@Ma**

above is the US requirements, they are the same if you are from the UK though, look at London's requirements here:

@Ma**

there is no insurance requirement for the DTV. COVID insurance used be required for any entry during the pandemic but this went away a long time ago. The O-A retirement visa, however, DOES require insurance.

@Gra***

if you think the new PM is going to discontinue the DTV soon surely that's an argument to get it now, not wait until they discontinue it?

@Donna ****

it's 500 baht which is $15. Like David says you can't open an account at the New York branch, you need to do it in person in Thailand. When you have a Thai account open you can send certain payments to your Thai account number at the New York branch (like social security or veterans benefits).

@Mic****

I'd just ask them to confirm. Worst case if it doesn't you can just transfer it back out and try again, this just costs money with the exchange each time.

@Mic****

for a condo purchase the money needs to be documented to have come from outside Thailand. Make sure you specify property purchase on the Wise transfer for the reason, and that your bank account is with Bangkok Bank. This SHOULD be OK if going to Bangkok Bank and the amount is large enough and you select the right reason, it will probably go directly and appear as an international transfer.

You need a FET form for the condo which you can get from the bank that receives the money, this will be easier if your account is in the same bank that receives it.

Might be no harm to double-check with Wise that it will be sent by SWIFT and coded international. I think it should be, and it would only be a risk under 50,000 or going to a bank other than Bangkok Bank.

Just that this is one thing you need to be aware of with Wise, their model is they don't necessarily do the transfers from abroad, if it is a smaller transfer they take your money in the UK and then transfer to you in Thailand from their local THB account. That won't come up as international and won't be eligible to buy a condo (or for immigration). For most purposes this does not matter, the money is fine. It's only if you need to document it.

Just to be aware this is a potential issue- and as I say if you select the right reason on the Wise transfer, it is for over 50k THB and your bank is Bangkok Bank, I think you will get it as an international transfer and it will be fine. I'd confirm with Wise though just in case, and so you have someone on record telling you this before the money is transferred.

@Do***

they do accept cash and the minimum is 500B ($15).

"Open an account with only 500 baht."

@Ma**

if you open an account with Wise and originate the ACH transfer from your bank to the personal ACH details Wise will give you, rather than asking Wise to pull it from your bank, it's free, no ACH charge. The ACH charge is only if you initiate it from Wise side.

@Bi**

it may depend how much money you have with them, they may waive fees over a certain balance, or possibly even if you ask nicely. You might get one a month free? I think Fidelity does them free for anyone though. Worth asking.

@Joseph ******

they can do it if your US bank can code ACH as an international transaction, but most banks can't do this through their online banking systems. If you can get them to do it, it will work. Stuff like social security can do this and that can still go that route.

It's also possible they have just forgotten and are processing anyway. It's purely a US financial regulation that stopped them doing it, no technical issues. They were doing these for 10 years after the regulation started. The US doesn't want domestic ACH ending up outside the country.