Questioner: John
If you are married in Thailand and you need to apply for an extension of your visa for one year, should you choose a Marriage Visa or a Retirement Visa? What are the pros (and cons) of both?
Reaction RonnyLatYa
1. You extend your period of stay and not your visa. In other words, you will not receive a visa, but an extension of an existing period of stay. To apply for an annual extension, you must have a period of residence on a Non-immigrant basis.
2. The pros and cons are what someone thinks about it.
3. Retired
- Financial: Bank amount of at least 800 Baht, or income of at least 000 Baht or combination of bank amount and income together 65 Baht on an annual basis.
- The bank amount must remain on it for 3 months after allocation. After that you can drop, but not below 400 Baht
- Proof of address and standard documents such as passport, TM6, TM30.
- Usually you receive the extension immediately or the day after.
- Working, ie obtaining a work permit, is not possible.
- At least 50 years
4. Thai marriage
- Financial: Bank balance of at least 400 Baht or an income of at least 000 Baht per month.
After granting, you are free to dispose of the bank amount.
- Proof of Thai marriage needed.
- Proof of address and the standard documents such as passport, TM6, TM30,
- Usually first an “under consideration” stamp of usually 30 days. You can normally expect a home visit during that period. Normally you will also have to have a witness who will be interviewed. If everything is normal for them, you can collect your annual extension after 30 days.
- The possibility to work continues to exist, ie the possibility to obtain a work permit remains.
- No restriction on age.
5. Not in detail, but in general what a “retired” and a “Thai Marriage” means. It is best to inquire at your immigration office about what they want to see, because each immigration office may have its own local requirements. For example, with a “Thai Marriage” you will have to submit photos, usually 6 or you must already have a witness with you when applying, etc.
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