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What are the best options for my parents applying for a retirement visa in Thailand from France?

Retirement VisaHealth InsuranceNon-O Visa
Nov 13, 2019
5 years ago
Laurent ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello. My parents are applying for a retirement visa from France and are being asked to either a foreign Insurance certificate (from their current insurance in France) or to subscribe to a local Thai insurance as per [[members only]/)

They are in their 70s and looking at the premiums that looks quite expensive.

Anybody has experience with this? What's the best way to proceed? [

]([members only]/)
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user seeks advice for their parents applying for a retirement visa in Thailand while facing challenges with health insurance requirements. Community members suggest possible routes such as obtaining a foreign insurance certificate, subscribing to local Thai health insurance, or applying for a Non-O visa for an initial 90-day stay followed by a one-year extension in Thailand. There are discussions about the cost implications and experiences with the Thai embassy in France.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
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  • 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.
Ron *******
I feel for your parents needing to deal with the Paris Thai Embassy.

1) it is E visa application only

2) They are the worst people in the world to deal with. At one time, the French would travel to London in order to swerve the Paris Thai Embassy. That is no longer possible due to Evisa.

The denial rate there, particularly for METV is high. They want exactly what they want. They won't be fobbed off with anything less.

3) Good luck getting any European based insurance company signing that certificate. They just wont sign and stamp anything issued outside of the company.
5 years ago
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Ron *******
Laurent Lolo yes I was going to suggest using an agent in France to do it all for them.
5 years ago
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Ron *******
@Laurent *****
 just checking that they do realise they have to apply online by E visa first of all? Many people are still not aware that you cannot just go too the Embassy and apply any longer

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5 years ago
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Laurent ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi Ron. They are in good spirit and going to apply for non Im O 90 days SIngle Entry. Hopefully things go well.
5 years ago
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Laurent ******
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Laurent ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
[Update] As expected the French Health Insurance is not willing to fill a form in English but only provide a certificate in French.

I told my parents to go for the single entry 90 day - non imm O and then they will apply for the 1 year extension in Thailand.

Thanks for the help. Will keep you posted.
5 years ago
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Nick **********
Simply put, enter Thailand on tourist visa, go to immigration here, apply for non-o, open bank account, deposit the funds, $800,000, then at end of 3 month non-o, apply for extension of stay, 365 days, for purpose of retirement. After 1 year, you can bypass 800,000 deposit if you have consistant 65,000 per month each from home country to Thai bank account. It is not too conplicated once you get the 1st 365 day extension of stay.
5 years ago
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Robert *******
maybe a better readable example on left top corner
5 years ago
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Polo *********
If you have any concerns about this you should ask Tod Daniels. He is an expert of any kind of visa questions.
5 years ago
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Polo *********
This is not a visa but an extension of stay issued by the Immigration office WITHIN Thailand.
5 years ago
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Polo *********
You cannot change a tourist visa ( = 60 days) to a non-o visa ( = 90 days) within the country! For that you have to leave the country and apply for a non-o visa abroad (any country outside Thailand)!
5 years ago
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Dan ******
I think you mean 800K bht not $ dollars .Maybe a workable plan. Arranging for the deposit of 65K bht each month from a foreign bank, that satisfies the scrutiny of Thai immigration, could be a challenge.
5 years ago
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Robert *******
Sounds expensive in $. And they do not have to meet the requirements each. One can get the Extension of Stay based on being over 50 years of age with the financial requirements, other can get the Extension of Stay based on being married to a foreigner with a long stay without financial requirements.
5 years ago
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Robert *******
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David *******
why not tell them to get a Non O based on over 50 then no need for insurance?
5 years ago
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Robert *******
it is still available
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5 years ago
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Dan ******
My understanding is that a "Non O" is not available in one's home country - only "A-O" is given.
5 years ago
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Dan ******
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John **********
Does there French insurance cover them globally? France only (or EU only) isn't good enough.
5 years ago
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Laurent ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I understand its a global coverage.
5 years ago
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Laurent ******
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Jon **********
Whats the issue with getting your home insurance company to complete the silly form? Is this being refused? Obviously the directors signature isnt gonna happen, but how would that be checked anyway..? Get a helpdesk agent to fill it in, and their direct boss - doesnt seem too hard 🤷‍♂️
5 years ago
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John **********
@Jon *********
 if the form isn't being signed by a director, or at least someone authorized to sign on behalf of a director, it may as well be signed by some random stranger passing by on the street
5 years ago
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Ivan ************
A lot of insurance companies are refusing to sign it. Some people have had success, but it's understandable that not all insurance companies will just sign random documents asking for director's signatures.
5 years ago
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Laurent ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Oh.... and then the form is in English.... again this is france 🙄
5 years ago
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Laurent ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
They are going to try. Again this is france and dealing with banks or insurance is a slow process.
5 years ago
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Laurent ******
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Benjamin ******
I'm guessing is to contact the insurance provides, get a quote, and buy the insurance. Doing 90 day border bounces on a non-o may be difficult at that age
5 years ago
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David **********
@Benjamin *****
 non 0 based on over 50 doesn't require border bouncing or health insurance, best come on a tourist visa and apply in Thailand,

But check the requirements at the local immigration office here
5 years ago
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Longy ****
Then go on a multi entry tourist visa, can get 60+30 each entry
5 years ago
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Laurent ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Checked that and that's about 80K each which is a waste given they already have an insurance.
5 years ago
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Laurent ******
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Robert *******
best way is to get an insurance, hospitals, doctors etc in Thailand are not free of charge. Alternative is the Non Immigrant O visa, they get 90 days of stay on entry. If they wish to stay longer they can apply for an 1 year Extension of Stay but then the need to meet the requirements set by Immigration
5 years ago
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Stephanie **********
@Dominic ****
 okay thanks muchly, I'll look into it.
5 years ago
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Stephanie **********
@Robert ******
 many thanks, really appreciate your comments
5 years ago
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Stephanie **********
@Robert ******
 thank you Robert, fully appreciate your view. Just looking for alternatives if I cannot obtain cover from any of the insurance companies offering the service. (I'm 69 in January)

I'm married and leaving is not an option.

With that said, is the non O an option do you think? Thanks
5 years ago
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Joe ***********
@Robert ******
 - was not aware of the French exception of where money should be. But they were obviously applying for a visa that is not best suited for them. I hope they follow the suggestions that you, me and others have made. If they do their situation will be very much simplified. Laurent Lolo please study these suggestions and pass them on
5 years ago
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Ivan ************
If they have done that already then yes, absolutely, apply for the non-O.

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5 years ago
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Ivan ************
If they only want 4-5 months consider a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa instead. The 1yr extension of a non-O doesn't require insurance but it may require moving money into Thailand, or getting a certification of income from the French consulate.
5 years ago
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Laurent ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi Robert. They do have insurance in France. The issue is that given that they need to submit their visa application next week I am not sure if they can get their insurance to fill up the form in time (its france afterall)

I looked at the local insurance but that would cost them about 80K THB each which is quite a bit when they already have an insurrance. They plan to stay 4-5 months but it looks like the thai insurrance only offer 1 year premium.
5 years ago
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Laurent ******
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