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Should I get a retirement visa instead of a marriage visa if I'm married to a Thai national and over 50?

Non-O VisaRetirement VisaThai Visa OptionsVisa RequirementsImmigration in ThailandExpatriate LifePermanent ResidencyWorking in ThailandFinancial Requirements for Thai VisasDTV Visa
Feb 8, 2025
14 days ago
Paul *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Planning on getting a non immigration O visa later this year. Although I am married to a Thai national I have seen perhaps as I’m over 50 and can afford the financial requirements a retirement visa might be the way to go as opposed to a marriage visa, any thoughts! Thanks!
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion centers around the choice between applying for a Non-O visa based on marriage to a Thai national or opting for a retirement visa. Various perspectives are shared, with respondents highlighting that the retirement visa generally requires less paperwork and offers independence from marital status complications. It is also mentioned that a Non-O visa allows for work and could facilitate pathways to permanent residency or citizenship. Concerns about financial requirements and eligibility for different visa types, including the DTV visa option, are also addressed in the comments.
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Bob **********
Much easier
13 days ago
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Liam ***********
@Bob *********
 how much for DTV. I wonder if it’s a better option then a Non 0
13 days ago
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Mark ********
@Liam **********
 But you will be lying about the purpose of the visa...
12 days ago
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Mark ********
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Alfred ***********
If you are wealthy and plan to stay more than 180 days I'd suggest forget non o and go for LTRV instead. Zero taxes no matter how long you stay in thailand
14 days ago
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Marty ******
Just done retirement visa thru these guys very good Dee maak ,very professional smooth service recommend them😜👍👋👋🙏🙏
14 days ago
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Dave ********
I did non-immigrant O based on marriage for the sole reason of being able to work and possibly PR or citizenship. I also don't have to get some scam thai medical insurance.
14 days ago
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Ernesto *******
@Dave *******
 you don't need insurance for a retirement visa.
14 days ago
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Liam ***********
@Ernesto ******
 thanks
13 days ago
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Liam ***********
@Ernesto ******
 maybe because you have 400,000 dead money to stay in a Thai bank account, I think that replaces the insurance requirement which you would draw on if have to go back to where ever you come from
14 days ago
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Kim *********
@Liam **********
 no dead money after the 1st year if using the monthly transfer method
13 days ago
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Liam ***********
@Kim ********
 so after the first year I can draw out the 800,
*******
,000 as long as I’m inputting 65,000 each month from my pension? I was led to believe by friends that you always have to have at least 400,000 in on a non-0 retirement visa
13 days ago
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Kim *********
@Liam **********
 I see Nongnuch has answered that perfectly 😊👍
13 days ago
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Nongnuch ********
@Liam **********
 and only AFTER you have got a 1-year extension issued by using the monthly icome method, you can free the 800,000 THB from your account. Do NOT touch them as long as you haven't been issued the new extension
13 days ago
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Liam ***********
@Nongnuch *******
 thanks,so many different ways
13 days ago
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Nongnuch ********
@Liam **********
 well if you want to switch from the 800K deposit method to the income method, you need a 12-months bank statement over 12 consecutive transfers, coded as coming in from abroad, month for month, over a minimum of 65,000 THB. You cannot switch before you haven't collected 12 months of transfers, that why you should start transferring right after you opened a Thai bank account when you are still within the first week of the 90-days stay permit from the 90-days Non-Imm-O Visa
13 days ago
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Andrew ********
@Liam **********
 retirement Visa requires 800,000 not 400.
14 days ago
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Ernesto *******
@Andrew *******
 yes, but not insurance
14 days ago
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Andrew ********
@Ernesto ******
 no need for insurance if you apply while inside Thailand only if you apply overseas at the embassy.
14 days ago
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Nongnuch ********
@Andrew *******
 no insurance needed if you apply for the Non-Imm-O Retirement Visa outside of Thailand. The mandatory insurance is only for those who apply for the Non-Imm-O/A Longstay Visa
13 days ago
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Nongnuch ********
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Ian ********
So much easier yes
14 days ago
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Andrew ********
I've had both. Go for the retirement Visa %100 as you are then independent of any others bad moods or pure bloody mindedness.
14 days ago
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Paul *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andrew *******
 thanks mate
14 days ago
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Paul *******
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Kool *******
Something to seriously consider if you plan on staying permanently in Thailand, on a type O visa extension based on marriage you can work. On the type O visa extension based on retirement you can not work. This is a serious consideration because by working in Thailand, and making at least bt40,000 a month, married to a Thai, and paying income tax for at least three years, you meet the main requirement to apply for permanent residency, or apply directly for citizenship. You can't do this on any retirement visa type. There are other requirements, but they mean nothing if you don't work. This is something to seriously consider. With permanent residency you are done dealing with immigration, then with citizenship you can own land, plus other benefits.
14 days ago
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Ernesto *******
@Kool ******
 working in Thailand is a requirement to apply for residency???
14 days ago
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Kool *******
@Ernesto ******
 yes
13 days ago
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Ernesto *******
@Kool ******
 I never heard of that before
13 days ago
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Kool *******
@Ernesto ******
 if you aren't married to a Thai you need to work, and pay income tax on wages of at least bt80,000 a month, and bt100,000 a month is recommended, as the basic requirement for applying for permanent residency, then in ten more years of working you can apply for citizenship. If you are married to a Thai after three years of working making a minimum of just bt40,000 a month you can apply for permanent residency, or directly apply for citizenship. There are other requirements, but if you don't work and pay Thai income tax nothing else matters.
13 days ago
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Kool *******
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Paul *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kool ******
 thanks looking at long term with possibility of permanent residency if that was possible under marriage visa will probably go down that route despite the issues that come with this visa type
14 days ago
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Kool *******
@Paul ******
 there are no real issues after the first time. For all future extensions all the paperwork is the same except for new bank letters, and new pictures, unless you move, the basic same thing for retirement extension. Join the Thai Citizenship Group. They are the experts at it, and have real good documents to follow.
14 days ago
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Kool *******
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Steve ****
Always safest to have your visa status independent of your marital status
14 days ago
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Us *****
I would do the dtv and put the 500k baht into the stock market. Heck you might actually make some money off of it instead of losing value in a Thai bank
14 days ago
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Mark ********
@Us ****
 Abuse the system and not have the correct visa....
14 days ago
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Us *****
@Mark *******
 🙄 you know you are in Thailand and all the Visa agencies are abusing the system one form or another. I am not even going to mention the government officials being in it with the agencies. Oh my, you are so innocent.
13 days ago
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Mark ********
@Us ****
 Man you are dumb aren't you. Presuming like most yanks they know everything as most yanks do,some thing never change. Been in and out for 35 years. I know the country pretty well thanks.
13 days ago
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Us *****
@Mark *******
 I have multiple degrees and retired in my 30s. I believe I am pretty smart. You've been in and out for almost as long as I am alive but you have yet to figure out the system.
13 days ago
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Mark ********
@Us ****
 Yet you are so dumb in your understanding of other people..., As i said a typical yank,think they know everything and yet lack the intelligence to understand what people are saying. I fully understand the system but what i said is still true. Degrees mean nothing in the real world,you are still dumb on so many other levels that don't have paper qualifications.
13 days ago
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Us *****
@Mark *******
 lol, don't be jealous of my intelligence. Funny, the poor and uneducated will always try to say papers don't matter. Enjoy being poor and keep on struggling. One day you will have what you want, hopefully before you die.
13 days ago
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Mark ********
@Us ****
 I could never be jealous of the ignorant... I have more than i will ever need already. Education means nothing when you are not capable of using it in the real world and you are proving that. But as a i pointed out in the beginning your country dictates the way you behave... if only it were a stereotype and not proven.
13 days ago
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Us *****
@Mark *******
 man you are bitter. 🤦🏻‍♂️
12 days ago
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Mark ********
@Us ****
 Nope,not at all. I am better not bitter.You really are in denial aren't you. But as you have proved you are to dumb to even understand what is being said to you,likely imaginary degrees living in a fantasy land. But hey good luck with that,you are going to need it.
12 days ago
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Us *****
@Mark *******
 from your tone, you hate the world and is just a bitter old man. I am just going to enjoy my early retirement. I hope you find peace.
12 days ago
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Mark ********
@Us ****
 Wow you cause an argument,blame me for it and the pretend leaving is the solution. Sort your head out dude...
12 days ago
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Mark ********
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Andy ************
@Mark *******
 How is it abusing the system if you meet the criteria?
13 days ago
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Mark ********
@Andy ***********
 because he will be getting it under false pretences,hard to understand for some i know....
13 days ago
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Andy ************
@Mark *******
 Seems to be hard for you to understand. If someone meets the criteria for a DTV they can apply for it. You're talking in riddles so obviously you don't understand how it works. Never mind
13 days ago
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Mark ********
@Andy ***********
 He is Intending to stay as a retiree and married to a Thai. That means he would not be getting the correct visa as that is not what a DTV is meant for. My you really are dumb aren't you. The want to be right overuling common sense....
13 days ago
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Jim ********
@Mark *******
 DTV is a very wide-ranging visa and covers many foreigners' situations. I switched last year from non-O visa to DTV, after being on non-O for several years. The DTV is a cheaper and more flexible option for many, especially those who travel overseas a lot. What you describe as the "correct visa" depends on the individual circumstances of the applicant. The DTV has enabled many retirees and those married to a Thai to switch to a more suitable visa for their own situation, which therefore makes it the "correct" visa
13 days ago
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Andy ************
@Mark *******
 You really are thick aren't you? Why can't a retiree or married person undertake Muay Thai training, or Thai cooling classes? Why can't a married or retired person work remotely? I suggest you undertake some English comprehension courses to be able to read properly. Read the infographic released by the Thai Government and tell me which parts of the "ELIGIBLE FOREIGNERS" bit you struggle with! 😂😂😂
13 days ago
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Nelson ******
@Andy ***********
 so attending Music Festivals is a valid reason to apply for a DTV?
11 days ago
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Andy ************
@Nelson *****
 It says "participants" so I imagine it would depend on how you're participating. You'd need to check with the embassy you are applying through and/or whether the organisers of the festival would support you
11 days ago
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Andy ************
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Thatchaya ******
Apply DTV VISA. You can stay long term in Thailand up to 5 years. without any issue. Bank balance 500,000 THB required.

Check it out
*****************************************************
14 days ago
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Bart **************
I'd 100% go for retirement, not marriage, if both are within reach.
14 days ago
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Stuart *********
Certainly the easier option if the money part isn’t an issue. Way less paperwork and you don’t need to drag your wife down to immigration each time you extend.
14 days ago
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Paul *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
 Thank you
14 days ago
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Paul *******
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