Retirement Or Marriage Non "0" Which One Is Best

[Khun Jean]

A friend of mine who is married to a Thai (they have 2 kids, 10 and 15) for many years decided that they would like to live in Thailand.

He asked me what to do with the visa, as i only know about the marriage visa i can not advice him which way is better/easier.

Money is not a problem as he has enough on his savings account in his own country and +1Mb in a shared account in Thailand.

They did a 'tryout' for a year to see living in Thailand is a good decision and he has a multiple entry non "o" marriage visa and is onhis last entry.

This is ending soon and the choice is to apply for a 1 year extension based on that or having the "marriage" changed into a "retirement". They would not mind a trip to another country if that is necessary for changing to a 'retirement'.

His reasoning is that after he talked with others that the "marriage" requires lots of documents, pictures, children/wife accompanying etc and the "retirement" is a simple show of funds. Some even have to bring wife/children for the 90 day reporting. He lives not far from Emporium.

I will have the same choice in about 2 years, so comparing the "marriage" and "retirement" with requirements for renewal and 90 day reporting is good basis for a decision.

[JohnC]

Retirement wins every time for lots of reasons, not least. Less paperwork and hassle, plus if he ends up single for whatever reason his retirement extension means he can stay here.

[NancyL]

Yup, if you can meet the financial requirements, the retirement visa is the way to go. No one "between" you and you visa (i.e. a wife) and it's easier for the Thai Immigration people to handle locally.

[Khun Jean]

"marriage" vs "retirement

0 - 2

What needs to be done to change from a "marriage" to "retirement". Trip abroad needed?

[NancyL]

Nope, depends where you live. In Chiang Mai at at the Immigration office in Bangkok, you can do the "two step" process and turn a 30-day visa exempt entry into a 90 day O visa and then extend that for 365 fays due to retirement.

[yankee99]

If he decides he wants to work then the marriage visa is better.

[Khun Jean]

Yankee99, good point.

In that case would a "Business" or "Marriage" be better. I don't see him working for someone, but starting a business would be a possibility.

[yankee99]

^^^ If he needs a work permit its not a option on retirement but is a option with a marriage extension. The only downside of the marriage extension is the paperwork. I had 12 pages plus 12 copies and still needed to go for one more document.

[sotsira]

He has to show 800k Baht in a Thai bank a/c that is only in his name NOT in a shared a/c

for a retirement extension, and only 400k Baht for a marriage extension.

The money needs to be in the a/c 2 months prior to application, and 3 months for every yearly

renewal.

[TerryLH]

He doesn't have to leave the country.

Since he is already has a Non O, he just goes to his local immigration office in the last 30 days of his current entry, and applies for an extension for 1 year. It's the same form for extending for retirement or marriage.

Terry

[Khun Jean]

Terry,

If he extends then it will remain a 'marriage" visa.

I would like to know how to change a "marriage" into a "retirement" even if it is only for a short time and then do the yearly extensions.

As it seems requirements for a "retirement" are easier.

So the only thing left for him to do is to obtain a "retirement".

I understand it can be done without a trip abroad.

Details of the process would be much appreciated.

[TerryLH]

Since both are extended on a Non O, the same form is used and only the 'reason for extending' is different.

Once he has extended for either reason - and wants to change - he simply changes the reason the next time he applies to extend. This is done at the immigration office for the area he lives in.

If it's mid year and he wants to extend he should contact his local immigration office and ask what they need him to do.

Switching from one to the other shouldn't be a problem as long as he is qualified.

Immigration will often encourage people who are qualified for either reason to extend for retirement instead of marriage because it's easier for them. They can okay it on the spot. For the reason of marriage they have to send the paperwork off to be approved elsewhere. In that case they normally give you a temporary "Under Consideration" stamp for 30 days. You then have to go back to get the rest of the year stamped in your passport. So, at least two trips.

There are lots of topics on the forum listing exactly what paperwork is required for either option.

For the money, money in the bank requires a letter from the bank showing the money deposited for 2 or 3 months, plus the passbook showing the exact same amount as noted in the letter. The account has to be in his name only, not a joint account.

If financials are being met with income from abroad, he needs a letter from his embassy.

If money from working here, he'll need to prove it with tax info from the Revenue Department. The 'working here' option is not available for 'retirement'.

This should at least give him an idea of options available to him.

Terry

[Lite Beer]

He has to show 800k Baht in a Thai bank a/c that is only in his name NOT in a shared a/c

for a retirement extension, and only 400k Baht for a marriage extension.

The money needs to be in the a/c 2 months prior to application, and 3 months for every yearly

renewal.

Not quite correct.

Marriage: 2 months every time.

Retirement: 2 months the first time and 3 months thereafter.

[Lite Beer]

Retirement Extension is slightly easier but needs double the finances.

Also will not get a Work Permit with a Retirement Extension.

As said earlier the money has to be in the applicant's bank. Not a joint account.

[lopburi3]

1. No need to leave as already has the required non immigrant O visa for extension. It does not matter why that visa was originally issued.

2. There are two advantages (other than amount of money) to the marriage for some. Can obtain work permit and if financial requirements change likely to be grandfathered. Other than that can change at any time so not that important. Marriage requires both make application so much easier later in life if both do not have to feel well enough in my opinion (as long as can meet the retirement financials). Paperwork issues and no need for second visit to obtain stamp are clear advantages of retirement.

[ubonjoe]

The amount of paperwork needed for an extension based upon marriage is often overplayed. The copies you need are of your passport and other documents you should already have. The only document you need to acquire is the Kor Ror 2 from the Amphoe which is not a problem at all to get. Overall it is just some more photocopies which cost next to nothing at most places.

The pictures are also no big deal in this day and age of digital photography (cameras or phones). You can take the pictures and print them out on standard A4 paper with more than one photo on a page.

I have done 5 extensions so I can talk from experience.

The reduced financial requirements can more than pay for some extra copies and a 2nd trip to get your extension stamp.

The work permit is another big advantage if you do decide to work.

Your wife being with you should also not be that be that big a deal if you are in a normal marriage. Taking the kids along is an option at most immigration offices but it does help to show that you are a family.

[lopburi3]

Actually taking the wife can be a health issue as I stated; and indeed was for me, and is the reason I have chosen to use retirement for the last decade - people can be ill and have difficulty traveling in a 'normal' marriage. It is up to the extension applicant to weigh the choices.

[yankee99]

^^^ speaking for pattaya immigration its a little more complicated.

theses are in my head and not a complete list

copies of all and front and back. They also asked for originals but when i returned with them they didnt ask. This was my third extension.

kor 2

kor 3

map to house

photo you and wife with house number

wifes id

passport

visa

last entry stamp

departure card

if you have thai children their birh records

fill out the application

income letter

wife needs to also come for an interview

everything needs to be signed too

[ubonjoe]

By normal marriage I meant no disrespect to you Lop.

I meant the kind of marriage where the husband and wife would normally do many things together.

[lopburi3]

Understand and not taken personal but wanted to point out there can be valid reasons for wife not being up to immigration visits for some members. Cheers.

[TommoPhysicist]

Marriage extension is the start of a path to citizenship, retirement extension isn't.

[ubonjoe]

^^^ speaking for pattaya immigration its a little more complicated.

theses are in my head and not a complete list

copies of all and front and back. They also asked for originals but when i returned with them they didnt ask. This was my third extension.

kor 2

kor 3

map to house

photo you and wife with house number

wifes id

passport

visa

last entry stamp

departure card

if you have thai children their birh records

fill out the application

income letter

wife needs to also come for an interview

everything needs to be signed too

I did not go into detail because each immigration office is different.

The Kor Ror 3 is the marriage certificate which you should already have.

My wife draws the map while we are at immigration on a form they supply.

Passport copies are same as for any extension but you do need an extra set.

Copy of wife's house book is also needed.

[ubonjoe]

Marriage extension is the start of a path to citizenship, retirement extension isn't.

Also PR.

Both though require you to be working and have a work permit for 3 years.

[Khun Jean]

Thanks guys. I will relay this information. (He is not a member and not uses computers).

Working and going for citizenship/PR is not his plan at all.

Another thing to consider would be the 90 day reporting requirements.

Which one is better for that.

[lopburi3]

Same reporting requirements for any extension of stay.

[ubonjoe]

Both are the same.

[TommoPhysicist]

Marriage extension is the start of a path to citizenship, retirement extension isn't.

Also PR.

Both though require you to be working and have a work permit for 3 years.

PR is no longer required for foreigners married to Thais.

If you are married to a Thai, remove PR completely from your 'to do' list.

[TerryLH]

"If you are married to a Thai, remove PR completely from your 'to do' list."

Some might prefer this over the requirement for Thai citizenship to have to say they intend to renounce their own citizenship.

[TommoPhysicist]

"If you are married to a Thai, remove PR completely from your 'to do' list."

Some might prefer this over the requirement for Thai citizenship to have to say they intend to renounce their own citizenship.

They may ask you to say, there is no requirement to do.

[kennedy]

I changed to a retirement visa today. I screwed up and was 11 days on overstay. Cost me 8k in penalties and fees + 1k tea money.