switching from Retirement visa from Marriage visa??

I plan to change from my current married visa [supporting Thai national….or whatever they call it now] to a retirement visa as the benefits seem to be …..

Quicker processing,

Less paperwork [with 800,000 in Thai bank and letter from bank],

Can apply for multiple entry at same time as extension of stay??

No visit to consulate for affidavit of income and having to prove.

[am I correct on the above??]

Now, will I be able to make a seamless change when my current married visa expires in one trip [with all the correct paperwork] to retirement visa with multiple entry??

or would I have to exit Thailand, then return with a new non immigrant visa from my home country??

And one final question……are there any extra benefits that Thai immigration offers a new retiree, like bringing in some personal items from my home country?? The reason I ask that is that I am currently investigating the Philippine Retirement Authoritys offer of a shipping container with personal goods totaling up to $8,000 and wondering if Thai Immigration offers something similar to entice retirees here?? Have heard conflicting reports on importing personal items. Would appreciate info on $$ amounts and any restrictions [if any].

Thanks in advance......

Edited October 7, 201114 yr by jaideeguy

Yes you can make the change at time of new extension without leaving but they may want wife to appear (they did for me) just so they know she knows you have changed status (marriage issue where both parties have to sign official paperwork throw-over I suspect). No need for Embassy letter if using only bank account of 800k (need to be in your name only). No freebie clause.

Correct. Seamless. You don't need to leave the country.

You'll have no problems with your plan. When you go for the extension, just put the reason for it as retirement rather than marriage.

You should get the extension right away.

I don't know about the shipping question.

Its exactly what I did and no issues at all, and the multiple re-entry at the same time is no problem either.

I waited until the 90 day run was due on my Multi-O then went to immigration with financial proof etc and the Mrs and it was all very straight forward.

Now just report by post, much easier all around.

me same, same; no problems with the switch to retirement status when I applied for the new extension when the marriage one expired but I used a letter from the embassy for income verification purposes...no bank accounts, no muss nor fuss...couldn't believe the process was so simple compared to the marriage extension with maps, house photos and a 30 day wait...with the marriage based extension copies of all documents go to BKK for their review and approval before the extension is issued...with the retirement extension the immigration officer on the spot at the time of the application reviews and approves...much simpler...

Edited October 7, 201114 yr by tutsiwarrior

Retirement extension doesn't count towards Permanent Residency.

If it ever comes back!

Good to know - thanks for the info

I was just wondering. What do you do for work once you get a retirement visa?

You are retired - you can not normally obtain a work permit to allow work.

I was just wondering. What do you do for work once you get a retirement visa?

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You don't "work"...that's why it's called a retirement visa...actually a approved extension of long term stay based on retirement to be precise.

You live on your foriegn pension or income from sources outside of Thailand.

In theory that 800K Thai Baht financial requirement is to enable your support while here in Thailand.

Yeah.

And no one knows of any 'perks' or 'benefits' for retirement visa, like duty free importation of personal items, auto or kitchen equipment?? That would sweeten the pot for me. I thought that they used to do that as an enticement to encourage retirees to come to LOS and retire??

And no one knows of any 'perks' or 'benefits' for retirement visa, like duty free importation of personal items, auto or kitchen equipment?? That would sweeten the pot for me. I thought that they used to do that as an enticement to encourage retirees to come to LOS and retire??

Duty free inmport requires a work permit, but many agent can negotiate a favourabl deal for you with customs.

Cars, motor cycles etc are alwasy subject to import duties.