Do I need insurance when applying for an extension of stay based on marriage in Thailand with a NON-OA visa?

Dec 9, 2020
4 years ago
Bobby ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Good afternoon. since i receive irritating and contradicting info i

good afternoon, I would like to claraify my problem. I entered the kingdom on NON IMMI O-A MUltiple entry valid one year. just before my visa expired i made a border run and came back with stamp admittd one year. this will end soon, now i have to apply extension of stay based on marriage to thai wife. i prepared all the required docs, bank letters etc.

DO I NEED INSURANCE TO MEET IMMIGRATION REQUIREMENTS?

Some "experts" outside this group tell me YES in need insuranse, others say NO i don`t.

can someone give me a reliable info to my question.

many thanks in advance for your help
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is seeking clarification on whether they need insurance to apply for an extension of stay based on marriage after initially entering Thailand on a NON-O-A Multiple Entry visa. Responses indicate that if the extension is based on marriage (after the first year of the NON-O-A visa), insurance is not required. However, at least one initial extension must typically follow the same reason as the visa's issuance (retirement). The advice is to visit the immigration office to confirm eligibility and requirements.
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Tod *********
AND we are done. I see a trip to the immigration office in
@Bo***
's near future with his thai wife to actually find out IF he can get an extension based on marriage from a year entry stamp off a non-O-A visa.
David ********
Saffy *************
You're lucky you did a border run for your 2nd year stamp before this covid mess, I lost out and had to apply for a new extension of stay....
Tod *********
Sorry for deleting a comment (and the replies to it) BUT the O/P has a year entry stamp from an O-A visa. He does NOT have an O visa.
Tod *********
@Bobby *******
, okay, so you're on a year entry stamp from an O-A visa.

IF you were on a yearly extension from an O-A visa (which you are not) you COULD change the reason for your next extension from one based on retirement to one based on marriage

BUT

I always thought that the FIRST extension you got from a visa hand to be issued for the reason you got the visa <- which means because you have an O-A visa you would need to get that first yearly extension based on being over 50 NOT based on marriage.

I do know with 100% certainty (no matter who you think might know better) that IF you're on a yearly extension based on retirement from an O-A visa that does require insurance and the following year you change the reason for your extension to one based on marriage you DO NOT need to have insurance.

I think the only thing you can do IS pack up your thai wife and slog on over to your immigration office well before you need to get your extension. Show them your passport, let them see you're still on a year entry stamp from the original O-A visa and ask if you can get the first yearly extension in country based on marriage rather than retirement.
Evan ********
@Tod ********
yep correct. I went to CW with wife and was told the same. “Need to have done an extension first so you can then change to an extension based on marriage from an O-A”. You could let it expire and then do it a different way but best ask Tod or Immigration.
Michael ********
So you have never made an extension of stay after your initial OA? Only entered before it finished and got admitted for a year? I may be wrong, but I thought you had to make at least one extension of stay based on the same reason as your initial visa (retirement), before you can change to extend your stay based on marriage. In which case you will need insurance for the first extension of stay. You can change to an extension of stay, based on marriage, later (in a year) with no need for the mandated insurance. Someone can correct me if I am wrong.
มหา **********
@Michael *******
I believe you may be right there.
James ********
No insurance if you are changing your status as married to a Thai.

Pick up the list of requirements at your immigration office.

Your 400,000 Thai baht needs to be seasoned in your name only Thai bank account a full two months before you make application
John *********
@James *******
it is my understanding from my visa renewal that it can be a joint account, but the amount has to be double if the account is joint.
Brian *******
@John ********
That's what Chiangmai immigration told me - 800,000b for a joint account.
James ********
@John ********
correct...lets confirm with
@Tod ********
Bobby ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@James *******
very clear, thanks a lot
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