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Does the New Health Insurance Law Apply to Extensions of Stay Based on Retirement in Thailand?

Health Insurance Retirement Visa NON-O-A Visa

Nov 10, 2019

6 years ago

Stephen ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

I have the extension of stay based on retirement   Does the new health insurance law apply to this ?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The new health insurance law's applicability depends on the type of original visa used to obtain the extension. If the extension of stay is based on a retirement visa and was initiated with a Non-Immigrant Type O-A visa from a Thai consulate, then health insurance is required. However, if the original visa was a Non-Immigrant Type O, health insurance is not necessary.

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Jonas **********

6 years ago

Jonas **********

I think you are accurate. And, I did have an O-A a few years prior to 2014 but got turned down renewing since my 800K was in a 'mutual-fund-fixed-account' rather than a 'fixed account' - and had to start all over again, thus I have an O visa now.

6 years ago

Tod *********

@Jonas *********

, IF I read those stamps correctly, you entered on a 30 day visa exempt entry Oct 17, 2014, you extended that by 30 more days and then you converted that IN COUNTRY at the immigration office to a 90 day Non-O visa, and then got your yearly extension from that since then.

SO unless you "broke the chain" of yearly extensions and bought a NEW visa (which you would know) you have yearly extension based on a O visa and do NOT require insurance.

6 years ago

Tod *********

then you have a non-O and don't need insurance..

6 years ago

Reply to

Tod *********

Jonas **********

@Tod ********

I appreciate the info, but wonder if what you say are real facts - how do you actually know this? Why would it make a difference if the original visa was O or O-A? Or is it a blunder from immigration side? If so, it will likely be adjusted soon.

I have a stamp that says O, transferred from my old passport. Cheers!

6 years ago

Tod *********

It is NOT a blunder, IF you get extensions from an original O-A visa, you need insurance. if you get extensions from an original O visa you don't.

They specifically re-wrote the extensions clause covering people who get yearly extension based on being over 50 (retirement) to address people who originally had O-A visas and were getting yearly extensions.

I know it because I took my example images OUT to Chaengwattana and spoke to the section head where they hand out yearly extensions based on being over 50.

They confirmed that if you started with an O-A you need insurance, if you started with an O you don't.

Seeing as you have an O on your transfer stamp you don't need insurance..

6 years ago

Reply to

Tod *********

IF the original visa isn't in your passport any more LOOK at the first page of your current passport where they transferred the stamps from your previous one and see if it says you had an O visa or an O-A visa.

6 years ago

Tod *********

This is an O-A visa from a thai consulate (you get it from the thai consulate in your country BEFORE you come here).

IF you used this visa to start your yearly extensions you DO need insurance

6 years ago

Tod *********

This shows a Non-Immigrant Type O visa from inside and outside of thailand. IF you used one of these to start your yearly extensions you do NOT need insurance.

6 years ago

Tod *********

okay, let's keep in mind whether you need insurance or not has NOTHING to do with the current extension you're on an EVERYTHING to do with the VISA you used to get the first yearly extension.

If you started your extensions with an O-A visa from your country you NEED insurance.

Whereas

If you started with an O visa (from your country, from a thai consulate in another country OR from the immigration office here) you do NOT need insurance.

6 years ago

Troy *********

It if you didn't get your extension of stay on a non o a

6 years ago

Tod *********

And did you start your chain of extensions by getting a year-long, multi-entry Non-Immigrant Type O-A visa from the thai consulate in your country BEFORE you came here?

That's the one that required a police back ground check and a medical certificate..

6 years ago

Stephen ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tod ********

thanks Todd appreciate the info.

6 years ago

Stephen ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tod ********

Tod Daniels I got the year long visa based on retirement here in Thailand ( it’s not multi entry. And I don’t think it’s O-A as can’t see that anywhere

6 years ago

Reply to

Stephen ******

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

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