Morning all, just a quick bit of information about changing from my retirement visa (extensions of stay) to a marriage visa, I had to show money in the bank 400k seasoned for 3 months, it was already there because I had the 800k retirement requirement in my bank, so usual stuff on the morning go to Bkk bank deposit 100 baht and get what was basically a mini statement covering the 3 months, this cost me 200 baht and took about 25 minutes in the bank..drove to immigration in Khon Kaen handed all the paperwork over plus copies of passport and marriage certificate, photos of me and Mrs outside the house, in the kitchen, in the bedroom etc, plus a map from our house to Khon Kaen immigration, we got there about 11.30am handed the paperwork into a receptionist, about 20 minutes later a immigration officer came and spoke to the mrs, apparently they were confirming with her that it was a change from retirement to marriage, by the time this had all taken place it was of course time for lunch…so an hours wait and we were the first to be seen after lunch, all the paperwork was in order but they asked for a copy of one of the witnesses to the marriage IDcard, the mrs called one of them and they sent a photo of their ID which we then printed off using the immigration printer, the IO was happy with that and I got my ‘ under consideration’ stamp plus we were told that we might get a visit from immigration…so all in all it took up about 3 hours of my day and cost 1,900 baht wasn’t to bad an experience.

This was at Khon Kaen immigration.

Thanks, for report.

What you outline is normal.

Current thread trying to do the same thing in CM and being told to exit Thailand and obtain Non O eVisa.

In other words start over.

So you had no push back from immigration for changing to based on marriage from based on Retirement?

2 hours ago, essex boys said:

Morning all, just a quick bit of information about changing from my retirement visa (extensions of stay) to a marriage visa, I had to show money in the bank 400k seasoned for 3 months, it was already there because I had the 800k retirement requirement in my bank, so usual stuff on the morning go to Bkk bank deposit 100 baht and get what was basically a mini statement covering the 3 months, this cost me 200 baht and took about 25 minutes in the bank..drove to immigration in Khon Kaen handed all the paperwork over plus copies of passport and marriage certificate, photos of me and Mrs outside the house, in the kitchen, in the bedroom etc, plus a map from our house to Khon Kaen immigration, we got there about 11.30am handed the paperwork into a receptionist, about 20 minutes later a immigration officer came and spoke to the mrs, apparently they were confirming with her that it was a change from retirement to marriage, by the time this had all taken place it was of course time for lunch…so an hours wait and we were the first to be seen after lunch, all the paperwork was in order but they asked for a copy of one of the witnesses to the marriage IDcard, the mrs called one of them and they sent a photo of their ID which we then printed off using the immigration printer, the IO was happy with that and I got my ‘ under consideration’ stamp plus we were told that we might get a visit from immigration…so all in all it took up about 3 hours of my day and cost 1,900 baht wasn’t to bad an experience.

This was at Khon Kaen immigration.

May i ask why did you want to change from Retirement to Support Thai wife?

51 minutes ago, Bredbury Blue said:

May i ask why did you want to change from Retirement to Support Thai wife?

Folk have their reasons.

The obvious ones would be that on marriage based extension you can obtain work permit and the other is financial obligations are very different.

2 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Thanks, for report.

What you outline is normal.

Current thread trying to do the same thing in CM and being told to exit Thailand and obtain Non O eVisa.

In other words start over.

So you had no push back from immigration for changing to based on marriage from based on Retirement?

No, no push back at all, I was expecting something, maybe even as you said leave Thailand and re enter, but nothing it was as trouble free as you could wish for

1 hour ago, Bredbury Blue said:

May i ask why did you want to change from Retirement to Support Thai wife?

Yes no problem, reason 1.was less financial burden by keeping 400k instead of 800K in a dormant account, 2. I don’t trust Thai banks much, their behaviour towards foreign accounts doesn’t make me comfortable

I give you my experience when changing from a Non O retirement to marriage extension, please bear in mind this was 7 years ago at Pathum Thani.

I had to leave Thailand to cancel out my Non O retirement extension, then apply for a Non O ( 3 month ) married Non O in Vientiane.

This was 7 years ago, maybe now the rules have changed.

5 minutes ago, essex boys said:

Yes no problem, reason 1.was less financial burden by keeping 400k instead of 800K in a dormant account, 2. I don’t trust Thai banks much, their behaviour towards foreign accounts doesn’t make me comfortable

Thanks for responding. Always good to know people's reasons. The 400k instead of 800k is one of my reasons also.

10 minutes ago, Bredbury Blue said:

The 400k instead of 800k is one of my reasons also.

And also the 400k only required to be in account for 2 months + under consideration.

I recently change to 65k/month (retirement).

No funds tied up in Thai bank. Should have done it years ago.

When CM won't allow change from retirement to married but KK will allow, it just shows how each IMM Office is its own little fiefdom.

15 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

And also the 400k only required to be in account for 2 months + under consideration.

I recently change to 65k/month (retirement).

No funds tied up in Thai bank. Should have done it years ago.

Using monthly amount rather than money in the bank seems the way to go if possible.

I previously mentioned how I receive 13 x 4 weekly UK pension payments which are all each a little bit less than b40k but total more than 40k x 12 monthly payments. When I next renew my extension I intend asking if daay or may daay to use money in the bank in 2027.

16 minutes ago, Bredbury Blue said:

I previously mentioned how I receive 13 x 4 weekly UK pension payments which are all each a little bit less than b40k but total more than 40k x 12 monthly payments.

It must be minimum 40k per month.

You could ask immigration if they accept "combination method"

In addition for folk using income method IMO best to make the transfer from consolidated funds in your home country bank account.

By way of example, I have income from Rents, Income streams from various super schemes etc.

I just transfer a certain fixed amount 14th of every month using WISE.

1 hour ago, Bredbury Blue said:

When CM won't allow change from retirement to married but KK will allow, it just shows how each IMM Office is its own little fiefdom.

My wife called the Immigration hot line 1178, and they said "must leave the country". As I understand it, this rule applies everywhere in Thailand.

3 hours ago, pub2022 said:

My wife called the Immigration hot line 1178, and they said "must leave the country". As I understand it, this rule applies everywhere in Thailand.

Clearly not in Khon Kaen, as reported by the OP.

5 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

And also the 400k only required to be in account for 2 months + under consideration.

I recently change to 65k/month (retirement).

No funds tied up in Thai bank. Should have done it years ago.

Yes, good point, im going to go down the 40k/month route next year probably still keep the 400k in the bank just for peace of mind but yes im definitely going to do the monthly route

4 hours ago, pub2022 said:

My wife called the Immigration hot line 1178, and they said "must leave the country". As I understand it, this rule applies everywhere in Thailand.

Well I can absolutely assure you that that wasn’t the case for me, it went pretty smoothly and I got my ‘under consideration’ stamp in my passport.

5 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

It must be minimum 40k per month.

You could ask immigration if they accept "combination method"

In addition for folk using income method IMO best to make the transfer from consolidated funds in your home country bank account.

By way of example, I have income from Rents, Income streams from various super schemes etc.

I just transfer a certain fixed amount 14th of every month using WISE.

I have a very good company pension that pays out on the 18th of each month I normally transfer what I need (40k) into my wise account and transfer that into my kasikorn account, the rest I put into an investment ISA which generally has a very good return on my investment….uk state pension for me begins in may 2027

33 minutes ago, essex boys said:

I have a very good company pension that pays out on the 18th of each month I normally transfer what I need (40k) into my wise account and transfer that into my kasikorn account, the rest I put into an investment ISA which generally has a very good return on my investment….uk state pension for me begins in may 2027

Exactly what I do.

On 5/22/2026 at 9:28 AM, essex boys said:

Morning all, just a quick bit of information about changing from my retirement visa (extensions of stay) to a marriage visa, I had to show money in the bank 400k seasoned for 3 months, it was already there because I had the 800k retirement requirement in my bank, so usual stuff on the morning go to Bkk bank deposit 100 baht and get what was basically a mini statement covering the 3 months, this cost me 200 baht and took about 25 minutes in the bank..drove to immigration in Khon Kaen handed all the paperwork over plus copies of passport and marriage certificate, photos of me and Mrs outside the house, in the kitchen, in the bedroom etc, plus a map from our house to Khon Kaen immigration, we got there about 11.30am handed the paperwork into a receptionist, about 20 minutes later a immigration officer came and spoke to the mrs, apparently they were confirming with her that it was a change from retirement to marriage, by the time this had all taken place it was of course time for lunch…so an hours wait and we were the first to be seen after lunch, all the paperwork was in order but they asked for a copy of one of the witnesses to the marriage IDcard, the mrs called one of them and they sent a photo of their ID which we then printed off using the immigration printer, the IO was happy with that and I got my ‘ under consideration’ stamp plus we were told that we might get a visit from immigration…so all in all it took up about 3 hours of my day and cost 1,900 baht wasn’t to bad an experience.

This was at Khon Kaen immigration.

Congrats. Here in Chiang Mai I did the same change from Retirement to Marriage Extension of Stay a year ago. Two differences, I use the monthly income method (65K a month because that is what we spend - family of 3). And I use an agency as they are aware of any recent "interpretation" of regulation changes, if there is a new bus wanting to make changes, folks who consistently get up on the "wrong side of the bed". Just worth it to me to have the agency handle it. No problem at all.

On 5/22/2026 at 9:28 AM, essex boys said:

Morning all, just a quick bit of information about changing from my retirement visa (extensions of stay) to a marriage visa, I had to show money in the bank 400k seasoned for 3 months, it was already there because I had the 800k retirement requirement in my bank, so usual stuff on the morning go to Bkk bank deposit 100 baht and get what was basically a mini statement covering the 3 months, this cost me 200 baht and took about 25 minutes in the bank..drove to immigration in Khon Kaen handed all the paperwork over plus copies of passport and marriage certificate, photos of me and Mrs outside the house, in the kitchen, in the bedroom etc, plus a map from our house to Khon Kaen immigration, we got there about 11.30am handed the paperwork into a receptionist, about 20 minutes later a immigration officer came and spoke to the mrs, apparently they were confirming with her that it was a change from retirement to marriage, by the time this had all taken place it was of course time for lunch…so an hours wait and we were the first to be seen after lunch, all the paperwork was in order but they asked for a copy of one of the witnesses to the marriage IDcard, the mrs called one of them and they sent a photo of their ID which we then printed off using the immigration printer, the IO was happy with that and I got my ‘ under consideration’ stamp plus we were told that we might get a visit from immigration…so all in all it took up about 3 hours of my day and cost 1,900 baht wasn’t to bad an experience.

This was at Khon Kaen immigration.

I pay 1900 for my retirement visa each year, it is far less complicated than the marriage visa it seems, it took me 20 minutes from entering the immigration office this year in Phuket to when I left.

Plus I only have to pay the 1900 baht each year, no payments to wife, her kids from a previous Thai marriage, pay for her sick parents and sick Buffalo up in a village in Isaan which is a quite a typical story I have heard from so many farangs in Thailand who told to me first hand over the last thirty years first when coming here on holidays and since after living here in Phuket for four years.

I do have to put 800k in a bank in Thailand but the loss of interest is much less than it would cost me if I had a Thai marriage visa.

I am not saying the set up above is the norm form all Thai marriages to farangs, just the from farangs who sit around moaning so maybe it is not that common.

Edited May 25May 25 by JamesPhuket10

On 5/22/2026 at 7:27 PM, essex boys said:

I have a very good company pension that pays out on the 18th of each month I normally transfer what I need (40k) into my wise account and transfer that into my kasikorn account, the rest I put into an investment ISA which generally has a very good return on my investment….uk state pension for me begins in may 2027

I get the state pension and income from rent in the UK which I count as my total pension, the money left over each month goes into tax free ISA's in the UK where it is safe and sound, I only transfer into Phuket the money I need to give on via WISE as well, it arrives here in seconds into my Thai bank account.

My Thai partner has her own income and money from the rents she gets for her Thai houses, that makes for a prefect arrangement for me.

Which part of Essex are you from?

I had a Thai restaurants in Chelmsford for 20+ years as a side business, the property from rent is also in the same city near the train station.

18 minutes ago, JamesPhuket10 said:

I do have to put 800k in a bank in Thailand but the loss of interest is much less than it would cost me if I had a Thai marriage visa.

Incorrect.

In any event the OP opted for what suited him and made a useful Report for others.

Your constant own situation posts are irrelevant

On 5/22/2026 at 10:06 AM, DrJack54 said:

Current thread trying to do the same thing in CM and being told to exit Thailand and obtain Non O eVisa.

In other words start over.

In mid Dec '25, I changed to extension based on marriage from retirement... mainly because of CM Immigration's very strict interpretation of what financials are required when switching from embassy letter to funds on deposit.

Immigration was satisfied as long as I met the financials for my new marriage extension. Of course I did have the 800K on deposit as required by my original plan to get a retirement extension. They never suggested I start over with a new Non O.

33 minutes ago, gamb00ler said:

They never suggested I start over with a new Non O.

Exactly the way it should be.

Unfortunately some are having issue at CM also Phuket.

In fact one report from Phuket poster that immigration wanted baht paid to facilitate that.

Is report factual? Who knows

On 5/22/2026 at 7:18 PM, essex boys said:

Yes, good point, im going to go down the 40k/month route next year probably still keep the 400k in the bank just for peace of mind but yes im definitely going to do the monthly route

So the monthly deposit from out of country for the marriage visa drops from 65,000 per month for regular retirement to 40,000 per month?

1 minute ago, Ricohoc said:

So the monthly deposit from out of country for the marriage visa drops from 65,000 per month for regular retirement to 40,000 per month?

Yes income method is

Min 40k per month (marriage)

Min 65k per month (retirement).

Best practice is to have consistent amounts on approx same day of the month for each transfer.

The transfers must be international

1 minute ago, DrJack54 said:

Yes income method is

Min 40k per month (marriage)

Min 65k per month (retirement).

Best practice is to have consistent amounts on approx same day of the month for each transfer.

The transfers must be international

for retirement.

Thanks.

My nonO retirement visa doesn't come due again until this time next year.

I had a marriage visa before, but changed to retirement because of all of the paperwork. Today, with the financial requirements for the retirement visa, the marriage visa and monthly deposits are the way to go.

I will begin planning to make that transition immediately. It's better to bring in 40,000+ per month than to have almost a million baht tied up in banks that have gone off the rails with their regulations.

3 minutes ago, Ricohoc said:

Thanks.

My nonO retirement visa doesn't come due again until this time next year.

I had a marriage visa before, but changed to retirement because of all of the paperwork. Today, with the financial requirements for the retirement visa, the marriage visa and monthly deposits are the way to go.

I will begin planning to make that transition immediately. It's better to bring in 40,000+ per month than to have almost a million baht tied up in banks that have gone off the rails with their regulations.

A rare statement.

It is generally accepted that extensions based on retirement are the way to go. Thai Immigration apparently prefer the simpler paperwork of the retirement based extension - and they can approve it locally, whereas extensions based on marriage have to be sent up the line.

12 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

The transfers must be international

So if my cousin (or anyone else) sends a US bank wire of 45,000 baht every month to my bank account here, that should show up as an international transfer.

2 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

A rare statement.

It is generally accepted that extensions based on retirement are the way to go. Thai Immigration apparently prefer the simpler paperwork of the retirement based extension - and they can approve it locally, whereas extensions based on marriage have to be sent up the line.

Yes, I'm aware. They were so happy when I transitioned from marriage to retirement.

However, having a wife who is also a government employee has always been helpful with my local immigration family. 😇 It's like old home week when we arrive.