Retirement Visa

[Niloc]

I obtained a 'retirement visa' in 2004. I renewed it last year (2005) and both times I showed bank accounts adding up to more than the required 800K.

I am getting married to a Thai lady soon and I wonder if I will still be required to show the 800K in the bank or should I change over to a 'Marriage Visa' and need only 400K?

Maybe if I show my marriage certificate I could get away with 400K?

I can organise the 800K if necessary but it would be easier if 400K was sufficient.

Thanks,

Colin

[lopburi3]

Do you have pension income? If not 400k is not going to fly for another retirement extension of stay. If you need to go the support Thai wife route she will be critical and you will both have to meet with immigration with the normal paperwork required for that extension (home register, id card, bank letter, bank book, photos and perhaps photos together at home, marriage certificate and you will probably have an under review period and have to go again later after final approval. The big difference is that your wife will have to be with you and will probably have to answer most of the questions/sign the paperwork.

[Niloc]

Do you have pension income? If not 400k is not going to fly for another retirement extension of stay. If you need to go the support Thai wife route she will be critical and you will both have to meet with immigration with the normal paperwork required for that extension (home register, id card, bank letter, bank book, photos and perhaps photos together at home, marriage certificate and you will probably have an under review period and have to go again later after final approval. The big difference is that your wife will have to be with you and will probably have to answer most of the questions/sign the paperwork.

Thanks for the help, I have looked at a few other entries here and it looks like the easiest way is to front up with the 800K. I recently bought a 2Mil house (in her name of course) and I was thinking maybe that would count in my favour for the reduction. The rules do not suggest it should so I guess its 800K or go home!

Colin

[lopburi3]

If you get legally married there is no reason you can not go the support Thai wife at 400k route. I recently changed from that to retirement but I do have a pension so it makes the bank account amount a non issue. I prefer the retirement as only I have to be healthy and do the process and it is one visit to immigration.

[Niloc]

Thanks again, I do not have a pension, I am what is referred to as a 'Self Funded Retiree' which means I have enough cash salted away to be free of government interference in my financial affairs, I guess I should pay a bit of taxation on my earnings but they haven't asked me yet and I have no intention of offering!

Thanks again,

Colin

[marshbags]

If you get legally married there is no reason you can not go the support Thai wife at 400k route. I recently changed from that to retirement but I do have a pension so it makes the bank account amount a non issue. I prefer the retirement as only I have to be healthy and do the process and it is one visit to immigration.

Apologies Niloc / Colin if this is O.T. but can i ask lopburi, what if the situation is reversed ?

Going from a married visa to a retirement visa.

Would it be straight forward to apply and would immigration question it providing you had 800,000

banked ?

I,ve often wondered if for example the wife isn,t available for what ever reason.

I think like Niloc that for some members it is less complicated to go the res.visa way.

Again this could be due to separation, not being able to get the wife to go with you ect.ect.

Thanks

marshbags

[astral]

As I said in another thread, for the marriage visa you only need half the

money in the Thai bank NOT EARNING INTEREST.

Something to think about when you are retired.

However you must be legally married to qualify!!

The ceremony with the monks is not enough, the paperwork at the Amphur is essential.

Edited February 15, 2006 by astral

[lopburi3]

If you get legally married there is no reason you can not go the support Thai wife at 400k route. I recently changed from that to retirement but I do have a pension so it makes the bank account amount a non issue. I prefer the retirement as only I have to be healthy and do the process and it is one visit to immigration.

Apologies Niloc / Colin if this is O.T. but can i ask lopburi, what if the situation is reversed ?

Going from a married visa to a retirement visa.

Would it be straight forward to apply and would immigration question it providing you had 800,000

banked ?

I,ve often wondered if for example the wife isn,t available for what ever reason.

I think like Niloc that for some members it is less complicated to go the res.visa way.

Again this could be due to separation, not being able to get the wife to go with you ect.ect.

Thanks

marshbags

I did that last year. Your wife must first sign off that she understands you are changing your visa status. So if your wife refuses? Best not to even think about it.

[marshbags]

If you get legally married there is no reason you can not go the support Thai wife at 400k route. I recently changed from that to retirement but I do have a pension so it makes the bank account amount a non issue. I prefer the retirement as only I have to be healthy and do the process and it is one visit to immigration.

Apologies Niloc / Colin if this is O.T. but can i ask lopburi, what if the situation is reversed ?

Going from a married visa to a retirement visa.

Would it be straight forward to apply and would immigration question it providing you had 800,000

banked ?

I,ve often wondered if for example the wife isn,t available for what ever reason.

I think like Niloc that for some members it is less complicated to go the res.visa way.

Again this could be due to separation, not being able to get the wife to go with you ect.ect.

Thanks

marshbags

I did that last year. Your wife must first sign off that she understands you are changing your visa status. So if your wife refuses? Best not to even think about it.

Thanks for the prompt reply lopburi.

Another valid point raised also astral re interest, if you have a choice for either option that is.

I can visualise several people being left in the proverbial s*** when the wife does a runner..................

marshbags ( for the guys that are )

Edited February 15, 2006 by marshbags