Retirement extension for wife.

[howrub]

My wife and I are both US citizens. I will enter Thailand on a Non-Immigrant O visa and get an extension of stay for retirement sometime in the last months of this year. Of course, I'll also get a re-entry permit as I plan to leave in February and return late next year but still during my permission to stay time.

My wife will join me a couple of months later and stay for some time. I seem to recall that there is a simpler procedure for her to obtain the same status I will have based on my status. If so, how does it work, and how should she enter the country? Obtain a Non-O or just enter with visa exempt 30 day.

Thanks so much.

[Mario2008]

She should come to THailand with a non-O visa, based on your stay in Thailand.

In Thailand she can apply for an extension as your dependend, without the need for showing financials herself. The fact that you are staying here on an extension of stay based on retirement is enough.

[Lite Beer]

She can apply for the extension as your dependant.

Entering with a Non Imm O Visa is the way to go.

[ubonjoe]

She will need to have a single entry non-o before arriving. She cannot do a conversion at immigration for a dependent extension.

She could get hers at the same you get yours if she will be traveling within 3 months from date of issue. If not not she would need a copy of your passport photo page and extension stamp and marriage certificate.

After arriving she would get an extension as your dependent.

[NancyL]

Your wife may wish to consider having her own retirement visa rather than being "piggybacked" on your visa/permission to stay. Reason being that if something happens to the marriage (such as divorce, separation or death of the OP), then the wife has just 7 days to exit the country and re-enter to start her own path toward a retirement visa/extension.

Most women I know are very busy during the 7 days after the end of a marriage (for whatever reason) and most don't think about this detail.