Changing From Retirenent Visa To Marrage Visa

[czhteck]

Does anyone know what is required to change my Retirement Visa to a Marriage Visa?

Is there any advantage to change my visa besides only requiring 400,000 Baht in the bank?

Also the cost to change the visa?

[lopburi3]

You seem to be talking about extensions of stay rather than visas and you can not obtain a work permit on a retirement extension and the required financial is lower. The paperwork is more and requires wife and at least two visits each time. Cost of any extension of stay is 1,900 baht.

[OJAS]

May also be worth pointing out that, while local immigration offices can grant 1-year retirement extensions there and then (assuming, of course, that you have provided all the necessary paperwork), that is not the case with marriage extensions - which, I gather, need to be approved individually by a committee of Immigration Bureau big-wigs in Bangkok. As I understand the procedure, your local immigration office will stamp an interim 30-day "under consideration" extension in your passport on the spot - after which you will need to return in order to be stamped for the remaining extension period (assuming, of course, that the Immigration Bureau big-wigs have completed their deliberations in the meantime - which, I gather from other threads, is not always the case).

[lopburi3]

Illegal activity post removed per forum rules.

[IMA_FARANG]

Advantages and disadavantages.

Retirement..... it is easier to get and requires less paperwork. Advantage

Marriage ....... The financial requirements is easier to meet. Advantage

Retirement .... You can't get a work permit to work. Disadvantage.

Marriage ....... Divorce or death of your Thai wife .... you marriage extension ends then. Disadvantage.

But basically, it's up to you to decide if by some chance you qualify for both of them.

(Just imagine if your wife of many years suddenly dies ..... and on top of all those problems you are told you have to leave Thailand quickly.)

[ubonjoe]

May also be worth pointing out that, while local immigration offices can grant 1-year retirement extensions there and then (assuming, of course, that you have provided all the necessary paperwork), that is not the case with marriage extensions - which, I gather, need to be approved individually by a committee of Immigration Bureau big-wigs in Bangkok. As I understand the procedure, your local immigration office will stamp an interim 30-day "under consideration" extension in your passport on the spot - after which you will need to return in order to be stamped for the remaining extension period (assuming, of course, that the Immigration Bureau big-wigs have completed their deliberations in the meantime - which, I gather from other threads, is not always the case).

Only applications for extensions based upon marriage go to Bangkok if they are within the region served by Bangkok. There is no longer a committee extensions are approved by a high ranking officer at regional immigration headquarters. Mine are done in Korat.

The under consideration stamp is not an extension it gives you a date to report back and upon that date you get your one year extension stamp from the date your permit to stay stamp ended.

[TerryLH]

"...and on top of all those problems you are told you have to leave Thailand quickly."

Or perhaps just go to immigration and change the reason for the extension.

[ubonjoe]

If your wife was to die you would time to get things sorted out. Immigration would not be notified by anybody other than yourself.

Another type of extension would be the best option. If you have children that would be number 1 choice.

[laislica]

My retirement visa is due to be extended near the end of May.

We intend to travel to Europe for 6 months or so and then return to Thailand.

1) I would like to change to a marriage visa, I was married in Thailand and live in the Bangkok area.

2) Would it be OK to depart whilst my visa is current (not extending it before I leave) and apply for a marriage visa during our 6 months in Europe?

3) Otherwise I could return on a 90 days tourist visa - applied for in Europe, do 1 visa run to say Penang and apply for another 90 days for Thailand.

4) We intend to spend about half our time in Thailand and the other in other countries.

I see the advantages of 3) being:

a) No need for money in the bank (400k for marriage or 800K retirement visa) or proving income with a letter from my Embassy (costs 2,750 B ) plus the costs of travel to get it, it takes two days. No need for multiple reinrty visa cost 3,900 B.

b ) The cost of the 90 day visa is 1,900 B because I understand it's actually a 60 day that can be extended for 30 days. Total cost is than 3,600 B plus the cost of travel.

Disadvantages being:

z) A pain to "have" to do visa runs.

x) The cost of travel, hotels etc.

Maybe some of my assumptions are wrong and I need guidance please.

[Mario2008]

Yes, you can let it lapse and apply for a new non-O visa in Europe. But apply near the end of your stay in Europe, as the visa has a limited validity.

[laislica]

Yes, you can let it lapse and apply for a new non-O visa in Europe. But apply near the end of your stay in Europe, as the visa has a limited validity.

Thanks Mario.

What would be the most cost effective way for visas for 6 months.

Mind you, the least pain regarding 'having' to do visa runs....

[Mario2008]

With a multiple non-O (cost 5,000 baht) you can stay for 90 days in a row, do a border run and come back the same day. It would mean a border run every 90 days.

The alternative is to get an extension every year based on retirement for 1,900 baht plus a re-entry permit for 1,000 baht (single) or 3,800 (multiple) without having to do border runs.

if you don't qualify by money in the bank based on retirement (800,000) the multiple non-O might be the most cost effective.

[laislica]

With a multiple non-O (cost 5,000 baht) you can stay for 90 days in a row, do a border run and come back the same day. It would mean a border run every 90 days.

The alternative is to get an extension every year based on retirement for 1,900 baht plus a re-entry permit for 1,000 baht (single) or 3,800 (multiple) without having to do border runs.

if you don't qualify by money in the bank based on retirement (800,000) the multiple non-O might be the most cost effective.

I can comply with the 800k but it seems a pain to have so much just tied up for visas.

[ubonjoe]

You can change to an extension based upon marriage to a Thai without leaving the country or getting a new visa.

The next time you go to immigration for an extension apply for the extension based upon marriage instead of retirement.

Your wife would have to go with you because she needs to sign a statement.

[lopburi3]

The 800k only has to be in account 3 months each year but if you plan only six months here and 6 months there the multi entry non immigrant O visa would likely be your best value (one exit/return required for six month stay) and no re-entry permits or time schedule for extensions or 90 day address reporting. Just be sure to have her ID card and copy of home register for application as well as the marriage certificate.

[laislica]

The 800k only has to be in account 3 months each year but if you plan only six months here and 6 months there the multi entry non immigrant O visa would likely be your best value (one exit/return required for six month stay) and no re-entry permits or time schedule for extensions or 90 day address reporting. Just be sure to have her ID card and copy of home register for application as well as the marriage certificate.

Thanks, if I understand correctly: If we leave during my current visa and not extend we would return dec/jan time having obtained a non immigrant O visa whilst in Europe before we return. On the 60th day of the visa I think I have to pay 1,900 B to extend it to the full 90 days.

Then as that visa expires we leave Thailand for a holiday in a nearby country, say Myanmar, how do we get my next non O, 90 day visa? Is there a Thai Embassy there?

[lopburi3]

You could get a multi entry non immigrant O visa on basis of marriage valid for one year of up to 90 day stays and never have to visit immigration. After your first 90 days you cross any border and after checking out of other country return for a new 90 day stay. A non immigrant visa entry is for 90 days - no extension required.

[laislica]

You could get a multi entry non immigrant O visa on basis of marriage valid for one year of up to 90 day stays and never have to visit immigration. After your first 90 days you cross any border and after checking out of other country return for a new 90 day stay. A non immigrant visa entry is for 90 days - no extension required.

Ah, this sounds great.

So after a short holiday in another country, can we return by road and get the 90 days more or must we fly?

[lopburi3]

Any method of entry and any amount of time away during the one year validity of the visa gets a new 90 day stay.

[Mario2008]

An you can even return the same day or even hour.