eastbaybob

Over the last few months I went through the process of getting an LTR visa. I had never looked into the visa until I had no money in a Thai bank to renew my marriage visa. My pension wasn’t enough to qualify but the withdrawals needed to buy a house, and then a condo, and build a house, gave me enough passive income to qualify. The application process was super easy aside from the website which seemed a bit buggy. I did it all on my phone over a couple hours and if I did it over I’d use a computer. I only received one request for additional information, and I sent the 176 pages of my complete health insurance booklet. I wasn’t in a hurry but after the 20 day deliberation time had entered 30 days I wrote asking if they needed anything additional and they approved my application that day. I printed out the three forms that come with the approval notice and booked my appointment to receive the visa. For the appointment I go to the LTR lounge and take a seat. Everything is collected and I sit for a while. After an hour or so I am asked to sign my passport copies and am then taken for a photo, then back to the lounge to sit before being taken to window where I pay. Then back to the lounge where after a while I am given my passport with visa. The whole process was a bit over two hours. The whole point of this post is that I read several stories about people having not printed out some form or missing something. The BOI sends the instructions of exactly what you need to take, and that’s it, there is nothing else. The other thing is that I’m not sure how having a visa agent would help in the process. All my financial and insurance information was already in pdf form so it’s just a matter of sending it directly to the BOI rather than having a middle man do that. Lastly, just the peace of mind the visa provides is just amazing. It’s like a giant weight has been lifted from my shoulders. The end.

I included my 1099-R forms along with my 1040’s to show the passivity of my income.

I haven’t been there since the pandemic, but the female immigration officer there had more hatred of foreigners than anyone I’ve ever met in Thailand, and I had a Non Immigrant 0 visa. Those without visas had it much worse that I did.

I’m not saying your agent is wrong but I got my visa approved using IRA withdrawals along with my pension. I pick my visa up next week.

I have my appointment to pick my visa up I just want to confirm the documents that I need to bring. I know I need the STM 8, the TM 94, the approval notice, the appointment letter and receipt, passport copy. Then the BOI asked me to bring all my marriage papers. Is there anything else I need?

Chiang Saen, a boat, requires it. When I crossed at Mukdahan they didn’t require one but you filled out a homemade form that had all the same information.

I’ve had my Schwab account for about 20 years now and have been in Thailand for 10. I still have a residence in California which I own and use as my address for the account. I was going home every year or so but haven’t since the pandemic. A couple years ago Schwab sent me an email that said I have to contact them about my address. I called and told them that I was living in Thailand but was going to return in a few months to the States. Actually that was probably 3 years ago and I’ve yet returned to the States and they haven’t contacted me since. I rarely use the ATM card here.

I’m currently on a Non O and just figured out I’m eligible for this visa. My only question is about the insurance. I’m retired from the States and my insurance from my former job there(Blue Cross) covers me here in Thailand. Will that work for the LTR visa or do I need Thai insurance?

The place is completely sketchy, it’s a Chinese city where the only law is the criminal enterprise that runs the place. It’s the one place in Laos where I can imagine being kidnapped and forced to work in a scam center in Myanmar or somewhere. I had five days left on my visa and if I had to spend a night in Laos I would have gone over to Chiang Khong.

I have a Multi Entry Non Immigrant O visa and just used the Chiang Saen crossing to get another 90 days. First I was told by Thai Immigration that I had to spend the night in Laos but then he saw my visa. With the visa I didn’t have to spend time in Laos, just got stamped in, stamped out and back to Thailand for another 90 days. As I was leaving I saw some guy without a visa and he told me they were going to require him to spend the night there so he didn’t go. Boat to Laos is 70 baht each way. The boats need to have 3 or 4 people before they leave and it might take a while now as fewer people are doing their runs here, and if you’re waiting for a boat and another boat drops off passengers but you’re the only one waiting for a boat they will leave empty. Lao visa is $40 US or 2000 baht, and they want crisp bills and they will reject old looking USD. Lastly, Thai immigration is really good up there.

Just got back from submitting my application. I wasn’t aware of the change until I got here and fortunately it did not cause a mad scramble of people not wanting to make an appointment. I showed up at 8:45 this morning and was last in line. I was still last in line when I made it to the counter 40 minutes later. I was receipt #30. Savanakhet for a few days is an OK place. Yesterday when I got to town there was still a line at 12:30 going out to the sidewalk.

Go to the exit in Chiang Saen. It’s right up near the Golden Triangle. It’s 100 baht for the boat over and 70 baht to get back. The Lao visa is $40 US or they quoted me 2000 baht. Also bring 1 photo. When you return to Thailand they might want to see 10,000 baht, they have a little print out of what you need to show when you return. Also there is a taxi stand right next to the immigration office and they advertise rides to Chiang Rai.

When I crossed there a couple weeks ago I was just pulled in the back room and they processed me there, as I was the only person of European descent there and the place was jammed packed.

From where we live to the border is about 48 km, that took about 3 hours incline a rest break. No problem taking a bike across but it was a bit confusing as I didn’t know the process but it quickly got sorted out. The tough part was just riding around in Burma as they drive on the right but even though I’m American I’m just used to that and the crappy roads didn’t help.

I crossed the border last month at Mae Sai, I live in Chiang Rai so I just rode my bicycle there and then cycled into Tachiliek and just rode around for an hour before going back to Thailand. The place is a complete mess aside from the golf course, which looked really nice, I just couldn’t imagine spending any time there.

Personally, for me, the two good reasons to have the visa is to never deal with Thai immigration and I do not have to keep 400,000 in the bank, which at this point I no longer have. For me I live near Mae Sai and they just put a stamp in the passport rather than a visa. if you have the 400,000 in the bank your life will be much simpler just to go to immigration and get the yearly extension.

I applied for my visa today. Got to the consulate at 9:30 because prepandemic that’s what I used to do. The line was out to the street. It is a Monday and I should have known better. The line is super slow, made it to the window at around noon. I got receipt 205, which I think I was probably the 205th person this morning. My wife didn’t come but I did have a copy of her passport, and they kept it. My only advise is don’t go on a Monday and be prepared for the sun.

My last experience prior to the pandemic entering at Padang Basar was not good. I had a valid multiple entry Non Immigrant O visa but the female immigration officer there just absolutely hates people entering Thailand. It’s bazar and I have never encountered such a horrible person in all my time in Thailand. Thus, go anywhere but there.