Get a Thailand Retirement or Marriage Visa?

If you want to live in Thailand long-term, your primary concern is how you can get a visa to allow that. There are two popular options. Long term visas (extensions) for either marriage or retirement.

Check out our exclusive RetireCheap.Asia membership site – all the REAL life details you need to live in Thailand plus connect with other like minded people.

If you legally marry a Thai national, you can receive the so-called Thai Marriage Visa (extension) – Non-Immigrant Visa Type O.

This option requires you to have money in the bank (400,000 Baht) to prove you can support yourself and your family.

You may be able to get the first year visa without the proof of income if you apply in your home country, but after one year, you will need to prove each year that you have the money to support your family and live in Thailand.

One of the upsides to this visa or extension is if you happen to find a job, it is possible to have a work permit with this visa type.

Check out the International Expat Moving Guide HERE

Then you have the Retirement Visa (extension) – Non-Immigrant Visa Type O/OA. The option of the retirement visa is only available for people over 50 years old, and you must have 800,000 Baht in the bank to prove you can support yourself in Thailand without working, or you must have the equivalent from a pension coming in from abroad.

A a work permit cannot be obtained when living in Thailand on a retirement visa (extension) so you cannot legally work while on a retirement visa (extension).

Since both types of visa (extension) options are extended on a Non O (non-immigrant) visa, the same application form is used and only the ‘reason for extending’ is different.

Getting a retirement Extension is slightly easier but has double the financial requirements. And again, you will also not be able to get a Work Permit on a Retirement Extension.

For the financial requirements when applying from within Thailand, the options are, money in the bank which requires a letter from the bank showing the money deposited for 2 (initially) or 3 months, plus a copy of the passbook showing the exact same amount as noted in the letter. Note that with either visa (extension) type, the account has to be in the applicant’s name only and not be a a joint account.

If the financial obligations are being met with income from abroad, the applicant needs an affidavit from their embassy or consulate stating so.

If the financial obligations are being met with income from working in Thailand, the applicant will need to prove it with tax documentation from the Revenue Department. The working income option is not available for the retirement visa (extension) type.

Immigration officers will often encourage people who are qualified for both visa (extension) types to extend for retirement instead of marriage because it’s easier for both them and yourself. They can okay it on the spot. For the reason of marriage they have to send the paperwork off to Bangkok and will give you a temporary “Under Consideration” 30 day stamp. You then have to return in 30 days to get the rest of the year stamped in your passport or if the application hasn’t been approved yet, get another stamp and return again. So figure at least two trips to the immigration office.

Remember, there’s always an option!

This video features the song, Crawdad Stomp by Josh Kirsch; Media Right Productions from the YouTube Music Library

Edited by Panda Sathaisong 🐼
#retirecheapjc #alwaysanoption #morelifeforlessmoney

The Way I Watch Sports and Movies - JC

Note that this VPN is an affiliate link and the proceeds go towards the upkeep and maintenance of this site

The Ultimate Expat Relocation Checklist and Coaching Guide

A MUST HAVE for any permanent move! JC’s Check out JC's Makin’ the Move 30 Day Relocation Checklist & Coaching Program. Check it Out Our Makin’ the Move 30 Day Relocation Video Coaching will walk you through EVERY detail to finalize before moving to your new retirement home. Listen to JC talk about it in the video below.

CLICK HERE for more info