa-or-a-retirement-visa/ 

 

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

 

2. You can work.

Not necessarily 

Work permits are in the domain of the Ministry of Labor, not Immigration (who handles the Visa). 

See Work Eligibility and Work Permit

https://thaivisaexpert.com/is-it-possible-to-work-on-a-marriage-visa/#:~:text=While the Thai Marriage Visa,and evaluation determine the outcome.

 

[DrJack54]

12 minutes ago, Tookea said:

2. You can work.

Not necessarily 

Work permits are in the domain of the Ministry of Labor, not Immigration

Stop being pedantic.

Of course he would need to obtain a work permit.

The point is he cannot obtain a work permit with an extension based on retirement. 

He can with extension based on marriage 

[DrJack54]

46 minutes ago, Tookea said:

See Work Eligibility and Work Permit

https://thaivisaexpert.com/is-it-possible-to-work-on-a-marriage-visa/#:~:text=While the Thai Marriage Visa,and evaluation determine the outcome.

If you wish to post link to agent post link access.

https://thaivisaexpert.com/is-it-possible-to-work-on-a-marriage-visa/#:~:text=While

[jojothai]

38 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Stop being pedantic.

Of course he would need to obtain a work permit.

The point is he cannot obtain a work permit with an extension based on retirement. 

He can with extension based on marriage 

Dr Jack is correct.
The marriage visa has an advantage in this way. Far easier if you expect periodic work with work permits.
I am in a situation where this is expected with a Thai employer.
Otherwise the marriage visa is a lot harder.
I have friends in Hua hin who stopped getting marriage visa because it is far too intrusive.
Immigration at hua hin pointedly advised  me that it is far easier to get a retirement visa, but understood and agreed with me that the work permit situation is an advantage.

[Chris747]

Homevisits are only once on the first extension from my experience. If you move and you apply for the extension in another area/other immigration for the first time they make the homevisit again - the following years not anymore. That applied to Chiang Mai and now the same to Ubon.

[DrJack54]

7 minutes ago, Chris747 said:

Homevisits are only once on the first extension from my experience

Depends on immigration office. 

For example in attached thread some offices do home visit every year 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1318003-io-home-visits/

[Nabbiex]

20 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

 

Based on marriage.

1. Extremely easy financials 

2. You can work 

3. No insurance requirement 

 

Number 2: is work permit mandatory?

[DrJack54]

20 minutes ago, Nabbiex said:

Number 2: is work permit mandatory?

Yes.

Many companies such as Siam Legal and another posted earlier outline process and some advantages of Non O marriage.

 

https://www.siam-legal.com/thailand-visa/Thailand-Marriage-Visa.php

[edwardflory]

'm surprised no one talks about compulsory health insurance

 

NON - O-A retirement requires insurance

 

NON - O retirement does NOT require insurance.

( 12 years so far )

I'm 80 and insurance is NOT available for folks my age.

 

[XGM]

4 hours ago, ExpatOilWorker said:

One tiny advantage of marriage extension is that it has a higher priority then the retirement extension. We saw that during Covid, when only marriage extension holders could enter the country. 

 

It is kind of assuring to come together with the wife. I always feel like I am sitting next to a Seal 6 team member when doing the yearly extension and the IO is always extremely polite to the wife.

I had mixed experiences in BKK and relatively positive in CM. But in Jomtien the officer is rude to my wife, and treats me even worse. If I had the option to go by myself I'd even prefer it. At least they won't be able to treat me like I don't exist LOL

[XGM]

2 hours ago, Chris747 said:

Homevisits are only once on the first extension from my experience. If you move and you apply for the extension in another area/other immigration for the first time they make the homevisit again - the following years not anymore. That applied to Chiang Mai and now the same to Ubon.

 Each office evidently have their own policies. I extended in BKK and CM, never a house visit, not once. But in Jomtien - first time house visit + Thai witness required. Then other seemingly random requests.

[couchpotato]

4 minutes ago, XGM said:

I had mixed experiences in BKK and relatively positive in CM. But in Jomtien the officer is rude to my wife, and treats me even worse. If I had the option to go by myself I'd even prefer it. At least they won't be able to treat me like I don't exist LOL

The Jomtien Marriage IO (left desk point of contact) has had this very rude reputation for quite a few years, to both the foreigner and spouse.

[lungbing]

For  some years now I have been to renew my retirement visa on my own.  My wife sits outside the office.  I found I was getting better treatment from the IO without my wife being with me.  This may just be a feeling, but it seems to work for me.  Khon Kaen office.

[OJAS]

On 2/20/2025 at 8:46 PM, Upnotover said:

Oh, and if she leaves you you don't have any worries.

 

Likewise if you were to find yourself in the same unfortunate position as the OP of this thread:

 

 

[DrJack54]

9 hours ago, OJAS said:

Likewise if you were to find yourself in the same unfortunate position as the OP of this thread:

Didn't read the thread however guys on extensions marriage should be aware that if wife passes then your current permission of stay (should) remain valid till expiry.

In the event of divorce your permission of stay is done.