Dezmo

I think the only useful thing <?> was that we will see next year how the renewal works out :) duh!

I am thinking to just buy a low budget phone here (Android) so use my Thai eSim (and AIS plan). (My USA phone limits me on how many times I can unlock it within 12 months.) My Thai eSim (and AIS plan) is now on my (USA) T-Mobile Samsung phone. It appears there is a feature to just transfer the eSim to another phone. I also have my Bangkok Bank app tied to that Thai number and hopfully if I transfer the eSim and load the app it will work fine as well as my current AIS plan. Just wondering from anyone who has done this... is it as easy as it seems :) (I also seem some nice Android phones on Lazada for sale but wonder if I should just buy from a local shop. I am partial to Samsung.)

I applied and got the LTR WP last year (2025). The instructions (PDF) says they need prior year forms but they later asked me for 2023 1040 and 1099-R also. Unsure if the requirements content is just not in synch or it depends on who reviews the application :)

Must depend on who reviews. ...? I recall the online application asking for 2024 1040 then over the next few weeks they wanted my Passport PDF re-done, and 1099-R and then asked for the 2023 tax form :) I do recall initially providing only what the online instructions said... thus the mismatch regarding the 1040s. (Nothing out of ordinary for my 2024 1040 which surprised me with the request for 2023)... This was for the WP.... no request to provide anything else from my brokers....

Maybe they changed it but during the application process for the WP last year (2025) they required 2 years of tax statements from me (2024, 2023)... They also wanted follow-ups with 1099-Rs. Oddly the PDF document indicated only the year prior but the application wanted the prior 2 years.

I received the LTR WP by letter (via email) while in the USA, and I keep a printed (digital too) copy, and show when I entered Thailand (with my Passport). I was not sure if I need to get the stamp now in my Passport or is showing the letter still ok? And if I need to get the stamp, do I need to go to TIESC? (I'm settled in Hua Hin for a few months.)

Was happy to see the open ended remark section... wish they sent this eariler.... I tried to recall alll the issues from last Fall :) Mostly around usability, communication, document format, and how late the NYC consulate finally provided my LTR (just a week before my flight).

Assume this doesn't apply to those of us who got the 10 year letter when applying from out of country....?

Ouch... i did see the asterisks... maybe missed that it did not have them... could swore I saw them 🙂

I noticed when I completed my TDAC that it requires my Departure info. I am on a LTR-WP and have no outbound plans yet... (maybe April) so I just put in a date and flight number (of an airlines that I sometimes take). I assume this is a "miss" by whomever made the form... hope they not ask me for outbound flight info 🙂

Took me a few prompts ... ironically they approved on the last day my BOI letter was dated (approved to). Maybe they are just very busy 😉

Yea ..email today from NYC consulate says I am approved... LTR WP. Thanks to all for all the help!

NYC did respond again on FB and said: 'The Consul has been notified of this matter. We will consider your application as soon as possible.' Similar to 4 weeks ago. Guess I'll be patient. 😉 I had asked BOI long ago but they said to contact the consulate.

I still have not received the Visa. I DM them again on Facebook... waiting... I submitted the BOI letter to NYC on September 2 after receipt on September 1. It mentioned it is good until Oct 31. I did already pay the fee. I forgot what day I mentioned arriving in Thailand...maybe mid Nov..but just changed my flight o Nov 24. Maybe they are approving in some order of arrival? I just hope that by applying and paying the fee the BOI letter expiration now does not apply 😞 and it's fine since I paid already.

I am curious... I think when you get a new passport in the USA it also has a new number. (I seem to recall). So if you are out of country, and have a new passport, and enter Thailand might they check the LTR visa letter and the Passport to see if numbers match? (I am still waiting on my letter as I paid and sent them my BOI approval letter on Sept 2..... NYC says it is still processing... hmmm). I would assume IO would let you in country but it may be best to get the LTR letter updated with new passport number (if it contains it). But according to your content it sounds like they may stamp the Passport wth a LTR Visa and ME (so I no longer need the paper LTR)?

Forgive me.. what determines a Thai resident (for each Visa type)? I am waiting the LTR ... but may only be in THailand 6 -8 months a year... in and out... assume no worries about tax implications there, etc. (I do have a Thai bank account.)

They did respond to email and Messenger.... guess they must be busy.... Your applications is on the list and will get approved as soon as possible

I guess you could miss the $80k USD threshold in a few prior years (after receiving the LTR) but in the "check" year (and maybe year before?) have hit it, then if they remove the LTR you could just apply again. So it seems unclear about any verification each year 🙂

Thanks... they seem to be active on FB. I sent a message last night and got a auto-reply with link to website..... and hope they respond soon. So odd my app has been pending since Sep 2 (and I paid).. i assume everything is ok since BOI provided the letter to upload. Maybe just busy there... I may try to call also later. BTW - PJ is a great writer.. 🙂

Thanks... I emailed info [at] thaicgny.com also.

I would be careful using "average/mean"... as it can easily be skewed. When searching I found that the median is $54,710. However, this figure combines both retired individuals and those still in the workforce, so the average for purely retired individuals may differ.

I received the endorsement letter from BOI (took less than 4 weeks after a few requests for more documents). I set up an account on https://www.thaievisa.go.th/ then uploaded the Endorsement letter (and paid) on Sept 2. But it has been sitting in "Processing: Pending Approval" since then. I did just email [email protected] (Secretariat of the Department) I found on a different website as the prior site had no contact info. Just started to get a little worried about how long it is taking (as I heard it others received it in a week). I assume everything is ok since I did get the BOI endorsement letter and paid. (I want to make my flight reservations soon...)

Sad state here in the States. I worked in health care (insurance) for years. Most here are actually covered by their employer... the insurance company just gets paid for management. The rise in obesity and diabetes has really stressed the long term care.....and employers are trying to incentivize employees to stay healthy....but it is hard... given the way the government supplements corn syrup, etc. Steve Brill famous article and later book uncovers some truths.. "Bitter Pill: Why Medical Bills are Killing Us." I have family members working in hospitals (RNs).... most hospitals now are run as non-profits - with a margin that Fortune 500 companies would kill for......many take overs and reduction of staff ... so sad! The demographics here also are horrible... more living longer and many more aging out of workforce. If you are Filpina RN, etc. you can easily get a nursing/caregiver job here... 😉 I'll be getting a crown done in Thailand later at 1/3 the cost here 🙂 Sorry.. i may have gone to far.....

Agree to that. I got AXA insurance.. Not a bad deal especially compared to insurance costs in the USA (health care in general is outrageous). And my USA coverage does not cover me overseas. I did ask my agent if the AXA would cover me on a motorbike.. which she said 'yes'. So when I insure my bike again when I get back. I do not need to add medical to it.