Extension Of Visa Based On Retirement Or Marriage?

[ardsong]

hello, (I fear this discussion might have passes, but I couldn't find any lead)

I have to go next week to imm. office for extension of my visa Non-Imm O. last extension was given on base of retirement, but now I am considering to request extension on marriage.

the big question I have is however, what will be easier to obtain and what are advantages or dis-advantages of one or the other.

I comply with main conditions for both, being 59 years, married for 12 years to Thai lady and receiving monthly pension over Bt 65000.

reading the forum on visa, I think that extension for retirement is easier to get as less paper work is involved. is this true?

are there any advantages/dis-advantages for extension based on retirement or marriage?

ard

[Artisi]

Yes and no - check some of the previous posts as it has been done to death time and again.

[lopburi3]

Yes is the answer - much easier for retirement as you meet the conditions with one paper from your Embassy. Marriage involves wife/photos/proof you are together/and reams of paper. Retirement is simple passport/embassy letter/form/photo/payment.

[ubonjoe]

A retirement extension takes less paperwork and you don't have to take your wife along to get it. There is a 30 day wait period before you get your extension while they consider your application for a marriage extension.

Of course for the marriage extension the finacial requirements are less (40K and 400K). Also you can get a work permit with an extension based upon marriage. Ii can also lead to permanent residency.

My choice was the marriage extension because of the ability to get a work permit if the opportunity came up plus I hope to apply for permanent residency sometime in the furture. Plus I don't have to commit myself to showing such a high income as retirement requires.

Also it is one of the few perks that I get for being married to a Thai so why not take advantage of it.

[ardsong]

artisi, lopburi3, ubonjoe

grateful for your thoughts on this.

ard

[Artisi]

I have stuck with retirement as it is far easier - only draw-back is the extra cash you need to sit in the bank but I accept this as the price you pay for ease of extension.

[TerryLH]

If you get a letter from your embassy showing you have income of 65k or over per month, there is no requirement to keep extra cash in the bank.

[ardsong]

TerryLH,

I have this "certificate of income" from my embasy in hand; so I look alright. thanks for comfirmation that no further bank saldo is required on top of this, which I was hoping for already. still will take my bankbook with me, to show that my pension is dropping in every month.