My wife and I, both British, recently obtained our retirement extensions at Bangkok. We qualified seperately for our extensions, but the immigration officer said that next year we might want to consider only me getting the extension, with my wife qualifying as my dependant.

Before we embark on this course of action, can anyone tell me what are the disadvantages of doing this, and what forms my wife would have to complete, and at what cost? In particular, what would happen if I died? Would my wife's permission to stay be cancelled, so putting her in a potentially difficult situation?

Many thanks for any help that can be offered.

Alan

If the primary died the dependent would have to change to retirement extension of stay if they intend to remain here. I am sure nobody would be sweeping down immediately so plans could be made and if money in account required a single entry non immigrant O visa from a nearby country could easily be obtained to start the retirement extension of stay process. The forms would be the same TM.7 at 1,900 baht that is now required but no proof of income (just marriage/your extension of stay papers).

There could be one other thing and that is if requirements for income are increased in the future those in the system may be grandfathered and that could be potently be lost for dependent.

So if you have the funds independently anyhow using retirement for each extension of stay may be the best method.

Lopburi 3. Many thanks for your detailed and informed reply. I must admit that I thought it best to continue with the present arrangement, as oppossed to going over to the "dependent route".

Alan

The dependant route is less work for the issuing officer.

How is it less work? Retirement is one document of income and a local decision - it can not get easier for Immigration. The offer was trying to be helpful so that applicant would not have to tie up as much money or pay extra for embassy letters - he was not making it easier for himself.