@Daren ********

same here. Two extensions in Chiang Mai and never asked to see anything after the 30 days. I kept the money in just in case though.

Did it a few years ago and they had me mail it to the Bangkok embassy.

Bad news for you. It's extremely difficult for thai women to get a US tourist visa. Having an American boyfriend actually makes it harder. My now wife was told flat out that she needed to apply for a K1, fiance visa, instead before we were married when she tried the first time. They also do not let anyone except for her into the embassy, let alone sit at the interview. Even when she does go they may ask a couple questions at most and will not let her explain herself in any way.

@John *********

or they can just stay on the 400k in the bank method. Having a work permit and working doesn't change the options available to meet the financial requirements. They're completely independent of work status.

@Sergiusz **********

I'm by far no expert but based on what Steve posted it's possible it's only a thing for Australian based insurance policies since it specifically mentions Australia several times. I have not seen that on any of the Asian based policies I've read. Either way it's always good to read it in full and even ask the agent to clarify and get them to put it in writing that your specific circumstances are covered.

@Steve *******

never heard of that. Perhaps that's only for Australian based insurance since it specifically states Australian license and ownership. I have not seen anything resembling that on any of the Asian based insurance policies.

@Tara *******

thanks, but it really wasn't that big of a deal. Living in Thailand one learns real quick to accept the obsession with paperwork and the inconsistency and ambiguity of what requirements are between different branches of the exact same organization and even people within the same building or day to day. TIT

@Craig *******

the bank I opened an account at had a similar list. However it stated that only 2 or 3 (can't remember which) of the 5 listed were required. In the end I only had the residency certificate and signed lease. I tried to get what they wanted from the embassy but the bank couldn't even say exactly what it was (my thai wife talked to them so it was not a translation issue) and the US embassy had no idea either so just gave a certified copy of my passport. Which the bank then told me wasn't what they wanted. Luckily they opened an account without it.

@Kool ******

Thanks for the info on the schwab transfer process and FCD account. I'll look into that for future decisions. I had asked my financial advisor about swift transfers from my schwab account and was told by schwab they could not do it to a foreign account. But now that I think about it that may have only applied to one of my two accounts with them due to it being a 401k/IRA account and me using rule 72t rule to withdraw from it early and not incur the 10% early withdrawal penalty. I may be able to do that with my individual account. That and the FCD and brokerage accounts would definitely reduce the financial cons in my situation for the in country requirement.

For this year I'm too close to my extension date and don't want that money sitting on the sidelines for 3 months at the moment. I don't know when or if but I'm hoping there's a nice market rally coming if inflation, fed rate policy, banking scares, etc show improvement.

@Kool ******

like I said I plan on traveling anyways so the cost of leaving the country every 90 days is not a factor since it is a cost I plan on incurring anyways.

The fee to transfer 400k baht using wise is close to 80 USD (2,700 baht). The difference between the fee for the extension and the visa is 3,100 baht, so just the money I save in Wise fees almost pays for that. I don't pay ANY fees to withdraw my money from an ATM for living expenses because schwab reimburses all fees.

So based on my situation and plans to travel anyway the cost is a wash, which brings it back to having that 400k work for me or sit in an account that earns no money for a year every year. Even if I assume only a 6% return that's 24,000 baht. If one considers compounding interest over several years it adds up. Even if for some reason it is zero percent I still haven't lost anything financially.

As far as wasted time or days lost I'm retired and want to travel. I didn't retire at 42 because I'm financially illiterate. I put WAY more thought and calculations into my finances than the average person. I'll try this for a year or several and if I find the 90 days is more frequent than what I want to travel then I'll switch back.