Do I need health insurance for re-entry to Thailand on a retirement visa?

Question

William Steele posted in an unrelated thread
im due to fly back to thailand on dec 2 on what is known as the retirement visa. im a uk passport holder who comes back to uk only for work in short spells of 2 months twice a year.. i have no adress in uk as i stay with a friend,i have now seen that the heath ins has kicked in since ive come back. i am going to sort this out when i arrive back. im hoping to get ins with the ins that i pay for my wife and kids. will i have any problems on re entry with no ins in place. in uk i need no ins on the nhs.

Ask Thailand · Answer

William Steele, a UK passport holder, is flying back to Thailand on a retirement visa (O visa) but is confused about health insurance requirements or potential issues during re-entry as he currently lacks insurance. Commenters clarify that health insurance is not required for O visa holders unless they hold an O-A visa, which mandates health insurance under new regulations. Others share their experiences regarding insurance checks upon arrival and the complications that have arisen.

Tod ********* · Answer

And how this topic got hi-jacked and turned into another isurance topic is beyond me..

Carl *********** · Answer

The new rule states that those applying for or renewing a non-immigrant visa (O-A), which allows for a stay in the country for one year, will have to provide proof that they have health insurance.

Carl *********** · Answer

READ THIS ITS FOR NEW VISA APPLICANTS OR EXTENSIONS NOT EXISTING?[url redacted]

Ian ****** · Answer

Yesterday I arrived at Bangkok Airport with my O-A visa that I received from  the Thai Embassy in London and prior to the 31st October and the mandatory health insurance requirement. However, my g/f arranged a suitable policy with an approved health insurance company (Aetna) as a precaution in case it was required. Immediately the IO saw the O-A visa she demanded to see proof of health insurance, and was completely uninterested in the fact that the visa had been obtained prior to 31st October. I tried to show her my policy with Aetna which the company should have sent online but was unable to as Aetna had not sent it at that time. Also my flight from London to Bangkok was delayed, so I had no time to try and resolve the situation as I was already late for my connecting flight to Chiang Mai. Because of the above the IO gave me a 30 day stamp and advised me to see immigration at CM. Today I went with my thai g/f to CM immigration together with the policy document from Aetna (which I now had), only to be told by the IO that Aetna was not on their approved list of providers, but that Axa, Pacific Cross and a couple of others were. Again I tried to demonstrate that Aetna was on their approved list but the IO was uninterested. I was advised to do a visa run and re-enter Thailand with a health policy from PC or Axa etc, but not Aetna, in order to get the 1 year period of stay. So that is MY experience of the rules surrounding the new health insurance requirements doe O-A visa holders and the way the new rule was interpreted by the IO's I encountered. I would just like to state that this is just my experience and I am not making any recommendations or suggestions , I am simply relating my story.

William ******** · Answer

Thank you, it was very confusing to me. Old age kicking in Tod. Thank you

Tod ********* · Answer

If that's the case [mention redacted], you definitely DO NOT need insurance. (y)

William ******** · Answer

Thank you Tod, I got this visa inside Thailand 9 years ago. Thank you for your help

Tod ********* · Answer

The real question is:

When you originally got this "retirement visa" did you get an O visa from a consulate nearby or from inside Thailand at the immigration office or did you get an O-A visa from your country before you came here that required a police back ground check and a medical certificate?

You ONLY need health insurance if you have an O-A visa OR if you have yearly extensions from having an O-A visa.

SO look in your passport and see if the original visa was an O-A or just a regular O.

You are the only person that can answer your question.

Do I need health insurance for re-entry to Thailand on a retirement visa?

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