Marriage Visa or Retirement Visa ?

[fft100]

I have been existing on non-imm O visas for the last 6 years from the UK. Not through marriage.

However, i am now nearing 50, and thought i would go for a retirement visa. I paid a visit to the immigration office today on a different matter, and the girl behind the desk (senior sgt major) said i might want to consider a marriage visa instead.

Looking at the forms, it appears the main difference is that the marriage visa only requires 400k as opposed to 800k, and that the marriage visa needs blue book, marriage certificate and the thai wife to appear.

Oh, and the imm office here can process a new retirement visa in 1 day, but the marriage visa would need to be sent to BKK for processing and could be 30 days.

Does anyone have any views on the differences for obtaining the visas (and any extra requirements not mentioned) and subsequent renewals and perhaps most importantly, practical use (i.e. when leaving / entering the country), 90 day reporting and which works best in practice.

Thanks

[lomuamart]

I think you've summed it up pretty well yourself in as much as the marriage extension is more hassle to get (paperwork and waiting) but requires less in the way of financial requirements.
If you can meet the necessary for a retirement extension, Imm usually point you in that direction as it's less trouble for them and it's their decision whether to issue or not.
In practical terms, there's no difference between the two extensions. Each give a year permitted to stay. Both require you to report every 90 days and you'll need a re-entry stamp, again for both, if you exit the country.
A number of years ago, I was eligible for the marriage extension but hadn't quite turned 50 for the retirement. Imm made it very difficult for me to get the marriage ext saying that I just needed 3 Non O visas from Penang, wait till I was 50 and then get retirement.
In all, I'd say that was good advice as I'm in and out of Imm in under an hour each year and don't have to drag my wife along to be interviewed either.
If money isn't the object - ie you can make the 65K a month overseas income or 800K in a Thai bank account or a combination of the two, then I'd go for retirement myself. It's just easier. Incidentally, the combination of income and savings dosn't apply to marriage extensions.
Looking at your post again, I see you're nearly 50. Well, I was 8 months short of it when I first made enquiries. All worked out for me. How long have you got? Maybe a marriage extension first off and then change later to retirement?

[fft100]

I didnt make clear that all my non imm 'o's, have been 1 year multiple entry 'O's. The current one doesnt expire until the end of next may, so with the final visa run it will last until mid august 2013 or so. Which is well past my 50th. I could carry on doing that for years to come but i am getting fed up with visa runs every 90 days....

What you said coincided with what i thought, but it is always best to ask people who have more experience

[lomuamart]

I didnt make clear that all my non imm 'o's, have been 1 year multiple entry 'O's. The current one doesnt expire until the end of next may, so with the final visa run it will last until mid august 2013 or so. Which is well past my 50th. I could carry on doing that for years to come but i am getting fed up with visa runs every 90 days....

What you said coincided with what i thought, but it is always best to ask people who have more experience

In that instance, just do the 90 day runs until you're 50. A drag maybe but I assure you they get better when there's a purpose in sight.
You can apply for the extension within the last 30 days of any 90 day entry.

[migrant]

I was told that with a retirement visa a westerner is allowed to bring in certain amount of goods without tax. I know returning Thais can, but not sure if Falang can

[nanyang]

I have been existing on non-imm O visas for the last 6 years from the UK. Not through marriage.

However, i am now nearing 50, and thought i would go for a retirement visa. I paid a visit to the immigration office today on a different matter, and the girl behind the desk (senior sgt major) said i might want to consider a marriage visa instead.

Looking at the forms, it appears the main difference is that the marriage visa only requires 400k as opposed to 800k, and that the marriage visa needs blue book, marriage certificate and the thai wife to appear.

Oh, and the imm office here can process a new retirement visa in 1 day, but the marriage visa would need to be sent to BKK for processing and could be 30 days.

Does anyone have any views on the differences for obtaining the visas (and any extra requirements not mentioned) and subsequent renewals and perhaps most importantly, practical use (i.e. when leaving / entering the country), 90 day reporting and which works best in practice.

Thanks

[Mod Edit] Post removed. This forum can not be seen to support anything that is illegal.

[brianks]

Regarding financial requirements of Retirement Visa, most don't read past the #1 income requirement (of 800,000 baht in bank account). As mentioned in earlier post you only need to show income of 65,000 baht/month and if U.S. citizen you go to embassy and fill out form stating your income (I always list in $), pay the notary fee (1,600 baht) and notary will ask you to swear it is correct and apply notary stamp to document. That is all you need for immigration for income verification. I wouldn't want to keep 800,000 baht in a Thai bank account. If not a U.S. citizen then the process is a bit different and probably more laborious at the UK embassy.

[Nereus]

The following was posted in the Bangkok Post letters to the editor today:

Unwelcome in Thailand
I visited the Thai Immigration department in Rayong recently to renew my retirement visa. I expected it to be a formality because according to the information that was available to me, I complied with all the requirements. Silly me. Having invested over 800,000 baht in the Thai Government Savings Bank for well over the minimum period of three months, I was informed that this is not an acceptable place for my money as ''it is a lottery''! There is indeed a monthly prize drawing but the invested capital is not at risk and certificates can be cashed in immediately if necessary.

There is no common sense or logic to so many of the requirements for residence in Thailand. It really makes me wonder whether I, and my fellow farangs, are welcome here: no land rights, property ownership is very restricted and the requirement to report to Immigration every 90 days, regardless of how many years one has lived here.

Those thinking of settling here in their retirement should consider very carefully the alternatives; other countries in Southeast Asia are only too pleased to welcome you.

...............................................................................................
The poster does not write how he got around it, but I would be willing to bet that whatever it was, it involved a donation to somebodies Christmas fund.

[bapak]

On a Marriage Extension you are able to obtain a Work Permit if circumstances fit.

[wpcoe]

Also, on a marriage extension if you do work and pay taxes you later might qualify for permanent residence. That's not possible on a retirement extension, where employment is prohibited.