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Can you apply for a Retirement Visa while in Thailand on the new Tourist Visa?

Thailand Visa RulesTourist VisaRetirement VisaNon-Immigrant Type O-AVisa Application ProcessCOVID-19 Insurance RequirementsHealth Insurance for Expats
Oct 5, 2020
4 years ago
Adam *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Do we know if you were to enter Thailand on the "new " Tourist Visa if you can then apply for the Retirement Visa while in Thailand?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion explores whether one can apply for a Retirement Visa in Thailand while initially entered on a new Tourist Visa. Comments clarify that, while it's possible to extend certain visas in the country, one should consider consulting with an embassy or immigration office for accurate guidance on visa transitions. Notably, different visas have specific requirements, such as health insurance for retirement visas. Participants also mention variations in visa types, such as the Non-Immigrant O-A visa, which may be ideal for those over 50.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
  • Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
  • For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
  • Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
  • Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
Wayne ********
everything is possible but u mite have to overpay to do this via an agency who maybe charge you a lot of money but may be worth it when you reconsider airfares and leaving the country and staying somewhere to do this but is you are cheap and can’t afford to do this then sorry they won’t help you
4 years ago
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Geoff ********
Anyone on a non O-A retirement one year extension needs health insurance with one of the 12 companies acceptable to Immigration. The cost of OPD insurance here is very expensive. Especially if you are over 75 !!!
4 years ago
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Alberto *********
Its ok. For you.
4 years ago
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Alberto *********
4 years ago
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Alberto *********
4 years ago
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Alberto *********
4 years ago
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Ivan ************
O-A retirement needs insurance. Can get with foreign but needs Thai insurance to renew. O retirement does not need insurance. Elite does not need insurance.

*Everyone* on any visa at the moment needs US$100k Covid insurance to enter Thailand but that's an independent requirement from the specific visas.
4 years ago
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Geoff ********
@Ivan ***********
 you are correct. To renew one year from an O-A you must have the 40,
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,000 baht cover only from one of the 12 Thai companies approved by Immigration. I did it here in June. OPD cover for 40,000 baht very expensive. Especially if you are over 75. IMHO it is just a money grabbing exercise arranged between The Immigration Dept and the Thai Insurance Companies involved.
4 years ago
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Bobby ********
@Geoff *******
. You just take a high deductible amount and it lowers the premium to a very manageable level. I've got 200k deductible, insurance is 150 baht a week. To be honest, if someone can't afford that, they should go live on a hippy commune in India
4 years ago
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Geoff ********
@Bobby *******
 yes. However deductible option not available to me on my policy. At 77 cannot change health insurance companies now.
4 years ago
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Bobby ********
@Geoff *******
. Yes I understand it can be a trap. Once you're past 75 your options are very limited.
4 years ago
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Bobby ********
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Roy ***********
Probably not everybody here talking about the same type of insurance.
4 years ago
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Todd ***********
Its cheap compared to the USA.
4 years ago
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Geoff ********
I am talking about retirees who live here in Thailand. Nothing to do with euros or quarantine. Get your facts straight and read my words if you can understand.
4 years ago
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Alberto *********
@Geoff *******
 i live in thsiland from 2004. And i have retirement visa. But evry year i go back my contry Italy and before came back. I buy travel insurance last price this time 539 euro
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0 covered and covid wyarentene 1500 euro endorsament.so if you dont know the thing not speak.
4 years ago
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Geoff ********
@Alberto ********
 I have lived here permanently for longer than you. Do you know what kind of visa type you have ? If just O you do not need insurance to renew your one year extension. If you have an O-A visa you must have the insurance I mentioned. So I suggest you get your facts right sir.
4 years ago
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Alberto *********
@Geoff *******
 shhhhhhhh.
4 years ago
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Alberto *********
@Geoff *******
4 years ago
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Alberto *********
@Geoff *******
 i know thailand long time. But i have retirement visa but also i have son and daugther.evry year vhen i came back. By my re entry visa i buy my insurance in Italy 10 month covered.
4 years ago
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Geoff ********
@Alberto ********
 I see your renewal is due on or before 25 October this year. If you are on a non imm O-A Visa you will need Thai health insurance before you renew. If you are on a non imm O visa you will not need it. The law has changed since you last renewed in October last year. I am only trying to help. No need to be rude.
4 years ago
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Alberto *********
@Geoff *******
 ok. Thanks. I like people speak true becouse like this​we can help​people not misteake.
4 years ago
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Alberto *********
Shhhhhhhh.
4 years ago
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Alberto *********
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John *********
@Geoff *******
 NO NEED FOR HARSH COMMENTS.

LET'S KEEP IT CIVIL.🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿
4 years ago
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Geoff ********
@John ********
 please scroll up and see that the poster is giving the wrong information. BTW why the upper case typing ? That is harsh.
4 years ago
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Geoff ********
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Alberto *********
Incluse 1500 euro coverage quarantine.15 days.
4 years ago
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Alberto *********
@Geoff *******
 no correct csn have​insurance​from origin​contry. 69 yesrs 10 month civersge up
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0 usd only 539 euro.
4 years ago
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Patrick ************
@Geoff *******
 not true the health insurance only with elite visa
4 years ago
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Geoff ********
@Patrick ***********
 you are totally 100 % Incorrect. Tell me. Do you live here retired on an O A visa ? If so you cannot renew unless you have the Immigration insurance requirements. Do not give our the wrong information. Nothing to do with Elite visa whatsoever.
4 years ago
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Patrick ************
@Geoff *******
 I live here yes and I have retirement visa just renew
4 years ago
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Patrick ************
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เอ็ดเวิร์ด *******
If anybody in this form says you cannot apply for the retirement visa, I would not take it as gospel truth. You need to contact the embassy if you’re going to make a life-changing decision, not Facebook
4 years ago
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Steve *******
@Edward *******
 "The Embassy" doesnt issue extentions of stay based on retirement, that's a job for an Immigration Office. A yearly extention is hardly a "life changing decision"!
4 years ago
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Steve **********
@Edward *******
 retirement visa is not a life changing decision at all. Its simply a visa in a passport !

What does your Embassy have to do with anything. You are not giving up your nationality ?
4 years ago
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Steve **********
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Peter *********
Yes
4 years ago
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Bob **********
No but you can extend twice if you can get the STV
4 years ago
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Tod *********
If you are over 50, why not just apply for the year-long, multi-entry Non-Immigrant Type O-A (Long Stay) visa? That visa category was recently approved as a way to apply for permission to enter thailand.
4 years ago
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Ivan ************
One possible reason would be to avoid the Thai insurance requirement on renewal, IF its possible to convert to a non O once here.
4 years ago
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Adam *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ivan ***********
 good point
4 years ago
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Bobby ********
@Adam ********
. Not so many immigration offices now offer the O (50+). There seems to be an obsession with trying to avoid health insurance in Thailand. For those over 75 I can understand it, but if you're under you can still sign up right up to the age of 99. Thailand has gone pretty strong on insurance, I doubt if they'll reverse that trend.
4 years ago
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Bobby ********
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เอ็ดเวิร์ด *******
@Tod ********
 I’m going to guess, that people trying to get in will still need to be from a low risk country.
4 years ago
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Adam *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you❗
4 years ago
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Adam *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
 oh didn't know that was now a way in.. Yes that would be way I would go when I choose to return... Hopefully the Q will be relaxed in future.. Thanks
4 years ago
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Tod *********
@Adam ********
 They just approved the O-A and the O-X visas now to request entry to thailand on
4 years ago
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Tod *********
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Tod *********
You do know that applying for that Special Tourist visa, requires a police back ground check, proof of the equivalent of 500K baht in the bank, proof of
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health insurance AND proof of 100K USD in covid insurance too as well as doing 15 days quarantine at an approved government facility once you get here?
4 years ago
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Adam *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
 yes know that... I have been in 🇹🇭 for best part of 6 years Non OA previous.. Stuck out of Thailand atm
4 years ago
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Bobby ********
@Adam ********
. You can enter on an OA visa. Why would you want this clunky STV?
4 years ago
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Adam *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bobby *******
 didn't know the OA was an option... Cheers that's way I'll go had it previously
4 years ago
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Adam *********
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