Retirement Or Marriage Non "0" Which One Is Best

[Sophon]

"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.

But people from some countries will lose their citizenship automatically when aquiring citizenship from another country (assuming the authorities find out, of course).

Sophon

[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.

But people from some countries will lose their citizenship automatically when aquiring citizenship from another country (assuming the authorities find out, of course).

Sophon

What country does that?

Not any western country.

[prodriver]

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.

The main reason for me changing from an extension based on marriage to one based on retirement was because I was thinking ahead and from what I can recall the chance of "grandfathering" was more likely to happen if extension is based on retirement. Just look at those that have been on an extension based on retirement from the late 1900's that they only have to show 200,000baht in the bank. I seem to recall that extension based on marriage that used to be 200,000 baht went up to the current 400,000 baht that's required today. i.e....no grandfather rights.

[Sophon]

"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.

But people from some countries will lose their citizenship automatically when aquiring citizenship from another country (assuming the authorities find out, of course).

Sophon

What country does that?

Not any western country.

Denmark does.

Sophon

[yankee99]

"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.

But people from some countries will lose their citizenship automatically when aquiring citizenship from another country (assuming the authorities find out, of course).

Sophon

What country does that?

Not any western country.

Germany

[al007]

I have been here for six years

I have had both retirement and marriage extensions

The cash for retirement is no problem

A retirement visa is issued on the spot subject to being eligible

The marriage one requires more paper work and has to go one office up for approval and takes about a month

I opt opt for the slower and more tedious option, because maybe visa rules might change, and I believe if you are here ad married, in the event of future changes with several years on the marriage visa you are likely to be safer and less likely to be asked to leave

Thailand has been known to change the rules on visas many times, there are no guarentees so I try to make my own luck by having the visa that is most appropriate, and being a married man it has to be the marriage visa

[lopburi3]

If you are retired why is that not "appropriate"? In my mind it is; and in the eyes of immigration it surly is.

[Baerboxer]

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.

I agree basically. The paperwork for the marriage extension is considerably more by comparison to the retirment visa. But, you should have most of the documents to hand. Wife's ID, house registration for wife and children, children's birth certificaties, family photos, map to house, passport, current visa, bank letter, copy of bank book with a transaction entry on day of application etc. I've completed several and often get asked for extra documentation. The next time I prepare the extra documentation in advance and then its not wanted! Part of this I think is the local office having to send the documents away for approval and getting themselves worked up about making a mistake or missing something. Not rocket science but time consuming and frustrating for the applicant.

Almost every time they see me they suggest retirment visa - much easier for them and they can approve and issue themselves. Downside is you need twice the money and can't get a work permit should you have an opportunity to work, open a business or wish to do voluntary work.

I think anyone who knows for sure that they won't want or need to work here would find the retirement visa a better and easier option, providing they can meet the financials.

[Baerboxer]

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.

The main reason for me changing from an extension based on marriage to one based on retirement was because I was thinking ahead and from what I can recall the chance of "grandfathering" was more likely to happen if extension is based on retirement. Just look at those that have been on an extension based on retirement from the late 1900's that they only have to show 200,000baht in the bank. I seem to recall that extension based on marriage that used to be 200,000 baht went up to the current 400,000 baht that's required today. i.e....no grandfather rights.

Good point - and one well worth considering. Thank you for posting this, although there are no gurantees on anything here when it comes to changing the rules!

[Toscano]

I'm on a marriage visa , but a lot of bother with documents every year , even for 90day reporting .

I recommend anyone planning to settle in Thailand , to go for a retirement visa .

[ripstanley]

The old saying UP TO YOU. Each individual will have different reasons. I personally have retirement extension because of my income. I receive a letter from a goverment agency stating my income every 6 months. Stat dec from Embassy. No problems.

[dighambara]

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.

For a 'retirement' visa, I use a stated income letter from the embassy and bank book copies to show the money coming and going. For the first couple of years, I deposited from ATM draws. Now the money is direct deposited in NY.

However bank statements are easy to work around - just withdraw from account in bank 'A' and deposit a lump in bank 'B' then throughout the month, draw smaller amounts to deposit back into bank 'A'. A letter form bank 'B' and the account book will show a regular income.

Last year, I had an additional requirement of photos of the wife & kids, plus a map to the house. This year they did not ask for the photos, but once again, had me draw a map.

No two immigration officers want the same documents - been that way for 10 years.

[shaurene]

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.

Hi

I am married to a Thai lady 3 years now. I am in Khon Kaen and have been to the emigration dept here, I had all the documents etc and I also have an APEC card which gives me 90 days as many times in the year as I want. The problem is at the emigration office they want 24k baht under the counter and I will not give them this through principle.

How can I get around this.

[TommoPhysicist]

When they decide to no longer accept retired persons for visa extensions, I'll be glad they can't do the same to married people for 'humanitarian reasons'. All you guys that went for retirement because it was less paperwork will be out on your ears.

[mca]

and in the eyes of immigration it surly is.

Freudian slip there lop?

[Khun Jean]

When they decide to no longer accept retired persons for visa extensions, I'll be glad they can't do the same to married people for 'humanitarian reasons'. All you guys that went for retirement because it was less paperwork will be out on your ears.

Don't be silly. When that time comes you just apply for the marriage visa.

The bigger positive chance is that when visa requirements change the retirement requirements will be grandfathered.

Not so with a marriage. At least when you use history as a reference.

[12DrinkMore]

When they decide to no longer accept retired persons for visa extensions, I'll be glad they can't do the same to married people for 'humanitarian reasons'. All you guys that went for retirement because it was less paperwork will be out on your ears.

Ridiculous.

Thailand has never bothered with "humanitarian reasons". Give me a single example.

I do not expect that to change any time soon.

Thailand is only concerned with "financial reasons".

You have the money, then all is OK.

[maoro]

In recent times the discussion of working and work permits when on a retiremnent visa were discussed. It apears you can work when you have a retirement visa if you get a work permit.

Furthermore the money in the bank account is apparently treated differently by depending on what immigration office you might attend. I have heard the requirement is three months most often, but legally it just has to be in the account on the day of application. These were subjects discussed very recently on this forum.

[lopburi3]

The requirement is clearly stated in Police Order 777/2551 of 3 months in account for retirement or 2 months in account for marriage if using bank deposit method.

[BWPattaya]

Some immigration officers in Jomtien advise people who have recently married to stay on a retirement extension as 1: it is easier to renew, and 2: it saves having to change a marriage extension to a retirement after a divorce.

To add to other points mentioned here about money being in the bank two or three months before renewal, this doesn't apply if you are using proof of monthly income.

[chingching]

The old saying UP TO YOU. Each individual will have different reasons. I personally have retirement extension because of my income. I receive a letter from a goverment agency stating my income every 6 months. Stat dec from Embassy. No problems.

What is "Stat dec" ?

[Mario2008]

An income statement from your embassy, confirming your income for immigration.

[ubonjoe]

Hi

I am married to a Thai lady 3 years now. I am in Khon Kaen and have been to the emigration dept here, I had all the documents etc and I also have an APEC card which gives me 90 days as many times in the year as I want. The problem is at the emigration office they want 24k baht under the counter and I will not give them this through principle.

How can I get around this.

I would say that you need to make a trip to Vientiane or Savvankhet and get a single entry non immigrant O visa based upon marriage. And then with financial proof and other required documents apply for the extension during the last 30 days of entry you will get from the visa.

You cannot extend an APEC card entry.

[ripstanley]

The old saying UP TO YOU. Each individual will have different reasons. I personally have retirement extension because of my income. I receive a letter from a goverment agency stating my income every 6 months. Stat dec from Embassy. No problems.

What is "Stat dec" ?

It is a statutory declararation where you declare certain information.

[oldsailor35]

^^^ 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.

Does any other country put people through so much "crap" as above. When one office wants it and another cannot be bothered, then it just has to be "crap" and for many, so frustrating !

[finnomick1]

OK., I understand all the requirements to obtain either a Non Immigrant O retirement extension, and a Non Immigrant O married extension -- I've done both over the 7 years I have been here but can anyone please explain to me why my extension application for my Non Immigrant O married has to go to Bangkok for approval/authorisation ? What happens is that I submit my application for the extension, they give me a date about 30 days from submission. I then have to first phone to see if the extension has been granted, then visit the immigration office to have the extension stamped in my passport. To me this seems a lot of mucking about and requires a second visit to immigration which isn't just around the corner. Any info will be gratefully received.

[lopburi3]

Because marriage extensions are approved by committee on the basis of the large folder of information rather than individual immigration office acting on a single financial requirement, as for retirement. The marriage must be more than in name only and various items are weighed to make that determination.

[ubonjoe]

Whether it goes to Bangkok or not depends upon where you live. If you live outside the Bangkok region it will go to the regional office for your area.

Mine go to Korat for approval. I have been informed that there is no longer a committee for approval they just have to be approved by a higher ranking officer than available at a local immigration office.

My last extension was approved the same day that it was received in Korat (info on small stamp in Thai below extension stamp).

[Gary A]

I am a lazy retired person. I intensely dislike hassles, waiting and complications. Since I have no problems with the 800,000 baht in a Thai bank, that is the way I go. I use the money from my Thai bank via the ATM card throughout the year. I top up the account once or at most twice a year with a wire transfer from my US bank to meet the three month minimum requirement. I do have a Thai wife and a marriage certificate. Simple is best for me.

[prodriver]

As I've said before, If and when they up the anti from the current rates you are more likely to get 'grandfather' rights from an extension based on retirement than one based on marriage. Worth noting I think.