kawipan

"A 5 year TDL should not be issued to holders of DTV. " - Uh oh, you used the word "should". Should is a subjective value judgment. I'm sure we could find people who think the opposite of you and believe it should be issued to DTV holders. You will think you are right and they will think they are right. But no one is right. Because, like I said, should is a subjective value judgment and what you think should or should not be is totally irrelevant.

Wouldn't it be great if everyone had a consistent experience? I'm happy for you. Unfortunately, from this thread, it seems like many people are/were having a lot of trouble getting a 5 driver license.

"DTV is tourist class visa." - Yes we know that. "Tourist class visa is entitled to 2 year TDL." - Yes, like I said, stupid and pointless. Waste of employee resources. "Somewhat irrelevant to compare Thai requirements to those in Philippines." - And yet almost everyone seems to do it?

It's kind of funny because I got my Philippines driver license without any tests or med check, good for 10 years, without any special payments or anything, just a normal applicant procedure. Interesting to see how much harder Thailand makes it. And 2 years license is kind of stupid and pointless. Why would they even waste time and resources and clog up queues for a 2 year license? They are just making life harder for the DLT employees.

Hi, Has anyone used Anna Visa Services in Hua Hin? Are they legit? Any issues?

Thanks for your reply DrJack54. The Thai Embassy specifically told me that my electronic statement downloaded from my US banking app should be accompanied by a "bank certificate/letter". Sorry I wasn't clear. When I said I was informed, I meant that I was informed by the embassy.

Applying for Non-O at the Thai embassy in Manila, PH as US citizen (PH resident), I was informed: "Downloaded electronic bank statements are acceptable provided that they clearly show your name, account number, balance, and transaction history. And they are accompanied by a bank certificate/letter issued by your bank." My bank for the proof of funds is a US bank account. Is it even possible to get a "bank certificate/letter" from a US bank while located in PH? If I call my bank in the US to request this, what should it look like? What does a "bank certificate/letter" contain? Thank you in advance for any help.

You don't have much time, so I would recommend to try to find another Immigration Office to try to see if they are less strict. Or go to a visa agent or consult a visa lawyer. Also get clear on exactly what IO needs, like an example of what a certified BC actually is or how it can be certified. You said you have the original, and afaik, an original BC is already certified. So find out what they are actually seeking. Certification from who or what?

Hi Martyp, yup that's what people seem to be saying: that it has to be into a Thai account, and that the first extension from within Thailand needs to be the funds method. I didn't see anything written specifically on this, but I trust you guys know what you're talking about.

Thanks Liquorice, I actually was aware of all that already. I just didn't know (and still don't) whether immigration would accept proof of the equivalent of 65k monthly deposits into a (non-Thai) bank account in the applicant's home country. It seems that most of you are saying it has to be into a Thai bank account. And also a few have said that the income method won't work the first time you try to extend within Thailand (for O and OA). This is confusing because I have never seen any documentation that states that income method is not accepted and only the funds method is accepted for the first extension within Thailand, as I have also never seen any documentation that states that 65k must be into a Thai account. Even your posted image only says that the funds method requires it to be deposited into a Thai account but it doesn't state the income method needs to specifically be deposited into a Thai account. However, I trust you guys know what you're talking about so I'm gonna take you at your word that this is just the way it is.

Yeah I know it says that, but if you actually sign in and go through the whole application process to the last page before submitting, you will see that there is a field to upload your proof of residency in PH, and it's required.

Would you mind if I asked how many months of statements they require? And which Immigration office you process your extension at?

So I can use the income method inside Thailand, but I can't use my home account? I have to set up remittances to a Thai account? Are you 100% sure that they don't accept proof of funds in a home country account rather than Thai account? I'm not doubting you, it just seems that if it was good enough for the original visa, why wouldn't it be ok for the extension too? Thanks.

Hey DrJack54 : Yes that is approximately my situation. However, you never know. The O doesn't work for me because I don't have 800k liquid to deposit in a Thai bank and wouldn't want to anyway considering how much hassles the banks are causing now. So the OA lets me show proof of funds with my home country bank account as I understand, and I don't have to deposit and keep a large amount in a Thai bank account, and I can also choose the 65k monthly minimum option rather than the 800k lump sum. The thing that I am confused about now, though, is let's say I do decide to just stay in Thailand and want to extend my OA from inside Thailand, I assume I need to submit the same requirements as when I did the original, however, can I still show proof of funds with my home bank account...or do I need to show it in a Thai account at this point because I am applying for the extension within Thailand. That's what confuses me now. Thanks for your replies.

Hi Liquorice - Thanks for the tip about LMG health insurance company, will check them out. Correction - you actually do need residency to apply in Manila.

Thanks for your reply oldcpu, the way you put it "they are not getting an extension of their visa, they are getting an extension of their stay" has actually helped me to understand the process a little better. However, I don't have 800k in liquid to deposit to a Thai bank, and I wouldn't want to if I did considering all the stress the banks are causing lately. As I understand, the OA does not require any deposit to a Thai bank, the money can stay in my U.S. bank. And I can also show monthly minimum rather than a lump sum. Maybe I'm wrong? Also, I do have residency in the Philippines and family there, so I would be going back and forth often anyway so probably not as difficult to start a new OA as someone who has to travel far to a western country to reapply. One thing I am confused about though: let's say I do stay in Thailand and try to extend my OA inside of Thailand. I assume I have to submit the same requirements again that I submitted for the original OA, however, can I still show proof of funds with my foreign bank account? Or do I have to now show the proof of funds in a Thai bank account? Can I also still show the 65k monthly deposits rather than the 800k lump sum? That's where my confusion is now.

Thanks for the additional info.

Hi Mark1969, will check them out. Any details on your personal experience, and if they have monthly payments, and how much? Thanks.

I see. Wow, that's a big ask for the entire premium up front. Thanks for your reply.

Hi sqwakvfr! Thanks for this reply. Can I ask how much are your payments and if your bill is a monthly bill? Thank you. Also, why did you choose Pac Cross?

Yes I have just done that, waiting for their reply. I was just hoping to find someone who already has an OA and a health insurance plan who might be able to give me some info or recommendation from their personal experience, rather than choosing a company by Eenie Meenie Minee Mo 😅

Hey DrJack54, thanks for your reply. Yes the plan would be to spend a year in Thailand (I have a close friend living there) with possible short trips back to Philippines during the year (so I would go for the Multiple entry option). Why is Non O-A a bad idea? Seems easier than applying for Non O and then having to deal with Immigration in Thailand after 2 or 3 months and apply for an extension. Like applying twice. No I have never applied previously for a Thai visa, only entered with visa exemption stamps. I'm aware of the requirements for med check and background check and I don't have a problem with it, seems straightforward. I am only confused by the health insurance. I read through the thread you linked but I still have no idea of the approximate ballpark amount that I would need to pay for the health insurance. Or if the payments are monthly or what. Yes, no bank account in Thailand yet.

Thank you BrandonJT for your reply. To answer your questions: 1) I only really was just looking for a ballpark figure for any average man in his 50's. I really have no idea if it would be $30 a month, $300 a month, or $3000 a month (probably not that much). Or if its even paid monthly or annually. So I was hoping someone who had experience with that, or even Cigna which is advertised on this site, could chime in. But if not, it's ok. 4) The reason why I don't apply for the Non-O is because I think it's more complicated. For example, if I apply for the OA in PH, I can get a visa for a year (or maybe 15 months?) before I even get to Thailand. But if I apply for an O in PH, I believe I can only get 3 months and then I have to apply for the 1 year extension in Thailand after I arrive and deal with a 2nd application process and submitting requirements, etc. Maybe I'm wrong?

Please forgive me if I am repeating a post that has been answered previously. I swear I searched these forums, but my eyes are blurred over from work and other life responsibilities and I'm finding it hard to focus.By the way, hello to all you people, I'm a newbie here and this is my first post. American citizen here, residing permanently in the Philippines for the past 10 years. I will be applying for a Thailand Retirement visa (Non-OA) from Philippines. I am completely clueless about these 2 requirements listed on the e-visa website: I've visited the website: https://longstay.tgia.org/companiesoa and saw several insurance companies listed. My questions are: 1) How much does the insurance generally cost per month (is it monthly payments?) and which company has the cheapest option? 2) Do you have any recommendations on how to fill this requirement? 3) Any general suggestions for a guy applying for an OA from the Philippines on the e-visa site? Does it actually get processed at the Philippines Thai embassy in Manila? Or does it get processed in Thailand? Any information, suggestions, recommendations, links, personal experiences, or otherwise are very welcome, and thank you in advance for any help.