@Fran ****

that won't work for the visa. If the bank statements don't say international transfer, it won't count. Alternatively, you can maintain 800k baht balance and not have to worry about this.

@Fran ****

the fees with wise.c๐m are pretty reasonable. Other money transfer services exist with cheaper fees (e.g. Remitly) , but they *won't* show up as an international transfer when the money lands in your thai bank account. Only wise.c๐m guarantees this

@Fran ****

there is no "direct deposit" requirement for the retirement visa. The only requirement is that it shows as an international transfer. I know, I've obtained retirement visa extensions using the monthly method.

There are, though, a couple things to watch out for. I use wise.c๐m to transfer the money. For this to work for 65k baht transfers, your thai bank must be SCB or kasikorn or bangkok bank. You must choose "funds for long stay in Thailand" as the reason. This only shows up on the wise.c๐m desktop site, so you have to use a computer. Make your transfers during the first week of every month, so you have time to make additional transfers if something goes wrong. Check your thai online bank website to ensure each transfer is listed as international when it lands in the thai bank account

Have them land in your US bank, then transfer them to your thai bank on your own.

@Ann ********

good question. I'd be inclined to think they'd be just as likely to deny a tourist visa for this reason as well.

Might be worth another post. ask if anyone has been denied visa-exempt entry because of multiple prior covid extensions

@Ann ********

also, considering that the US doesn't recognize Taiwan as an independent sovereign country, and doesn't have an official diplomatic relationship with Taiwan, you're likely to find it impossible to obtain a Thai tourist visa in Taiwan. But why bother? As a US citizen, you currently get 45 days in Thailand visa exempt, which can be extended in Thailand for 30 more days. How long are you planning to stay? Is it worth the hassle?

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

you show 800k for the initial 90 day O visa. Is there a rule that says you can't show 12 prior months of international transfers for the first one-year extension? I'm about to apply for the non-O in Thailand. I've been living here for years, my prior visa expired while I was on a trip back to the USA. I have the thai bank account and I've been dutifully making the monthly transfers, even while I was back visiting the USA.

@Terry *******

are you using the desktop site or the mobile app for wise?

You gotta understand that a k1 visa is only good for one entry and it is expected that she will then pursue immigrant status in the USA. Even though technically it's a non immigrant visa, it is a prelude to an immigration visa. She would have to stay in the USA two years, without returning to Thailand, to achieve residency status. Then she's on the hook for federal income tax.

You definitely want a tourist visa. I got one for my thai wife, on my own, first try. It was easy because I was able to prove that I live full time in Thailand and owned no real estate in the US. Pm me if you want to talk more about it.

Thank you for the information