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

Question

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

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

Thank you

Ask Thailand · Answer

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.

John ******** · Answer

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.

Robert ******* · Answer

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:

James ******** · Answer

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

James ******** · Answer

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 )