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How can I help my mother obtain an O-A visa for retirement in Thailand given the health insurance restrictions for seniors?

O-A VisaNon-O VisaHealth Insurance RequirementsRetirement VisaImmigrationVisa ExtensionAge RestrictionsTravel Insurance
Apr 2, 2025
22 days ago
Stuart *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Trying to get my mum an O-A visa to live with us in her retirement. Health insurance is a requirement, however she is 81 and so far none of the health insurance companies in the official visa guide's recommended list will insure anyone over 75. Any suggestions on how to proceed?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The question discusses the difficulty of obtaining an O-A visa for the user's 81-year-old mother due to health insurance requirements, as no companies seem to insure individuals over 75. Comments suggest alternatives, such as securing a Non-O visa either before arrival or upon entry, as this type of visa does not mandate health insurance. The community gives various strategies, including ensuring financial requirements are met and emphasizing the necessity of renewing visas annually.
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.
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Tod *********
I knew this post was going to be a train wreck when I approved it (which I did against my better judgement 😮 )

Good luck to the O/P
22 days ago
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Walter *******
Travel insurance?
22 days ago
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Mark *********
Non o need to put 800k in a bank in her name no insurance needed
22 days ago
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Robby ************
I got one with 76 at Wrlife
22 days ago
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Bob **********
She needs the non-o but there are financial requirements
22 days ago
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Stuart *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bob *********
 Finances not an issue. In fact, she can fund her own healthcare, but she needs the insurance as a formal requirement for an O-A. It's just a piece of paper.
22 days ago
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Bob **********
@Stuart ******
 I’m talking the 800K in a Thai bank account
22 days ago
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Stuart *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bob *********
 Sorted. My main impediment is her insurance as she is 81.
22 days ago
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Bob **********
@Stuart ******
 she doesn’t need it with the non-o at this point she could self insure
22 days ago
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Bob **********
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Anthony ******
@Stuart ******
 Forget O-A get 90 day Non O meet the financial requirements then extend for 1 year an easy process you can do for her, No insurance required
22 days ago
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Anthony ******
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John **********
If she's not yet left home get the Non-O visa inside her home country, makes opening a bank account much easier once she arrives
22 days ago
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Ken ********
@John *********
 that's interesting John, but, is it not possible to get the Non O here, what's the difference
22 days ago
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John **********
@Ken *******
 she can get the Non-O inside Thailand but she requires a bank account and to transfer 800k baht into it from overseas before she can apply. It's currently pretty difficult to open a bank account on a tourist entry
22 days ago
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Stuart ***********
@Ken *******
 virtually impossible to open a bank account without a long term visa. Also means she doesn't need to book an onward flight. Saves time at immigration as well, as not having to go for the visa and then the 12 month extension.
22 days ago
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Ken ********
@Stuart **********
 wow, I didn't realise you had to have an onward flight with a Non o, thanks for that info. I heard it's getting difficult to open a bank account, although I have 2 or more friends in our area that got their Non o here with new bank accounts. All new to me, I wasn't Aware that you could officially get a Non o here until late last year. Previously, as far as I remember, you had to leave the country . Cheers Stuart
22 days ago
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Dick ********
@Ken *******
 you don’t need an onward flight if you enter on a non o.
22 days ago
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Dick ********
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Jay ***********
@John *********
 but insurance almost impossible
22 days ago
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Brandon ************
@Jay **********
 There is no insurance requirement for non-O.
22 days ago
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Brandon ************
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James ********
@John *********
 wise advice ✅
22 days ago
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James ********
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Jay ***********
No better advice than what
@Tod ********
 has given I got my mother a non -O after she came into the country at age 90 on a tourist visa for retirement I know there’s the banking issues but there are ways
22 days ago
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Stuart *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jay **********
 Thanks Jay. Actually, banking was another question I had. I understand she needs to have a Thai bank account but I'm encountering a 'chicken and egg' scenario where local banks say they will only give her an account AFTER she has a visa. Know any clever ways?
22 days ago
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Brandon ************
@Stuart ******
 That's you get the 90 day non-O visa first from the Thai embassy, so she can open the bank account. No need to play chicken or the egg
22 days ago
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Keith ************
@Stuart ******
 the clever way is to get a non-o before she leaves home. Banks will open an account here, with that visa. No insurance required with a non-o. Only an non-OA.
22 days ago
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Jay ***********
@Stuart ******
 I can advise but it may go against comment standards but we used a legitimate company in Chiang Mai to help with opening the bank accounts . Now 2 years later and 2 extensions later , all good
22 days ago
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Jay ***********
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Aileen **********
Just remember that each year you need to do the visa again!
22 days ago
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Tod *********
i think you have your wires crossed. You don't do the VISA again each year. You apply for a new yearly extension of stay at the immigration office but you don't need to get a new visa
22 days ago
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Jay ***********
@Aileen *********
 extension
22 days ago
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Aileen **********
@Jay **********
22 days ago
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Aileen **********
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Tod *********
AFAIK there are NO carriers that will insure her (which means the OA is out)

I would say either get her a single entry Non-O visa before she comes (which doesn't require insurance) then do the year extension inside the country

OR

bring her in free stamp 60 day visa exempt entry, then do the 90 day Non-O visa and year extension inside the country <- that doesn't require any insurance either
22 days ago
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Tod *********
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