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From retirement to marriage extension - Chiang Mai

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I was planning on doing the switch.

I went to Immigration to get a list of the required documents (Information desk inside the building, ground floor).

I was told I am not allowed to do it.

Must leave the country and come back with new NON O.

I was very surprised and asked if he was sure, which he said he was.

Anyone with recent similar experience at Chiang Mai Immigration?

Because I asked on this forum and it seemed that the switch was something possible/allowed.

Cheers

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  • Raindancer
    Raindancer

    Try this person: Try this contact point. Supt in Charge> make a personal visit. Good luck.

  • OJAS
    OJAS

    Typical face-saving BS nonsense from a clueless IO, it seems to me.

  • DrJack54
    DrJack54

    Agree. I didn't want to suggest it to OP as it's a balancing act however in his shoes I would have politely asked to speak head io. At very least ask why is it possible widely in other offices

Posted Images

Very helpful 'Gold and Tree' visas & all things legal, 4th floor Panthip Plaza should you ever need as back up...never missed a beat for me in years.............

17 minutes ago, pub2022 said:

I was told I am not allowed to do it.

Must leave the country and come back with new NON O.

That's, disappointing.

No reason why you should not be able to change the basis of extension from retirement to marriage.

For the very first extension it must be on basis of what the Non O was obtained.

I assume it's not first extension

https://aseannow.com/topic/1329482-can-i-switch-back-from-extension-based-on-retirement-to-marriage/

31 minutes ago, pub2022 said:

which he said he was.

Typical face-saving BS nonsense from a clueless IO, it seems to me.

4 minutes ago, OJAS said:

Typical face-saving BS nonsense from a clueless IO, it seems to me.

Agree. I didn't want to suggest it to OP as it's a balancing act however in his shoes I would have politely asked to speak head io.

At very least ask why is it possible widely in other offices

  • Author
3 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

I assume it's not first extension

Yes, it isn't my first extension.

Really disappointing indeed, I'm thinking about going back and politely ask again.

Eventually ask with a smile to talk to a senior employee.

I could say thay I know of other offices in Thailand that allow the change without any problem.

I'm not sure the person I talked to is a real officer or just a helper.

Who should I eventually ask to talk to? Head officer or...

  • Popular Post
22 minutes ago, pub2022 said:

Yes, it isn't my first extension.

Really disappointing indeed, I'm thinking about going back and politely ask again.

Eventually ask with a smile to talk to a senior employee.

I could say thay I know of other offices in Thailand that allow the change without any problem.

I'm not sure the person I talked to is a real officer or just a helper.

Who should I eventually ask to talk to? Head officer or...

Try this person:

31 minutes ago, pub2022 said:

Yes, it isn't my first extension.

Really disappointing indeed, I'm thinking about going back and politely ask again.

Eventually ask with a smile to talk to a senior employee.

I could say thay I know of other offices in Thailand that allow the change without any problem.

I'm not sure the person I talked to is a real officer or just a helper.

Who should I eventually ask to talk to? Head officer or...

Try this contact point. Supt in Charge> make a personal visit. Good luck.

Screenshot_20260507_142539_Gallery.jpg

54 minutes ago, pub2022 said:

Yes, it isn't my first extension.

Really disappointing indeed, I'm thinking about going back and politely ask again.

Eventually ask with a smile to talk to a senior employee.

I could say thay I know of other offices in Thailand that allow the change without any problem.

I'm not sure the person I talked to is a real officer or just a helper.

Who should I eventually ask to talk to? Head officer or...

I always have to collect mine at Central Festival, but there's the airport one too? Still open?could try there with different staff...................

Central festival dont issue / change those type of visa extension types.

It's all done at the Airport Office.

1 hour ago, pub2022 said:

I could say thay I know of other offices in Thailand that allow the change without any problem.

I'm not sure the person I talked to is a real officer or just a helper.

https://aseannow.com/topic/1252969-change-from-retirement-extension-based-on-oa-to-marriage-extension/

As unonjoe and others point out in attached thread above it's certainly an option.

Note you would need to have shown compliance to retirement financials.

As for the joker who nocked you back at immigration either one Ignorance or 2. Involves more work for immigration.

Neither of which is a valid reason

3 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

https://aseannow.com/topic/1252969-change-from-retirement-extension-based-on-oa-to-marriage-extension/

As unonjoe and others point out in attached thread above it's certainly an option.

Note you would need to have shown compliance to retirement financials.

As for the joker who nocked you back at immigration either one Ignorance or 2. Involves more work for immigration.

Neither of which is a valid reason

Absolutely. A few friends of mine did this without hassle at the airport.

Best of luck to the OP.

  • Author

I still have the money in the bank, I could reapply for retirement ext. if needed.

I went to Immigration near the airport, I knew not possible at Pantip.

Few days ago, I also visited a very well known visa agency here in CM.

They said the switch was possible, and quoted me about 13k just to hold my hand!

So I thought, ok I'll do it myself.

And now this surprising news.

2 minutes ago, pub2022 said:

I still have the money in the bank, I could reapply for retirement ext. if needed.

I went to Immigration near the airport, I knew not possible at Pantip.

Few days ago, I also visited a very well known visa agency here in CM.

They said the switch was possible, and quoted me about 13k just to hold my hand!

So I thought, ok I'll do it myself.

And now this surprising news.

I know holding 800k is a real nonsense. Doesn't actually prove how an "alien " can support themselves in Thailand during their extension of stay, which might be more realistic.

Just go the retirement method> saves all the hassle of the rain forest of paperwork, for marriage extension, plus the return visit to collect the approval.

17 hours ago, Raindancer said:

the rain forest of paperwork, for marriage extension

What rainforest of paperwork? It's not that much and it's basically print out the same paperwork every year to be submitted plus a fresh marriage certificate, a few photos, and banking stuff.

13 minutes ago, Bredbury Blue said:

What rainforest of paperwork? It's not that much and it's basically print out the same paperwork every year to be submitted plus a fresh marriage certificate, a few photos, and banking stuff.

Whatever. More paperwork > marriage proof> visits to get new verified marriage kor docs. Far easier all round with retirement visa, not requiring maps, photos, home visits, return to collect approval some weeks later.

23 hours ago, pub2022 said:

I was planning on doing the switch.

I went to Immigration to get a list of the required documents (Information desk inside the building, ground floor).

I was told I am not allowed to do it.

Must leave the country and come back with new NON O.

I was very surprised and asked if he was sure, which he said he was.

Anyone with recent similar experience at Chiang Mai Immigration?

Because I asked on this forum and it seemed that the switch was something possible/allowed.

Cheers

If you go to the big car park opposite CM Immigration, there is a large building called "The Colonel" I believe that they will do all of your visa's (Not sure of costs) but they are somehow 'enmeshed' with CM immigration. (If you go to find out, let me know the costs thanks!) I was also under the impression that ONE change to your extension was allowed, I know at least one other person that has done this the other way around - Retirement to marriage - no need to leave or get a new visa)

Did you ask the staff at the gate office or did you manage to get to see someone inside?

Edited by Vlada Floric

25 minutes ago, Raindancer said:

Whatever. More paperwork > marriage proof> visits to get new verified marriage kor docs. Far easier all round with retirement visa, not requiring maps, photos, home visits, return to collect approval some weeks later.

Sorry but it annoys me when I continually see retirement extension guys pedalling the myth about rainforests of paperwork for marriage extensions and/or how difficult it is. Here's the reality:

There is some more paperwork for marriage than retirement but NOT loads more as I see so many people wrongly state.

Yes there is a trip to the local amphur to get a marriage cert. Costs less than b100. We combine it with a trip to the supermarket nearby.

Banking stuff similar to retirement extension.

Photos...takes 30 mins to take and print to paper.

Map...prepared once, print out same page A4 every year.

Home visit...never had one in +20 years and wouldn't be an issue if they wanted to see my possessions in our house.

Witnesses...never been requested to provide in +20 years and wouldn't be an issue if they wanted one or two witnesses.

There is a 2nd trip to get the stamp...usually 5mins wait time in the office plus travelling time.

Then theres only b400k tied up for 3 months compared to the b800k/b400k for ONE YEAR...if you're wealthy, it's not an issue.

Theres also the right to work with a marriage extension (but not with retirement) which I used for several decades.

It's all down to personal choice and circumstances.

On 5/7/2026 at 10:24 AM, pub2022 said:

I was told I am not allowed to do it.

The REAL question is

Did you get your retirement extension at the Chiang Mai immigration office?

I have seen C/M reluctant to do "reason changes" for people who got extensions from other provinces, moved the Chiang Mai then tried to get an extension for a different reason.


However if you got the extension in Chiang Mai there shouldn't be any reason you couldn't "change the reason" for an extension at the office there

It can be done, and I'd bet dollars to durian you were talking to those goofball volunteers outside the main office, you need to get INSIDE and talk to someone.

Changing the reason for an extension is routinely done at almost every office employment to marriage, employment to retirement, marriage to retirement, retirement to marriage <- those are COMMON reasons that extensions are changed in country..

Edited by Tod Daniels
change to correct extension

On 5/7/2026 at 2:54 PM, Off Piste said:

I always have to collect mine at Central Festival,

sounds to me like you use an agent to get your extension. <- Those are the only people who pick up long term extensions at the Mall location

On 5/7/2026 at 2:54 PM, Off Piste said:

I always have to collect mine at Central Festival, but there's the airport one too? Still open?could try there with different staff...................

I hope you are not just collecting your passport but also getting your photo taken by the IO!

  • Author
5 hours ago, Tod Daniels said:

The REAL question is

Did you get your employment extension at the Chiang Mai immigration office?

I have seen C/M reluctant to do "reason changes" for people who got employment extensions from other provinces, moved the Chiang Mai then tried to get an extension for a different reason.


Plus with an out of province extension that would entail cancelling the current extension for employment at the office that issued it, then immediately going to the main immigration office in Chiang Mai to apply for the marriage extension.. However if you got the extension in Chiang Mai there shouldn't be any reason you couldn't "change the reason" for an extension at the office there

It can be done, and I'd bet dollars to durian you were talking to those goofball volunteers outside the main office, you need to get INSIDE and talk to someone.

Changing the reason for an extension is routinely done at almost every office employment to marriage, employment to retirement, marriage to retirement, retirement to marriage <- those are COMMON reasons that extensions are changed in country..

My NON O based on retirement was issued in Chiang Mai.

My 12 month extension was issued in Chiang Mai as well.

Nothing to do with employment (I never mentioned it).

I'd like to go from retirement to marriage extension with money in the bank.

  • Information desk inside the building (ground floor, I personally went)

  • Immigration Bureau hot line 1178 (my wife phoned)

  • Immigration Chiang Mai 053201755 (my wife phoned)

All 3 of them confirmed, you must leave the country. No possible to switch inside country.

I don't know what to think anymore.

Everybody on here saying that it is possible: maybe you forgot to mention with the help of an agency? Or maybe things have changed?

If you don't believe me, I invite some of you to try give it a call!

Cheers

1 hour ago, scottiejohn said:

I hope you are not just collecting your passport but also getting your photo taken by the IO!

I may occasionally fly by the seat of my pants, but this day, was a photo day.............all good, cheers..........

59 minutes ago, pub2022 said:

I don't know what to think anymore.

Everybody on here saying that it is possible: maybe you forgot to mention with the help of an agency? Or maybe things have changed?

Can't say you haven't tried across various avenues.

Fact is it has previously been done and I would add commonly.

No it isn't due to agent involvement.

You have Non immigrant status and should be able to change what the extension is based on.

Retirement to Marriage and vice versa

from marriage visa to retirement visa. info, here in Phuket (main immigration office), last tuesday (5 may 2026), I have asked to do my 4th non-O visa 1-year extension (the initiala visa was bas based on marriage, the current extension will expire at the end of may 2026, and is based on marriage as the precedent 2 extensions) with a change of reason: from marriage visa to retirement visa.

the thai young boy helper staff looked in my passport, and said that is normally impossible and that it is a special case, which needs a special fee. I asked how much is the special fee. then, he asked a female immigration officer seated on his right side (in brown suit, I think). then, I got the answer : 19 000 bahts (nineteen thousands bahts).
so, I wonder if it is a new regulation which forbids a change of reason for the second (or more) non O visa extension.

note: at this immigration office, the immigration officers handling retirement visa extensions work in in a different bureau (103) than the ones handling the marriage visa extensions (bureau 201).

note: in bureau 201, one foreign volonteer worker advised me to apply for a new non-O visa based on retirement.

Edited by lee1965
adding details

  • Author
9 minutes ago, lee1965 said:

from marriage visa to retirement visa. info, here in Phuket (main immigration office), last tuesday (5 may 2026), I have asked to do my 4th non-O visa 1-year extension (the initiala visa was bas based on marriage, the current extension will expire at the end of may 2026, and is based on marriage as the precedent 2 extensions) with a change of reason: from marriage visa to retirement visa.

the thai young boy helper staff looked in my passport, and said that is normally impossible and that it is a special case, which needs a special fee. I asked how much is the special fee. then, he asked a female immigration officer seated on his right side (in brown suit, I think). then, I got the answer : 19 000 bahts (nineteen thousands bahts).
so, I wonder if it is a new regulation which forbids a change of reason for the second (or more) non O visa extension.

I think that things have changed: no more possible.

But, to me, they just said no, must leave the country. No other option given (no special fee).

16 minutes ago, lee1965 said:

. I asked how much is the special fee. then, he asked a female immigration officer seated on his right side (in brown suit, I think). then, I got the answer : 19 000 bahts (nineteen thousands bahts).

Straight up graft. May as well have replied.,... "So the Shake Down is 19k. And receipt what colour"

46 minutes ago, pub2022 said:

I think that things have changed: no more possible.

But, to me, they just said no, must leave the country.

Don't think "things have changed"

Folk who entered Thailand with a Non O-A (sometimes referred to as retirement visa) have been successful in obtaining extensions (not the first one) based on marriage.

This is common way to avoid insurance requirement.

Do you currently have a reentry permit in pp?

Just thinking about your option of starting over.

  • Author
1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

Don't think "things have changed"

Folk who entered Thailand with a Non O-A (sometimes referred to as retirement visa) have been successful in obtaining extensions (not the first one) based on marriage.

This is common way to avoid insurance requirement.

Do you currently have a reentry permit in pp?

Just thinking about your option of starting over.

Please note, Immigration call center 1178 confirmed: must leave the country (we didn't talk about Chiang Mai at all).

I do not have a rentry permit, but I still have the financial to renew my retirement ext.

Cheers

5 minutes ago, pub2022 said:

I do not have a rentry permit, but I still have the financial to renew my retirement ext.

If you decide to start over then without reentry permit just exit Thailand and obtain Non O eVisa in nearby country.

I would use it as time for mini holiday.

Not Laos requires payment of application at embassy/consulate.

Other places eg Saigon.,... It's all online including payment.

With all that stated I don't accept CM nor 1178 advice.

  • 2 weeks later...
On 5/11/2026 at 3:50 PM, pub2022 said:

I think that things have changed: no more possible.

But, to me, they just said no, must leave the country. No other option given (no special fee).

I returned to the immigration office on may, the 14th and tried to apply again for an extension based on retirement. the same young helper staff recognised me and checked my documents and then asked if I am ok to pay the extra fee. I said I want to pay the normal fee of 1900 bahts. then, he checked with an IO, and told me it is not possible for me to have my visa extension. then, I asked to see the chief of the bureau. after that, I have to wait about 15 minutes. then, I met an immigration officer (male, about 35 years old). I think he was not the chief of the bureau. he told me the same story: I have to leave the country and apply for a new O visa based on retirement. when asking, he told me that this rule is active for about 2 or 3 years already. then, I left this office without applying. one day after, I returned to the immigration office, and apply for my (usual) extension based on marriage. I have to wait about nine hours to be served as there were only 2 IO on duty (instead of 5), on this day. the IO that served me was kind as he let me send with the Line app one missing document (the tabien baan of my landlord residence, as her name was not on the tabien baan of the house that I am renting). this IO asked me also to draw manually the map to get to my rented house, he did't like the google map that I have provided. now, I have to wait about one month to get my visa approved (I hope). my application is sent to Hat Yai to be processed. Note: there is a possibility to get a queue number remotely with an online app named QueQ (update the app if needed, choose the Bank/Service to find the phuket IO).

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