Retirement visa for me - what about my wife?

[MrGraz]

Sorry if this has been covered elsewhere...I did some searching, but couldn't find an answer.

Assuming I have met all of the requirements & have a retirement visa in hand, what do I do about my wife who doesn't meet the retirement visa requirements due to age?

Non-Imm 'O' looks like the closest match, but everything I'm reading appears to indicate that it's for spouses/dependents of Thai nationals.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[Lite Beer]

If you have a 12 month extension from Immigration she can get the same extension as your dependent.

[MrGraz]

If you have a 12 month extension from Immigration she can get the same extension as your dependent.

Lite Beer, thanks, this is helpful. Would her extension be pursued as a Non-Imm 'O' visa, or some other process/visa?

[Lite Beer]

For You:

2.22 In the case of a retiree: Permission will be granted for a period of not more

than 1 year at a time.

(1) The alien has obtained a temporary visa (NON-IM);

(2) The applicant is 50 years of age or over;

(3) Proof of income of not less than Baht 65,000 per month; or

(4) Account deposit with a bank in Thailand of not less than

800,000 Baht as shown in the bank account for the past 3 months at the filing date of the application. For the first year, the applicant should have that amount in his bank account for not less than 60 days or

(5) Annual income plus bank account deposit totaling not less

than Baht 800,000 as of the filing date of application

For Your Wife:

2.20 In the case of a family

member of an alien who has been permitted temporary

stay under clauses 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.5, 2.6,2.7, 2.10, 2.12, 2.13,2.4, 2.15, 2.16, 2.17,

2.21, 2.22,2.26,6.29 of this Order (applicable only to parents, spouse, child, adopted child or child of

his/her spouse):

Permission will be

granted for a period of

not more than 1 year at a time.

(1) The alien has obtained a temporary visa (NON-IM);

(2) Proof of family relationship;

(3) In the case of a spouse, the marital relationship shall be de

jure (legitimate) and de facto;

[MrGraz]

Lite Beer, thanks!

[ubonjoe]

Before traveling to here you both need to get non-o visas. The best and only choice to get yours will be from a honorary consulate. The embassy and official consulates in your home country will not issue non-o visas for retirement because they can issue OA visas.

[Shaz13]

For You:

2.22 In the case of a retiree: Permission will be granted for a period of not more

than 1 year at a time.

(1) The alien has obtained a temporary visa (NON-IM);

(2) The applicant is 50 years of age or over;

(3) Proof of income of not less than Baht 65,000 per month; or

(4) Account deposit with a bank in Thailand of not less than

800,000 Baht as shown in the bank account for the past 3 months at the filing date of the application. For the first year, the applicant should have that amount in his bank account for not less than 60 days or

(5) Annual income plus bank account deposit totaling not less

than Baht 800,000 as of the filing date of application

For Your Wife:

2.20 In the case of a family

member of an alien who has been permitted temporary

stay under clauses 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.5, 2.6,2.7, 2.10, 2.12, 2.13,2.4, 2.15, 2.16, 2.17,

2.21, 2.22,2.26,6.29 of this Order (applicable only to parents, spouse, child, adopted child or child of

his/her spouse):

Permission will be

granted for a period of

not more than 1 year at a time.

(1) The alien has obtained a temporary visa (NON-IM);

(2) Proof of family relationship;

(3) In the case of a spouse, the marital relationship shall be de

jure (legitimate) and de facto;

Great information, thanks Lite Beer.

I've noticed that point (3) under Your Wife mentions either de jure and de facto, Do you know where I can find out what you need to prove de facto?

I am currently on a Non-Imm B with work permit but will probably stop working soon after my 50th, my partner of 13 years is on Non-Imm O with retirement extensions for 2 years now and 'jumping' on his visa would be our easiest option.

Any help would be great as we thought you had to be married to do this.

Cheers

Shaz13

[Lite Beer]

You do have to be married.

[CIHUAHUA]

My wife and I are from the US, which is our home country. I got the OA retirement visa which you have to get in your home country and be over 50yrs. Old.. I was required to get a multi-entry for $200.00. I had to provide my proof of my income, medical report, and a police report from my area. All of these documents were notarized. My wife, who is younger than 50yrs old, got a regular non-immigrant “O” visa . A marriage certificate, notarized, was required. ($80 single entry)

When we arrived in Chiang mai we were told to go to the immigration office thirty days before our 90 day reporting time to do extra paperwork connecting my wife to my “OA” visa which means that she did not have to leave the country for the year. I was then required to go to the US consulate here in Chiang Mai and get my proof of income notarized as well as the marriage certificate. Note that the US consulate is open on tuesdays and thursdays only. You must make an appointment on line. When we got to the consulate we paid $50. each for the notary. Back at immigration the questions asked were : Why does your wife want to be here? Why does she not have an “OA” visa?

After an hour doing paperwork with the “officer” having arrived at the office at 0800, we were finished at 1130. Now, we are due back at immigration in 30 days for something else. The last time we did this it was not the same procedure. Good luck!

[NancyL]

My wife and I are from the US, which is our home country. I got the OA retirement visa which you have to get in your home country and be over 50yrs. Old.. I was required to get a multi-entry for $200.00. I had to provide my proof of my income, medical report, and a police report from my area. All of these documents were notarized. My wife, who is younger than 50yrs old, got a regular non-immigrant O visa . A marriage certificate, notarized, was required. ($80 single entry)

When we arrived in Chiang mai we were told to go to the immigration office thirty days before our 90 day reporting time to do extra paperwork connecting my wife to my OA visa which means that she did not have to leave the country for the year. I was then required to go to the US consulate here in Chiang Mai and get my proof of income notarized as well as the marriage certificate. Note that the US consulate is open on tuesdays and thursdays only. You must make an appointment on line. When we got to the consulate we paid $50. each for the notary. Back at immigration the questions asked were : Why does your wife want to be here? Why does she not have an OA visa?

After an hour doing paperwork with the officer having arrived at the office at 0800, we were finished at 1130. Now, we are due back at immigration in 30 days for something else. The last time we did this it was not the same procedure. Good luck!

Point of clarification -- the U.S. consulate in CM is open M-Fri, something like 8 am - 4:30 pm, except Thai and U.S. holidays. The only days they're available for routine U.S. citizen services are Tuesdays and Thursdays -- but they're certainly available to assist citizens in an emergency situation at other times.

Also, the reason Cihuahua received an O-A retirement visa is because he applied at either the Thai Embassy or one of their "official" consulates in the U.S. Had he applied at an honorary consulate, like the well-regarded Portland consulate, both he and his wife could have received a 90-day single entry O visa at a much lower price and with no hassle about police, medical or financial reports. Then, once in CM, he simply could have gone to the U.S. consulate, gotten an income letter and then gone to CM Immigration with his wife to obtain a 12-month retirement extension for himself and a 12-month extension as a dependent for his wife. Much, much easier.

The Thai Embassies and official consulates won't issue 90 day O visas for retirements. For some reason, they always steer applicants wanting to retire in Thailand to the much more complex O-A visa. The honorary consulates, on the other hand, almost always will grant a 90-day O visa "for the purpose of investigating retirement".

[SICHONSTEVE]

Before traveling to here you both need to get non-o visas. The best and only choice to get yours will be from a honorary consulate. The embassy and official consulates in your home country will not issue non-o visas for retirement because they can issue OA visas.

I am currently in my home country (England) and want to get a non-immigrant 'o' visa for retirement purposes from Hull. Are you implying that I cannot get this particular visa from Hull?

[Lite Beer]

Before traveling to here you both need to get non-o visas. The best and only choice to get yours will be from a honorary consulate. The embassy and official consulates in your home country will not issue non-o visas for retirement because they can issue OA visas.

I am currently in my home country (England) and want to get a non-immigrant 'o' visa for retirement purposes from Hull. Are you implying that I cannot get this particular visa from Hull?

Yes Hull will issue if you qualify:

Category “O”

--------------------------

1) Married to a Thai national.

Evidence required:

a) If married in Thailand:

Copies of Original Thai Marriage Certificate and Thai ID Card or Thai Passport.

b If married in UK:

Copies of Original UK Marriage Certificate and Thai ID Card or Thai Passport.

Either a single or multiple entry visa can be granted in these circumstances.

or

2) Visiting Thai child living in Thailand.

Evidence required

a) Birth Certificate of child showing relationship.

b Proof of having Legal Custody of the child. Please note that this document can be in Thai language if submitted to either the Royal Thai Consulate at Hull or the Royal Thai Embassy.

Please note that a child ceases to be regarded as a child for these purposes when attaining 20 years of age.

Either a single or multiple entry visa can be granted in these circumstances.

or

3) Visiting non Thai family working and/or living in Thailand.

Evidence required:

a) Birth/Marriage Certificate to show relationship and date of birth – applicant must not be older than 20 years.

b Letter from relative in Thailand confirming they are in Thailand together with copy of page in their passport showing valid entry visa or a copy of their valid work permit..

Either a single or multiple entry visa can be granted to applicant aged up to 20 years in these circumstances. If applicant is aged 21 or over then they can be granted only a Tourist Visa with 1, 2 or 3 entries.

or

4) Volunteer Work with NGO or Charity Organisation (not with Private Organisations).

Evidence required:

a) Sponsor Letter from volunteer/charity organisation which must be registered in Thailand.

Only a single entry visa can be granted in these circumstances. Applicant will need to rrange Extension of Stay as necessary. Please check with volunteer/charity organisation for what extra documentation may be required by Thai Immigration to extend stay.

or

5) Visiting Thailand as Pensioner aged 65 and over.

Evidence required:

a) Bank Statement or Pension Statement showing receipt of State and/or Private Pension.

Either a single or multiple entry visa can be granted in these circumstances.

or

6) Visiting Thailand as Retired Person aged between 50 and 64 years

Evidence required:

a) Copy of Bank Statement showing income of minimum £1200 per month or lumpsum of minimum £20,000

Either a single or multiple entry visa can be granted in these circumstances.

[SICHONSTEVE]

Before traveling to here you both need to get non-o visas. The best and only choice to get yours will be from a honorary consulate. The embassy and official consulates in your home country will not issue non-o visas for retirement because they can issue OA visas.

I am currently in my home country (England) and want to get a non-immigrant 'o' visa for retirement purposes from Hull. Are you implying that I cannot get this particular visa from Hull?

Yes Hull will issue if you qualify:

Category “O”

--------------------------

1) Married to a Thai national.

Evidence required:

a) If married in Thailand:

Copies of Original Thai Marriage Certificate and Thai ID Card or Thai Passport.

b If married in UK:

Copies of Original UK Marriage Certificate and Thai ID Card or Thai Passport.

Either a single or multiple entry visa can be granted in these circumstances.

or

2) Visiting Thai child living in Thailand.

Evidence required

a) Birth Certificate of child showing relationship.

b Proof of having Legal Custody of the child. Please note that this document can be in Thai language if submitted to either the Royal Thai Consulate at Hull or the Royal Thai Embassy.

Please note that a child ceases to be regarded as a child for these purposes when attaining 20 years of age.

Either a single or multiple entry visa can be granted in these circumstances.

or

3) Visiting non Thai family working and/or living in Thailand.

Evidence required:

a) Birth/Marriage Certificate to show relationship and date of birth – applicant must not be older than 20 years.

b Letter from relative in Thailand confirming they are in Thailand together with copy of page in their passport showing valid entry visa or a copy of their valid work permit..

Either a single or multiple entry visa can be granted to applicant aged up to 20 years in these circumstances. If applicant is aged 21 or over then they can be granted only a Tourist Visa with 1, 2 or 3 entries.

or

4) Volunteer Work with NGO or Charity Organisation (not with Private Organisations).

Evidence required:

a) Sponsor Letter from volunteer/charity organisation which must be registered in Thailand.

Only a single entry visa can be granted in these circumstances. Applicant will need to rrange Extension of Stay as necessary. Please check with volunteer/charity organisation for what extra documentation may be required by Thai Immigration to extend stay.

or

5) Visiting Thailand as Pensioner aged 65 and over.

Evidence required:

a) Bank Statement or Pension Statement showing receipt of State and/or Private Pension.

Either a single or multiple entry visa can be granted in these circumstances.

or

6) Visiting Thailand as Retired Person aged between 50 and 64 years

Evidence required:

a) Copy of Bank Statement showing income of minimum £1200 per month or lumpsum of minimum £20,000

Either a single or multiple entry visa can be granted in these circumstances.

Thanks for the prompt reply.

I am aware of the conditions, it was just the statement about the embassy in your home country not issuing the non 'o' visa that concerned me.

[HullyGully]

You can obtain a one year type O multi entry from Hull cost GBP125

[ubonjoe]

Before traveling to here you both need to get non-o visas. The best and only choice to get yours will be from a honorary consulate. The embassy and official consulates in your home country will not issue non-o visas for retirement because they can issue OA visas.

I am currently in my home country (England) and want to get a non-immigrant 'o' visa for retirement purposes from Hull. Are you implying that I cannot get this particular visa from Hull?

Hull is a honorary consulate. Your wife will need to get a single entry O visa also.

[Sophon]

For You:

2.22 In the case of a retiree: Permission will be granted for a period of not more

than 1 year at a time.

(1) The alien has obtained a temporary visa (NON-IM);

(2) The applicant is 50 years of age or over;

(3) Proof of income of not less than Baht 65,000 per month; or

(4) Account deposit with a bank in Thailand of not less than

800,000 Baht as shown in the bank account for the past 3 months at the filing date of the application. For the first year, the applicant should have that amount in his bank account for not less than 60 days or

(5) Annual income plus bank account deposit totaling not less

than Baht 800,000 as of the filing date of application

For Your Wife:

2.20 In the case of a family

member of an alien who has been permitted temporary

stay under clauses 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.5, 2.6,2.7, 2.10, 2.12, 2.13,2.4, 2.15, 2.16, 2.17,

2.21, 2.22,2.26,6.29 of this Order (applicable only to parents, spouse, child, adopted child or child of

his/her spouse):

Permission will be

granted for a period of

not more than 1 year at a time.

(1) The alien has obtained a temporary visa (NON-IM);

(2) Proof of family relationship;

(3) In the case of a spouse, the marital relationship shall be de

jure (legitimate) and de facto;

Great information, thanks Lite Beer.

I've noticed that point (3) under Your Wife mentions either de jure and de facto, Do you know where I can find out what you need to prove de facto?

I am currently on a Non-Imm B with work permit but will probably stop working soon after my 50th, my partner of 13 years is on Non-Imm O with retirement extensions for 2 years now and 'jumping' on his visa would be our easiest option.

Any help would be great as we thought you had to be married to do this.

Cheers

Shaz13

I'm afraid you are reading it wrong. The requirement is that the marital relationship is both de jure and de facto (not either or), so you have to be both legally married and living together as husband and wife.

Sophon