Retirement Visa Vs Marriage Visa

[Michigan]

Hello,

I am planning to go to Thailand next month and marry my Thai girlfriend.

I have been planning to get a Retirement visa, but I have been told that getting the Criminal Background check from the FBI can take up to 6 weeks or more.

So now I have been thinking to get a multiple entry tourist visa and changing it to a non-immigrant O visa after I get married.

Are there any advantages or disadvantages to an O visa (or is it called extension?) based on marriage or based on retirement ?

I would like to have the least amount of hassle in obtaining or renewing the visa/extension

Michigan

[TerryLH]

Less paperwork for the retirement extension.

Plus, you get the extension right away, assuming everything is okay. With a marriage extension you initially get a 30 day 'under consideration' stamp, and then return to get the remainder of the year.

Marriage 40k a month or 400k in a Thai bank.

Retirement 65k a month or 800k in a Thai bank.

If you show them proof of the higher amount they'll often encourage you to get the retirement extension because it's less work for them.

[Michigan]

Less paperwork for the retirement extension.

Plus, you get the extension right away, assuming everything is okay. With a marriage extension you initially get a 30 day 'under consideration' stamp, and then return to get the remainder of the year.

Marriage 40k a month or 400k in a Thai bank.

Retirement 65k a month or 800k in a Thai bank.

If you show them proof of the higher amount they'll often encourage you to get the retirement extension because it's less work for them.

Thank you for your helpful response.

In regards to the proof of income, does that always have to be verified by the Embassy in Thailand ?

Can I have it verified while still in the US ?

I will try to get bank letters stating that my pension is deposited monthly at the local (US) bank, but I am not sure if that is what they're after.

In case I have a problem proving my income, then it would be better for me to only have 400k in a Thai bank.

Also do I still have to proof that I don't have a criminal record, when applying for a retirement extension ?

Michigan

[Lite Beer]

If applying for a Non Imm O-A (retirement) Visa in the States you will need a criminal record check and a medical.

If applying for a Retirement or a Marriage extension in Thailand you will require neither.

When applying in Thailand you need the Embassy letter.

The U.S Embassy do not require proof of income. You swear under oath that it is correct.

As said earlier.

Marriage 40k a month or 400k in a Thai bank.

Retirement 65k a month or 800k in a Thai bank. Or a combination of both.

[gpdjohn]

Get the criminal background check at your local law enforcement agency. Takes around 30 minutes ( and that's just for the guy/gal to run ya through NCIC..)

Easy as pie.

[Dave the Dude]

If things go 'pear shaped' you still have got a Retirement Visa. Not nice to think of when your just about to get married but remember Divorces only cost 30baht here!!

p.s. Good luck in your future

[Alwaysright]

If things go 'pear shaped' you still have got a Retirement Visa. Not nice to think of when your just about to get married but remember Divorces only cost 30baht here!!

p.s. Good luck in your future

Retirement visa lasts forever,marriage,who knows.

[BWPattaya]

I always advise people to stick to the retirement visa if they can. Getting a marriage visa involves more paperwork, visit to your home by immigration, talking to the neighbours. There is also the risk of losing the visa if you split up.

Renewing my one year extension this tine took me 14 minutes from walking in immigration's door to leaving.

[Michigan]

Get the criminal background check at your local law enforcement agency. Takes around 30 minutes ( and that's just for the guy/gal to run ya through NCIC..)

Easy as pie.

I went to the local sherrif's office, and they told me that a local criminal background check would do me no good, since they only check, well...., locally !

But then again they have no clue what the Thai Embassy is looking for and as a matter of fact neither do I .

I thought that the NCIC is run by the FBI; their website says it might take more then 6 weeks and I have to send them a finger print card.

If you have different information, I would surely like to hear about it.

[TerryLH]

"Retirement visa lasts forever,marriage,who knows."

Really? Where do I get one of these 'forever' visas?

One additional benefit with a marriage extension is that you can get a work permit, again, assuming everything is in order.

If you decide to use money in the bank, the account needs to be in your name only. Apparently joint accounts are no longer accepted. There are also some time requirements on this route, so if you decide on going that way, there is plenty of info available on this site.

Good luck.

[Michigan]

"Retirement visa lasts forever,marriage,who knows."

Really? Where do I get one of these 'forever' visas?

One additional benefit with a marriage extension is that you can get a work permit, again, assuming everything is in order.

If you decide to use money in the bank, the account needs to be in your name only. Apparently joint accounts are no longer accepted. There are also some time requirements on this route, so if you decide on going that way, there is plenty of info available on this site.

Good luck.

My problem is that I am a Dutch citizen, with a Canadian and American pension, so I am still trying to figure out which embassy is going to issue me an income statement ?

If I apply in the US, then I don't need an Embassy statement, but obtaining the criminal background check might take forever, plus going to Chicago is a 6 hour ride, plus hotel cost and parking at $12.00 per half hour !

[lopburi3]

I am a Dutch citizen

A rather important tid bit of information.

Just get a single entry tourist visa (free after 11th) and get married (you have to obtain letter from your Consulate first) and after marriage you can take a short trip to obtain a non immigrant O visa. 60 days later you can extend for retirement or marriage. No police check or medical required. If using income you will have to obtain letter from Dutch Embassy and what they require will be up to them.

[gpdjohn]

Get the criminal background check at your local law enforcement agency. Takes around 30 minutes ( and that's just for the guy/gal to run ya through NCIC..)

Easy as pie.

I went to the local sherrif's office, and they told me that a local criminal background check would do me no good, since they only check, well...., locally !

But then again they have no clue what the Thai Embassy is looking for and as a matter of fact neither do I .

I thought that the NCIC is run by the FBI; their website says it might take more then 6 weeks and I have to send them a finger print card.

If you have different information, I would surely like to hear about it.

As far as mine went, that's all I needed was a local check.

The NCIC is maintained by the FBI & local state agencies ( such as the state law enforcement )

Have the sheriff run a wants/warrants check ( should be a form you fill out) and that's it. No fingerprint card required. Submit the form with your visa app.

[lopburi3]

The poster is not an American citizen so suspect a full FBI check would be required and application would only be accepted if he was a US resident (which we do not know).

[Michigan]

The poster is not an American citizen so suspect a full FBI check would be required and application would only be accepted if he was a US resident (which we do not know).

Yes, I am a US resident, but I have decided not to bother with the FBI check and just get a tourist visa and then convert it into a non-resident O-visa when I am in Thailand.

The Dutch Embassy in Bangkok have send me an e-mail, stating that they will give me an income statement

even though my income is from a US and Canadian source.

Thanks for all the info !

[crgram]

The poster is not an American citizen so suspect a full FBI check would be required and application would only be accepted if he was a US resident (which we do not know).

Yes, I am a US resident, but I have decided not to bother with the FBI check and just get a tourist visa and then convert it into a non-resident O-visa when I am in Thailand.

The Dutch Embassy in Bangkok have send me an e-mail, stating that they will give me an income statement

even though my income is from a US and Canadian source.

Thanks for all the info !

The FBI as a general rule won't help individuals, they only respond to requests from other government agencies. All States have an law a enforcement agency that will do this for you if your local police can't/or won't. That being said the local checks should be good enough, just ask the Consulate your dealing with to be sure.

FYI: I tried the same thing with a tourist visa last year. It will cost you some time and trouble and maybe some extra money depending on your situation. Be sure and check the latest post where and what your planning to make sure it's possible. Unless you just want to make some new friends in Vientiane or KL etc.