Can I Change My OA Visa to Non-O Without Health Coverage in Thailand?

November 24, 2019

5 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Comments on this post from Barry Tewes were switched off very quickly. I did have a further query on this one.

I am now living in Thailand for over 12 months on an OA visa my age is 71, I have 800,000 baht in fixed Bangkok bank account, is it possible to change my visa to one that does not need health cover. If ever I need to visit a hospital I have sufficient funds on hand, if ever I need emergency hospital attention I have enough funds for me to return to Australia.

My question further from this that Robert Lagas did say there's an avenue which involves allowing your OA to expire and then leave the country without a re-entry visa and to then apply for a Non-O based on being over 50. Do you apply for the Non-O in your own country, a neighbouring country or back within Thailand having gained entry with, for example, a 30-day exemption? I think this question will come up frequently as the health insurance issue unfolds. Thank you.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A user inquired if they can change their OA visa, which requires health insurance, to a Non-O visa due to having sufficient funds for medical emergencies. They were informed that this is possible and offered three options for applying for a Non-O visa: in a neighboring country, their home country (depending on specific regulations), or converting a tourist visa within Thailand. The answer also noted the necessity of checking with local immigration on conversion processes and requirements.

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Robert *******

You can apply for a new Single Entry Non Immigrant O visa based on being over 50 years of age at every Thai Consulate who are still offering this visa. Or visit your Immigration Office and ask they are able and certified to convert your Visa Exempt Entry or Tourist Visa into the Non Immigrant O Visa based on being over 50 years of age and what the requirements are and the requirements for the follow up of the Extension of Stay after the first 60 days of this visa.

5 years ago

Robert *******

You are correct, this question comes up frequently and is also frequently answered. Sorry for closing the topic, in your eyes to early but there was no question about health insurance and to many abused the post to start a off topic discussion.

5 years ago

Ivan ************

You can apply for a non-O in a neighbouring country. You can also apply for it in SOME home countries but not all, some Western countries will only do O-A. You can also convert a tourist entry into a non-O within Thailand at some but not all immigration offices. So you have three options there.

5 years ago

Reply to

Ivan ************

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