What steps can I take to obtain a retirement visa for Thailand during my current trip?

@Brandon ***********

some of the Thai embassy/consulates in the US were requiring at least a 90 day insurance policy for the type O visa, then no insurance requirement for the year extension once you are here. Not sure if they are still doing it.

@Bo *******

in that case pay what you have to pay to get a Thai bank account. Don't use any agent for anything more than getting the bank account, and not in a location you don't plan to live. With the bank account once you turn 50 and the bt800,000 is in your account you can immediately apply for your retirement visa. You first get a 90 day visa, then after 2 months, you can apply for your 1 year extension. It is actually quite easy once you have your bank account and turn 50.

@Bo *******

nice to see someone actually mention they want to "contribute". Something I don't hear very often. 👍🏽

@Kenny ****

...well this will change. DTV is a new Visa. I personally, do not need a Thai Bank account. Almost all my transactions can be done using credit card, debit card and cash from ATM My bank reimburses all ATM fee instantly, and there is no foreign transaction fee.

@Bo *******

The IRS 1040 does not include Roth IRA dividends (or if I remember IRA 401K dividends?). You can also in a tax year take a larger IRA distribution or sell some stocks for capital gains to possibly go over the 80K. But check with ExpatTax or other experts.

@Bo *******

You'll be able to have a very comfortable retirement with 64k/ year in Thailand. Brandon will have very Sage advice for your Visa questions. I'd recommend renting vs buying, as it will allow you to live in different areas till you find the city/Province you like, or if you're already set on a City, you can rent different places until you find the residence you're most comfortable in that City. Best wishes 🙏

@Bo *******

If passive income is lower than USD 80,000 but above USD 40,000, the applicant must make additional investments of USD 250,000 in Thai government bonds, companies registered in Thailand OR Thai property

@Bo *******

I think indeed, the first part of the answer of Brandon is the best. Only open a bank account via an agent and put the 800k฿ (a bit more, not too critical) in that account as international transfer. And then ask an incountry non imm O based on retirement with the 800k฿. After about 60 days you can ask for the year extension, again based on retirement and the 800k฿. Should you also want to visit other countries, also arrange a re-entry permit, so your year extension keeps valid.

I notice the money isn't a big problem but I still find it a pity, when you have enough monthly income, to lock up the 800k฿. So maybe a tip to also start transfering a bit more than 65k฿ every month for 12 months as international transfer to that account.

So for the second year extension, you can use these 12 transfers as prove of income instead of the banked 800k฿. (You need money anyway over here) Just a tip.

I know nowadays there are more and more visas to stay, but I still find doing the year extensions once a year the most convenient. But ofcourse it depends on personal circumstances.

Good luck ! 🙏