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What are my options for obtaining a visa for my elderly mother coming to Thailand when health insurance may be problematic?

Thai retirement visaNon-O visahealth insuranceVisa options for elderly expatsLiving with family visaHealth insurance for expatriatesUSA to Thailand immigrationThai insurance options
Nov 18, 2024
a month ago
David ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I am trying to come to Thailand from the USA in January with my Thai wife, my 20 year old daughter, and my American mother.

My mother is 82 years old and I am hearing it may be impossible to get health insurance for her. Is there a way around the requirement she have health insurance for the retirement visa.

Could we do a living with Thai family visa? Would that receive the requirement? Is there a good around through an agent?

Thanks for your help as I am concerned we may have to abandon the whole thing.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is seeking advice on obtaining a Thai visa for their elderly mother while facing challenges with health insurance requirements. Comments reveal that the Non-O visa does not require health insurance, unlike the OA visa. Suggestions include exploring the possibility of a Non-O retirement visa, or potentially obtaining the visa while in Thailand. Recommendations for health insurance options were also discussed, including reaching out to specific brokers and using Medicare Advantage plans for emergencies.
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.
Terary **********
My buddy is 70+ and has some other health concerns besides. He gets around the insurance requirement by getting his retirement visa inside Thailand.

I didn't read all of the responses but if nobody mentioned it, getting the retirement visa in country is also an option.
a month ago
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Colin *********
On Saturday, I watched the regular TNT live video on YouTube by Tim Newton. He had a Thai Insurance Broker on the video this week, answering questions asked by Expats, mostly about Health Insurance. Tim has apparently had health insurance through this guy, Max, for about 13 years and has a lot of trust in him. In this video, Max comes across as a very nice and genuine guy, who knows his stuff.

Video link:
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Website for Max's business:
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Max's email:
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a month ago
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Linda ***********
Yes, re above, health insurance not required for retirement non-0 visa. But if mother stay & want insurance, I am over 80, lived in samui 20 years and have very good broker in Bangkok for 8 years & all our communications are online. He can offer in-hospital health insurance, month to month for your mother. My insurance paid for 2 hospital stays in past 5 years & he helped so much to ensure payment. If want DM me your email & will have him send you quote.
a month ago
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David ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Linda **********
 sending, thanks
a month ago
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Cato *******************
@Linda **********
 A very helpful post! 🥰
a month ago
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Linda ***********
@Cato ******************
 thanks 😊
a month ago
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Linda ***********
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Ploy ************
Hi, i'm running service for AIA company. The biggest market share company in Thailand.

Eligible Visas for Insurance Application:

✅ Retirement visa, Elite visa, LTR visa with proof of income sources.

✅ Non B Visa (Multiple entry) with work permit, proof of business or investments in Thailand.

✅ Destination to Thailand visa with..

1) Proof of investments or assets in Thailand.

2) Work certification from the company you work for.

⚠️⚠️ For expatriates who are US citizens, you must consent to complete the Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification (W-9) form. This requirement is in compliance with international law, which mandates all financial institutions worldwide to report financial information of US citizens to the United States.⚠️⚠️

📍If you are a US citizen and do not agree to provide this information, it is advisable not to contact us, to avoid any inconvenience for both parties.

For further queries or financial advices, please contact me directly at

📞Whatsapp : +66642694450
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📲Line :
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a month ago
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John ********
Get a Medicare Advantage plan, be sure it includes worldwide emergency care - on a reimbursement basis.
a month ago
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Michael *********
@John *******
 Medicare does not cover anything unless you are in the US.
a month ago
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John ********
@Michael ********
a month ago
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John ********
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Linda ***********
@John *******
 I believe Medicare Advantage only covers limited emergency hospital & must return to USA. So when living here & family here long term, coverage is very limited. But if here short term and have home & care in USA, it is a good suggestion.
a month ago
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David ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *******
 thank you, we will look into it
a month ago
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Robert *****
@David *******
 Medicare will revoke part D if she’s out of the country more than 6 months. However I’ve found my heart meds are cheaper over the counter in Thailand. Check that out.
a month ago
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Robert *****
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Laurie ******
I wouldn't bring your mother out here, I think it would be too much of a challenge for her
a month ago
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James *********
@Laurie *****
 too much for you?
a month ago
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Jacqui *****************
@Laurie *****
 I'm so happy my mother moved with us to Thailand. She lived a happy life with us here for 15 years before passing away in August in her bed at home with me by her side. No challenge at all!
a month ago
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Cato *******************
@Jacqui ****************
 The perfect passing being with her family...I will suggest this to our son as I am passing.... ... a bowl of hot red curry with an abundance of chillies... a bottle of Sangsom whisky by my side with an ice and a slice.. surrounded by good books.... and of course air con.... bliss ! Edited.... and having the monks blessing my departed carcass with the final burning instead of the gross women in red hats and white suits accompanying a 20 grand coffin to the furnace....
a month ago
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David **********
@Jacqui ****************
 I'm sorry for your loss, but I'm happy to hear she had a happy life! It's all about quality, and that's one of the biggest reasons we left and started slow traveling over 3 years ago.
a month ago
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David **********
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David **********
@Laurie *****
 that's a backwards way of thinking. We left the US over 3 years ago with my father in law and now at the young age of 87, he's still doing great!
a month ago
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Laurie ******
@David *********
 Backwards, That's your opinion
a month ago
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David **********
@Laurie *****
 and your narrow minded initial comment is merely your opinion. Don't discourage someone else from doing something just because you don't think it's a good idea. Instead of asking "why?", change it to "why not?" and you will find the whole narrative changes
a month ago
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David **********
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David ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Laurie *****
 she wants to leave the USA before the change of President. She will be staying with us so won't need to do anything on her own.
a month ago
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Markie ******
@David *******
 i do not blame your mother.
a month ago
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Ernesto ********
@David *******
 hahaha. She should go then. We did it without her.
a month ago
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Bobby *******
@David *******
 I would be glad to buy her a one way bus ticket to Mexico if she doesn’t like Trump
a month ago
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David ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bobby ******
 no need to be hateful...this is a major reason we are leaving the states. Just way too much of it.
a month ago
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Bobby *******
@David *******
 nothing hateful. Send me your PayPal info and I’ll buy one way bus tickets to Mexico for your entire family.
a month ago
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Colin *********
@Bobby ******
 In sure that Trump wouldn't like you. He prefers people who will physically be on the rioting front line, not people who make unnecessary and unsolicited comments like this keyboard warrior mentality.
a month ago
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Cato *******************
@Bobby ******
 Thats very generous of you .... first class of course!
a month ago
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Cato *******************
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Laurie ******
@David *******
 what about, heat,food, Culture , being independence .
a month ago
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Cato *******************
@Laurie *****
 I do believe there is something called air con.... which is what 90 per cent of the people in the hot climates of oz have... the food will be healthier and fresher.... culturally she could be living next to Arabs/ Mexicans/ Indians in the states.... so Thailand would be no different... the people in Thailand were so sweet with my aging father and inclusive.... non of this " he is a burden around our necks" ... how many aged homes do you see in Thailand? just because one is mature in age it does not mean they have to stop living fgs... all I see is a beautiful family wanting their beloved Mum to live with them in a beautiful affordable country... see the goodness in that !! edited to add.... I see copious amounts of poms wanting to leave the UK for "a better life" distressed at leaving their loved ones behind huddled next to a parrafin heater because they cant afford electricity... unable to meet the Australian criteria of aging parents migrating to Oz...
@David *********
 your whole outlook is healthy and inclusive well done to you and your wife and lets hope your plans can be put to fruition!
a month ago
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David **********
@Cato ******************
 beautiful words! Our plan has been working marvelously. However, now our "slow travel" is slowing down even more. We always stay in the same place now for as close to 90 days as we can. We've seen so many wonderful places over the last 3 years and now we're "settling" between Koh Samui and Da Nang, Vietnam.
a month ago
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Arild **********
@Laurie *****
 I think these are some of the reasons she wants to leave and stay in Thailand. USA will be changed with your new president, just look at all the people he wants to bring in to the government.
a month ago
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Jacqui *****************
@Laurie *****
 it never worried my mother.
a month ago
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David ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Laurie *****
 she lives with us now and did stay in Bangkok with us 20 years ago. I don't think her lifestyle will change much. (She tends to stay in the house and read most of the time.) But thanks for your concern.
a month ago
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David **********
@David *******
 we got our initial travel health insurance through Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection. You can get up to a 1 year policy with them. Unfortunately, if you "live" in Thailand and aren't really traveling, finding insurance for someone that age is nearly impossible. That being said, self insured is fine as healthcare in Southeast Asia is quite reasonable.
a month ago
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Cato *******************
@David *******
 I think its a wonderful country for your mother to live in ... My American father lived in Thailand until he passed at 94.... He obtained his pension from the US without any problem and he obtained health insurance without any issues.... he loved his life in Thailand... he pottered about... a much more exciting life than in the western world probably stuck in a retirement village . Sorry I cannot answer your visa questions. But the very best of luck mate.
a month ago
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David **********
@Cato ******************
 great input. Sadly the merely "existing" mentality of western culture often leads to elderly people being put in a home and then basically ignored. My 87 year old father in law LOVES Thailand (and all the other countries we visited over the last 3 years) and the wonderful Thai people LOVE 'Papa' too 😊
a month ago
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David **********
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Brandon ************
It's only the non-OA visa that requires health insurance. That's not the visa that most people want or use. Most people use the non-O visa which does not require health insurance. When you're in the e-visa system this is the option that you would choose.
a month ago
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David ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 thank you very much!
a month ago
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Brandon ************
@David *******
 Make sure you understand the differences between the various retirement visas though. As if your mother will be in Thailand for longer than 90 days, getting the extension based on the non-O visa requires 800,000 baht in a Thai bank account. Whereas the Non-OA will give her up to 2 years in Thailand without needing any money in a Thai bank account. But the insurance is mandatory at that point.

It's basically insurance for emergencies, or showing money in the bank for emergencies, so that the Thai authorities are satisfied you will not become their problem.,
a month ago
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David ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 yes, the money in the bank is not a problem. We are selling the house in Nevada which will give plenty of money for various accounts. Plus she has her social security and retirement income from an old employer.

My wife and I lost our (pink) original marriage certificate from Thailand although we have other documentation. Is this going to be an issue for me getting a married to a Thai visa? And my daughter's Thai passport? My daughter was born in Thailand and we have a Thai passport from when she was a baby but we left fornthe USA when she was 2 years old. She is 19 now.
a month ago
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Sasi ************
@David *******
 There’s time until your moving date to get her Thai passport renewed. NA and LA, CA are just distance away, take her there and get it done. Or used her US passport to go to Thailand and get it done once over there. The fees are pretty much the same.

My two children were in the similar situation; been here since a young age and visiting when they were older. I’m familiar with the situation.
a month ago
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Dca *****
@David *******
 Also, you or or wife (preferably your Thai wife) can fill out a Power of Attorney (POA) and have anyone pick up a Thai or English copy of your Thai Marriage Certificate at a District (เขต/อำเภอ) Office as well if not in Thailand....
a month ago
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Sasi ************
@Dca ****
 The new law; requires the POA to be stamped by consulate or embassy if the person is overseas. That’s my อำเภอ telling me and asked for when I tried to get my daughter’s household registered.

Don’t ask don’t tell policy is best.
a month ago
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David ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Sasi ***********
 I think we will wait until in Thailand to get the document ourselves. Thank you for the clarification.
a month ago
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Dca *****
@David *******
 Can easily get both a Thai and English copy of your Thai Marriage Certificate at the District Office (เขต/อำเภอ) where you were married or at any District Office actually
a month ago
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David ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Dca ****
 thank you. We were married in Bangkok in 2003.
a month ago
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Dca *****
@David *******
 if your wife is technologically inclined and has a current Thai ID card, then could try to see if her Thai documents are online and obtain copies via the ThaiD app (all free and relatively easy to use)!

>
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a month ago
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Dca *****
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Bobby *******
Non O for retirement doesn’t require health insurance only the OA visa
a month ago
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Bobby *******
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