HoodooH

Hi millefleur.  Thanks for your reply.
 
I'm a bit more familiar with re-establishing domicile as it relates to the U.S. Embassy Manila.  As different Embassies may handle the issue in different ways, I thought there would be some value in hearing reports from those who have had recent experience in Bangkok.
 
My friend definitely wants to be on the safe side and will include as much evidence as he can.

Thanks for your helpful reply, Paul & Mary.  
 
My friend just set up an account here on VJ and he'll be reading this thread.
 
Thanks for bringing up the domicile question.  He actually already has that covered.  He has a place to live that he owns.  Do you recommend that he include home ownership papers with any of his packets?  Is there anything else that would help in regards to domicile?
 
Also, he has sufficient income and assets for the I-864.  I don't know for sure, but I'm guessing he's up to date on his U.S. tax filings.
 
By insurance costs, are you talking about her health insurance?  If so, that should not be a problem with his income.  Is health insurance something that would come up in his wife's interview?

My friend wants to start the CR-1 Direct Consular Filing process in Bangkok.  He's been living in Thailand for almost 20 years and recently got married to his longtime Thai girlfriend.  He currently has a retirement visa. Once she receives her CR-1 visa, they plan on moving to the U.S. 
 
We would appreciate any information or stories you would like to share.  Also, we would appreciate it if you could link us to any VJ threads that talk about the Bangkok DCF experience.
 
All replies are appreciated.

Your friend needs to setup a free account here.   I'm "partially" retired so your friend will need to pay attention to re-establishing domicile, sufficient assets for the I-864 and making sure he is current on US tax filings.  Depending on her age he will also need to be aware of insurance cost for her.
 
Otherwise normal I-130 filing applies and you skip the NVC stage.
 
Best wishes ~ Paul

My buddy has lived in Thailand for several years on what he describes as a "Retirement Visa."  We are wondering if this makes him a legal resident of Thailand.
 
Also, he's planning to do a Direct Consular Filing for his wife's CR-1.  
 
He would appreciate any info.  Thanks.

I'm planning on retirement in Thailand, just got married to my Thai spouse, and in 5-6 years after she gets us citizenship, I plan to move there, but I will come in on a spousal Visa, live 3 years, then get my Thai "green card" or residence. If your friend is over 50, and had about 25,000 US dollars in a Thai bank for 6 months before he moved there, then he could be there on a retirement Visa. But to my knowledge that is all it is is for retirement, you can't work, and you can't become a permanent resident on a retirement Visa. I think maybe you can apply after like 5 years, then wait for approval, but last time I checked it was a 10 year wait to get residence from a retirement Visa because Thailand only grants like 1000 of them a year, and the wait list is over 10,000 plus applicants. He would know if he was a resident really easy. Does he have a Thai ID card? If not he is not a resident yet, and unless he has been there over 10 years, I doubt he has residence. It's a lengthy process including becoming fluent in the Thai language, and singing the Kings song in front of a magistrate to get residence. He would know if he was a resident I'm pretty sure.