I recently retired from the USMC and have a pension of $7k per month. I believe this to be far more than I need in Thailand. I have a Thai fiancé and son living in Khon Kaen. My question is can I get a Retirement Visa if I can satisfy all the financial requirements but not the age requirement? I am 44. Or should I wait until we get married in 2016 and apply for another type of Visa? Which kind of Visa would that be after we are married?

thanks for the help.

You must be aged 50 or more before a "retirement" visa or extension of stay based on retirement can be obtained.

Once married you could obtain an "O" visa based on marriage and from that an extension of stay also based on marriage

Until you get married you could apply for a non 'O' visa/extension of stay if you are the father of your son. You need to be the legal farther for an extension of stay.

Thanks for the info.

I am the legal father of my son.

I can apply for an O visa without being married? If so, what is the length of the O visa?

thanks.

Thanks for the info.

I am the legal father of my son.

I can apply for an O visa without being married? If so, what is the length of the O visa?

thanks.

You don't need to be married.

• Single entry valid for 3 months.
• Multiple entry valid for 1 year.
• Both give 90 days permit to stay.

Any of the 90 day stays can be extended (once per entry) by 60 days when in Thailand for 1,900 baht. So a single entry visa/extension could give you 5 months.

You can also apply for a 1 year extension of stay. A single entry and a 1 year extension would be your best option if your planning to live here full time.

Thanks for the info.

I am the legal father of my son.

I can apply for an O visa without being married? If so, what is the length of the O visa?

thanks.

Not doubting what you say but your name on the birth certificate does not make you the legal father. Only a process involving the Thai courts /Amphur can result in legalisation.

If you have documented proof of being the legal father it will be possible to obtain a one year multiple entry visa.

Thanks for all the info. I will begin the application process.

Just a note, I did complete the process with the local Amphur when my son was born, as well as the long process of getting passports with the USA and Thailand.

Thanks for all the info. I will begin the application process.

Just a note, I did complete the process with the local Amphur when my son was born, as well as the long process of getting passports with the USA and Thailand.

FYI.....

Although the non 'O' visa is issued based on having a Thai child, once you have entered Thailand, the reasons for applying/granting an extension of stay are interchangeable. Until you're married any extension of stay will be based on your son, once married, when it comes time to renewing the extension, the immigration office might insist that the reason is changed to marriage. Once you reach age 50 you can choose retirement, marriage or (possibly) child as the reason. Each has different application criteria so it's worth, later down the road, learning the differences so you can choose the one that best suits your circumstances at the time.

Thanks for all the info. I will begin the application process.

Just a note, I did complete the process with the local Amphur when my son was born, as well as the long process of getting passports with the USA and Thailand.

It can take several months to legitimize your parenthood. You might be married before it is completed and getting married to your child's does the same thing.

You can get a single entry non-o and 60 day extension at immigration with just your name on their birth certificate.

Thanks for all the info. I will begin the application process.

Just a note, I did complete the process with the local Amphur when my son was born, as well as the long process of getting passports with the USA and Thailand.

Sorry but I doubt you gained "legal father status" from an Amphur in respect of a new born child.

I, of course, am willing to be corrected !

I will research all 3 visa types to see which one would be best. We will have our 2nd child May 2016.

Our son has my name (not the mothers name) on his Thai and USA birth certificate and both USA and Thai Passports. I had to complete DNA testing to be granted legal father status. (3 month process)

I will research all 3 visa types to see which one would be best. We will have our 2nd child May 2016.

Our son has my name (not the mothers name) on his Thai and USA birth certificate and both USA and Thai Passports. I had to complete DNA testing to be granted legal father status. (3 month process)

Legal parent status in which country?

If you have only done that for the US you'd still need to formalise your status in Thailand before getting a 1 year extension of stay based on being a parent. Note that 60 day extensions only require a birth certificate.

It sounds like you are currently not in Thailand. If it is going to take a while to sort everything out, you might want to take advantage of the new multiple entry tourist visa. This buys you a lot of time.