Answered7 years ago
What are my options and requirements for switching to a non-O visa in Thailand, especially regarding extensions and health insurance?
I have spent several hours reading previous posts about non-O visas and extensions of stay and have several questions. (One of the downsides of getting old is that the more I think I undersand all of this, the more questions I have. lol) I entered Thailand on a non O-A "retirement" visa in 2017. My current extension of stay expires November 20. I am considering letting it expire and am exploring options for staying in Thailand without having to have the health insurance required by the O-A visa extension of stay. So I am thinking about switching to a non-O visa based on "marriage to a Thai national" at Savannakhet. (I have also applied for a 20-year Elilte Superiority Extension visa as a last-resort "plan C" but would prefer to NOT hand over one million baht for it. However, based on the answers to the following questions, the Elite visa may be the least-hassle long-term option.)
Question 1: It sounds like I can get a non-O visa that allows either 90-days or one-year stay in the country. Is that correct? (I understand that careful planning can get you up to 17 months stay in-country on a non-O visa.)
Question 2: Can a 90-day non-O visa be extended for one year, or do you need to apply for a one-yar multi-entry non-O visa in order to able to extend it for one year?
Question 3: My understanding is that non-O visas require you to "bounce" out and into the country every 90 days. Is that also true after you extend the visa before it expires? Do you still have to bounce out and into the country when you are in "extension" status?
Question 4: Since I am over 50 years old, I could apply for a non-O visa based on being over 50. (I already have 800K baht in a fixed deposit account at Bangkok Bank for most of the past two years.) I assume the answers to the above questions also apply to a non-O "over 50" visa.
Question 1: It sounds like I can get a non-O visa that allows either 90-days or one-year stay in the country. Is that correct? (I understand that careful planning can get you up to 17 months stay in-country on a non-O visa.)
Question 2: Can a 90-day non-O visa be extended for one year, or do you need to apply for a one-yar multi-entry non-O visa in order to able to extend it for one year?
Question 3: My understanding is that non-O visas require you to "bounce" out and into the country every 90 days. Is that also true after you extend the visa before it expires? Do you still have to bounce out and into the country when you are in "extension" status?
Question 4: Since I am over 50 years old, I could apply for a non-O visa based on being over 50. (I already have 800K baht in a fixed deposit account at Bangkok Bank for most of the past two years.) I assume the answers to the above questions also apply to a non-O "over 50" visa.
Answer summary
The user is considering options for their visa in Thailand, particularly switching from a non O-A retirement visa to a non-O visa based on marriage to a Thai national. They seek clarity on the types of non-O visas available, extension processes, and requirements such as health insurance. Community responses highlight that a 90-day non-O visa can be extended, the need for border runs, and current health insurance requirements depending on visa type and application date.
28 repliesnewest first
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Tod *********
@Lynn ******
, and I am still of the mind that you CAN get your yearly extension based on being over 50 (retirement) BEFORE Oct 31st and not need to show health insurance this year.I posted AND messaged you about it. ;)
Lynn *******
OPI think this post has been flogged enough. Turning off comments. Thanks to all who offered advice/opinion.
Paul *******
So now the insurance rule is that it must be from a Thai insurance company?
Krishn *********
Following
Mark ************
I entered Thailand 2 years ago on an O-A visa. Immigration said they cannot extend an O-A visa in Thailand. So they issued me with an Extension of stay based on Retirement stamp. So will I need health insurance on my next extension.I am living here full time with bank account prerequisites etc.which I had to show on renewal.
Pedro **********
To Robert's point 3, if you have a new/recent O-A that expires, say Sept 2020, would you need to show proof of insurance if you re-enter say Jan 1, 2020 at port of arrival ? I thought it was only when applying for a New O-A post Oct
*******
. Didn't realize they would check on existing pre-Oct*******
O-A.
Daniel *******
@Pedro *********
No one can answer this question, since we haven’t gotten there yet, and the immigration authorities have not elaborated on it.
Ludovico **********
I have read all your questions. What is the problem of having health insurance?
David ************
I just spent 11 days in a hospital here (I do have insurance).. I fell down a flight of steps, broke 4 Ribs, collapsed a lung, broke my head open and had a concussion. The lung needed a specialist which the private hospital didn’t have. Got MEDIVACT to a government hospital. I heard horror stories about these government hospitals but had no choice. 11 days, all on dialysis, doctors fees, medication, food, a bed and ambulance all for $600 USD.. The medical care was good, food sucked, crowded and no TV.. My insurance is free as a US Veteran so I really don’t care. The problem with insurance is you can probably pay way less without it.. But unfortunately no other choice I guess
Tod *********
IF you are forced to use one of the 12 thai insurance providers they can have prohibitively high premiums (especially seeing as we're over 50 already :O)
Tod *********
And you are thinking about these options solely for the reason that you don't want to get an extension of stay by meeting the proof of funds required AND by having heath insurance?
Assuming you can meet the proof of financials why not just go get your yearly extension NOW (before the 31st of Oct) at the immigration office?? No health insurance would be required until NEXT year when you got another extension.
Assuming you can meet the proof of financials why not just go get your yearly extension NOW (before the 31st of Oct) at the immigration office?? No health insurance would be required until NEXT year when you got another extension.
Lynn *******
OPTod Daniels said, "why not just go get your yearly extension NOW...". Because that only helps for one year. It does nothing for subsequent years. Look, I already keep 400Kbaht set aside for healthcare costs (and I have way more than that already in-country in case things really go sideways). I don't need to pay (potentially) over 2 million baht for health insurance I don't need and probably won't live long enough to collect on. ;-)
Tod *********
most offices let you get a new extension when you have 30 days or less left on your current stamp so you could go BEFORE the 31st when the mandatory insurance takes effect and get a new yearly extension.
And there is no down side to going early because they ADD the yearly extension on to your current expiration date.
And there is no down side to going early because they ADD the yearly extension on to your current expiration date.
Daniel *******
I thought the extension of stay didn’t require health insurance at present.
Robert *******
Show him the police order, ask to speak to his supervisor, do not argue if you know you are wrong. If you know you are correct, explain and tell them or just appeal against his decision.
Robert *******
it is like when the gasoline prices go up. You pay more for new gasoline on the day it goes up, you do not have to pay extra for all those liters you saved in your basement
David **********
@Daniel ******
Confusion,,,,, The Non 0 done inside Thailand requires no medical,It's the Non 0A done in the home country that requires the medical
Robert *******
if you like to enter the country using the Non Immigrant O-A visa after 31 Oct 2019 you need an health insurance. That is how the police order is written.
Robert *******
Correct, but it does after 31 Oct 2019 for those who apply for a new Extension of Stay and having the Non Immigrant O-A visa.
Robert *******
With a Visa (exempt the -A or -X visa) , example upper picture, you get maximum 90 days inside a country and make border runs, or with the Extension of Stay, stamp from Immigration, bottom picture you report at Immigration if you're 90 days inside Thailand.
Robert *******
Option 3; Visit your local Immigration office, ask if it is possible to convert from a Visa Exempt Entry or from a Tourist visa to a new Non Immigration O visa based on being over 50 years of age. If yes, leave Thailand get or the Visa Exempt Entry or the Tourist Visa, come back, visit your local Immigration office and convert to the Non Immigrant O visa based on being over 50 years of age and after 60 days apply for the 1 year Extension of Stay.
Robert *******
@Bruno *************
You need or proof of income or money in the bank. The visa and the extension of stay are for people older than 50 years of age, the phrase retirement is only to type less letters but has nothing to do with this visaDavid **********
@Robert ******
I had 20 days left when I went to do mine and had to extend, that was in 2017, maybe changed,But the extra time was a help
David **********
@Robert ******
Not from a visa exempt, it has to be extended by 30 days, then apply for a non0 based on being over 50 with a minimum of 15 days left, You get a 90 day visa which can then be extended for 12 months, this can be done at your local immigration office where you live,
But always best to check on exactly what you need, as things can change
Robert *******
Option 2: The 1 Year Multiple Entry Non Immigrant O visa based on being married to a Thai National in Savannakhet, with this visa you have to make a border run every 90 days to activate a new 90 day period, if planned correct you get maximum 15 months of stay out of it.
Robert *******
Yu have several options: Or the Single Entry Non Immigrant O visa based on being married to a Thai National, get 90 days on entry and after 60 days apply for the 1 year Extension of Stay with the financial requirement of minimum 400.000 Thb at least 2 months prior application date on a Thai bank account in your name. This option is one time visit a Thai Consulate and 2 visits to your local Immigration office to stay inside Thailand for over 1 year.
Robert *******
If you leave without a re-entry permit your Extension of Stay will become invalid on the day you leave.
Lynn *******
OPRobert Lagas: Thank you, that sounds like the best option for me. One question about timing. My current extension of stay is "permitted up to 20 Nov 2019". How many days before that can I go to Savannakhet to apply for the 90-day Single Entry Non-Imm O visa based on being married to a Thai National?
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