Retirement To Marriage Visa

[Dah fahrang]

I am a Brit, my wife Thai. We have lived here since 2004, before the new National police Order came into effect in 2006.

My first visa extension in 2005 was on the basis of marriage, but three subsequent extensions have been 'the easier to do' route based of retirement, with 800k in the bank.

Except for the first time, (Suan Plu) each extension has been done in Kanchanaburi.

As the pound is taking a battering, and is looking like going down further, I no longer see the wisdom in the 'easy to do' route of extending on retirement.

Exchanging the sterling equivalent of 800k takes a lot of dosh, which would be better on a fixed deposit, offshore, in sterling getting 5 - 6%, which can still be done, despite declining base rate.

Similarly, I don't want to apply for extensions on the monthly income route, for the same reason, plus the charges by the bank to send money each month!

Thought:

As I was in the country before National Police Order 606 came into force, at my next renewal in May, I will revert to applying to extend on the basis of marriage to a Thai, with 400k in the bank. Half the amount to exchange.

This can be done, I believe, without monthly income, or the need for embassy 'proof of income' letter, because the alien was in the country before the order came into effect?

Anyone with experience of extending their visa on the basis of marriage to a Thai, via the 'grandfathered' cash in the bank rule out there can adivise?

[Mario2008]

For the monthly income route, you don't need to have the money in a Thai bank account every month. What you need is either tax-papers that proof you have an income of 65,000 a month if your income is from within Thailand or a letter from your embassy, stating your income, if the money is from outside Thailand.

You can also do a combination of monthly income and money in the bank, as long as the combination totals 800,000. For this there is no need to season the money in the bank for 3 months.

If you can revert from retirement back to married under the grandfather clause will depend on the local office. Best contact them, but ecpect it to be no.

[Lite Beer]

I have done this.

Was previously on the Marriage Extension with 400,000 Baht in the bank.

Two years ago I was pushed into the Retirement option by Samui Immigration.

We have since moved to Khon Kaen.

Last February I went to Korat Immigration and they allowed me to go back to the 400,000.

They said that because I was extending before October 2006 and had a continuous record with no breaks I could revert back.

There have been reports by members of being refused elsewhere.

It all depends on where you apply.

[Bengt]

If you been here on a retirement visa.....Let it be as it is and its more safe for you to

Regards

[Lite Beer]

If you been here on a retirement visa.....Let it be as it is and its more safe for you to

Regards

The problem is that the Pound has collapsed. Meaning that a lot of people will not now have enough income/cash to fulfil the requirements.

He should go and ask them if it is possible. No harm in asking.