Switching From Retirement To Supporting Spouse

[jaideeguy]

Have been on the 'retirement' visa for 5 yrs now and have met all qualifications and deadlines, but now thinking of switching to the 'married'/'supporting spouse'/'family' visa because of the lower financial requirements. Have been married for over 5 yrs and qualify there. Over qualified financially with retirement visa already.

So, a couple of questions.....

1] do I use the same tm7 form?? and what other doccumentation required above and beyond the retirement criteria?? marriage doccument, & ??

2] and what are the 'cons' other than the 'investigation' and invasion of my personal life.....not that I have anything to hide.

3] and of course the wife needs to come with me to be interviewed??

Thanks in advance for a speedy answer, as my last 1 yr is up this week.

[Lite Beer]

Have been on the 'retirement' visa for 5 yrs now and have met all qualifications and deadlines, but now thinking of switching to the 'married'/'supporting spouse'/'family' visa because of the lower financial requirements. Have been married for over 5 yrs and qualify there. Over qualified financially with retirement visa already.

So, a couple of questions.....

1] do I use the same tm7 form?? and what other doccumentation required above and beyond the retirement criteria?? marriage doccument, & ??

2] and what are the 'cons' other than the 'investigation' and invasion of my personal life.....not that I have anything to hide.

3] and of course the wife needs to come with me to be interviewed??

Thanks in advance for a speedy answer, as my last 1 yr is up this week.

Same TM7 form.

40,000 Baht a month. Letter from your Embassy as proof. Or Wifes tax payments if it is her salary.

Wifes ID Card and House Book. Marriage Certificate. Photos of you together inside and outside the house. Map to your house.

You will get a 30 day under consideration stamp. Go back in a month and get the year extension.

[lopburi3]

If you remain overqualified for retirement, and don't plan to work, suspect Immigration will urge you to continue to use it as it is less paperwork all around.

[Lite Beer]

If you remain overqualified for retirement, and don't plan to work, suspect Immigration will urge you to continue to use it as it is less paperwork all around.

Less work for them. They will try hard to persuade you not to change.

[jaideeguy]

Yes, that's what happened several years ago and they talked me out of it, but with the current [and future] $ situation, I would feel less pressure without HAVING to bring in the 65kbaht/mo.

They admitted to me that it was less paperwork and easier for them and being the 'jaideeguy' that i am, i didn't insist. Now i want to!

[lopburi3]

What office says you have to bring in 65k per month? That is not the requirement in Bangkok.

[jaideeguy]

65k/mo for the retirement visa and 40k/mo for married visa....in CM and all over the country, right?

[Lite Beer]

65k/mo for the retirement visa and 40k/mo for married visa....in CM and all over the country, right?

That is the Income requirement. You do not have to bring it into Thailand every month.

[jaideeguy]

yea, I read that...it can even include yor wife's income....no wonder they discourage that over the retirement visa!!

and same same as retirement visa forms....only 1 copy??

[Lite Beer]

They send everything to Bangkok. So a copy for the local office and a copy for Bangkok.

[jaideeguy]

Even Chiang Mai??/ I thought they had authority now to do it all here the same day??

Anyone from CM out there that can confirm??

[lopburi3]

No office provides family extension of stay in one day.

[jaideeguy]

Ok, and the term for what used to be called 'supporting spouse' visa is now 'family' visa??

read: 'kind of visa' on the tm7 form??

sorry for all the dumb questions, but you know how important it is to have all your t's crossed and your i's dotted.

[lopburi3]

It is a one year extension of stay for family reasons. The only visa question on the TM.7 refers to your original extension of stay visa (which is most cases is a non immigrant O visa entry). The reason for extension will be family instead of the old support Thai wife.

[jaideeguy]

Thanks for clearifying lopburi3......sure you don't mean supporting the 'old thai wife' 555!!

[lopburi3]

Not if I want my next meal.