Apply For U.S. Social Security While Living In Los

[Dillpickles98]

I have decided to apply for U.S. Social Security, in the past expats here were still able to apply on-line, not so anymore. From what I have been able to find out so far, there is almost no help available. The forms cannot be downloaded with & IP address outside the U.S. at-least those that are, there is no certainty they are current or even usable. As they do not come from GSA.

They are not available from the U.S. Embassy website Bangkok. The only info there is that they are processed for expats living in certain parts of Asia in Manila, P.I. However there is & email addr. Calls to the Embassy connects you to a soc. sec. dept. which promises to send them to you via email. I have gotten promises of from a few minutes to a day & have never received them.

My latest call was to see if I needed & appointment to pick them up, & was told without one I would wait until all appointments had been taken care of. & yet no guarantee I would get them then.

I will make the 80 mi. trip on Monday from Pattaya, with & appointment.

Anyone having info replies would be welcome.

[Ahnsahn]

I had been under the impression that Soc.Sec. could be applied for online!

We will be anxiously following your progress and hope you please keep everyone updated on this!

[chiang mai]

If you are refering to the US SSC Pension, that has to be applied for via the US Embassy in Manilla. There is an email address on the SSc website which results in a telephone call back from the SSc folks, a telephone interview follows and later key documents must be taken to the US Embassy, all very painless and efficient, I went through the process in January.

[Dillpickles98]

If you are refering to the US SSC Pension, that has to be applied for via the US Embassy in Manilla. There is an email address on the SSc website which results in a telephone call back from the SSc folks, a telephone interview follows and later key documents must be taken to the US Embassy, all very painless and efficient, I went through the process in January.

Hi chiang mai, I sent & email to the addr listed on BKK Embassy website for soc sec people in Manila, have yet to recieve a reply as it was only sent today. Would I be correct that once they contact me via email they will then want a phone number to conduct that interview? My next question, should I cancel the BKK appt. & wait for the reply from Manila?

Thanks for your speedy reply, I hope all goes as painless for me as it did you. Also that I hope you will be available for the questions I will no doubt have to come. I am most active in the Pattaya Addicts forums in particular of what my experience has taught me about living here, I will share this experience there, but knew to come here where I would get the most recent & reliable info.

DP98

[Dillpickles98]

I had been under the impression that Soc.Sec. could be applied for online!

We will be anxiously following your progress and hope you please keep everyone updated on this!

Hi Ahnsahn, yes it was that way, i know a few who did that, that option is now off the table. As you may know the U.S. Embassy here in BKK being the closest to me everything is by appointment unless you are willing to take the chance & wait. However getting appointments is easy. Once I jump through these hoops I have another dealing with Homeland Security.

We have been retired going on 2 yrs. My wife is all the way legal, Green Card, Soc. Sec. card & CA. I.D. Yet have been told her re-entry could be denied by reason we have been out of the U.S. more than a yr. But one thing at a time as we have no plans to return but for a visit July 2013.

I'll be sure to post my progress, share anything I learn & hope to get advice from those in the know.

DP98.

[chiang mai]

If you are refering to the US SSC Pension, that has to be applied for via the US Embassy in Manilla. There is an email address on the SSc website which results in a telephone call back from the SSc folks, a telephone interview follows and later key documents must be taken to the US Embassy, all very painless and efficient, I went through the process in January.

Hi chiang mai, I sent & email to the addr listed on BKK Embassy website for soc sec people in Manila, have yet to recieve a reply as it was only sent today. Would I be correct that once they contact me via email they will then want a phone number to conduct that interview? My next question, should I cancel the BKK appt. & wait for the reply from Manila?

Thanks for your speedy reply, I hope all goes as painless for me as it did you. Also that I hope you will be available for the questions I will no doubt have to come. I am most active in the Pattaya Addicts forums in particular of what my experience has taught me about living here, I will share this experience there, but knew to come here where I would get the most recent & reliable info.

DP98

Yes they will want a telephone number for the interview.

For some reason I believe that it is Manilla and not Bangkok that handles these matters, I live in Chiang Mai and I went to the US Consulate here only after I had the initial telephone interview, there was a second more detailed telephone interview following the visit to the Consulate. You will have to go to the Embassy at some point so it's your call whether you do it before or after the first telephone interview, the Embassy visit is little more than to confirm your ID and to take a copy of your passport and birth certificate so that Manilla is certain of your identity before the in depth telephone interview later.

One other point: I presume you are a US citizen residing in Thailand, if you are not and you are a Green Card holder who resides here be prepared for deduction of the Aliens Tax, 24.5% right off the top and not recoverable.

[Ahnsahn]

I had been under the impression that Soc.Sec. could be applied for online!

We will be anxiously following your progress and hope you please keep everyone updated on this!

Hi Ahnsahn, yes it was that way, i know a few who did that, that option is now off the table. As you may know the U.S. Embassy here in BKK being the closest to me everything is by appointment unless you are willing to take the chance & wait. However getting appointments is easy. Once I jump through these hoops I have another dealing with Homeland Security.

We have been retired going on 2 yrs. My wife is all the way legal, Green Card, Soc. Sec. card & CA. I.D. Yet have been told her re-entry could be denied by reason we have been out of the U.S. more than a yr. But one thing at a time as we have no plans to return but for a visit July 2013.

I'll be sure to post my progress, share anything I learn & hope to get advice from those in the know.

DP98.

We will sure be wired to this thread following your outcome.

As for your wife, there is some rule that Green Card holders aren't supposed to be out of the US for more than six continuous months.....and is grounds to be denied re-entry. I first heard of this stipulation via 2 (Thai) girls who were not able to return to their US husbands under this rule.

Maybe you can enlighten everyone about the current regulations of this rule, too!

[flying]

Good luck on the SS I hope it all goes smooth for you.

As to your wife & her green card....

Yes if she resides outside of the US for more than a year

Or 6 moths I believe if on a 2yr versus 10 yr card

(I am not positive as what I have read is conflicting &

in the end my wife went for citizenship instead)

She needs to file an I-131 before leaving to stay current.

http://www.uscis.gov...00045f3d6a1RCRD

The I-131 like all green card related processes costs $$$

Pity she did not get naturalized while in the US as I know what a hassle getting the green cards is.

Good Luck with the SS, from accounts I have read here, it is always handled

via the Philippines & seems painless enough.

Hope there is still some left in 10 years when I apply

[Dillpickles98]

If you are refering to the US SSC Pension, that has to be applied for via the US Embassy in Manilla. There is an email address on the SSc website which results in a telephone call back from the SSc folks, a telephone interview follows and later key documents must be taken to the US Embassy, all very painless and efficient, I went through the process in January.

Hi chiang mai, I sent & email to the addr listed on BKK Embassy website for soc sec people in Manila, have yet to recieve a reply as it was only sent today. Would I be correct that once they contact me via email they will then want a phone number to conduct that interview? My next question, should I cancel the BKK appt. & wait for the reply from Manila?

Thanks for your speedy reply, I hope all goes as painless for me as it did you. Also that I hope you will be available for the questions I will no doubt have to come. I am most active in the Pattaya Addicts forums in particular of what my experience has taught me about living here, I will share this experience there, but knew to come here where I would get the most recent & reliable info.

DP98

Yes they will want a telephone number for the interview.

For some reason I believe that it is Manilla and not Bangkok that handles these matters, I live in Chiang Mai and I went to the US Consulate here only after I had the initial telephone interview, there was a second more detailed telephone interview following the visit to the Consulate. You will have to go to the Embassy at some point so it's your call whether you do it before or after the first telephone interview, the Embassy visit is little more than to confirm your ID and to take a copy of your passport and birth certificate so that Manilla is certain of your identity before the in depth telephone interview later.

One other point: I presume you are a US citizen residing in Thailand, if you are not and you are a Green Card holder who resides here be prepared for deduction of the Aliens Tax, 24.5% right off the top and not recoverable.

All info I was able to get said Manila is the point of contact & everything is initiated there related to soc sec. I do know at some point I will have to take required doc's to BKK. I am a very impatient person I like to handle things. Think maybe I will cancel the BKK appt. & wait to hear from Manila. Also waiting for a call from a retired co-worker living in the Manila. There has been some tightening up on Soc Sec. in regards to expat wives collecting after the death of the recipient, there are some new safeguards in place though I don't remember them now. But will post them as I find out, you may already know at some point there has to be continued proof of life, & when survivor benefits go into effect.

Yes I am a U.S. citizen, 2 time veteran, & retired Airport Police Traffic Officer. since I did not pay into soc sec during those 10 yrs & have retirement from it I expect a reduced benefit, or a higher taxable amount on total income. I was able to retire because the city of L.A. is broke, my time with added Mil Svc gave me a retirement of 21 yrs.

As for my wife there are three standards, one - two yrs. out of the U.S. requires & application of reinstatement of green card. Having a background in airport police matters it is largely up to the immigration officer at the time, how many int'l flight are in at the same time, manpower levels, & of course laziness. After 5 yrs out, a whole new procedure based largely on the aspect of how fiancee visa's are denied. It could be risky attempting to return even together, it would not work if she were traveling alone. When I brought her to the U.S. she spoke no English but me being known to customs & immigration at LAX not a problem I was able to take her right through.

We have no intent to return but for a family emergency, after these soc. sec. hoops I'll have to find out how long before the planned travel the application has to filed, & how long it's good for when granted. It will take some time as Homeland Security is across the street from the embassy, they work a whole 3 hrs a day, & like most places i have been with embassy business you won't be able to talk with an American.

Replies are coming in thanks for the support, info, & interest, hope together our combined knowledge will benefit all.

DP98

[flying]

There has been some tightening up on Soc Sec. in regards to expat wives collecting after the death of the recipient, there are some new safeguards in place though I don't remember them now.

I believe if your wife resided in the US for at least 5 years then it is possible for her to collect Social Security survivors benefits

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Government-Information-3058/2011/2/non-citizen-spouse-claiming.htm

[Dillpickles98]

Good luck on the SS I hope it all goes smooth for you.

As to your wife & her green card....

Yes if she resides outside of the US for more than a year

Or 6 moths I believe if on a 2yr versus 10 yr card

(I am not positive as what I have read is conflicting &

in the end my wife went for citizenship instead)

She needs to file an I-131 before leaving to stay current.

http://www.uscis.gov...00045f3d6a1RCRD

The I-131 like all green card related processes costs $$$

Pity she did not get naturalized while in the US as I know what a hassle getting the green cards is.

Good Luck with the SS, from accounts I have read here, it is always handled

via the Philippines & seems painless enough.

Hope there is still some left in 10 years when I apply

Hi Flyer thanks for the link, & have book marked it, I didn't even have a clue to where to begin look & was not given a form # or name. Knowing the govt. like i do I was able to process her fiancee visa in 7 mos. her first 1 yr green card in 6 mos after we were married. She now has a 10 yr. green card expires 2018. Which is actually record speed given she did not speak read or write any English, I may have & old thread about it here. We never had any intent to remain in the U.S. & now don't own anything but our bank accounts, & a required local address for ACH transfers.

On soc. sec front i'll have to go back & find the link for others, who may find it useful. Now many are under the idea that full retiremnt age is 70, but it's actually dependant on when you were born. There are barckets, in my case being 63 for me it's full retirement age at 66. Those born after 1954 it's 70. To take it before whatever bracket incurs a 25% loss. But i am not willing to gamble with govt. on how long I live.

I must say I'm impressed with the responses from everyone, as we all know there are some threads here & in all forums that are largely speculations by people who have no experience here other than mongering. I did not take the time search for other similar threads, & not to take them off topic started here, new.

DP98

[flying]

Hi DP98

Yes I know as you do the whole green card process is quite the maze & costly too!

Good luck to you & I hope all goes smooth for you & your wife in your new life.

I will be interested to hear out of curiosity some of those SS rules too!

Then again as I said I am a ways out yet from any of that

& knowing our government I am sure the rules will change many more times before then

I do agree with you that it is probably best to take what you can rather than gamble with

the age/profit ratio

Good Luck !

[Dillpickles98]

There has been some tightening up on Soc Sec. in regards to expat wives collecting after the death of the recipient, there are some new safeguards in place though I don't remember them now.

I believe if your wife resided in the US for at least 5 years then it is possible for her to collect Social Security survivors benefits

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Government-Information-3058/2011/2/non-citizen-spouse-claiming.htm

dam_n, looking like a hoop we can't jump through. she arrived Jan. 19, 2006 we left for good May 29, 2010, no denying that, but she'll get half of my city retirement if I go first. Which has brought up another issue I hope I will fix by June. L.A. retirement will not deposit retirement benefits in a foreign bank, not even for me. The recourse is the have a hard check mailed to her, which BKK Bank will accept.

A good part of the last 1.5 yrs has been spent protecting her with our assets. Attorney friends suggested Legal Zoom, it won't work if you don't have someone local, to see that things go the way you would hope. However have visited Siam Legal who say they cash out our mutal funds, & close & transfer bank accounts to her here. Or the other option is she can keep the U.S. accounts & do as I do now ACH transfers here when needed.

I don't think I'll feel retired until I get this all sorted out, but one thing at a time. As long as I'm healthy, no meds, fit, & careful should have plenty of time. Mom stopped driving at 85, & died at 97.

DP98

[Dillpickles98]

Hey flying, the green card thing was mouch easier for me than the fiancee visa, all tolled about $800.00. The difference was having her with me to sign where I said. While processing the fiancce visa I would send one copy of the form written in red then along with a few blank copies in hope that she would get one of those correct. My favorite page was " If your fiancee's native language use characters other than Roman, write her name in her language in the space provided" As you may know that's to make sure you are not forging her name. Then crossed checked with her signature when she had her interview.

Don't know about now, but then they required she be available by land-line phone. her parents have one, along with my nephew's computer. They moved her interview date forward, I had planned to here for it. The interviewer denied a visa before her, he asked to see the lady's phone & found the name of another farangs in it, visa denied. Our age gap is only 12 yrs. My buddy who's Gf is less then half his age was doing one. I had to help with the pictures. A task it turn out to be 2 yrs of photos establishi9ng a relationship with him wearing the same shirt. She got it but he did not marry her then, & she has been denied ever since, 6 yrs now.

Well duty calls, I'll be back.

DP98

[CaptHaddock]

DillPickles,

If you still have a US bank account which is a good idea for several reasons, why would you not apply online for SS benefits using a US address? I have several US bank accounts and a US mailing address and am considering doing it this way when I apply for benefits at age 70. If you have your SS benefits deposited into a Thai bank, there is some requirement that you present yourself in person at the bank to demonstrate that you are still alive. If you have a US address there is no such requirement.

Is anyone doing this? Does anyone know of a downside?

[chiang mai]

I believe you are correct about having to present yourself at the bank in person if benefits are paid into a Thai bank, that shouldn't however prevent you from havings those payments paid elsewhere, despite living in Thailand. I was told by Manilla that I could recieve payments anywhere I chose so I have mine sent to a bank in the UK channel islands, the questionairre that is sent out periodically to see if your personal circumstance have changed and to verify that you are indeed still alive, is sent to my address in Thailand. The only downside for me is that, having adopted for that payments method, I am taxed via the Aliens Tax because I do not live in the UK or the US, were I to be resident in the UK I would not be taxed!!

[CaptHaddock]

I believe you are correct about having to present yourself at the bank in person if benefits are paid into a Thai bank, that shouldn't however prevent you from havings those payments paid elsewhere, despite living in Thailand. I was told by Manilla that I could recieve payments anywhere I chose so I have mine sent to a bank in the UK channel islands, the questionairre that is sent out periodically to see if your personal circumstance have changed and to verify that you are indeed still alive, is sent to my address in Thailand. The only downside for me is that, having adopted for that payments method, I am taxed via the Aliens Tax because I do not live in the UK or the US, were I to be resident in the UK I would not be taxed!!

Why would you choose a bank in the channel islands? Are you not a US citizen who has to pay income tax on his worldwide income?

[Dillpickles98]

Hi guys as I stated before using & IP address out side the U.S. is not & option for applying on-line. I found even impossible to bring up the site clicking apply on-line. I suppose with some computer trickery It can be done, but considering everyone else has my address here both IP & physical I could opening a can worms much bigger than going the regular route of & expat. The benefits will be deposited in my U.S. bank until such time as we decide otherwise.

All bank business is handled on-line, there is never any mail, it is a city federal credit union bank open only to city employee & retirees. By law anyone must have a address in the U.S. to effect ACH transfers. My local address in not even in L.A. but Atlanta Ga. every 2 yrs. my sister forwards our U.S. ATM cards here though we never use them, & are forced to use whatever pin # they assign since I don't have the option of going into the bank to change it. I can reach my bank 24 hrs. In fact I recieve a non-resident tax refund from CA.. without having been there in the last 1.8 yrs. I needed to settle my Federal Tax with a small payment using debit card, it was dinied, when I called the bank I thought maybe I put the wrong address as that of where the account is held, Once corrected the debit went through.

I found this out the hard way, I changed my address to here with the bank, then was not able to ACH funds, could have still done it snail mail, with those inherient risks. It is in effect to keep terrorist org.s from sending funds out of the U.S. with no attachment there. My retirement board, mutual funds, & disability insurance all use my Thai address for statements & mail.

Not being a computer techno geek it was trail & error to get things are they are now, with work still to be done once soc sec is set up, & I know the ramfications of all actions.

BP98

[chiang mai]

I believe you are correct about having to present yourself at the bank in person if benefits are paid into a Thai bank, that shouldn't however prevent you from havings those payments paid elsewhere, despite living in Thailand. I was told by Manilla that I could recieve payments anywhere I chose so I have mine sent to a bank in the UK channel islands, the questionairre that is sent out periodically to see if your personal circumstance have changed and to verify that you are indeed still alive, is sent to my address in Thailand. The only downside for me is that, having adopted for that payments method, I am taxed via the Aliens Tax because I do not live in the UK or the US, were I to be resident in the UK I would not be taxed!!

Why would you choose a bank in the channel islands? Are you not a US citizen who has to pay income tax on his worldwide income?

No, I'm a Brit who is a US Green Card holder.

[chiang mai]

Hi guys as I stated before using & IP address out side the U.S. is not & option for applying on-line. I found even impossible to bring up the site clicking apply on-line. I suppose with some computer trickery It can be done, but considering everyone else has my address here both IP & physical I could opening a can worms much bigger than going the regular route of & expat. The benefits will be deposited in my U.S. bank until such time as we decide otherwise.

All bank business is handled on-line, there is never any mail, it is a city federal credit union bank open only to city employee & retirees. By law anyone must have a address in the U.S. to effect ACH transfers. My local address in not even in L.A. but Atlanta Ga. every 2 yrs. my sister forwards our U.S. ATM cards here though we never use them, & are forced to use whatever pin # they assign since I don't have the option of going into the bank to change it. I can reach my bank 24 hrs. In fact I recieve a non-resident tax refund from CA.. without having been there in the last 1.8 yrs. I needed to settle my Federal Tax with a small payment using debit card, it was dinied, when I called the bank I thought maybe I put the wrong address as that of where the account is held, Once corrected the debit went through.

I found this out the hard way, I changed my address to here with the bank, then was not able to ACH funds, could have still done it snail mail, with those inherient risks. It is in effect to keep terrorist org.s from sending funds out of the U.S. with no attachment there. My retirement board, mutual funds, & disability insurance all use my Thai address for statements & mail.

Not being a computer techno geek it was trail & error to get things are they are now, with work still to be done once soc sec is set up, & I know the ramfications of all actions.

BP98

Just for info: you can do an ACH transfer in the US to Bangkok Bank New York and I understand from what I've read, if I've understood it correctly, those transfered funds can then easily be trasfered again to Bangkok Bank in Thailand.

[Dillpickles98]

Hey flyer, just quickly reading over the instruction on the I-131 travel Permit, it appears once granted it is good for a yr. in our case, some cases good for 2 yrs. I can be expidited for emergencies. It just a document presented to immigration upon arrival. As I would not need it to purchase airline tickets. Being out of the U.S. more than 4 of the last 5 yrs. would present a different set of forms & no doubt more annoyance.

No word from Manila at this time on the sec. soc. app.

DP98

[Dillpickles98]

Hi guys as I stated before using & IP address out side the U.S. is not & option for applying on-line. I found even impossible to bring up the site clicking apply on-line. I suppose with some computer trickery It can be done, but considering everyone else has my address here both IP & physical I could opening a can worms much bigger than going the regular route of & expat. The benefits will be deposited in my U.S. bank until such time as we decide otherwise.

All bank business is handled on-line, there is never any mail, it is a city federal credit union bank open only to city employee & retirees. By law anyone must have a address in the U.S. to effect ACH transfers. My local address in not even in L.A. but Atlanta Ga. every 2 yrs. my sister forwards our U.S. ATM cards here though we never use them, & are forced to use whatever pin # they assign since I don't have the option of going into the bank to change it. I can reach my bank 24 hrs. In fact I recieve a non-resident tax refund from CA.. without having been there in the last 1.8 yrs. I needed to settle my Federal Tax with a small payment using debit card, it was dinied, when I called the bank I thought maybe I put the wrong address as that of where the account is held, Once corrected the debit went through.

I found this out the hard way, I changed my address to here with the bank, then was not able to ACH funds, could have still done it snail mail, with those inherient risks. It is in effect to keep terrorist org.s from sending funds out of the U.S. with no attachment there. My retirement board, mutual funds, & disability insurance all use my Thai address for statements & mail.

Not being a computer techno geek it was trail & error to get things are they are now, with work still to be done once soc sec is set up, & I know the ramfications of all actions.

BP98

Just for info: you can do an ACH transfer in the US to Bangkok Bank New York and I understand from what I've read, if I've understood it correctly, those transfered funds can then easily be trasfered again to Bangkok Bank in Thailand.

[flying]

Hey flyer, just quickly reading over the instruction on the I-131 travel Permit, it appears once granted it is good for a yr. in our case, some cases good for 2 yrs. I can be expidited for emergencies. It just a document presented to immigration upon arrival. As I would not need it to purchase airline tickets. Being out of the U.S. more than 4 of the last 5 yrs. would present a different set of forms & no doubt more annoyance.

No word from Manila at this time on the sec. soc. app.

DP98

DP

Yes it seems in your case you are going to be gone more than present in the US..(Dont blame you at all )

But in cases such as yours what I have always heard was the best route short of US citizenship is to

voluntarily surrender the 10 year green card & ask for a 10 year tourist visa in its place.

I have no actual experience with it as my wife went the citizenship route but.....from what I read it is an easy swap

since they have already investigated the green card holder.

Just a possible alternative?

[Dillpickles98]

Hi guys as I stated before using & IP address out side the U.S. is not & option for applying on-line. I found even impossible to bring up the site clicking apply on-line. I suppose with some computer trickery It can be done, but considering everyone else has my address here both IP & physical I could opening a can worms much bigger than going the regular route of & expat. The benefits will be deposited in my U.S. bank until such time as we decide otherwise.

All bank business is handled on-line, there is never any mail, it is a city federal credit union bank open only to city employee & retirees. By law anyone must have a address in the U.S. to effect ACH transfers. My local address in not even in L.A. but Atlanta Ga. every 2 yrs. my sister forwards our U.S. ATM cards here though we never use them, & are forced to use whatever pin # they assign since I don't have the option of going into the bank to change it. I can reach my bank 24 hrs. In fact I recieve a non-resident tax refund from CA.. without having been there in the last 1.8 yrs. I needed to settle my Federal Tax with a small payment using debit card, it was dinied, when I called the bank I thought maybe I put the wrong address as that of where the account is held, Once corrected the debit went through.

I found this out the hard way, I changed my address to here with the bank, then was not able to ACH funds, could have still done it snail mail, with those inherient risks. It is in effect to keep terrorist org.s from sending funds out of the U.S. with no attachment there. My retirement board, mutual funds, & disability insurance all use my Thai address for statements & mail.

Not being a computer techno geek it was trail & error to get things are they are now, with work still to be done once soc sec is set up, & I know the ramfications of all actions.

BP98

Just for info: you can do an ACH transfer in the US to Bangkok Bank New York and I understand from what I've read, if I've understood it correctly, those transfered funds can then easily be trasfered again to Bangkok Bank in Thailand.

I have a bit of experienec with ACH transfers I was doing it before the wife came over, BKK Bank New York is the clearing house for all Thai banks. Anyone having set it up knows, most U.S. banks have a third party which sets it up. You have to prove you have control of the other account, by 2 trail depoists which have to match your responce to those amounts. The problem here in lies with the trial being made in Thai Baht & given only one attempt to get it right or you start again from scratch. The trail deposit though usually $0.16 to $0.85 comes out in fractions of baht. The safest thing is to use the bank's currency exchange rate for the day of the deposit then round it to the nearest whole penny. You are given three days to complete the process.

I became quit friendly with phone calls to BBK New York, from L.A. about that & 2 attempts made to steal funds I sent which had to be tracked, but were recovered. We are now setup between 4 bank accounts. U.S. to Thailand hers, & U.S. to Thailand mine, & PayPal both ways in case of any emergency. Plus the 4 ATM cards.

Now I have set up automatic ACH transfers every 4 mos. The fee's are $10.00 USD BKK Bank New York, & 500 THB or 0.5% at the recieving bank branch. Works out about $22-26.00 USD for amount up to $25,000 USD a day, above that amount then I would pay a fee from my bank which is normally free. as I stay below more than $10,000 USD in a foriegn bank which requires a filing of form to the U.S. govt. Anyone needing that form I'll suppy it.

[Dillpickles98]

Hey flyer, just quickly reading over the instruction on the I-131 travel Permit, it appears once granted it is good for a yr. in our case, some cases good for 2 yrs. I can be expidited for emergencies. It just a document presented to immigration upon arrival. As I would not need it to purchase airline tickets. Being out of the U.S. more than 4 of the last 5 yrs. would present a different set of forms & no doubt more annoyance.

No word from Manila at this time on the sec. soc. app.

DP98

DP

Yes it seems in your case you are going to be gone more than present in the US..(Dont blame you at all )

But in cases such as yours what I have always heard was the best route short of US citizenship is to

voluntarily surrender the 10 year green card & ask for a 10 year tourist visa in its place.

I have no actual experience with it as my wife went the citizenship route but.....from what I read it is an easy swap

since they have already investigated the green card holder.

Just a possible alternative?

Sounds like a great alternative,& would fit our needs exactly, as we would back no more than a wk at any given time. If you have a link or any more info would be greatly appreciated. If we could do that it would elimnate the I-131 all together, & legal to travel at a momnet notice which is most important.

It's looking like I'll be here at the KB for a good time to come as info is coming in from all directions. You guys have really opend my eyes to a lot I had no idea of. I'll have to stop & begin taking notes notes to pose more questions.

I had heard though I did not investigation on my own that once the wife became a U.S. citizen it limited her status as a Thai. I was even afarid to change her name to her married name.

[Nowhereman60]

What I did was to apply using my ex-wife address in the US as my address and did it online. I had no problem at all. They send a letter to her house and she sent it to me. My checks started on time. After being on the system. I notified them I was living in Thailand and they updated my information. I made no phone calls and had to go anywhere, did it all from my computer.

[smokie36]

Bloody 'ell! There's another me out there somewhere!!!

[David48]

Bloody 'ell! There's another me out there somewhere!!!

Not only that ... there's another pension thread started!

So ... smokie36 ... a doppelgänger?

[flying]

Sounds like a great alternative,& would fit our needs exactly, as we would back no more than a wk at any given time. If you have a link or any more info would be greatly appreciated. If we could do that it would elimnate the I-131 all together, & legal to travel at a momnet notice which is most important.

It's looking like I'll be here at the KB for a good time to come as info is coming in from all directions. You guys have really opend my eyes to a lot I had no idea of. I'll have to stop & begin taking notes notes to pose more questions.

I had heard though I did not investigation on my own that once the wife became a U.S. citizen it limited her status as a Thai. I was even afarid to change her name to her married name.

Sorry DP no links as it is just things I have read over the years of folks who did not want to do citizenship but did as you folks did & moved back.

Faced with the same problem that was their solution.

I guess best to give immigration US a call?

As for the dual nationality....yes that is an old tale but not true.

My wife & many others have changed their names & carry two passports no problem.

The US allows dual & so does Thailand. So you do not lose any rights of citizenship on either end.

In fact Thailand never asks nor formally knows as they exit the US on their US passport & Enter Thailand on their

Thai passport

Can still buy land...get Thai health benefits etc.

If your wife would like a good in Thai site to read it is usvisa4thai.com she just need to sign up/log on etc

but all in Thai language

[CaptHaddock]

I had heard though I did not investigation on my own that once the wife became a U.S. citizen it limited her status as a Thai. I was even afarid to change her name to her married name.

My Thai wife has US citizenship and it has not limited her rights as a Thai in any way that we have experienced. She took my last name. There are advantages and disadvantages to her having US citizenship. The big disadvantage is that she is forever liable for US income taxes. There are various methods to reduce or eliminate her US tax liability, but they don't apply in all cases, e.g. if she were to be self-employed in Thailand. The advantages are that she can return to the States at any time, travel to other countries is easier, and there are tax benefits when she inherits my IRA accounts. But I think the chances of your wife's getting US citizenship are nil if she is residing outside the country. She will lose her green card and then she will be back to square one as far as US immigration is concerned.