@Lloyd *******

i think upon receipt of the first one-year extension, you must continue to maintain the 800k but only for 3 months, then it can drop as low as 400k, and then it has to be the full 800k again for 3 months before you apply for a new extension. If all that while you show monthly deposits of 65k+, you can convert to the monthly deposit-only method for year 2 and thereafter. Please correct if I'm wrong, I'm in month 5 of year 1.

@Kim ********

I've used remitly and Wise although now prefer Xe. My US bank can link to accounts and do transfers but not internationally (at least Thailand anyway). Although I confess I just use the mobile and web apps and could maybe use the messaging to ask if they would set up the xfers. I just went the easiest route (I felt) to use the services.

@Kim ********

i was not able to do an international transfer btwn thai and us banks without using a service. I guess I don't know what banks provide that, especially with the same ease.

@Kim ********

that is what services like Xe or Wise are used for.

@Kim ********

this is an international bank transfer

@Graham *****

for sole reason of not trusting myself to accidentally overdraft from online payments, etc...

My impression has been if you use a transfer service like Xe or Wise, when you hit the submit button is when it locks in to an exchange rate that it shows you in advance.

@Us ****

yes, but i am assuming all the paperwork required the first time would be reduced if using the same bank.

@Graham *****

this is my first year - must keep the 800k for 2 more months (total of 5) amd if I'm going to transition to 65k/month only next year, I need to be doing the 65k deposits now also.

That sounds like a strange process. I had a China multi-entry visa glued into a passport that filled up AND expired, and I only had to show it along with my new passport to use it. I just had to carry both passports. I think others do it that way - and that was China.