And if you manage to get your wife to the U.S.A., her income in the U.S. belomgs to the family in the Philippines. So, the necessity for two household incomes in the U.S.A. to enable a family to maintain a decent standard of living, comes into confliect with the familiy's needs/wants in the Philippines. Those in the Philippines assume that since their daughter is in the U.S.A., she's like any OFW in the Middle East- that nearly all income can be remitted back to the Philippines on a monthly basis. This allows for immediate family members to retire and live off of that remitted income. Best to marry a daughter whose parents have a successful business, and that they are supporting their childrens' education, or that adult children have their own careers and are self-supporting. In a poor family, the eldest daugher is normally responsible for supporting her siblings through high school and college.

@Graham *****

right. And before 2019 I did that. But no longer accepting affidavit letter. Now required to shoe 12 consecutive months of direct deposit into Thai bank account coming from the income source in the U.S.A. I prefer to maintain my pension direct deposits in my U.S. bank.

Immigration will refer me to see an agent anyway. Big business here in Pattaya. Back in 2019, after they changed the policy of not accepting letters from the embassy regarding income, I tried to show the immigration officer at Chiang Wattana 12 months of bank statements from Bank of Hawaii to prove my monthly income (200k Baht). But she said she only wanted to see my Kasikorn bank book. Of course, I didn't have 800Kk in Kasikorn. She advised me to see an agent. U.S Bank statements aren't accepted. Only Thai bank statements are, and has to have 12 consecutive months of statements showing miniu, 65l Baht per/mo coming in from the U.S. direct deposit from the paying goverrnment agency. I had been on a retirement visa since 2016. Always go the affidavit from the embassy. But unfortunately, Thai immigration had caught onto the fact that the State Dept. does not verify income, and that many Americans had been lying on their affidavits about actual income. I knew of a few who did this. I qualify, but I will not have my pensions deposited into a Thai bank account. My current 15 month extension (includes the 90 day Non-O) expires in April, 2025, and I will happily pay 15k for another 12 month extension to include multiple entry. Small price to pay to maintain my U.S. bank accounts and credit cards.

Cmabodia is a cheap place to live. But as a senior, I'd be concerned with medical issues if, and when they arise. It's no place to experience a heart attack, stroke, or discovering you have cancer, or even injury due to auto or motorbike accident. Be lucky to even get to a hospital. But like Philippines, no money in hand- no treatment

Grandparents' hospital/medical expenses; roast pig celebration for every birthday in the family; new shoes for a niece or nephew to attend school; money to set up sari-sari store (most never make a profit anyway). It never ends. Ladies from wealthy families don't chase foreigners, not even their own local men (if the men are poorer). The rich or well-off marry into families with similar economic status. They won't allow their sons to marry a poor provincial girl for the same reason. They don't want to share their wealth or money. It's unfortunate that this is the way it is. In the Philippines, the money circulutes, or stay within the minority of those who have better economic status. It doesn't blend, or trickle down to the average person, particularly those in the provinces.

@Jeffrey *********

nobit's not. But it's commonly termed as a visa. Thec12 month extension has been, and continues termed- retirement visa by expats.

@Susan *******

the first extension is more costly because of the requirement to convert from visa-exemot to a 90 day Non-0 visa before applying for the 12 month extension. This usually costs 18k. Renewal after the initial 15 months is only around 15k. That includes the multiple entry permit.

TIT. Immigration dnd police, along with other government agencies here, take in more fees than what is recorded on agency ledgers. Immigration prefers use of agents. Obvious reasons why. It's not illegal, as Immigration decides what is, and isn't legal.

@Susan *******

yes

I, like many expats here don't have $23k to deposit. So, using a visa service is necessary. And my pensions io into U.S. and dnd credit unions.

@Shlomo **********

I don't have 800k to deposit. And I can't wdut 12 months to show 12 consecutive months of durex deposits from U.S. to Thsi bank before applying. My pension is 200k per moth. I qualify based on income. But eill not have my pensions rued going into a Thai bank. I pay NY U.S. credit cards via my direct deposits