@Shelley *******

But now you’re actually gonna have to study? What are you going to study for the ED vis? Wild that they want you to do that ...

I am going to assume you’ve already done a deep dive into what medicines you can bring and the cost, so theres no sense in arguing about where drugs are cheaper.

The more important question... Why would you move to another country when you and your husband can’t afford your medical care there? It sounds like you need to take a step back and re-evaluate your priorities. If you can’t afford medicine, how can you afford a medical emergency? Don’t move here now if you’re saturating yourself with meds and can’t afford insurance and meds. It is a disaster waiting to happen!

If you were a guy moving here to live with a Thai wife who can’t afford to take care of themself, people would be flaming you for your irresponsible decision making. I’m not saying you shouldn’t move here period... But you should really get your financial situation under control with plenty of cushion before you uproot your life and move to another country. I don’t think you’d let your son or daughter do something so silly... don’t do it yourself.

@Channel *********

Gotta disagree that there are no benefits as the benefits I’ve gotten have been great. I think it’s a bad idea to dismiss the visa on the 0.01% chance that immigration will wake up and suddenly kick out elite visa holders for no reason. It’s way more gamble to start a life here on 60-day tourist visas, an education visa that won’t last long, get married too soon for a visa, or get an underpaying job just to live here. There is so much more security in paying the government program for a long-term visa. You can move at your own pace and barely ever have to interact with immigration.

@Edward *******

I’m an elite visa holder for a long time now. While I do have insurance, because it’s the sane thing to do, I’ve never been been asked if I have it or told that I need it. Not sure where you heard that...

Wait for border restrictions to lift and come in on a tourist visa... then get a 20 yr visa. I wouldn’t overthink things.

10yr visa is a waste at 800k when you can get the 20yr at 1m.... Who knows what the world will be like in another 10 years. It could be much harder to get a retirement visa by then and stuff like insurance and bank deposit requirements will only likely to get stricter. TE holders don’t have those restrictions.

The elite visa gives you no special property rights. You can buy the same stuff as any foreigner (generally only condos).

Can you rent what you buy as an AirBnB? Yes... but according to law, the minimum rental is one month. If you rent to anyone for shorter than that in a condo, you’re breaking the law whether the condo building let’s you do it or not.

Also, if you’re doing it for income... why? There are so many cheap hotels and empty units available that you’re unlikely to make any real ROI... very little demand for that now. And If you factor depreciation of your condo, making money buy buying a condo and renting it as an AiRBNB becomes even more of a silly endeavor...

@Rob *********

I agree... I think it’s very unlikely Thailand will accept people who have been in the US or other countries where the virus is raging once flights open up. And if they do, it will come with strict rules such a quarantining in a special hotel for 14 days and a medical certificate.

Might be looking at next year or beyond for free and easy travel to Thailand once airports are open. At least for people visiting from or who have recently visited the US and other countries that have handled the virus poorly.

Easy solution: Get (officially) married so you have a marriage certificate. Then you can get marriage visa extension to stay longer each time you visit Thailand.

Easier solution: Get Thai Elite Visa: You can fly in/out whenever you want and stay as long as you need.

@Lynda **********

I’ve never heard of someone getting denied a retirement visa for being in Thailand too long. Makes no sense. In any case, you could just get an elite visa for 5 years and try a retirement visa again when that visa expires. All hope isn’t lost

Garrett Greenwald That’s awesome. Back when I did it, they didn’t have a CC option. With the right credit card, you could rack up enough points to pay for your flight. I’d definitely do that over wire transfer if it’s available.