racyrick

18 minutes ago, lopburi3 said:

In my case did not have dual national child - but had applied INS and received approval to apply for immigrant visa for wife which we decided not to use several years prior.  Applied for normal tourist visa for few weeks visit and show of INS approval and not being used provided immediate approval of 10 year tourist visa.  If your plans are to relocate, as post seems to indicate, that might be an issue.  But I may be reading wrong.

Thanks for your info. We don't plan to relocate, so a 10 year tourist visa would be fine.

How long does a 10 year tourist visa give you for each visit to the US?

Also, how do you apply for the 10 year tourist visa and how long does it take to get?

She does have her 2 year green card to show.

Thanks for your help and time!!

My wife and son are going to the Khon Kaen passport office to get their Thai passport renewed.

Do they have to bring a passport photo or does the office do it for them?

Thank you

8 hours ago, wwest5829 said:

I advised he forget that idea but … I have been here 12 years and my Thai gf was given her 5 year US Tourist Visa. My now Thai Wife was given her 10 Year Tourist Visa in March. So, yes, it can be done if all is documented but not easy for any young, good looking Thai girl looking for a short time holiday … too many have overstayed.

What visa did you apply for? I know you said 10 year multiple entry, but what paperwork do you need? How long did it take? Did you have to show financial information?

I ask, because I have a unique situation and want to know what is the easiest and fastest way I can get a visa and what type.

I brought my wife to the USA on a B-1 visa in 2006. We got married in Vegas in February. She got her 2 year green card but we left 5 months short before should could get her 20 year green card. We moved to Thailand in 2008 and have never been back. I am 70 years old, my wife is 57 years old. We have a son together that was born in Thailand but has dual citizenship. Thanks so much for your help and time.

11 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

That has been my experience too, and they ask for a $250 application fee which is not refundable so it's basically just the donation to the US government. They hardly ever approve tourist visas for Thais, unless they're quite wealthy, so if you can show very significant assets in the bank, in her name, it's a different story. 

 

Same applies to a student visa, the student visa is even a longer shot. Once we got married it was very easy to get a 10-year multiple entry visa from my Thai wife and the only paperwork they wanted to see was my original passport, and that was it! Granted. 

What visa did you apply for? I know you said 10 year multiple entry, but what paperwork do you need? How long did it take? Did you have to show financial information?

I ask, because I have a unique situation and want to know what is the easiest and fastest way I can get a visa and what type.

I brought my wife to the USA on a B-1 visa in 2006. We got married in Vegas in February. She got her 2 year green card but we left 5 months short before should could get her 20 year green card. We moved to Thailand in 2008 and have never been back. I am 70 years old, my wife is 57 years old. We have a son together that was born in Thailand but has dual citizenship. Thanks so much for your help and time.

I'm not sure, so this will be of little help, but I think it takes a long time and a nightmare of paperwork. Good luck.

Didn't mean to spark a debate on Swift codes. What I meant to say and should have said is that if you are direct depositing your SS to a US bank or a foreign bank located in the US, the SSA only uses routing numbers. 

If you're using the IDD method to send directly to your bank located in a foreign country, then the SSA uses Swift codes.

20 hours ago, EVENKEEL said:

It's been a couple years but I believe I looked up swift code for New York. My SSA account has US address. Yes, I switched my deposit from US Bank to Thai Bank, the same with my government pension.

Thanks for your reply. The Bangkok Bank in NY uses a routing number and only foreign banks uses SWIFT.

Bangkok Bank's NY office is considered a US bank and when you deposit there, it is then transferred to your bank account in Thailand. I am almost positive that if you have a Thai address registered with SS, you can't change your banking information with your online account as well. If anyone with a Thai address has changed the banking info online to a bank here in Thailand, please let me know. There is only two ways to change if you live in Thailand with a Thai address, go the Manila route or call the 800 number in the US. Thanks again.

6 hours ago, Alotoftravel said:

I am a new recipient of SS which I deposit in a usa bank account .

I have a Bangkok bank  savings account which I use in for Thailand spending . 
Presently when I needed funds in Thailand , I transfer from my USA bank account via domestic wire to the Bangkok bank in NY. This is then transfered to my Thailand BKk savings account which I do not have an atm nor I have to be present at the bank branch for withdrawals.

 

does it make sense to deposit my SS to the Bangkok NY directly or 

is it more beneficial or leave it as is. As I read this forum , there is much to know . Thanks 

 

 

When you transfer funds from your US bank by domestic wire to Bangkok Bank in NY, do you insert your Thai address in the transfer? The form accepts other countries and zip codes?

Because it's a domestic transfer, most banks only allow for a US address. Thanks for your help.

On 10/7/2023 at 12:10 PM, EVENKEEL said:

I changed banks using the on line account with SS. I started my SS in the US if that matters.

 

Did you change your bank from a US Bank to your bank here in Thailand online with your mySSAaccount?

They had the swift codes for Thailand Banks?

Do you have a Thai or US address on your SSA account?

Thanks for your help.

Just wanted to update to say that the appeal was granted and it took exactly 60 days from filing online to approve. Very happy that they realized their mistake and the benefits were restored. I now have a little more trust in the system.

6 hours ago, KhunLA said:

yes, and why required if going the DD route for extension.

May want to take a copy of below, as not all tellers understand what it is.

 

It shows the complete routing of funds:

 

Thanks for the copy. Do you request this every month after your ssa deposit and do they give that to you right away at your local branch? Thanks

8 hours ago, bunnydrops said:

Eight years ago the Bangkok Bank in New York was doing the transfers. You had an account with that bank that the SS check went into. They no longer do that. I don't know how SS checks are handled. I had to change to having my check sent to my US bank and transferring two or three times a year through Wise.

Never used Bangkok Bank in New York for direct deposit of my ss.

Has anybody deposited a social security check with Bangkok Bank lately?

If so, how long did it take to receive your money in your account?

The last time I did this was 8 years ago in Phuket and the money was deposited the next day.

They said it was quick because it was a government check and they had a bank located in the United States, so it was quickly processed.

16 hours ago, KhunBENQ said:

Yes.

From the central intersection Mittraphap and HW 12 it is 22 km northbound on the road.

Google estimates 20 minutes.

From the northern ring exit onto Mittraphap it's a about 14 km, 11 min estimate.

Distances include the detour for the U-turn.

 

Location:

16.5888,102.8185

https://goo.gl/maps/uwYGgrBfTQVM8TFW7

Thank you!!

4 hours ago, MartinL said:

Not many. Or lots, depending on the route you take.

Isn't it straight up Mittraphap Road?

16 hours ago, MartinL said:

Photos taken on Friday.

 

Although it hasn't reproduced well, it definitely says "KK Immigration".

 

Building and roadways look complete. Flag is flying. Couldn't see any cars so maybe no occupants yet. No builders' trucks either and the site seems tidy which suggests work is complete. 

 

EDIT. Nearly forgot. Nearest U-turn from northbound to southbound carriageway is 2.5 km from this office although there's an unofficial, dirt-track-across-the-central-reservation U-turn about 200 metres away.

How many minutes' driving time from the Tesco to the new immigration office? Thank you.

20 hours ago, MartinL said:

Nearly 2 years later .........

 

Drove past the new Immigration Office last weekend. It's on the southbound carriage way of Highway 2, about 9 km north of the junction with KK bypass. I'm guessing about a 105 km one-way trip for me.

 

The big, engraved in stone "Khon Kaen Immigration Office" sign is in place, The building looks complete so we might be getting news of an immigration move soon. Roadways appear to be complete. The u-turn for those coming from the south is a good way beyond the office.

 

What I thought might be a 'suicide tower' appears to be a water tower for the adjacent water company office.

About how many minutes will it take from the Big Tesco to the new immigration office? Thanks

52 minutes ago, stargazer9999 said:

My understanding is that by only living in Thailand my wife and children won't be eligible for my SSA benefits if we have not also lived together in the States for five years:  

https://www.greenbacktaxservices.com/knowledge-center/us-expat-taxes-social-security/

 

 

We had no intention of leaving Thailand and moving to 'approved' counties where this requirement is not needed:

https://www.ssa.gov/international/countrylist3.htm

 

Is this indeed true and if so what do most people do about it?   Give up the benefits?  Move back to the States for five years?  Move to an 'approved' country ($$$)??

 

I'd appreciate any thoughts on this.

 

Thanks.

 

I am pretty sure that only applies to NON US citizens.

1 hour ago, essex boys said:

@racyrick thé mrs called the number listed, it rang a few times but they answered fairly quickly.

went to Khon Kaen immigration yesterday ( Wednesday) and got my certificate of residency took all of 10 minutes to sort out, got the medical booked in at the local clinic for 4pm Friday, then all set for my test on the 30th

Thanks, went there today and they said there were issues with the phone, so your Mrs. got lucky.

Glad all went well for you.

16 hours ago, essex boys said:

Spoke to immigration in Khon Kaen today, there’s no charge for the proof of residency letter, no doubt I will contribute a few hundred baht to keep everyone happy 

What phone number did you use?

I have tried to call KK Imm all day yesterday and today and the phone will not connect.

Thanks

16 hours ago, Pib said:

Was it the appeal process talked at this SSA webpage?

https://www.ssa.gov/apply/appeal-decision-we-made/request-reconsideration

Yes, that is correct.

I called the 410 number at 9am and they said they were closed and will open at 9am.

I tried again at 9:05, 9:10, 9:15 and the same thing.

Finally, at 9:20 they opened and said all lines were busy to call back later.

I then called the 800 number and had a 45 minute wait to speak to an agent.

At first, agent said they didn't receive any form and nothing showed. After about a 30 second silence and I told her the form was received by Manila and they sent it out to the US office on June 6th, she said she did see the form and it was being processed and would take 30 to 60 days.

The ONLY way I will be notified of the decision will be the mail. Tried for email or phone, but no way, only mail from the US even though I told her how long it takes and how many times mail goes as lost. Deaf ears of course.

46 minutes ago, bkk6060 said:

I believe US citizens in Thailand need to contact the Social Security office out of Manila Philippines. 

Not necessarily, I sent a form to Manila and they in turn sent it the US and told me I have to contact the office in the US for further enquires. Basically, Manila is just an intermediary and they handle very few things themselves alone. 

I see there are 2 numbers you can call to SSA.

1-800-772-1213 which seems to be the all-in-one number to call for everything open 8am-7pm

1-410-965-0160 that is listed for people living overseas and directly to International Operations open 9am-4pm

Can anyone tell me which one is better or which one you had good experiences with? Thank you