@Jack ********

BTW, I love the Harry Dean Stanton avatar 👍 - from Paris, Texas?

Your numbers are a bit off.

For , the Visa rate (which is what Schwab uses) was 34.91, so the $865.65 cost that you mentioned was inclusive of the 220 baht fee (which is refunded at the end of the month, not at the time of the transaction). The actual net cost for your 30k baht was $859.35.

As for Wise's various funding methods, I don't think wires and SWIFT transfers are instantaneous (by their nature, not because of Wise). They also usually involve a fee from your sending bank, plus additional forms or paperwork. ACH wasn't on the list of options? That would usually be cheapest (a little over a dollar for 30k baht), and would be immediate.

I transferred 3k USD (106k baht at the time) last week, and it took five seconds - but that was to Kasikorn, not BBL.

@Bob *********

That isn't true for US emergency passports.

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

Same. Wise costs a bit more, but usually takes only a few seconds, and I can do it while lying on the sofa - the Schwab ATM method can require going to an ATM several days in a row if you need a bunch of cash.

@Jay ***

1900 is the fee for an extension - correcting an error by the airport immigration officer is free.

You don't really need to show two years of income, even though that mysteriously appeared in the instructions a few months ago - they only care about the last year (and your most recent income tax return).

Whether they'll accept evidence of *prospective* unearned income, like a letter from your pension provider saying that you'll get x amount per month starting on y date, I have no idea. I would assume it would be better to at least be able to show a few months of the promised income, but that's only a guess on my part. No harm applying and seeing what happens, though.

@Paul ******

No, they won't.

@Brook *******

I paid 50k for the 10 year LTR visa, which comes to 5000 per year. For my non-O, I was paying 1900 per year for the extension, plus 3800 for a multiple reentry permit, which came to 5700 per year.

So, the LTR saves me 700 each year, while eliminating the need for 90 day reports and annual visits to Immigration and keeping 800k in the bank, PLUS giving me Fast Track access at the airport. I think I pass the financial literacy test, but thanks for your concern 😉

It's a reasonable question. Plenty of frequent travelers, who should know better, get in the queue for visa on arrival when they're actually using visa exemption. Enjoy your stay, OP!