Do I need longstay insurance when changing from a visa exemption to a Non-O retirement visa in Thailand?

Feb 23, 2021
4 years ago
Go ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Q please! If enter Thailand with visa exemption (free visa) then change to non O retirement, do they need longstay insurance?

Thanks🙏
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TLDR : Answer Summary
If you enter Thailand on a visa exemption and then apply to change to a Non-O retirement visa, you generally do not need to obtain longstay insurance. Various comments confirm that Non-O extensions do not require insurance and that financial proof is prioritized over insurance. There may be specific insurance requirements if applying from abroad, which are considered high-priced. However, if you are applying from within Thailand after your entry, you typically won't need additional insurance aside from the required COVID insurance for your initial entry period.
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.
Tod *********
NO you will not need insurance other than the covid insurance for the 45 days you'll get stamped in for.

And you can indeed enter on a 45 day visa exempt entry (they are increased from 30 days to 45 days to offset the 15 days you do in quarantine) THEN apply for an in country 90 day Non-O visa based on being over 50 (retirement) by meeting the proof of funds and submitting the documents required.

You apply for the Non-O visa. pay your 2000baht, you get a stamp telling you to come back in 2 weeks and then they stamp the Non-O visa and an new 90 day stamp into your passport
Tod *********
@Gar****
and
@Go ***
The answer is NO, you would NOT need insurance.
David *********
In order to get a O retirement visa you would have to show 800,000 BHT in you bank account for a period of 2 months before you apply got O visa. If you do not meet this financial requirement then you can get a Thai visa company to do for you but it will cost you up to and maybe more than 30,000 BHT
Go ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
If submit non-O retire outside Thailand they need longstay insurance that very crazy high price, right?

Thanks 🙏
Ekkehard *******
Garrett ***********
Phill ******
nop , they figure that if you have the money up front , you dont need insurance .
Garrett ***********
No, Non-O extensions do not require insurance.
Bob **********
Frank ******
@Garrett **********
can we get off OA train to O in country like days with income affidavit
Joe ***********
But insurance is required to get here
Garrett ***********
@J**
Yes, but he specifically asked about long stay insurance.
Stephan ***********
@Garrett **********
What, if i apply the first time for "retirement", coming from 2nd year with "Non-O-A". Insurance yes/no?
Garrett ***********
@Stephan **********
Non-O does not require insurance, non-OA does. If you're able to transition to a Non-O you won't need insurance.
Stephan ***********
@Garrett **********
I'm here with a Non-O-A since almost two years and have to apply now for "retirement", that's what Immigration told me. Is it a Non-O then?
Benjamin ******
@Stephan **********
and how is your question related to the OP? Two completely different visas, two completely different rules. You will need to show one year health insurance before you get an extension of stay based on retirement
Joe ***********
@Stephan **********
Extensions of Stay from an original Non Imm O-A Visa requires Insurance - unfortunately. And you cannot change to non O without leaving Thailand - Boxed in it seems
Garrett ***********
@Joe **
Yes, people have transitioned from a Non-OA to a Non-O in country.
Steph *********
@Garrett **********
hi do you know where this is possible? We have been told by various agents that we need to leave and return to transition to a non-O.
Garrett ***********
Garrett ***********
@St***
I know someone did it at Chiang Mai last year. I can't see why Bangkok wouldn't do it. They are issuing Non-Bs and Non-Os in country during covid.
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