I have been here 10 years on yearly visas. (9 retirement 1 marriage) It seems that the requirements for marriage/retirement visas are what the immigration officer thinks they should be,. Applying with the required income alone certified by my embassy seems often to not be accepted. They also insist I have some money in the bank. How much? I ask. About BT400,000 for retirement visa. Bt 200,000 for a marriage visa. However last time in Chiangmai they accepted my marriage certificate and income letter without insisting on any money in the bank. They also fined me Bt2000 for never once reporting every 90 days during the last 10 years. I claimed that I was exempt because I had my own house papers (tambien bahn) and if I moved I would have to report to the Amphur not immigration. But they did not concur.

Having moved down south. Whilst doing my 90 day report I asked the immigration officer what I required to extend my one year visa. I was told BT40,000 a month and 300, 000 in the Bank!!

But she did not seem too sure.

I read in a goverment regulation,that if you have a dependant Thai child you do not need either an income or any money in the bank to get a yearly extension. But I doubt that immigration would respect that and give you a visa

At present I have no idea whether I am on a retirement visa or a marriage visa. I never made a separate application for a marriage visa when I was on a retirement visa. I guess if you marry a Thai when you are on a retirement visa the requirements cahnge to the same as a marriage visa.

Any comments

Retirement Extension. 800,000 Baht in a Thai bank OR 65,000 Baht a month income OR a combination of the two.

Marriage or Child extension. 400,000 Baht in a Thai bank OR 40,000Baht a month income.

Yes you do have to report every 90 days when on anual extensions.

These are the oficial rules for extensions.

… I read in a goverment regulation,that if you have a dependant Thai child you do not need either an income or any money in the bank to get a yearly extension. But I doubt that immigration would respect that and give you a visa…

That was true until the new Police Order No. 777/2551 came into effect on November 25, 2008. See paragraph 2.18, but instead of “one of parent” read “that parent”, ie the parent who applies for the extension of stay.

…At present I have no idea whether I am on a retirement visa or a marriage visa. I never made a separate application for a marriage visa when I was on a retirement visa. I guess if you marry a Thai when you are on a retirement visa the requirements cahnge to the same as a marriage visa.

Any comments

There is no automatic change. You get the type of extension you apply for, ie for the reason you indicate on the application form.

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Maestro