Wannikea Wanblee Excellent point that's never mentioned. I timed my extension date to being just before I might want to head to Canada to visit each year (ie. NOT in the middle of the fkn winter! 🤣). That I'd be free to travel right after extending.

FreeTaxUSA.

I did my taxes with TurboTax one year for comparison. Same results with TurboTax and FreeTaxUSA.

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

I did the evisa a couple weeks ago. It asks the date you plan to leave (I simply selected the date 90 days after entry - I think the calendar doesn't allow choosing past 90). No flight info required. Evisa was approved 9 days after submission.

Did evisa process 2 weeks ago from US. First step is getting 90 days. It was $80 USD from Washington DC Thai embassy.

Andy MusgroveYet you guys have no problems posting dickhead comments when someone's asking a question in a group created for people with questions.

Who's worse?

Search on youtube for "let's live in thailand thai retirement visa in minutes". It walks you thru the process for Non-O. I did it on Jan 5th following the video and it took 9 days. No insurance requirement with Non-O, you decide if you want it or not.

I almost made the same choice that you're planning until I realized that the new online process is much simpler/faster and doesn't require mailing your passport. Search youtube for 'letslivethailand thai retirement visa in minutes' to see how easy it is. It changed my mind (I also have a thai bank account so I also thought incountry was best - NOPE).

@Bill ********

Curious. What do agents charge for a consult? I'm always amazed when people say that all the information is out there, do it yourself it's easy! but when you research, you find a lot of misinformation. These groups are a great resource but for every useful comment, there are 10 useless/inaccurate/unclear comments.

@Chris *****

My suggestion wasn’t to use an agent for the entire process, only as a possible solution to getting a bank account.

As for 'Why do it after arrival'? Everyone recommends pre-arrival but there seem to be more requirements. A big one that I've been told - health insurance is not required if doing it after arrival. If anyone can refute that, pls do but if true, not needing that is simpler and cheaper.

Pls no 'You should have health insurance' replies, that's a whole separate subject.

Can anyone confirm health insurance isn't required using the after arrival method?

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

?

Brandon is very reliable for info but saying one can't get a Thai bank account isn't 100% accurate.

It's 'almost' undoable to open a Thai bank account yourself due to their crackdown but I believe it's still possible using an agent. Of course that'll cost you. They'll also offer to handle the entire visa process. That'll cost a lot more and lock you into an agent arrangement that may not be worth it in the long run.