Can I use foreign travel insurance to obtain a Thai OA Visa while residing in Canada?

Thailand Visa OA Visa Travel Insurance Visa Alternatives Health Insurance Non-O Visa Expat Life in Thailand Immigration Advice

Aug 15, 2022

2 years ago

David *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

I'm in Canada and visit Thailand every year for 6 months and always buy travel insurance in Canada for my time there. So, in the process of getting the OA for this year. I understand we have to buy Thai Insurance now, which is for a year and not nearly as good as the insurance  I usually buy...

Has anyone been able to buy insurance in his\her own country and successfully obtain the OA Visa?

Thank you

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The post discusses the requirements for obtaining an OA visa for Thailand while currently located in Canada. It highlights the new necessity for Thai health insurance, contrasting it with previously acquired insurance from Canada. Commenters suggest alternatives like the METV visa that allows for longer stays without health insurance requirements and offer insights into the pros and cons of different visa options, including health insurance needs and financial implications. The general consensus in the comments emphasizes the potential hassle and costs associated with obtaining the OA visa versus more straightforward options.

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John ********

I guess its all about balance of hassle and costs ...for me a non imm o retirement extension works well, being in thailand maybe 8 months a year, I have the money in thailand and the relative loss in interest cost (high interest uk account vs low interest thai account) is about 8000 baht a year, but means I have relatively easy and cheap (1900 baht) in thailand annual extensions, no repeated applications to an embassy, no to and fro to a border. Horses for courses.

2 years ago

Robert *******

No insurance needed, no police checks, no funds transfers, just get 90 days on entry and before these 90 days ends, make a border run to get another 90 days.

Live can be easy if you look at all the options:

2 years ago

James ********

@Robert ******

👍👍👍 good advice

2 years ago

Reply to

James ********

And the OA Visa requires the Medical Certificate from your doctor or hospital

2 years ago

James ********

IF you proceed with your plan for the OA visa...

You will need health insurance in the amount of US $100,000 or more... and IF you want to use insurance from a foreign insurance company you will need to get that insurer to complete and sign the Foreign Insurance Certificate...(which is a problem as many insurers refuse to sign the Foreign Insurance Certificate )

2 years ago

James ********

I allowed this post even though the purchase of health insurance is not a Thai Visa Advice question.

FIRST... IF you are ONLY staying in Thailand 6 months a year WHY do you want to go to the ADDED expense of getting the OA Visa?

The METV multiple entry tourist visa will give you up to 8 months stay in Thailand with planning.

With the METV...

...NO health insurance is required...

...NO police clearance report required...

...NO special medical exams required...

2 years ago

Willem ****

Why a Non OA visa and not a Non O?

2 years ago

James ********

@Willem ***

to extend the Non O requires he deposit 800,000 Thai baht in a Thai bank account in his name only. The OA visa does not require any money be deposited in a Thai bank account.

2 years ago

Geoff *******

@James *******

I've never had to pay a deposit for a non-O, single- or multi-entry, issued in UK. I think only required for staying more than a year.

2 years ago

Gooddy *******

@Geoff ******

non o gives him 3 months unless he goes for the yearly extension which requires 800k transferred in Thai bank account . He needs 6 months.

2 years ago

Geoff *******

@Gooddy ******

A multi-entry Non-O will be valid for a year and allow unlimited entries of up to 90 days each time. No deposit required.

2 years ago

James ********

@Geoff ******

correct but he wants to stay in Thailand 6 months. And plans to get the OA visa.

2 years ago

James ********

@Geoff ******

note that he wants to stay in Thailand for 6 months. To do so will require either a one Year extension of stay as retired OR

a border/Visa run to get a Tourist Visa.

2 years ago

Reply to

James ********

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