@Jay ******

The fee varies. But for your initial application for a 12 month extension based on retirement (the O Visa), you have to convert from your visa-exempt or tourist visa status to that of a 90-day Non-Immigrant Visa. This is the biggest expense and the fee hasn't changed much since I first did this back in 2016. It's about 18k Baht. The Chaing Wattana immigration office is the place where this is processed. So for example: Your visa service agency is in Pattaya. Your total cost (Initially) may be around 36-46k Baht. This includes all fees/costs, including the 5k Baht to open a Bangkok Bank account and for a multiple entry permit. All this is done by walking you through the whole process in one day, morning or afternoon. Your passport is sent from Jomtien Immigration to Chiang Wattana for processing of the Non-O. Then back to Jomtien, where your 12 month extension + 3 months = for total of 15 months extension. At the end of 15 months, you go back to your visa service and the cost will be much less. No need to deposit 5k in Bangkok Bank, no need to convert to a Non-O. Last December, after returning to Thailand (Jomtien) I paid 36k for all. Took about 2 weeks to process. In March, I will go back and apply for a 12 month extension. Cost- 15k Baht. This will include the cost for the multiple entry permit.

Less expensive for qualifty housing, food, public transportation, and set costs wtih medical. Doctors work in the hospitals and their fees are set by law. In Philppines, their fees are unknown until you seek service, and most don't take credit/debit cards. Unlike in Thailand, their fees are separate from the hospital bill. They don't bill directly with insurance companies. You pay up front. You pay for medicines as an outpatient before the nurse will administer them such as injections, IV treatment. An abundance of ATMs, always working, never empty. Security is such an issue in the Philippines in that anyplace which has cash transactions of any great value, has armed guards. Banks, shopping malls inspect bags, When was the last time your bag was checked in Thailand. When was the last time you were questioned at the entrance door to a bank as to what your purpose was of entering the bank?

Use a visa agency service. No need to hsve 800k in the bank.

It's the form for any U.S. Citizen living abroad and receiviing S.S. benefits, whether or not you have or have no other income or employed, change of dependents, marital status, etc. All that is on the form for you to complete and sign. One way of not having to deal with this is to have a U.S. address on file with the SSA. I have had a mail forwarding service address on file since 2016.

I used to have a retirement visa back in 2016-17, and at that time, they were still accepting the affidavits from the U.S. Embassy. By 2019, policy changed and I had to show 12 consecutive months of my pension going into my Thai bank account. I didn't want this, so I didn't renew it. I have 5k per/mo pension, plus savings. I feel that I don't need 800k (I have 400k) in the bank, and have medical insurance. Yes, you are right, the easiest way is to apply in the U.S.A. All that is required to show imcome is a recent bank statement from your U.S. bank. As of now, Thai immigration here in Jomtien, Chonburi accepts Thai bank statements if applying based on monthly income. I've had my bank account with Kasikorn since 2010 as a result of previous employment/direct deposit payment of salary, But I prefer to use an agency here and keep my pensions going to my U.S. bank accounts. I'm never in the U.S.A. long enough to get the FBI clearance, medical, etc. to apply to a consulate like in Chacago. The FATCA- Foreign Assets and Tax Control Act of 2012 make it difficult for Americans to open foreign accounts..

Maneerat Visa Service in Pattaya, soi (sometimes called- soi Post Office

@John *********

But most retirees don't have 800k to deposit into the bank. And they can't wire transfer to a Thai bank account until they have their own account. So, it's a catch 22 situation. Also, if applying bassed on monthly income, it takes 12 consecutive months of direct deposit via international wire transfer into your Thai bank account to submit to immigration when applying yourself. Again, catch 22. How do you wait 12 months, where do you wait? Immigration actually prefers you go through an agent or visa service office because there's more money being paid out on top of the 1900 Baht for the 12 month extension based on retirement. That 1900 Baht doesn't go into any tea money fund. Instead, it's recorded into the department revenue ledger. The 14-28k Baht you pay to an agent or agency, enables all players in the scheme to get some commision- bankers, agents, and immigration district office staff. The policies in place are set up to make it much more convenient to go through an agent or agency.

4000 Baht Accident insurance premium at Bangkok Bank on Beach Road near Walking Street, Pattaya.

Visa agents or visa services es offices do all the back four arrangements for you. You are taken to the bank to open an account in your name. The tea money has already been arranged.

@Phil *****

Agents are the ones who pay the money needed to open your account as a tourist.