Can I get travel insurance for only 7 months when applying for an OA retirement visa in Thailand?

May 11, 2022
2 years ago
Kathryn *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi. Applying for OA retirement visa (we meet all requirements) as we wish to stay for 7 months. We will have return air fare/ticket.

My question is - can we supply travel insurance just for this 7 month period or does it need to be for the period of the visa which is 12 months? I’ve emailed the Thai Embassy in Canberra, Australia however no reply as yet. Thanking you.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A user inquiring about the OA retirement visa for a 7-month stay in Thailand asked if they could obtain travel insurance solely for that duration instead of the typically required 12 months. Initially, community responses indicated that health insurance was necessary for the full duration of the visa, and various guidelines were pointed out regarding travel and Covid insurance requirements. However, after following up with the Thai Embassy, the user confirmed that they only needed insurance for the 7 months they would be in Thailand, confirming clarity on visa residency regulations.
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Kathryn *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I have just had a reply from the Thai Embassy who said we only need insurance for the 7 months we are in Thailand no need to buy 12 months. Yay!
Colleen *********
I have emailed Canberra several times this year and had a response usually the same day or if not within 24 hours. This is the address I used

******************
Kathryn *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Colleen ********
thank you. Yes I just checked. I used that address.
Mick *********
I DID a extension of stay on a 0 A visa in February(1 year),with me insurance expiring march 21.So dont see that youre insurance is required for the length of visa.
Adrien *******
Hi
@Kathryn ******
, I sent you PM.
Kool *******
For an OA retirement visa you must have health insurance, not just travel insurance that just covers accidents. You also need covid insurance that covers at least US$10,000. The covid insurance can be just one month, but the length of the health insurance determines how long your entry stamp will be valid for. If your health insurance states that it also covers covid then you'll just need one policy, but if it doesn't then you will need two policies. Travel insurance doesn't meet the OA visa requirements from my understanding.
Wayne *********
The application clearly states at least 1 year
Kathryn *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Wayne ********
yes I understand the cv and health ins. However it says “entire period of stay” and also says “at least 1yr”. That’s the confusing part. My entire period of stay is 7months. (Big difference in price of insurance from 7 to 12 months that’s why I’m asking).
Wayne *********
@Kathryn ******
You mentioned travel insurance. Where the visa application info states health insurance. If you don't use one of their suggested insurance companies you need to have the foreign certificate form completed by the company you choose.
Kathryn *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Wayne ********
yes will get that form filled out. 😊
Wayne *********
@Kathryn ******
To watch about travel insurance, many only cover for a period of time in some countries. 30,45 or 90 days so they may not accept travel insurance. You would need to check the pdf to see if it would cover you completely for the 7 months. I got caught out with this.

I am just currently doing paperwork for my O-X
Kathryn *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Wayne ********
ok thanks for your advice.
Wayne *********
@Kathryn ******
It’s a nightmare hey and cost is crazy. I have ended up get a year policy reasonable priced compared to most some wanted over 100k baht for a year
Kathryn *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Wayne ********
May I asked who you went with for insurance?
Wayne *********
Wayne *********
@Kathryn ******
the reason it says at least 1 year is because it can be stamped and you get another year 1 plus 1 same as the 5 is plus 5
Mary *******
we always got insurance for the visa length…and then covid, and then i had other health concerns….insurance was not easy…but good…insurance is not knowing what might happen
Gerry ********
Annual travel insurance policies a usually cheaper. I am from the UK but I use a French company.
Lisa ********************
And you actually don't need a return ticket for a long term visa.
Stuart *********
The OA visa will get you stamped in for a full year, or for however long your insurance is valid for. If that’s 7 months then you’ll get stamped in for 7 months.
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