Spouse Visa Or Retirement Visa? What To Choose?

[coalminer]

Hi,

Next month it is again time to go to ask for an extension of my Visa.

Until now, I had every year an extension based on "Thai Spouse".

But this option becomes "a dime with 2 faces" for me.

Immigration interviews my spouse in private, and a simple word from her during that interview is enough to see my Visa extension denied.

I still thrust my Thai spouse, but the last year she keeps telling me the story that one of her sisters who married a Swiss farmer is inviting lots of her family to spend a "family visit" in Sweden and help to harvest the fruits from the threes. In 3 months time, they would make each about 300,000 Baht Net income and she would to do the same.

Last year, at the Visa extension, the Immigration Officer examined my file and answered that if I would apply for a Retirement Visa, the extension would be granted "on the spot" whereas the Spouse Visa extension would take a month.

But I opted for the Spouse Visa as I was not sure if the Retirement Visa would still be affordable for me with the Visa rules changing every tick of the clock and I did not know if once opted for a Retirement Visa it would still be possible to go back to a Spouse Visa.

For the moment, my retirement income is above the required 65,000 Baht and I have 800,000 Baht in a Thai Bank (for urgent cases).

My questions are:

- Which type of Visa (extension) is the best choice in my case: Thai Spouse or Retirement Visa?

- If I choose for a Retirement Visa, is it still possible to return to the Thai Spouse Visa if the rules of a Retirement Visa becomes too stringent?

TIA

Coalminer

[lopburi3]

You can always change back - employment would be one reason you would have to do so. Retirement is easier, all around, and does not require input from the wife. If you change this time they may want your wife to be present and sign that she understands the change. But in future years you will not have to have her present.

[Dave the Dude]

Hi,

Next month it is again time to go to ask for an extension of my Visa.

Until now, I had every year an extension based on "Thai Spouse".

But this option becomes "a dime with 2 faces" for me.

Immigration interviews my spouse in private, and a simple word from her during that interview is enough to see my Visa extension denied.

I still thrust my Thai spouse, but the last year she keeps telling me the story that one of her sisters who married a Swiss farmer is inviting lots of her family to spend a "family visit" in Sweden and help to harvest the fruits from the threes. In 3 months time, they would make each about 300,000 Baht Net income and she would to do the same.

Last year, at the Visa extension, the Immigration Officer examined my file and answered that if I would apply for a Retirement Visa, the extension would be granted "on the spot" whereas the Spouse Visa extension would take a month.

But I opted for the Spouse Visa as I was not sure if the Retirement Visa would still be affordable for me with the Visa rules changing every tick of the clock and I did not know if once opted for a Retirement Visa it would still be possible to go back to a Spouse Visa.

For the moment, my retirement income is above the required 65,000 Baht and I have 800,000 Baht in a Thai Bank (for urgent cases).

My questions are:

- Which type of Visa (extension) is the best choice in my case: Thai Spouse or Retirement Visa?

- If I choose for a Retirement Visa, is it still possible to return to the Thai Spouse Visa if the rules of a Retirement Visa becomes too stringent?

TIA

Coalminer

Hi coalminer

I have heard about a Thai 'scam' on this forum about Thai's going overseas to pick fruit. The old saying springs to mind "If its too good to be true, It usualy is'nt true."

I was in a simular situation a while back with regard to Retiremant or Spouse Visa extentions. As you have been told, retirement visa's are an easy option and the benifit is IF financial requirements go up, then you would be safe under the 'grandfarthering' system.

Not a nice thought but Spouse Extentions only need a change in circumstances to go 'pear shaped' eg death, divorce, seperation

Good Luck

Dave

[wca01]

Immigration interviews my spouse in private, and a simple word from her during that interview is enough to see my Visa extension denied.

I really don't know what you are talking about. I am on "Thai wife" extension since 6 years.

First time I applied there was a gentle talk with the Immigration officer. Since then - made the extension last time this month - NO MORE questions ask to my wife.

WCA

[tominchaam]

Hi coalminer

I have heard about a Thai 'scam' on this forum about Thai's going overseas to pick fruit. The old saying springs to mind "If its too good to be true, It usualy is'nt true."

I was in a simular situation a while back with regard to Retiremant or Spouse Visa extentions. As you have been told, retirement visa's are an easy option and the benifit is IF financial requirements go up, then you would be safe under the 'grandfarthering' system.

Not a nice thought but Spouse Extentions only need a change in circumstances to go 'pear shaped' eg death, divorce, seperation

Good Luck

Dave

I am surprised if the grandfathering system will benefit us staying on retirement extensions. Those who got the first extensions due to retirement latest 1998 are still covered under the old 200.000 Baht rule. Since than the amount has been increased at least twice with no grandfathering.