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Is it common for Thai immigration to ask for a printed insurance certificate for an OA retirement visa?

O-A retirement visaThailand immigrationinsurance requirementsvisa entry processpaperwork for immigration
Mar 1, 2024
9 months ago
Steve *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
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
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TLDR : 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.
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.
Mark ********
Yes I was asked. I didn't have it. Got scowled at. Let me through after I cried and pulled a hissy fit.
9 months ago
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Bob **********
If it says a paper copy then that what you need
9 months ago
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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
9 months ago
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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
9 months ago
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Rok ********
@John *********
 that’s a great news - finaly the dreaded health insurance put to good use. What insurance do you use?
9 months ago
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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
9 months ago
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Rok ********
@John *********
 oh ok … i thought you were on Non-OA. Would AIA qualify for OA

Aplication in London?
9 months ago
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John **********
@Rok *******
 no idea I'm afraid
9 months ago
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John **********
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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.
9 months ago
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Michael ********
Its in there legaslation they have to have paper copies. Supposed to be removing the laws to eventually go digital
9 months ago
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Damo ***********
Yes, it is normal. Most likely they wanted it to keep on their files.
9 months ago
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Joe **********
Seams to depend on which office you use
9 months ago
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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
9 months ago
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Nongnuch ********
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Peter *********
They love loads of paperwork unfortunately 😕
9 months ago
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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 ?
9 months ago
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Wayne *********
@Martin ********
 on what visa ? OA Require insurance to get the visa
9 months ago
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Martin *********
@Wayne ********
 I never said I never had insurance I said I’ve never been asked for anything other than my passport on re entry !
9 months ago
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Wayne *********
@Martin ********
 yep Visa exempt they don't ask for anything
9 months ago
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Wayne *********
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Brandon ************
@Martin ********
 Then you've clearly never entered with a special visa or an e-visa
9 months ago
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Martin *********
@Brandon ***********
 0-A extension
9 months ago
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Brandon ************
@Martin ********
 Extension isn't required to show anything
9 months ago
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Graham ******
@Brandon ***********
 Just the re-entry permit (in the passport) ;)
9 months ago
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Graham ******
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Roberto *********
Thais LOVE paperwork! Often in duplicate too!
9 months ago
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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 ?
9 months ago
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Garrett ***********
@Wayne ********
 OA and OX are very different visas
9 months ago
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Wayne *********
@Garrett **********
 still need insurance which is the same.

I have had both so I know the requirements
9 months ago
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Wayne *********
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Steve *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Wayne ********
 yep. I’ll be printing it just in case. Really bureaucracy at its finest
9 months ago
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John ********
@Steve ******
 they love the idea of giving us a hard time
9 months ago
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John ********
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Brandon ************
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.
9 months ago
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Peter **********
@Brandon ***********
 thank you for that I have always wondered about the blue pen only rule
9 months ago
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Ruth *******
@Peter *********
 I was thinking the exact same thing. Of course, one could always use a color printer.
9 months ago
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Steve *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ruth ******
 worse than the Germans and their insistence a fax is an original document
9 months ago
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Brandon ************
@Ruth ******
 shh don't tell them about color printers
9 months ago
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Peter **********
@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
9 months ago
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Ruth *******
@Peter *********
 I’m having trouble picturing your description. Why is that?
9 months ago
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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
9 months ago
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Ruth *******
@Peter *********
 ahhh…yes. That makes sense.
9 months ago
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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
9 months ago
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Peter **********
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