This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.
What are the best visa options and health insurance solutions for retirees living in Thailand?
Thailand Visa RulesHealth Insurance for ExpatsNon-O VisaRetirement VisaMedical Insurance for SeniorsPhuket LivingVisa ExtensionMulti-Entry Tourist Visa
Aug 17, 2023
3 years ago
Jackie *********
ORIGINAL POSTERWell. Another question….. we have a home in Phuket where we spend7 months per year every year medical insurance is a problem. We are now 73 getting either O or OA visa but no insurance will cover us or want outlandish money and excess. Tried maybe 10 companies here (uk) and Thailand. Need help please
TLDR : Answer Summary
A retiree couple living in Phuket for 7 months each year seeks advice on visa types (O or OA visas) and health insurance due to their age (73). They faced obstacles in finding affordable healthcare coverage and explored options for obtaining their visas without insurance requirements. Suggestions include applying for a Non-O visa from the UK which has no insurance requirement, exploring local Thai insurance providers, and the possibility of utilizing government hospitals for cheaper treatments. Other comments discuss alternative visa options such as the Multi-Entry Tourist Visa (METV) and the importance of engaging with local immigration services.
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 Eriksson★★★★★
Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...recently on Facebook
Luca G.★★★★★
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
Ali *******
@Jackie ********
get a non O visa (over 50) from U.K. Thai embassy online e visa for £60. Gives you 90 days that you can easily extend in Thailand. No health insurance required for this, 100% confirmed directly from the embassy. Cheapest and simplest way to do it. Then free to review healthcare options without a visa restriction attached or go with travel insurance.Ali *******
@Jackie ********
I just had mine approved, no health insurance, applied Thursday and received approval email just now, less than two days. When asked for health insurance info just upload photo of N/A written on a piece of paper, that’s what embassy advised and worked perfectly.Jackie *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Ali ******
how long are you going to Thailand forAli *******
@Jackie ********
indefinitely, will be applying for the extension once thereReply to
Ali *******
Reply
Kenny **********
Move to Bulgaria 👍🙂 Amazing country & tons of brits already. Cheaper than Thailand and basically free Healthcare.
Jackie *********
ORIGINAL POSTERI’m not getting into this conversation
Paul *******
@Peters *****
Yes and a population much more awake than Thais. No masks, no Covid BS.Jackie *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Paul ******
thanks for idea but no thanksPaul *******
@Jackie ********
So you prefer compliant, tyranny and government loving folk that can easily be convinced to do anything the government wants over a population that tries to keep the government in check, by ensuring they can't trample on people's rights?You must be the first westerner I've met in a long time who prefers the illusion of safety over freedom and human rights.
Reply to
Paul *******
Reply
Damo ******
Apply for Multi Entry Tourist Visa while in UK. Gives you upto 9 months here but you have to leave and re enter every 90 days.
Gregor **********
@Damo *****
every SIXTY days. 90 days only if you include a 30-days extension for 1900.- THB to the initial 60 daysDamo ******
@Gregor *********
You don't HAVE to leave at 60 days ,you have the option to extend ( as most people do)but you do have to leave at 90 days and re enter. If you foolishly stick to the 60 days you won't get 9 months.Gregor **********
@Damo *****
you only can achieve almost 9 months, if you do a re-entry on the very last day of the visa validity. . . What you did during the 6 months before the visa validity expired - meaning regardless you did 30 days extensions or border runs, it does not matter at all. It has no influence onto the last 60 days admitted stay. And you only will get close to 9 months if an Immigration officer is willing to give you a 30 days extension, or if you get granted a visa-exempt entry before the last 60 days expire. This will be decided at the sole discretion of the immigration officer. Many people are known to have just achieved 8 months out of the METV, and being refused any extensionsReply to
Gregor **********
Reply
Gregor **********
I don't see why you would not be able to get a Non-imm-O Retirement visa, and the subsequent Extension of Stay for it. As there is no insurance requirement neither for the visa, if you apply for it on Immigration inside Thailand (by using the "change of visa type" application), nor for the 1-year extension
Mark ************
Hello Jackie from
***************
... OFFER of Health & Life insurance Premiums held for 5 years… Please check messages from **************
Mark ************
Direct to Wrlife....
***************
****************************
Faron *************
get a metv
Danny *******
We have Pacific Cross here in Thailand and were able to get it before turning 75.
Jackie *********
ORIGINAL POSTERSo do we go with no visa and then apply at local immigration offices
John ********
@Jackie ********
yes go and talk to the immigration they will be happy to help you As for your insurance problems
You can use government hospitals, you will still have to pay for the treatment but it's a lot cheaper than private hospitals
Reply to
John ********
Reply
CjandBrigitte **********
***************************
Got travel insurance for my mom 80 years old. Medical insurance till age 100.
Ian ********
Have a look on Mr Prakan for all your Thailand insurance requirements
You can compare policies and prices in it from the leading providers
You can compare policies and prices in it from the leading providers
*****************************
Graham ******
Get your Non-O inside Thailand where there is no insurance requirement
Jackie *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Graham *****
so what visa do we get then because all visa need insuranceGraham ******
No, it's usually 2 months seasoned for the 12 month extension application not the initial Non-O
Lynnette *******
@Jackie ********
as he said, non-O inside Thailand. Doesn't need insurance.Graham ******
@Jackie ********
Enter Thailand (Visa exempt) and apply for the Non-O if you meet the 800k financial requirementJackie *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Graham *****
that’s a retirement visa 800k in the bank for three months?Graham ******
@Jackie ********
retirement, yes. 800k in the bank for the initial Non-O application then seasoned for 2 months prior to the 12 month extension application and up until the extension is granted then no less than 400k for the rest of the year (unless 800k is needed again for the subsequent extension)Kool *******
@Graham *****
one little detail you missed. The full bt800,000 has to stay in your account for at least three months after you get your one year extension stamp. Only after that three months can you reduce the amount down to at least bt400,000 for the rest of the year.Reply to
Kool *******
Reply
10 comments
2 years ago
44 comments
2 years ago
18 comments
2 years ago
32 comments
2 years ago
15 comments
3 years ago
72 comments
3 years ago
14 comments
3 years ago
8 comments
3 years ago
52 comments
3 years ago
17 comments
3 years ago
17 comments
3 years ago
5 comments
3 years ago
30 comments
3 years ago
35 comments
4 years ago
26 comments
4 years ago
14 comments
5 years ago
27 comments
5 years ago
24 comments
6 years ago
9 comments
6 years ago
25 comments
6 years ago
30 comments
6 years ago
17 comments
6 years ago
34 comments
6 years ago
17 comments
6 years ago
0 comments
7 years ago
7 comments
a month ago
9 comments
a month ago
21 comments
a month ago
16 comments
a month ago
8 comments
a month ago
The ask:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.