Change of Visa: Marriage to Retirement (timing?)

[Oww]

Hello & Thanks in advance for advice,

My marriage visa ends early july but my 50th b-day not until august,

can I change visa types before my 50th b-day without leaving Thailand?
I'd rather not have to do up all the docs for marriage visa when I've already

decided to change to retirement.

I tried to get a concrete answer at Imm. but not entirely sure of what the official rule was.

(the kid at the counter suggested I 'take a trip' and come back).

That's fine I guess, just need to bridge about a total of 4 weeks.

Has anybody tried to apply for retirement visa a few weeks early?

(I've already topped up a/c to 800k 3 months ago).

Thanks again!

[mamborobert]

CM forum is probably not the best place for a response (perhaps the visa forum). That aside I would have thought that continuing the Marriage visa was a preferable option on several levels (unless of course you are not continuing the marriage). I always thought (particularly in the current environment) that a Retirement option could be subject to much greater risk of change in the future that a Marriage based visa. If Immigration currently wants people to legitimze their stay on correct visa (hence the border run clamp down, Cambodians etc) Marriage rather than Retirement (if you have been married for a while) probably better reflects why you are here (and have been).

Just interested in why you would go that route (as have similar options myself).

[MadMac]

People usually mix up visa and extension of stay. With an extension it ends at the day stated in your passport. With a visa you can travel out of the country and come back at the last day of visa validity and get another 3 months to stay. That may resolve your problem, if you indeed have a visa.

[tyznd]

CM forum is probably not the best place for a response (perhaps the visa forum). That aside I would have thought that continuing the Marriage visa was a preferable option on several levels (unless of course you are not continuing the marriage). I always thought (particularly in the current environment) that a Retirement option could be subject to much greater risk of change in the future that a Marriage based visa. If Immigration currently wants people to legitimze their stay on correct visa (hence the border run clamp down, Cambodians etc) Marriage rather than Retirement (if you have been married for a while) probably better reflects why you are here (and have been).

Just interested in why you would go that route (as have similar options myself).

Marriage visa is preferable? That is what I started with and they love to put you through the ringer when you have a marriage visa. Every year some new BS requirement (need some more photos, draw us a map, this document is not good anymore blah blah blah).

Got fed up with it and a few years back asked about switching to a retirement visa. "Oh very good - retirement visa no problem" I was told so I made the switch and now I just show up with a bank statement and the extension form every year.

So don't listen to anyone telling you a marriage visa is better. For some reason I think they look down on people who are here on marriage visas and take a slightly better view with the retirement visa. I don't know if it is because of the extra 400K you need but I am sure there are more than a few others who will back me up on this.

[onthedarkside]

moving to the visa forum.

[Oww]

CM forum is probably not the best place for a response (perhaps the visa forum). That aside I would have thought that continuing the Marriage visa was a preferable option on several levels (unless of course you are not continuing the marriage). I always thought (particularly in the current environment) that a Retirement option could be subject to much greater risk of change in the future that a Marriage based visa. If Immigration currently wants people to legitimze their stay on correct visa (hence the border run clamp down, Cambodians etc) Marriage rather than Retirement (if you have been married for a while) probably better reflects why you are here (and have been).

Just interested in why you would go that route (as have similar options myself).

My wife is extremely busy with work constantly and I'd prefer to independently take care of my

visa situation instead of dragging her down to immigration every year.

[ubonjoe]

I assume you have an extension of stay (it is not a visa) based upon marriage and want to change the reason for it to retirement.

Immigration will not do the extension based upon retirement until you turn 50.

If you are ready to do the change you could get a 60 day extension to visit you wife and then do the extension based upon retirement.

Your wife will need to go with you to immigration when you apply. You will need your marriage certificate, her house book and ID plus copies.

[Oww]

People usually mix up visa and extension of stay. With an extension it ends at the day stated in your passport. With a visa you can travel out of the country and come back at the last day of visa validity and get another 3 months to stay. That may resolve your problem, if you indeed have a visa.

Oh I see, so if I return before my marriage visa is up I get 3 months? I was worried they might put me on a 30 day

tourist visa which is not enough. My marriage visa is up on July 5th but my 50th b-day is not til Aug. 12.

Why would you doubt I have a visa? Is it really that hard to believe..

[Oww]

Thanks Ubonjoe.

[ubonjoe]

People usually mix up visa and extension of stay. With an extension it ends at the day stated in your passport. With a visa you can travel out of the country and come back at the last day of visa validity and get another 3 months to stay. That may resolve your problem, if you indeed have a visa.

Oh I see, so if I return before my marriage visa is up I get 3 months? I was worried they might put me on a 30 day

tourist visa which is not enough. My marriage visa is up on July 5th but my 50th b-day is not til Aug. 12.

Why would you doubt I have a visa? Is it really that hard to believe..

I you had a visa you would not be going to immigration for it. You have been getting extensions of stay.

A non -o visa would be a single entry that gives a one 90 entry or a multiple entry visa that requires leaving every 90 days.

[MadMac]

Why would you doubt I have a visa? Is it really that hard to believe..

Check your passport, the visa is a 1 page sticker. The extension is a stamp. People always mix it up. No offense intended

[Oww]

People usually mix up visa and extension of stay. With an extension it ends at the day stated in your passport. With a visa you can travel out of the country and come back at the last day of visa validity and get another 3 months to stay. That may resolve your problem, if you indeed have a visa.

Oh I see, so if I return before my marriage visa is up I get 3 months? I was worried they might put me on a 30 day

tourist visa which is not enough. My marriage visa is up on July 5th but my 50th b-day is not til Aug. 12.

Why would you doubt I have a visa? Is it really that hard to believe..

I you had a visa you would not be going to immigration for it. You have been getting extensions of stay.

A non -o visa would be a single entry that gives a one 90 entry or a multiple entry visa that requires leaving every 90 days.

Oh I see, Ok you guys are right. I always just called it a 'marriage visa' but technically it's an extension based on marriage. And yes, I've been going to immigration for this purpose for the past 5 years.

[ubonjoe]

You are not the only that does it but it does cause confusion on a regular basis.

Just get the 60 day extension and you will be able to do the switch to retirement.

[TerryLH]

" With a visa you can travel out of the country and come back at the last day of visa validity and get another 3 months to stay."

That only works if you have a multiple entry visa. It won't be the same with a single entry visa.

[MadMac]

" With a visa you can travel out of the country and come back at the last day of visa validity and get another 3 months to stay."

That only works if you have a multiple entry visa. It won't be the same with a single entry visa.

That's correct. But 12 months visas are usually multi entry. After all not relevant as the OP has an extension of stay.

[Oww]

I understand I can get a 60 day extension without leaving Thailand. However....assuming I prefer to take a trip,

and my extension ends on July 2nd,..If I exit before the 2nd, then re-enter, will I then be on a 30-day tourist visa?

Or is there anyway I can ask for 60 - 90 days upon re-entering?

[ubonjoe]

If you leave and re-enter you will get a visa exempt entry (not a tourist visa). If entering at a border crossing you will only get a 15 day entry unless you are from a G7 country which would allow you to get a 30 day entry.

The only way you could get a longer entry would be if you went to a Thai embassy or consulate and applied for a single entry non-o visa based upon marriage or being 50 for over .

[Oww]

Many Thanks Ubonjoe.

[Oww]

Oh wait a minute,...now does this mean I need a re-entry permit? ( I'm assuming not, since I'll

be re-entering after my extension has expired...) Not sure though...

[ubonjoe]

You will not need or want a re-entry permit.

[Oww]

Great Thanks!

[Oww]

If you leave and re-enter you will get a visa exempt entry (not a tourist visa). If entering at a border crossing you will only get a 15 day entry unless you are from a G7 country which would allow you to get a 30 day entry.

The only way you could get a longer entry would be if you went to a Thai embassy or consulate and applied for a single entry non-o visa based upon marriage or being 50 for over .

How about an entry at the airport? I am from G7 country. Can I expect more than 30 days in this situation?

I need about 5 and a half weeks, kind of a pain to have to go border cross twice.

Thanks.

[ubonjoe]

You can only get 30 days.

It would be best to go out and get a single entry non-o visa that would give you a 90 day entry.

[Oww]

You can only get 30 days.

It would be best to go out and get a single entry non-o visa that would give you a 90 day entry.

Thanks again Ubonjoe, you've been very helpful. Where do you think it's most likely I am granted this? I'm leaving from Chiang Mai. I remember years ago sometimes the Thai consulate in HK would sometimes not approve these.

[ubonjoe]

They do them in Vientiane all the time.

You can fly from CM to Udon Thani on Nok Air. They offer a fly/ride service to Vientiane via Udon.

[Oww]

Ah Great, thanks so much!