Many accountants act as visa agents. They often know more than lawyers about the Government Bureau documents you will need. You can hire an Accountant / Visa Agent from 15 to 20 to 25,000 Baht.

@Dario *********

- I stand corrected

Well of course Michael -- but if the OP goes to a Thai web site talking about the Elite Visa Card -- the price will be expressed in Baht. You can't buy this Visa in America and pay Equivalent.

The OP is not an American

Relevance is the factor.

@Terary *********

- not when paying for the Elite Visa

Terary Apellido - I'm not sure what number system you are using but the Elite Visa Card is 500,000 Baht for 5 years of stay

Vientiane - Thai Embassy / Consulate is now requiring a Police Background check for a Non Imm O 90 days - for age 50 or over. As per Tod's answer to a question I posted the other day. Penang following suit would not be a big surprise.

Question of the OP - Where or from whom did you hear this about Penang?

The subject matter is too complex in the ways the Thai Government Departments handle it for an untrained foreigner to get through the process.

I went through this process last year with the assistance of an accountant / visa agent. Having first hand experience - I read what you write and read how you explain it all tells me that you do not have a clue. So thrash about all want - after having enough of going back and forth with you the I/O will just quit working on it

"Social fund" what on earth are you talking about? You should get a qualified Visa Agent because it seems you do not understand anything that is going on about you.