Do I need to maintain health insurance to renew my retirement visa in Thailand?

Retirement Visa Health Insurance Visa Renewal Thailand Visa Rules Non-O Visa

Sep 19, 2024

2 months ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

I am on a retirement Visa and had to get health insurance to get it I will be renewing in late February do I have to maintain insurance to renew? The insurance is coming due and just wasn’t sure I had to keep it.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

To renew your retirement visa (OA), you must provide proof of health insurance, as it is a requirement linked to that visa type. However, if you previously obtained a Non-O visa, the in-country annual extension does not require insurance. Therefore, whether you need to maintain insurance depends on the specific visa type you hold and its associated requirements.

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.
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Martin ********

Excellently Explained Tod NuffSed Endof 👍🏻👌🏼💪🏽

2 months ago

Tod *********

Okay sorry deleted ALL the comments from this post as it was just a train wreck 😮

The O/P bought a year-long, multi-entry Non-O visa from the thai consulate in their country before they came here (and at that time that visa required health insurance due to covid)

They entered the country on 28th Nov 2023 and were stamped in for 90 days until 25th Feb 2024. Rather than bounce out/back every 90 days (like they could have done if they wanted to) they instead went to the immigration office in their area and applied for a yearly extension of stay based on retirement. That extension was issued until the 25th Feb 2025.

@ Alan ******

r even though there was insurance required when you bought the visa from the thai consulate, there is no insurance required to get the in country yearly extension of stay,

You got your yearly extension last year from a Non-Immigrant Type O visa and that visa type does not require insurance

this was the O/P's initial entry stamp from that year/multi-Non-O,

2 months ago

Mark *************

In the future, you might consider signing up for a Medicare Advantage plan. Some of these cover you for at least 60 days abroad. But you should check your certificate of coverage to make sure.

2 months ago

Michael ********

So this would be your first year on the OA? If you leave and come back in, before the visa expires, you would be stamped in for another year without having to put any money in a Thai bank account. Although, the insurance would still be required though. Or leave and come back in to get a NON O, with no insurance required. Good luck.

2 months ago

James ********

IF your retirement is based on the OA visa for retirement you obtained from your home country,

YES you will need to show PROOF of having the required health insurance when you apply for a one year extension of stay inside Thailand.

When did you first get your OA visa?

2 months ago

GLynn **********

I switched this year from a marriage to a retirement visa. I don't have insurance, and was never asked

2 months ago

Alan ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@James *******

October of 2023 I did my 90 day check in in February and they gave me the 1 year extension I left the country and got a re entry stamp and am returning in December. Got the Visa while in the US originally.

2 months ago

Graham ******

@Alan *******

So your original Visa was a Non-O not a Non-OA and Non-O Extensions of Stay do not have a health insurance requirement. Out of interest where did you get your initial Non-O 90 day Visa as most Embassies/Consulates do not require this?

2 months ago

James ********

@Graham *****

some did require it for the Non O Visa during COVID-19 and afterwards awhile..... not now.

2 months ago

Reply to

James ********

Ellie *******

@Alan *******

, was your original visa valid for 90 days (Non-O), not 1 year (Non-OA)? what is the letter on visa-class (Non-O or Non-OA) on your entry stamp when you entered on that visa?

If it's Non-O (original visa was valid for 90 days, single entry), you are not required to have insurance for next application for 1-year extension based on retirement.

2 months ago

Reply to

Ellie *******

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Do I need to renew my Thai health insurance before entering Thailand with an OX retirement visa?

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