I have been living here for nearly 8 years now on a long term visa...Retirement extension of a non-immigrant O visa. My visa is valid until early May. I recently got married and realized I could now qualify for the spousal version of the Non-O.

My income is more than adequate to meet the requirements for the Retirement extension. My quesion is am I better off continuing with the Retirement extension or should I switch over to the Spousal extension?

thanks in advance ...

Do you want to work? If so, marriage, otherwise stay on retiree I would suggest

If your income is sufficient to qualify for a retirement extension and you do not intend to work, get a work permit, I would continue to use the retiremnt option for 2 reasons:

1. The paperwork is easier and you are not required to undergo the house inspection and a " 30 day under consideration" period each year that you apply. You go in apply and get the stamp the same day. Immigration prefers the retirement option because it does not have to be reviewed by a higher authority and the paperwork is less for them.

2. If you go with the marriage extension, if you are divorced, your extension effectively ends the day that you are divorced

There normally is no house visit after the first extension.

It is just a bit more paperwork to get the extension based upon marriage. Most you have already so it is a matter of some copies and a couple of picture of you and the wife at your residence.

Other than being able to get a work permit the financial difference can be big consideration.

For the money in the bank option it means half the amount (400K vs 800L) plus the money only has to be in the bank for 60 days. Income of 40K vs 65K is a significant amount and for some it could mean not having to do the combination of income and money in bank option.

If you get divorced you would have enough time to get the funds sorted out and change to retirement extension. The Amphoe does not notify immigration so you probably could wait until your next extension.

Thank you all for the responses. You have all pretty much settled the matter for me and I will continue with the Retirement Extension. I have all paperwork for that in ready on the computer and the only side trip I need is the income verification from the Embassy.