@Peter ********

Yes, print out, fold up, and staple into the back of your passport (so that you can unfold and read it while it's stapled into your passport).

If seriously interested in permanent residency or citizenship highly recommend this site for accurate information:

@Brook *******

After paying close attention to immigration matters for the last eight years this is the first I've heard about this. I think you will find that immigration accepts only bank letters and bank statements to prove the foreign origin of funds.

@Nick *********

you don't really need to enter your proposed trip information, they don't really care. Can leave it blank.

@Tod ********

It's been a while since I had to do my first one, so I don't know. Now I use the online reporting facility, but I did have to use the drive-through for my first report after I got my new passport.

I would be inclined to try the drive-through. If more is needed they will tell him. Also, they tend to put the friendliest staff on the drive-through lane because they want it to be a success. Have always received friendly and prompt service from them using the drive-through. Worst case they will want him to go inside and fill out more paperwork.

...and the tm-6 departure card. But since all those things are stapled into my passport I just hand over my passport at the drive-through. Takes about 5 minutes.

For the Phuket drive-through only your passport with 90 day report receipt/next appointment slip.

The money must be in a savings account or a fixed deposit account (as long as the only penalty for early withdrawal is loss of interest).

There are two requirements:

1) It must be immediately accessible. There can't be any sort of waiting period to withdraw your money.

2) The principal cannot be at risk for loss.

It's that second requirement that prevents other kinds of investments such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, etc. The principal is usually at risk in those types of investments.

@James ******

I would think you would need to stay at a hotel to have them file a TM-30 for you (and give you a screenshot as evidence). I think if you explain what you are doing that will be sufficient.

@Roger *******

yeah, don't know why it's so slow. Taking the tests is always an option.