Answered3 years ago
Is it common for Thai immigration to ask for a printed insurance certificate for an OA retirement visa?
Wonderful.
I have a nice normal O A retirement visa and both trips in have had immigration snapping at me and insisting I have the actual paper insurance certificate physically with me. I used the copy on my remote drive which (with a lot of of scowling) seemed to make them happy.
Is this normal? FFS I had to get the cert to get the visa in the first place
I have a nice normal O A retirement visa and both trips in have had immigration snapping at me and insisting I have the actual paper insurance certificate physically with me. I used the copy on my remote drive which (with a lot of of scowling) seemed to make them happy.
Is this normal? FFS I had to get the cert to get the visa in the first place
Answer summary
Yes, it is common for Thai immigration to request a printed insurance certificate for O-A retirement visas. Many expats have encountered this situation at immigration checkpoints, where officials prefer to see physical documents rather than digital copies. This requirement stems from regulations that stipulate the need for paper copies to verify the validity and coverage duration of health insurance, especially since the visa can be stamped for a year based on it. While some travelers report not being asked for this document, others do experience scrutiny over their insurance, making it prudent to carry a printed copy.
38 repliesnewest first
Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.
Mark ********
Yes I was asked. I didn't have it. Got scowled at. Let me through after I cried and pulled a hissy fit.
Bob **********
If it says a paper copy then that what you need
John **********
Yes this is normal. You need to print it out. They want to see your insurance to determine how long it is valid for as you only get stamped in for the shorter of 1 year or the validity of your insurance. You're lucky they accepted it from your phone, normally they wouldn't
John **********
This is particularly relevant for the OA visa as you can re-enter Thailand just before it expires and still get stamped in for a year from that date, assuming you have insurance cover for that year
Rok ********
@John *********
that’s a great news - finaly the dreaded health insurance put to good use. What insurance do you use?John **********
@Rok *******
no idea I'm afraidRok ********
John **********
@Rok *******
I don't need health insurance as I'm on an extension of stay based on a non-o visa, but I use AIA
Bernd ***********
They have to check your insurance validity. OA visa could give a full year stamp at every entry if your health insurance match that period. Otherwise you will be stamped in for the validity of your current insurance.
Michael ********
Its in there legaslation they have to have paper copies. Supposed to be removing the laws to eventually go digital
Damo ***********
Yes, it is normal. Most likely they wanted it to keep on their files.
Joe **********
Seams to depend on which office you use
Nongnuch ********
@Joe *********
it wasn't about any immigration office. The OP complained about having to show a printed insurance certificate at the border when returning to Thailand
Peter *********
They love loads of paperwork unfortunately 😕
Martin *********
Never ever ever been asked to look at anything other than my passport at immigration, and never witnessed anyone else being asked for anything other than ?
Wayne *********
@Martin ********
on what visa ? OA Require insurance to get the visaMartin *********
@Wayne ********
I never said I never had insurance I said I’ve never been asked for anything other than my passport on re entry !Wayne *********
@Martin ********
yep Visa exempt they don't ask for anythingBrandon ************
@Martin ********
Then you've clearly never entered with a special visa or an e-visaMartin *********
@Brandon ***********
0-A extension
Graham ******
@Brandon ***********
Just the re-entry permit (in the passport) ;)Brandon ************
@Martin ********
Extension isn't required to show anything
Roberto *********
Thais LOVE paperwork! Often in duplicate too!
Wayne *********
I have OX fly into bkk every month. Never been asked to show insurance certificate. Even after the first year I expected to be asked to show renewal but was not asked. I do carry a copy though just incase. Handy if need to actually use it at a hospital.
Which airport did you fly into ?
Which airport did you fly into ?
Garrett ***********
@Wayne ********
OA and OX are very different visasWayne *********
@Garrett **********
still need insurance which is the same. I have had both so I know the requirements
Steve *******
OP@Wayne ********
yep. I’ll be printing it just in case. Really bureaucracy at its finest
John ********
@Steve ******
they love the idea of giving us a hard timeBrandon ************
You need to print everything for Thailand. And always fill in forms and sign with a blue ink pen as they may claim black is not an original but a copy.
Peter **********
@Brandon ***********
thank you for that I have always wondered about the blue pen only rule
Ruth *******
@Peter *********
I was thinking the exact same thing. Of course, one could always use a color printer.Peter **********
@Ruth ******
as we live in Bangkok it’s always a paper chase at immigration We arrived back in Thailand just as Covid hit from a 6 month trip to UK together
So went to do first 90 report , they are not happy because we have had a month in Pattaya/ Jomtien staying in hotels and have not informed them of my change of address!!
Big problem if I have to leave Thailand because airport is closed
So my Wife calls her old Boss ,who’s a Lady, and she comes down to vouch for me
Phew a close one
Ruth *******
@Peter *********
ahhh…yes. That makes sense.Peter **********
@Ruth ******
she effectively crosses it out so nobody can use the photo copy again, a bit like crossing a cheque Before she retired my wife was Finance Officer for a very large Thai Coffee Company so maybe be it’s to stop fraud ,which is rife in Thailand
Ruth *******
@Peter *********
I’m having trouble picturing your description. Why is that?Steve *******
OP@Ruth ******
worse than the Germans and their insistence a fax is an original documentBrandon ************
@Ruth ******
shh don't tell them about color printersPeter **********
@Ruth ******
, the signed copies of everything in Thailand have always amused me at Visa time or any other Official paperwork submission My wife always puts two diagonal lines and signs between the lines when she is asked for a copy of her ID card , Marriage Licence or any other identity , also makes me do the same
Activity
20 joined20
people
Related
25What is the entry experience like for first-time travelers to Thailand on a DTV?
1k4231mo
Can I obtain health insurance in Thailand with pre-existing conditions?
1.7k15144mo
What are some recommended health insurance options for retirees in Thailand to meet visa requirements?
2k17188mo
What has been the experience using the Digital Thailand Visa (DTV) at Suvarnabhumi Airport?
2.2k104110mo
What should I do after my dtv visa application was rejected by the Norwegian embassy?
7.2k65621y
How can a foreigner open a Thai bank account before receiving the O-X Long Stay Visa?
2.6k16341y
What are the experiences and processes for entering Thailand with a DTV visa at Chiang Mai International Airport?
1.2k2241y
What is the experience of entering Thailand on a DTV visa and what documents are required?
24.6k1933142y
What kind of insurance is needed for a DTV extension in Thailand?
10.9k761572y
Have the insurance requirements for the OA retirement visa changed recently?
599222y
What is the procedure for switching from a Non-Immigrant OA to a Non-Immigrant O visa in Thailand?
2.9k14423y
What are the current requirements for the Retirement Visa in Thailand regarding monthly income and bank balances?
2.6k20194y
Do I need to report my 90-day stay in Thailand in person for the first time on a Married Visa?
2.1k12274y
What are the requirements for maintaining the Non-O visa based on retirement in Thailand, especially regarding bank balance and 90-day reporting?
2.7k17334y
What are the insurance requirements and documents needed for an OA visa extension in Chiang Mai?
49024y
Is it okay to enter Thailand with a one-way ticket?
8.6k601084y
What documents do I need to apply for a 90-day Non-O visa in Laos as a Canadian retiree, and is insurance required for my wife?
1.7k9224y
Do I need insurance for my Thai Pass that matches the length of my visa for a Non-O visa entry?
2.2k16184y
Do I need 400,000 or 3 million baht for insurance proof with an OA visa extension in Thailand?
1.1k834y
Is it possible to get insurance for a 2-month STV visa extension instead of the standard 3 months?
846624y
Is extending my Australian travel insurance policy a good option for applying for the O-A retirement visa in Thailand?
1.1k924y
What are the requirements for extending a Non-OA visa in Thailand?
1.7k13115y
What are the best options for cheap insurance to renew a retirement visa in Thailand?
1.2k885y
Can I extend my multi-entry O-A visa in Thailand by renewing my health insurance before re-entering?
816455y
Do I need to re-register my TM30 when returning to Pattaya from Bangkok?
2.3k18198y
Resources
Need help with your retirement visa?
#1 visa agent · 4,000+ reviews · 100,000+ expats served