Thailand Immigration Tips
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- Опубліковано 1 жов 2024
- I was talking with a buddy in the middle of sorting out his immigration paperwork for his Non-O for retirement in Bangkok. I tried to offer a few Thailand immigration tips. Here are a few things that happened to me. Maybe it will make your process a little easier.
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Hi! For my LTR, I asked my US insurance carrier (Aetna) to draft a letter including the language required for the visa. They have a form letter that they can send. It includes COVID coverage as well.
That's great. I have no experience with a LTR. I'm glad that worked out.
Food and libations shouldn't be skimped and done on the cheap. Both are directly correlated to good health which is most important in your retirement "Golden Years".
As for the visa process, it's nice to learn by doing and equally nice to have someone paid to do it for convenience. Time is also money.
Thanks for watching
Thumbs up 👍 Joe
Thanks for watching
I got an OA visa in the U.S. before I came, because I knew I was going to get health insurance anyway. So I had a full year when I entered Thailand and didn’t have to worry about extending it right away. Also I didn’t have to send 800,000 baht overseas because they checked that I had it in my account in the U.S. when I applied. I’ll be doing the monthly 65,000 baht route for my extension when it comes up in 12 months. Just another option for people.
That sounds like a plan. I think it's important to have health insurance. But, my Blue Cross is working perfect. No need to double up.
I also deposited about 70,000k each month from abroad. I ended up keeping the 800k in a Thai account. It's not that big a deal, but the baht can really move. At 37/1 you need to send $1750. Today it's under 33/1. You need to send $1950. They want to see that 65k each month. No matter what the rate is.
I got lucky and moved the 800k at 36/1 and a few 20k transactions at 37/1. Yes, the 800k is tied up, but that's fine. I have plenty of cash in US accounts.
It’s great that you have the federal health insurance. That’s a great benefit since it works over here. Unfortunately, the blue cross I get from being a Ford retiree doesn’t work here, and neither does the VA healthcare I have (I only did 4 years active duty and I don’t have the tricare insurance that retirees get that works over here). So I have 2 insurance plans I can’t use, 3 actually once I enroll in Medicare in 2 years. So I had to get a plan here, which is why I’ll just stay on the OA visa extension, which requires health insurance. Both of our strategies highlight how different people’s needs can be, and how you should personalize your strategy. Great video, Joe. I plan on bringing money into the country to buy a car soon, and I hope the baht gets better before I do. It’s not looking great right now.
@@gregonthego Yes, we can't control the baht. It is what it is. Even if you lose some cash on the baht exchange, you will make it up with cheap rent in a month or two. It all evens out. Yes, I'm lucky to have the same policy that embassy workers and other federal types have. I also did four years in the Navy, but no VA benefit for me.
Good comments on Wattana. I’ve never had to go there. I did my AO from the LA embassy years ago and it was easy.
Nothing wrong with the Non-AO. I just wanted to avoid the Thai insurance cost. My Blue Cross works perfect in Thailand.
This is very useful information; thank you! I am in town this week and would love to hang out a bit.
Thanks for watching. My girlfriends dad had surgery. We are in and out of town, then Bali next weekend until the 13th. I'm around after that. Maybe a drink at Osheas. If I miss you, enjoy your trip.
@@EagerExpat thanks buddy! next time for sure! Hope her dad recovers quickly.
Do you have to go to immigration every 90 days?
You need to report every 90 days. The first must be at immigration. The next can be done if you take an international trip or online. I travel often, so I've only did one at immigration and maybe two online. The rest were on arrival from another country. Leave on day 89 and the clock stops. Come back in say 10 days and you get a fresh 90 days.
Sounds kind of complex, I am seriously considering the 5 yr elite visa for 900,000 thb. It just sounds so easy and convenient. Have you considered the elite?
It's 3 or 4 forms. 900k is about 27,000 dollars today. If you are over 50, get the Non O. Even if you pay an agent, that's 2500 the first year and 500 each year to extend. You can stay 30 plus years for what you would pay for 5 years. Even if the fees go up 50%. No, I haven't considered the elite. That's for 40 year olds without a choice. It worth it if you are under 50. Over 50, I believe the retirement visa is the way to go. Do it yourself and save 20k over the years. It just has to be done in order. 1, 2, 3. No biggie
In December 2021 I entered Thailand on the one night quarantine scheme 30 day visa exemption which I then extended for 30 days at the Chang Mai immigration office. It took five hours to complete. That was my one and only time at immigration. When I returned home, I applied for the elite visa. I am well north of 50 years old. No regrets and I never have to think about visas or insurance or multiple entries or how I'm gonna get from the airport to my condo. I get that it's not for everybody, but I spent most of my life doing the cost analysis on everything so that I don't have to now. The convenience is worth it to me.
@@exalhoa I'm glad the Elite is working out for you.
Great boots on the ground info thanks.
Hey thanks. I can only report on what has happened with me.
Once again, outstanding advice, Joe. Wasn't sure admit how to get the Non-O while still here in SoCal. Thank you👏👏
I wasn't sure how to do that myself. But, my buddy just did it. Ignore all the Facebook warriors. I just spent 5 messages here with a clown who told me I was full of S. You can only get a non-OA from abroad. I finally had to block him. Idiots like that aren't worth the trouble.
My buddy got the Non-o in DC. It activated the day he arrived. He then has 90 days to get the bank funded at 800k, get a lease, etc.. He did it all and just got his first extension for 1 year here in Bangkok.
So do your research on what works for you. Be careful with what you hear on UA-cam, including my channel. What works for one person, might not work for another. I'd ignore about 99% of what you read on Facebook. I once saw a guy say you can only use a multiple entry visa 3 times. Jeez... The joker today, told me I'm giving out bad advice. They stopped giving Non-O multi entry stamps. There are some real idiots out there.
Save yourself a lot of grief, Go to see one of those friendly agents in Sin City. Good one in Soi (post office) 13/2........
Getting a single entry at Airport is a doddle........
The price of not learning three forms is about is about $2500 in year one and $500 each year after. Or $8000 in 10 years. And if Sin City is Pattaya, that won't help you if you live in Bangkok. If you want a legal visa, it has to be taken care of where you live. Not some office a 100 miles away. Maybe that won't be a problem ever, maybe it will be a problem in a week. Better to play by the rules.
Good video Joe. I will be in BKK staying in the Staybridge Suites for the first 4 days on 24
Looks like a great place to stay. I see many air crews checking in and out.
I cant say about the retirement visa but I have found the immigration at Hua Hin for the tourist extension to be easy. Last time I did it they usually want your hotel to fill out a paper proof of residence. Well I got the paper and went to the front desk and it was the managers day off. I really didn’t want to wait another day and asked the person at the desk I think she was a housekeeper for a hotel card. I took it to immigration and explained it was the managers day off and they allowed it.
Thanks for watching. Yes, even a hotel is suppose to do the TM-30 form. That's probably what they gave you.
Can I go to Thailand on vacation from the US for 10 days, then fly to Cambodia and Vietnam for 20 days total, then fly back to Thailand for 7 days, then fly back to the US? This would be as a tourist.
That's not a problem. Sort out your flights. A visa for Vietnam can take 10 days for a US citizen. Cambodia (I think) just changed to visa on arrival. Thailand gives you 60 days on arrival. So just show your return ticket to the US in 37 days, if you are asked for proof of onward travel.
@@EagerExpat I got the Vietnam evisa already and also a Cambodian evisa. I had to book the hotels and flights before applying. For Cambodia, they say you can just show up at the airport, but it may be a long line, so the evisa makes it quicker. In addition, for Cambodia, you have to check in within 7days of your arrival.
@@mmaranta785 Your all set. The Vietnam visa can be tricky. I've had three. Two of them got rejected the first time for no reason. I re-submitted exactly the same way and it was approved. Of course I was double charged.
How much does the retirement visa cost per year?
1900b for the visa, and I think 3600b for the multiple entry. If you can fill out three forms and do things in the correct order. If you want it done for you, it's around 2500 us for the visa. Maybe 500 bucks each year to extend
Gosh, visas in Thailand sound so whack-a-mole-ish, I hope I "get it" when I get over there 😭
It's not that bad. No different than military paperwork. Step 1, 2, 3,. Agents standing by to help. It only cost money.
@@EagerExpatlol I'm currently working on my exit clearance from the Philippines so I guess I do get it after all 😂... thank you for sharing all your info and tips 👍
@@Mhel2023 It's a little trickier here than the Philippines, but it's not that bad. You just need to do it step by step. If they need the money in the bank 60 days and you show up on day 59, they will send you away. Those are the people that usually complain the loudest. I was only two days late, etc.. Play by the rules and it won't be a problem.
Good to know and good food❤
Great food. And I'm half Mexican.
Ta ks joe
Sure. Thanks for watching.