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What are my options for obtaining a visa to Thailand when health insurance is a barrier?
Non-O VisaNon-OA VisaThai ImmigrationRetirement VisaVisa Insurance RequirementsHealth Insurance for SeniorsBank Deposit RequirementsLiving in ThailandExpat Guidance
Jun 12, 2025
a year ago
Peter *********
ORIGINAL POSTERđ Hi members.
Hit a big snag when doing E-visa..I'm 70 years old.
Been passed good to travel
By Doctors... this is where problems start.
Because I've had Major operations no insurance company wants to know me.
They all push me to Insurance Brokers who want a arm and leg... I'm applying for non immigrant OA..
It's asking for insurance policies..any way around insurance.. have funds to cover my self..plus the money you need for Bank.
Am I looking at wrong visa
Is there a better option.
Have home but can't live in it.
PS.. in Thai Girlfriend name
Thanks..
Hit a big snag when doing E-visa..I'm 70 years old.
Been passed good to travel
By Doctors... this is where problems start.
Because I've had Major operations no insurance company wants to know me.
They all push me to Insurance Brokers who want a arm and leg... I'm applying for non immigrant OA..
It's asking for insurance policies..any way around insurance.. have funds to cover my self..plus the money you need for Bank.
Am I looking at wrong visa
Is there a better option.
Have home but can't live in it.
PS.. in Thai Girlfriend name
Thanks..
TLDR : Answer Summary
The forum discusses challenges faced by an expat over 70 years old in obtaining a Non-OA visa for Thailand due to high insurance costs associated with pre-existing conditions. Several community members advise that the Non-O visa does not require health insurance, unlike the Non-OA visa. Recommendations include applying for the Non-O visa, which necessitates an 800,000 baht deposit in a Thai bank but is more straightforward without the need for insurance. There are mentions of alternative options like the Elite visa that may be more beneficial. The conversation underscores the need for clarity on specific requirements and potential pitfalls when applying for these visas.
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.
Pelle Erikssonâ
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Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...recently on Facebook
Luca G.â
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I used this agency for my DTV Visa...recently on Google
Trusted Retirement Visa Agent
OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED
#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND
Jacques ********
What is the fee for a Non-O Visa?
Kenny ********
Convert
*****
0 baht to U.K. poundLes ***********
Come to Thailand on a 60 days.
Go to immigration not long after you are in Thailand
Tell immigration that you want to apply for a Non O Visa.
Not a OA visa.
You will need to have an address .
Open a bank account and deposit 800,000 baht.
If you donât feel confident doing it yourself.
Find a reputable agent to do for you.
From my own experience.
I recommend.
Thai Visa Centre.
All the best.
Go to immigration not long after you are in Thailand
Tell immigration that you want to apply for a Non O Visa.
Not a OA visa.
You will need to have an address .
Open a bank account and deposit 800,000 baht.
If you donât feel confident doing it yourself.
Find a reputable agent to do for you.
From my own experience.
I recommend.
Thai Visa Centre.
All the best.
Jeremy ********
@Les **********
was this recently like in rye last 3 weeks Or was this a long time ago
A lot has changed in the last month
Les ***********
@Jeremy *******
.Quite a few things have changed.
My experience was late last year.
I did it all myself.
With the things that have changed.
I would consider using an agent.
My experience using the agent previously.
Was to do OA Visa extensions because of the insurance.
That is why I decided to go the Non O.
Sorry.
I changed from OA to Non late last year 2024.
I had to go to Cambodia without a re entry permit.
And return to Thailand on a 60 days.
Immigration Officer at Kap Cheong and Surin were fantastic in the help they gave me.
Reply to
Les ***********
Reply
Yorick ******
AA Insurance Brokers can help you find the cheapest visa insurance on the market! Visit one of our offices or reach out to us at
********************************
and of the insurance specialists will get back to you!Martyn *******
I do not have a retirement visa but am 73, try a company called mr Prakan. Alternatively there is a website in Thailand for health insurance, canât remember the name but will look it up for you. Btw if you apply when in Thailand the insurance requirement in unnecessary I am led to believe.
Rok ********
The only way around is non-o which does not require insurance. Even with no pre-existing conditions the Non-OA was so complicated i opted for non-o instead (even insurance agent advised me so).
Peter *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Rok *******
is that retirement over 50...Reply to
Nongnuch ********
Reply
Brook ********
Get a non O visa and travel insurance from WorldNomads or Allianz
Tammy **********
Just come on over and go through an agent mate - no probs at all. They will get you your 90 day Non O, one year extension and the bank accountđ
Peter *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Tammy *********
can I multiple entriesTammy **********
@Peter ********
yes, let them know you want the multiple entry permit as well. You will be given the price for the 90 day Non O + the one year extension + multi entry permitđNongnuch ********
@Peter ********
there is NO MORE 365-days multi entry Non-Imm-O Retirement Visa since October 2023. Only the 90-days single entry version remains obtainableNongnuch ********
@Peter ********
once you get your "1-year Extension of the Stay Permit based on Retirement" inked, you can buy a multiple re-entry permit for this one-year stay permit. for 3800 THBReply to
Nongnuch ********
Reply
Tammy **********
@THAI *************
should be able to help and give you all the relevant current informationReply to
Tammy **********
Reply
David *******
O visa doesn't require you to have medical insurance.
But the OA visa does
But the OA visa does
Peter *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@David ******
which one is O visaDavid *******
@Peter ********
it's listed as "O" visaReply to
David *******
Reply
Jenny ******
WR Life have specifically designed policies for people over 60.
Gregory ********
Non O visaâno insurance needed
Can get insuranceâjust will have exclusionsâthey dont check that
Homeâin Thai nameâwhy say cannot live inâyou can get a usufruct for 30 yearsâthat means you dont own ,but have the use of the property for next 30 years
Can get insuranceâjust will have exclusionsâthey dont check that
Homeâin Thai nameâwhy say cannot live inâyou can get a usufruct for 30 yearsâthat means you dont own ,but have the use of the property for next 30 years
Ken ********
Not sure if this still applies but at one time a little while back the banks and insurance companies made you buy a one year ins policy (5000bht) when you opened a new account not sure if it still applies?
Jonnie *******
@Ken *******
that was a sales gimmick, I refused the policy as I already had insurance cover and still got the account openedSue **********
@Ken *******
no it doesnât work anymore. That was BKK Bank.Reply to
Sue **********
Reply
Billy *********
I got this quote AXA don't think it gives you cover but gets OA visa I'm told
Nongnuch ********
@Billy ********
but you need to have a contract with before you turn 70 years old, only then it remains renewable every year until you are 99 years old. However the premium will be higher and higher, the older you get!Billy *********
@Nongnuch *******
never knew about contract before 70 will keep it in mindNongnuch ********
@Billy ********
the maximum entry age with AXA could be 75, I only vaguely remember it was 70. You need to check their fine printReply to
Nongnuch ********
Reply
Julian *******
@Billy ********
itâs very little cover for such a high premiumReply to
Julian *******
Reply
Lili ********
Donât worry too much! I learned it the hard way when private hospital Bangkok hospital took me to Police station with 3 insurance policies n one of them with direct billing agreement. For newcomers they only want the sheiks etc. In that league who do not need insurance. Government hospitals r inexpensive n lots of private specialists clinics charging around 1,000 baht per visit. If you cannot purchase insurance just start learning government hospital system n have a Thai to come with you at the beginning n you will be fine.
Stuart ***********
You are applying for the wrong visa in your circumstances. Choose the non O (not OA) on the Thai Embassy website, then you do not need health insurance or criminal checks. Good luck.
Paul ***************
Apply for Non O visa , 90 days, open bank account , than get the year extension .
Anna *********
Try non O visa
John ********
Travel to Thailand and apply for the Non O when you arrive, but you need to deposit 800,000 thb in a Thai bank but no health insurance.
Ray **********
@John *******
to apply for a Non-O from your home country. You need to show 800,000 baht or a letter issued by an embassy/consulate having atleast 65,000 monthly.If you donât already have a Thai bank account? You cannot and need to apply for an non O-A
Graham ******
@John *******
You don't need to be in Thailand to get the Non-O VisaStuart ***********
@John *******
this is virtually impossible now as banks will not open accounts for tourists. He needs to get the non O before coming to Thailand.John ********
@Stuart **********
apply for visa and immigration will give you an extension visa stamp in your passport to allow time to open bank and deposit money.Stuart *********
@John *******
To apply for the visa in country you need a Thai bank account and 800k deposit in it.Stuart ***********
@John *******
to apply for the non O inside Thailand you need 800,000 in a Thai bank and it's virtually impossible to open an account on a tourist visa. The method you are suggesting used to be possible, but the banks have cracked down on this now, so it's virtually impossible. Much easier to get the non O before coming to Thailand.John ********
@Stuart **********
in that case open a bank account with your OA then on renewal just change to a NON-O in person at the immigration office. You will only need to hold the life insurance for the 1st yearNongnuch ********
@John *******
you cannot change from the O/A to an O extension inside Thailand, and the required insurance for an O/A visa is not a life insurance, but a health insurance. At age 70 with pre-existing conditions impossible to getStuart *********
@John *******
You canât change from a Non OA to a non O in country. If you enter non OA you have to extend based on the non OA which requires mandatory insurance.Stuart ***********
@John *******
or simply get the non O before coming to Thailand đ€·Peter *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stuart **********
non 0 is that tourists visaPeter *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stuart **********
non 0..is that tourists visa...I was trying non immigrant visaStuart ***********
@Peter ********
non O is not a tourist visa. It is an immigrant visa. The 'O' stands for 'other', so it used for a few purposes, but it covers things like retirement and marriage. It is the best choice for you. Most people retiring to Thailand use this visa type.John ********
@Stuart **********
I thought you had to be in Thailand the apply for the NON-OStuart ***********
@John *******
no, you can apply for it online at a Thai Embassy before coming to Thailand. That's why I advised him to get it.Reply to
Stuart ***********
Reply
Kool *******
The OA visa also has the option to self-insure with the equivalent of US$100,000 in a bank account in your name only.
Ant ***********
Non - O
Not required
Not required
Anne *******
Get the insurance that isnât . Lol
Something cheap that wonât cover pre-existing
Something cheap that wonât cover pre-existing
Jeremy ********
You can buy the elite visaâŠno health insurance required
Baron ***********************
@Jeremy *******
Thatâs good for me to know, thanks!Basim *******
@Baron **********************
Elite visa minimum cost is 650,000 baht for 5 yrsBaron ***********************
@Basim ******
Thatâs great! Perfect for me! The longer the better.Basim *******
@Baron **********************
Yes but be careful ; these are nonrefundable fees (not bank deposits)Baron ***********************
@Basim ******
đ«€Reply to
Baron ***********************
Reply
Stuart *********
The Non OA visa requires health insurance. The Non O visa doesnât.
Peter *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stuart ********
which one is Non O visaRay **********
@Peter ********
the Bangkok bank is not allowing foreigners to open an account with a 90 day visa.Dick ********
@Peter ********
non O the one that says for no longer than 90 days. You enter with that visa then open a bank account, deposit 800k baht and then apply for one year extensions of stay ad infinitum.Stuart *********
@Peter ********
Choose Non Immigrant and then chose retirement as the purpose of visit.Reply to
Stuart *********
Reply
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