keemapoot

Thanks for that. I will just ask my doctor and my hospital to do the extra tests then when I get the blood drawn for annual checkup.

Hi Sheryl, as someone who has radically improved health and fitness in the past few years (last full blood panel 12 mos. ago everything normal), I would like to go deeper with a blood test with markers. There is discussion later in this thread about advanced blood panels, and one recommendation was made of Bangkok RIA group. Can you recommend a lab in Bangkok where one can get LDL-P (particle count), small LDL-P, LDL size, etc... Thanks.

I suppose you could implement a yearly income check of some sort for those, but I agree with Karma above, this would open the floodgates on all the remote digital nomads and others who make decent money, many of whom would love to stay in Thailand.

Sure. Good point. No way you can count on anything. I suppose the ultimate fall-back position long term might be those of us who are married to Thais, as it seems unlikely Thai immigration would ever take the position that they would make it onerous for those who are married to be with their Thai spouses and families. If they doubled the deposit requirements of the marriage extension it would still only just be at the level of a retirement non-o.

Yes, this is a small concern of mine even though my application is still pending. I think we can all see that the LTR will likely remain a fringe visa, and will not become widely known in Thailand. Things like renewing drivers licenses and other admin details might be more difficult with a relatively unknown visa. And eventually, there is another factor that one well-known Thailand-based legal advisor has noted: that of all the visas, the long-term best bet might be the simple non-o retirement one, because as requirements morph and get added like insurance, or higher deposit requirements, there is a possibility that the current holders of non-o's will be somewhat grandfathered and new regs might not apply to them. Of course, this is just speculation, but the positives of the LTR are looking dimmer in my view right now.

I just submitted my application 10 days ago, and it is at screen 3, and as JJJ... postulated above, they did ask for more and different documents already. So, it does seem as though they are not really fast tracking this. I may have additional issues over my insurance, and I agree with those whose position is that taking 100k out of indexed funds, ETFs or other investments to put in a simple interest bearing savings account is not worth it at all. If this gets to that point, I'll drop it and go back to a Non-O retirement.

Yeah, you have to check where you live to see if you can do the e-visa version. I live and work in Japan but also have a home in Guam. Even though Guam is USA, there is no evisa available. Tokyo turns out to be the most convenient place for me that I am also resident in so that is the embassy I will get my stamp at.

I just applied yesterday, and I used tax transcripts, combined with 1099s etc.. I seem to recall that someone else had maybe used tax transcripts (which are much more official than tax returns), so we will see if they accept these.

I just checked, and luckily, my Certificate of Insurance document from Cigna that expires 31 Dec. clearly states the start and expiry dates. So, I will start my application in about 30 days, submitting this current document if needed (with a note that I will provide the new Certificate for 2023 onward), or just wait until first of January to upload the new document or upload both as suggested by ThailandRyan.

One concern I have regarding option 1, is that my health insurance policy will renew on January 1. It will be either for 12 months or maybe 24 months, I don't know yet. But if only 12 months, that means I will need 10 months coverage at "the time of application." My question to any who have done this - is it wiser for me to start the application say first of December in a month, and then in January provide the proof of insurance, or am I required to wait until January 1 to apply? My concern is that the issuance might be close to the 60 days when the 10 months runs out end of February.

Well you may have a point there in that you don’t have to shell out the 50k Baht until approved, so I suppose some guys might run it up the flagpole to see if it flies. I guess these people have more time on their hands than I do.

I disagree. At least half (the two “wealthy” groups) would likely not even bother applying if marginal. Everyone knows instantly whether he or she qualifies on the criteria.

No yearly fees at all, though there is a re-qualification check at five years, but I believe that is also fee-free.

I think I am going to go ahead and try the Tokyo Embassy for this, even though their website does not show anything on LTR yet. I will start my application on first of December and will inform anyone who might be interested in how this goes in Japan with the consulate method.

Regarding this $100k in savings in lieu of insurance, because of my insurance renewal date limited window to prove 10 months, I am thinking of this option instead, and wonder if that money can also be in a Thai bank in Baht equivalent? If anyone has any information on that it would be appreciated.

Yes, this consulate issue can be difficult if your home is not in their area. Some consulates are not yet handling the LTR, and it seems like they do check your registered address proof.

Yes, this situation with embassies and consulates and even the US e-visa online system is full of problems. In my case, I can't use the Embassy of the Asian country I'm now living in (Japan) because they are not yet ready for the LTR. I also cannot use the evisa system for my home country, USA, because after clicking through and detailing where I currently reside, the system informs me I am unable to use it unless in the continental USA. Therefore, I would like to try to use the consulate system abroad, but am unable to do so. My only option is to try to travel back to Thailand to do it at the BOI office, but even then, another poster said they will not schedule an appointment with you unless you can provide current visa details and are in Thailand. I may have to wait until the end of next year, because I only have a 2 month window based on my insurance renewal.

If BOI could understand what a W-2 or 1099 is then this is easy for you to just show those for the income you received. Again, not sure of that one, just like the tax transcript question...

Yeah, My Cigna policy is great. The approved Thai hospitals (all the best ones) are preapproved, and they bill directly to Cigna, which has a representative in Malaysia they can contact immediately same day. For some routine exams, sometimes reimbursement is easier, but I understand your situation.

Excellent point! Yes, in fact I already have downloaded the last two years transcripts from IRS, I just wonder if BOI knows what these are? It's actually highly preferred by banks, governments and institutions rather than the laborious full return.

Yeah, you are fortunate to have both, but again, I won't waste time and money buying a redundant policy when I already have world class policy that works. I checked my policy renewal and it renews January 1, so my plan is probably to start the process Dec. 1, and then be ready to travel to BKK in January to do it at the BOI office. As another poster mentioned, you have to be in Thailand already to process at the BOI, so I may have to schedule a trip of a week or so to do this, but luckily I live in Asia, so not as bad as trekking across the globe to do it.

Let us know if they accept that redacted tax return without SSN #, and also I wonder if they will accept an e-filed tax return. I suppose they may want to see monthly pay slips or remittance or deposit slips as well, which is fine, just need to know.

Yes, this 10 month insurance timing is an unnecessary pain in the ass. I have the top global Cigna coverage but it renews annually every calendar year. That means my window to execute the LTR is only once a year coming soon. This does not match my plans right now for returning to Thailand and I am not in the mood to prove up $100k in savings in lieu of insurance.

You do bring up a good point about those who no longer travel so much. In addition, the LTR is really only five years, requiring complete qualification again five years later, where perhaps the rules might change again regarding insurance, or whatever, and if exchange rates change, some people might not qualify on the income part then. Meanwhile, the applicant will have paid in advance the 50k, so if you now look at it as only a five year guarantee, if that, it puts the overall price double that of doing yearly Non-O retirement extensions/w reentry permits for 10 years. That combined with the unknowns as you have mentioned, have caused me to reconsider applying. I think I will wait to see how this shakes out in a year maybe.