soisanuk

Dependents of those granted extensions for retirement, education, etc. need to obtain a Non-Immigrant Visa from a Thai Embassy or Consulate outside of Thailand.

After successfully using it the first time - 2 day interim from application "success" to receiving the 2nd part of the form showing approval and date of next appointment.  Prior to that due date, I received an email reminding me it was due.  I logged in, completed the information, but this time it was only about 2 hours from submitting it and receiving the receipt (approval and next due date).

On 6/12/2022 at 5:10 AM, sqwakvfr said:

USAA sends me the security code to my US Skye Number.  However, I do pay $6.50 a month to have a specific US Skype Phone number. 

I also use a Skype US number to receive text messages from my bank and others. I pay an annual subscription - from email confirmation for latest renewal:

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Product name: Skype Number, 12 month subscription (+1 ### ### ####)
Total amount: $40.12
Transaction date: May 31, 2022

 It is also convenient for my family & friends in USA to call me - when I call them or my banks, etc., caller ID displays my Skype USA Number (a small fee for other than 1 800 calls).  I someone calls me or texts me, it goes to my iPhone (Skype app).

5 minutes ago, Skeptic7 said:

Seems Jomtien and possibly a few others are the only places doing this. 

 

There's been no enforcement or repercussion. They don't make you sign it, nor do you get a receipt for actually doing it, so no way to prove you did...and no way for them to prove you didn't. It's a silly, redundant waste of everyone's time. 

Correct -- they don't keep any database or other system to record who should and who did report 90 days after their extension to show the 800k had remained in the bank. 

1 hour ago, Limey125 said:

I got the residence certificate from immigration had to wait 10 days for it or pay to get it same day and a medical certificate costing 100 baht from doctor 

Thai Immigration Office for Pattaya on Jomtien Soi 5 will issue the residence certificate on the day you apply.  If not busy, you can wait for about 30 minutes to get it. If they are busy, they may ask you to come back later in the day or the next day if you apply in late afternoon - as I recall they are issued at Desk 9. 

You will need to complete the application, provide 2 photos (they keep one and attach the other to the Certificate). 

Note, the application form will ask what it is for -- if you check driving license for both car and motorcycle, they will INSIST on you getting a separate certificate for each even though Banglamung Land Transport Office will accept one original and one photocopy if you are applying for both licenses.  Photos can be obtained next door to the Immigration Office before you enter.

It has been a while since I got one there, but as I recall the fee was 300 baht - it may have risen to 500 baht  - the fee is for each certificate issued.

10 hours ago, JustThisOnePostOnly said:

Is there a complete list of the forms we get to ignore/throw away somewhere on the forum?

If you have all the documents needed, at Jomtien Immigration Office, it is very straight forward and takes only a few minutes depending on the number of people ahead of you in the queue.  The Pattaya City Expats Club has 2 checklists available for the documents needed for Retirement extension; one for 800k in bank, one for using 65k monthly income.

If using monthly income, Jomtien Immigration will want either a letter from your Embassy verifying your monthly income if your Embassy still provides them - if not, then they will want an additional letter from your bank listing all foreign deposits to your bank account for the preceding 12 months.   If using the 800k in the bank, as mentioned they will accept photocopies of your bank book provided it has been regularly updated (have original with you in case they wish to see it - it was very nice of them to make the copies for you, but probably wouldn't have happened had they been busy).  However, if it has not been updated and includes "consolidated entries), they will require certified bank statements for the preceding 12 months.

The check lists can be found by going to the PCEC's website (www.pcec.club), in the topics shown across the top, hover your mouse over "Thai Immigration", at the bottom of the drop down menu will be "Checklists - Extension of Stay" - click on it to bring up the page.

On 5/28/2022 at 10:26 PM, CANSIAM said:

They won't reject you when applying and disclosing a condition but may add a percentage loading on top of their regular age bracket annual premium cost. No insurance and some health cash stashed works.

A Thai insurance company will most likely exclude previous conditions or any revealed by a physical check up (if they require one) from cover -- in some cases it may be a specified period of years while for others it the previous conditions will never be covered.

Depending on the condition, this can cover a host of "related" problems.  For example, a friend of mine was told they would exclude all heart related problems because he disclosed he was taking a statin drug to lower his cholesterol and was told they would exclude all heart related problems.  

2 hours ago, topswijaya said:

what is the name of insurance that you have? 

It is not available to anyone unless they were employed for at least 5 years by an agency of the US Government. It is Blue Cross & Blue Shield Federal Employee Program which is one of the insurance companies the US Government offers to employees. I carried it over into retirement.

16 hours ago, TigerandDog said:

Thai wills ONLY apply to your Thai assets. If you have assets in your home country, then you will require a separate will applicable to that jurisdiction.

A separate will is not required and could be valid in your home country or in case of the USA, your State(s) where the assets are located. But it would be a good idea to have it in either your home country language, e.g., English or as I have my Thai will, in both.  A will solely in English whether drawn up in Thailand or another country is valid in Thailand, but if not in Thai, it will require a Thai translation for the Thai courts.  

https://anthonygold.co.uk/latest/blog/i-have-a-foreign-will-is-it-valid-in-england/
 

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In accordance with provisions of the Wills Act 1963, for all deaths occurring after 1 Jan 1964, a foreign Will may be considered valid in England and Wales if it was prepared in accordance with the requirements of the national law of the country in which it was executed or if it was prepared in accordance with the national law requirements of the country of which the testator, either at the time of execution of the Will or at the time of his death, was a national, had a habitual residence or domicile of.

https://www.thinkadvisor.com/2015/10/29/when-foreign-wills-become-a-problem/

Information re Florida's law:

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Florida law generally allows foreign wills to be treated as valid even if they do not follow all of Florida’s niceties and legalities. (Florida law requires not just the testator to sign a will but two witnesses as well.)

However, the above sites and others on the subject usually recommend a separate will be drafted for the country where your assets are located. 

It is common language used by lawyers and "pro forma" wills to state that the will revokes all previous wills.  That clause should not be used as it will void any previous will made in another country. I had to instruct my Thai lawyer to remove that clause which was in the first draft of my Thai will.

However, as mentioned, it is probably even better that each will have language to declare the existence of another will and that the other will remain in force and will not be revoked by the will being written.

Probably best to have two wills, one for US assets and the other for Thailand assets.  Unfortunately for US citizens, the validity of the will depends on the laws of the State(s) where you have your US assets.   Although you can have a USA lawyer draft your will, there are several online sites that offer  "pro forma" wills and a little research for the State where your assets are located to be sure the "pro forma" will meets their requirements.

I did the above when I made my Will in the USA. In doing so, I found it met my State's requirements, but in doing my research I found for example in my State if I wanted to exclude my child, for example  as a beneficiary I would have specifically state that in the will rather than just not mentioning them (something I didn't need as I don't have any children).

14 hours ago, bodo said:

Thanks, but I find it a bit confusing. I quote:

"A tourist visa requires a return or onward ticket out of the country to apply for it.

If you have a valid visa a return or onward ticket is not required when entering the country."

 

So I need a return or onward ticket to apply for an e visa? But then once I have successfully applied for such an e visa a return or onward ticket is not required anymore when I enter Thailand?

It does sound confusing.  But you are dealing with 2 different Ministries.

To get the Visa, you apply at an Embassy/Consulate which follows the rules of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MofFA). 

Entering the country  and getting extensions is the purview of the Immigration Bureau (part of the Ministry of the Interior).

To obtain the Visa (MofFA) you must show evidence you have an onward ticket out of Thailand.  Upon arrival, although having the ticket is still a requirement, Thai Immigration seldom if ever asks to see it - in other words, they don't enforce the requirement when entering. 

You do not need a Re-Entry permit with a multiple entry visa, BUT you must reenter before the Visa expires - the "enter by" date on the visa.

Notwithstanding the posts about you shouldn't do it, as said you can loan the money for the land/house and hold the mortgage which will be registered at the land office and shown on the title (Chanote). 

But, another factor to consider if by chance you are a USA citizen/resident, the mortgage may need to be declared on a form to be submitted with your USA income tax return. This is required by the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA).  Whether it is depends on whether your circumstances meet certain thresholds, I.e. filing as married or single & length of stay in Thailand.  A mortgage would be considered a foreign financial asset.

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The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA), which was passed as part of the HIRE Act, generally requires that foreign financial Institutions and certain other non-financial foreign entities report on the foreign assets held by their U.S. account holders . . .. The HIRE Act also contained legislation requiring U.S. persons to report, depending on the value, their foreign financial accounts and foreign assets.

Source:  https://www.irs.gov/businesses/corporations/foreign-account-tax-compliance-act-fatca

10 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Reports of return without issue having non O volunteering in pp with extension.

Thinking obtaining a tourist visa advisable. 

You will also need to have a Re-Entry permit before you depart or your extension will be void upon departure from Thailand.

15 minutes ago, jippytum said:

My advice would be to open a Bangkok bank account in London on line then swift code the funds free of charge to the London branch of Bangkok Bank who will transfer the funds in one transaction in either Thai baht or pound sterling for a charge of 20/25 pounds to your Thai account in one day .

If the London Branch operates the same way as their New York branch, you cannot open an account with the Bangkok Bank branch. The New York branch is a commercial bank and does not provide retail accounts.  Instead, it acts as a pass through for funds from a USA bank to the customer's Thai bank account. 

The Banglamung LTO does not issue IDPs.  You will need to go to Chonburi LTO to get one.

The Pattaya City Expats Club has a webpage providing information about obtaining an IDP at the Chonburi LTO including documents needed - https://pcec.club/Thailand-IDP

The "Tourist Visa" is usually valid for entry for 3 months from date of issue. 

However, if you are referring to your "Thailand Pass" which is also required for entry, you are allowed to arrive withing 7 days either side of the date of your planned entry when you applied.

As I recall when the rule was changed, it was the Ministry of Public Health that proposed retirees to Thailand be required to have health insurance - supposedly because of unpaid medical bills to Government hospitals by foreigners even though the majority were tourists and not retirees.  The Cabinet agreed and the rule was implemented for those entering on an O-A Visa.

As to why it was only the O-A and not the O, IMO it was because the O-A Visa was the only one that was specifically for retirees that the Ministry of Public Health was aware of. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs termed it a "long stay" visa. But it often was referred to as a "retirement" Visa since to qualify one had to meet the requirements for retirees, i.e. age and financial resources.  Upon entry, the holder was granted a one year permission to stay.

Whereas category O stands for "other" which could be obtained for purpose of retirement as well as other reasons such as a foreigner married to a Thai. As with most Non-Immigrant Visas, upon entry the holder was given a 90 day permission to stay. If they qualified for a one year extension, they could apply for it at Immigration. This included for purpose of retirement as well as other reasons.

19 hours ago, poppysdad said:

Out of curiosity I went online to see if I could download a copy of it, I am registered but entering my passport number in the check status box  it said words to the effect of doesn’t exist. So I tried to do a new one and filled in all the info and the end result was just a pdf of the 90 day report form with my particulars filled in, no rejection statement or that I’m doing it to early or any other message. Is this normal and all I have to do is wait?

Yes it is normal.  They will send you the bottom portion with new reporting date - this can take a few hours or a few days.  My first report using the system, I rec'd the portion you mention which shows they have received it.  I received the bottom portion of the form (pdf) by email 3 days later. 

I rec'd a reminder email that the next report was due. I logged in and completed the info requested. I received the top portion almost immediately followed by the bottom portion with my next due date about 2 hours later.

Links to hospitals that may be providing vaccine:

https://thailandintervac.com/

NNT News article: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG220409185142091

Look at your Visa for the Enter By date - that is when your OA Visa will expire. As mentioned, until that date you can reenter Thailand without needing a Re-Entry permit and receive another one year permitted stay.  However, if you plan to return after that date, you will need a Re-Entry Permit to keep your current permission to stay date "alive."  The Re-Entry Permit will expire on the date your current permission to stay expires.

From your post, it appears you plan to enter without a Visa (Visa Exempt) and will receive a permission to stay of 30 days.  Before the period ends, you can go to a Thai Immigration office and extend your stay one time for another 30 days - fee is 1.900 baht. 

If you remain in Thailand after your permission to stay expires, you will be in Thailand illegally. If caught before departing, you would be placed in detention and then deported at your expense.  If not caught, when you depart Thailand, Immigration will charge you a fine of 500 baht for each day of overstay up to a maximum fine as I recall of 20,000 baht.

khunPer

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A cashier's bank check needs clearance, foreign checks might take quite long time, depending if it's a foreign bank or a Thai branch of a foreign bank, the cheque is drawn at.

Correct - although it has been several years since I sent a check to my Thai partner (before I retired and moved here to live), it took 45 days to clear even though I had it drawn on my USA bank's correspondent Thai bank.

mtls2005

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Takes 18 - 36 hours (exclusive of holidays and weekends). Shows as FTT in passbook. Obtain a Credit Advice Receipt in person to document the remittance
**
No need to involve BBL/NYC, or "checks", don't worry about being charged with money laundering, do file a FBAR next January. 

There should be no need to get a Credit Advice Receipt when your passbook shows the source was from outside of Thailand, i.e., the FTT code used by Bangkok Bank - in the case of Jomtien Immigration, they also required a letter from my bank (Bangkok Bank) listing the foreign deposits (I use the 65k+ per month transfer method to annually renew my retirement extension) - they listed all my deposits that were coded FTT (note, Bangkok Bank brances can only provide information for the past 6 months - if you need a full 12 months, it will take 5 working days to get the letter as they have to request the information from Bangkok Bank's HQ).  

Although a FBAR report will be required, its due date is April 15 and must be filed using an online system - the report goes to Fincen (a Dept of the Treasury, but it is separate from the IRS - it is not part of US income tax returns). In addition, the due date is automatically extended to October 15 with no need to request the extension, so the final due date is October 15th.

Trvlr55

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Agreed, would not recommend. Additionally taking a check is no different that carrying cash as far as the 10k cash reporting, or it can be seized. This is for US, not certain other countries reporting requirements, but would suspect they'd be same or very similar.

The form is filed with US Customs and like the FBAR report is sent for entry into a Fincen database.  Fincen is the US Treasury Department charged with enforcing money laundering laws.

Thailand also requires a declaration when entering Thailand if the funds are equivalent to US$20,000.

Tony125

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 He can also do a domestic wire transfer from any US bank to the NYC Bangkok Bank using the account number of his Bangkok Bang account in THailand.  Can aslo do a International Wire transfer direct to the account in the Bangkok Bank  Acount in Thailand using acct #  and Swift code.

To send the funds through the NYC Branch of Bangkok Bank, your bank will need to send it using an International ACH (Automated Clearing House) form - not a domestic ACH form.  BUT, while some US banks have the IAT form available for their commercial customers, they do not make it available for their retail customers.  If the NYC Branch receives the funds as a domestic ACH transfer, they will not send the funds on to the Thailand bank account and will return it to the originating USA bank.