thailand
Ask question
This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.

Do Long-Stay Visa Applicants in Thailand Need Health Insurance?

Long-Stay VisaHealth InsuranceO-A Visa
Nov 8, 2019
5 years ago
George ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I just received an email from the US embassy in Bangkok advising me that effective October 31, 2019, all long-stay (O-A and O-X) visa applicants must have health insurance.

We had all heard that something like this was coming; I raised this issue a couple of months ago but I was advised that this did not apply to people renewing their visa. Nevertheless, my wife and I, at ages 69 and 72, are not eligible for insurance with any carriers that I am aware of, and our current visa renewals will expire in four months.

If this is true, we will have to reconsider our plans going forward. Can anybody provide any intelligent comment on this?
3,119
views
13
likes
87
all likes
42
replies
1
images
17
users
TLDR : Answer Summary
Following the US embassy's notification about mandatory health insurance for long-stay (O-A and O-X) visa applicants effective October 31, 2019, many expats express concerns regarding eligibility and costs. Discussions highlight mixed signals about insurance requirements and coverage options for elderly applicants, particularly those aged 70 and above. Several users share experiences with different insurance providers and emphasize the importance of clarifying visa classifications and requirements through local immigration offices.
Pelle Eriksson
Pelle Eriksson★★★★★
Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...
recently on Facebook
Luca G.
Luca G.★★★★★
I used this agency for my DTV Visa...
recently on Google
Trusted Thai Visa Agent
OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED
#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND
Robert *******
As there are now several post open with the same discussions going on, i close them and leave 1 post open to get an overview of opinions and we can also see other questions without scrolling down a long list of comments. Please use this link to join in about the Non Immigrant O-A visa
****************************************************************************
**********
**********
*****
*****
*****
3/permalink/
*****
*****
*****
9/
5 years ago
Like
Reply
Paul ********
Somebody else posted today saying you have to buy from one of two thai insurance companies only. So they must cover all ages otherwise many retirees could no longer stay and the cost was about 35 ,000 for just 4O0k of cover which would not cover any serious problem. As per normal another ill thought out policy designed to remove longstayers
5 years ago
Like
Reply
Michael ********
So in your post you state that insurance is needed for an OA and ask about it, and then in the comments you state that you have a NON O. Why ask about insurance for an OA if you don't have one??
5 years ago
Like
Reply
ChrissyAlbagaipo *******
Michael Lucken lol..there's confusion on my husband's part..we have no clue if he has O or O-A...we've checked 10x all the pages of his old&new passports we only see non-Re/retirement..&the concern is he's 75. He has insurance (international) from his country not from thailand. Anyways, we're heading to immigration this month. Will post update.
5 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
ChrissyAlbagaipo *******
Reply
Ian ***********
Ok fair play
5 years ago
Like
Reply
Ian ***********
Brown envelopes are not necessarily illegal activity. Just. Thainess
5 years ago
Like
Reply
James ********
@Ian **********
 thank you😉
5 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
James ********
Reply
James ********
I removed a comment advising paying agents to get immigration stamps. We do not condone illegal activity.
5 years ago
Like
Reply
ChrissyAlbagaipo *******
Following.. my husband is 75yo🙏
5 years ago
Like
Reply
James ********
@Christy ******
 thank you. Please do update us.
5 years ago
Like
Reply
ChrissyAlbagaipo *******
@James *******
 yes, we're planning to go inquire this month to confirm.. Because are due to renew 5th of jan2020 but planning to do renewal/extension early next month (im dependent to his visa)...i'll post here the update🙏
5 years ago
Like
Reply
James ********
@Christy ******
 then most likely was a Non O. Therefore...NO HEALTH INSURANCE required at next Extension of Stay. Only way to confirm this is to ASK at local immigration office.
5 years ago
Like
Reply
ChrissyAlbagaipo *******
James Miller i dont see any O-A on his passport, i only see non-Re written on the Type of Visa...so might be O? Checked his old passports, i only see non-Re / retirement
5 years ago
Like
Reply
James ********
@Christy ******
 is he on an O-A visa or extension of stay from an O-A Visa?
5 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
James ********
Reply
James ********
****************************************************************************
**********
**********
*****
*****
*****
3/permalink/
*****
*****
*****
2/
5 years ago
Like
Reply
David ********
Dalat....?
5 years ago
Like
Reply
Luis ***********
@David *******
 Dalat, Viet Nam.
5 years ago
Like
Reply
David ********
@James *******
 I'm 72 and wife 72 , Chiang Rai too much smoke for too long , 5 months this year , like many others off to Dalat !
5 years ago
Like
Reply
James ********
@David *******
 what is Dalat?
5 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
James ********
Reply
Marty *********
You have four months to look into continuing with a non-O visa and then a 1 year extension of stay.
5 years ago
Like
Reply
James ********
@Marty ********
 OK...thanks
5 years ago
Like
Reply
James ********
@Marty ********
 who has four months?
5 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
James ********
Reply
Joe ***********
The O-X Visa required insurance when it was first created a few years ago. This is not an "add on".
5 years ago
Like
Reply
James ********
@Joe **********
 You are correct.
5 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
James ********
Reply
Bobby ********
There's no visa renewal. You mean extension, or new visa? According to one of the insurers on the thaivisa website you need insurance when you apply for the OA visa. Whether this will also apply to extensions remains to be seen. Insurance is available to 70+ but is expensive. You may need to compare costs with the elite visa, or look at the Non-O visa.
5 years ago
Like
Reply
James ********
As you can see...mixed signals reported as this new requirement is enacted.

****************************************************************************
**********
**********
*****
*****
*****
3/permalink/
*****
*****
*****
3/
5 years ago
Like
Reply
James ********
Bobby Howard it does apply to extensions if you originally on an O-A visa.
5 years ago
Like
Reply
George ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
You're right. It's an extension, not a renewal.
5 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
George ********
Reply
Peter *******
Pacific Cross will insure you but premium will be an issue
5 years ago
Like
Reply
James ********
Peter Glynn aTIP:

seek quote on the Pacific Cross basic policy which meets the O-A requirements. Issued up to age 75. And ask for quotes of up to 300,000 Thai baht deductible. That will reduce the annual premium by approx 50%.

**************************
5 years ago
Like
Reply
George ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Of course, at our age a lot of companies won't provide a new policy.
5 years ago
Like
Reply
George ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I'd rather avoid it entirely. I've self insured here so far, and I can afford to continue.
5 years ago
Like
Reply
Chris *****
@Peter ******
 Yes
5 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Chris *****
Reply
George ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
They refer the reader to the Thai Embassy in Washington, where they state it pretty clearly.
5 years ago
Like
Reply
Ivan ************
They state O-A and O-X. O is different and this does not apply to O.
5 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Ivan ************
Reply
Michael ********
Only if you got your original visa in your home country.
5 years ago
Like
Reply
George ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Okay, thanks!
5 years ago
Like
Reply
George ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
A Non-O Retirement Visa issued in Chiangmai in February 2018. On last renewal, my wife switched to a spousal visa.
5 years ago
Like
Reply
George ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Meaning what? Renewals don't count?
5 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
George ********
Reply
Benjamin ******
I'd ignore what the US Embassy in Bangkok says. The US Embassy, as much as I love those people, don't have any direct knowledge about Thai immigration; since Thai immigration can not legally talk to the US embassy.

There is a thread here about insurance, have you read it?
5 years ago
Like
Reply
Ivan ************
There is no legal prohibition on immigration talking to the embassies and they do this. They had a meeting with the various embassies before over the whole income letter thing.

Now they don't necessarily know or are 100% on everything, certainly, but it's not like they have no communications either.
5 years ago
Like
Reply
George ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I'll do that now.
5 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
George ********
Reply
Thai Visa Advice
... members · 40% approval rate
The Thai Visa Advice group is a specialized Q&A forum for visa-related topics in Thailand, ensuring detailed responses.
Join the Group
Thai Visa Advice
View the Conversation
Thai Visa Advice
What are the best visa options and health insurance solutions for retirees living in Thailand?
30 comments
2 years ago
What are the current health insurance requirements for a Non Immigrant O retirement visa in Thailand for Dutch applicants?
26 comments
2 years ago
What are the health insurance requirements for renewing a Non-OA retirement visa in Thailand for individuals over 70?
35 comments
2 years ago
Is health insurance a mandatory requirement for US citizens applying for a Non-O visa to Thailand?
4 comments
3 years ago
What happens if someone cannot get medical insurance for their O-A retirement visa renewal in Thailand due to pre-existing conditions?
5 comments
3 years ago
Do I need medical insurance for the O-Visa for retirement in Thailand?
16 comments
4 years ago
What are the latest updates regarding insurance requirements for non-immigrant visas in Thailand?
39 comments
4 years ago
Where can I find health insurance for an elderly individual to meet Thailand's visa requirements?
59 comments
4 years ago
What Are the Health Insurance Requirements for a Retirement Visa in Thailand?
20 comments
5 years ago
What Are the New Medical Insurance Requirements for a Non Immigrant AO Retirement Visa in Thailand?
9 comments
5 years ago
What are the insurance requirements for a Non-OA visa in Thailand, especially for seniors looking for coverage?
40 comments
5 years ago
What Should I Do If My Health Insurance Is Not Accepted for Non-Immigrant O-A Renewal?
26 comments
5 years ago
What are the current health insurance requirements for the Non Immigrant O-A visa in Thailand?
5 comments
5 years ago
What are the current medical insurance requirements for renewing an O-A non-immigrant visa in Thailand?
10 comments
5 years ago
What Are the Health Insurance Requirements for O-A Visa Holders in Thailand?
6 comments
5 years ago
What are the options for obtaining Thai health insurance for an O-A visa at age 68?
30 comments
5 years ago
What are the health insurance requirements for an O-A visa holder entering Thailand?
22 comments
5 years ago
What are the current health insurance requirements for the Non-Immigrant O-A Visa in Thailand?
36 comments
5 years ago
Do I need health insurance for my extension after starting on an O-A visa in Thailand?
15 comments
5 years ago
What are the current requirements for Non-Immigrant O and O-A visas in Thailand regarding medical insurance?
15 comments
5 years ago
What are the new medical insurance requirements for the Non-OA visa in Thailand after October 31, 2019?
4 comments
5 years ago
Will I be required to have Health Insurance when renewing my Non-OA visa at age 74?
23 comments
5 years ago
What are the new health insurance requirements for O-A visas in Thailand?
238 comments
5 years ago
What health insurance options are available for retirees in Thailand over 65 when renewing a non-Immigrant O visa?
0 comments
6 years ago
What is the O-A visa for Thailand and are there new health insurance requirements for foreigners over 50?
0 comments
6 years ago
What is the best cannabis dispensary in Bangkok?
7 comments
a month ago
Where can I find the best cannabis dispensary in Chon Buri?
9 comments
a month ago
What are the best dispensaries in Phuket?
21 comments
a month ago
What is the best cannabis dispensary in Surat Thani?
16 comments
a month ago
Where can I find the best weed in Chiang Mai?
8 comments
a month ago
Data protection policyTerms and conditionsDisclaimerPrivacy policyRefund policy
The asq:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.