I'm going to second what Jason Campbell said. You won't be able to open a bank account without committing to Thailand.

When you are ready to move you should look into getting the OA visa through the embassy in the US. This will let you apply for a one year visa that can be stretched out to nearly 2 years with the funds remaining in your US account until you want to renew it

To open a bank account in Thailand you'll need a long term visa and a signed lease along with a local sim.

If you are going back and forth hopefully it'll help you figure out where you want to live and that way when you return you can look for places there and get everything sorted

Can't open a bank account on a dtv

Have you looked at AXA insurance specifically for the OA or OX visa? Should be under 35K Baht per year

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

can you not convert the OA for PR after 3 years?

The OA seems like the best option right now with the banking issues etc or perhaps I'm mistaken

Get this visa and you'll have nearly 2 years of not needing to worry about anything assuming you leave and return just before your 1 year expires. This is the best route to go

@Tony *********

if someone wants to be in a giant rush to get everything done from the second of landing and assuming all goes well for them sure. Or just do the one year and go at your own pace. As long as the money is in the account within 4 months of needing to renew can also do it in Thailand without leaving. Not everyone wants to stress through it all.

FYI the 90 day visa won't work anymore with the banks now that they are implementing this

If you are still in Canada, and assuming you are looking at the retirement visa apply for the OA 1 year retirement visa through the embassy in Ottawa or Vancouver it will be based on you having the funds in Canada. You can also use this visa for nearly 2 years if you leave Thailand just before it expires and return.

You'll then have lots of time to find an apartment which you'll need to get a Thai bank account.

Once you open the Thai account you can transfer the funds via wire transfer. Simplii, TD, RBC etc etc all offer wire transfer services, but just make sure you have it set up on your online banking. Simplii offers international wire transfers for free

Don't do the 90 day visa because you'll be in a giant rush to get everything done when you land

@Sabine ****************

sure looks that way 😁

@Kenny ****

thanks a lot! This is super helpful!

@Gerg *********

thank you!!

@Pete ******

thank you so much! This makes a lot more sense now!

Thank you for taking the time for this very detailed explanation. Truly appreciated!