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What are the best ways to handle US mail and residency for expats moving to Thailand?

Nov 21, 2024
a year ago
Scott *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I have questions for Expats from the US:

Did you change your state of residency before you moved abroad?

How do you handle your US mail living abroad?

I have heard that there are services for these. I am interested in recommendations, experiences, pros and cons.

I am considering moving to Thailand in the middle of 2025.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The conversation highlights the experiences of U.S. expats regarding handling their U.S. mail and changing their state of residency before moving abroad, specifically to Thailand. Many recommend using virtual mail services such as POSTSCAN, Anytime Mailbox, and Traveling Mailbox to manage receiving mail while living overseas. Additionally, changing residency to states like South Dakota is suggested due to favorable tax conditions and the ease of obtaining necessary documentation.
Kelly ********
I have a friend moving to Thailand in late December from California. I turned him onto a place in South Dakota that just today assisted him in moving there. They provide good mail forwarding services and assistance with getting a SD driver's license.
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Paul **********
we use traveling mailbox. it’s 15$ i think a month and they do everything. they’re awesome and their chat customer service on the website answers very fast
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Av **********
Anytime mailbox box
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Bill *********
I'm using POSTSCANMAIL for receiving all my postal mail...magazines, newsletters, correspondence, bills, etc. Working quite well. I wouldn't change my state of residence since I don't know how to move my home and rental properties to another state!
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Mark ********
Check out South Dakota for change of address and the companies that will scan mail and mail hard copies if necessary. They provide an actual physical address with their services. SD has no income tax and only need to stay one night to be declared citizen. Driver’s license will show new physical address.

Americasmailbox.com
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Scott *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mark *******
I have heard that South Dakota is in the process of changing their requirements for residency and this will affect nomads and Expats
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Kelly ********
@Scott ********
I have a friend moving to Thailand in late December from California. I turned him onto a place in South Dakota that just today assisted him in moving there. They provide good mail forwarding services and assistance with getting a SD driver's license.
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Scott *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
The service SavvyNomad is saying this about South Dakota: "We’ve discontinued our South Dakota domicile services due to legislative changes. With recently legislative changes in South Dakota, nomads based in the state are struggling to exercise their voting rights and participating in important social safety nets, like unemployment. Overall, state policymakers are showing an ominous trend of not being friendly toward nomads. For this reason, we have discontinued support for our South Dakota domicile service and encourage all users to consider alternative options, such as Florida."
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Scott *********
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Mark ********
@Scott ********
they dropped the 30 day stay for voting registration but that’s it.
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Mark ********
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Cherie ********
If you have US credit cards and a U.S. bank account, you need a U.S. address…there are quite a few virtual post accounts..I use POSTSCAN to receive any mail from banks, credit cards, etc. gives me a virtual address in the US
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Charlie *********
@Cherie *******
My address on file for my American bank account is in Mexico. No cc with them, though - maybe that’s the difference.
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Charlie *********
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