Our study visas are up shortly. My wife and I are planning to change from non-O study visas to retirement, using monthly income.

What is the best way?

Should I as husband do it first and then my wife is added as dependent? Or should we each apply for our own individual retirement?

Do i need to leave the country or can I do this in-country? They said I have to apply for a new non-O.

Thanks.

You should be able to just change the reason for extension, because visa category ED is type Non-immigrant as the published rules prescribe.

Your wife should be able to apply for extension, reason 2.22 without showing funds.

You can change the reason for your extension of stay from attending a school to retirement. You need to meet the financial requirements to do it. If using money in the bank it will need be there for 60 days.

After you get your extension your wife can change the reason for her extension to one as your dependent.

Sorry I am a newbie.

This is what I understand the steps to do: based on a paper I picked up at CM immigration Thursday

1. Proof of income: I will do the monthly income

Documents proving monthly income/pension from my home country (USA) of not less than 65,000 B. per month,

this document or affidavit certified by my consulate in Thailand. Documents have 6 month validity.

2. I will not be doing the 800,000 B. in Thai bank or the combination 1+2 method. Thai account shows only one name.

3. Proof of Local address:

Copy of rental contract showing my current street address. Copy of ID of landlord/manager. Copy of house registration.

4. copy of passport pages.

5. Letter from my school stating that I will not renew the Study visa on the expiration date but change to retirement visa.

6. App. photos, 1900 B fee.

At immigration:

a. Do I have to cancel ED visa first before processing the retirement app?

b. or can I check with the officer that all my retirement docs are in order, before I actually cancel the ED visa?

(because I don't want to be in limbo if for some reason they don't accept my app and demand something else.)

Dependents;

Can my wife apply as a dependent on the same day, just after I file my application?

Thanks.

One to six look good.

a/b Yes they will check your documents. But I can see no reason for them not to do the extension if you have everything you listed. They would not cancel the extension without being sure your paperwork was correct.

As soon as you have your extension stamp your wife can apply for her extension.