ask
Search
Ask
Answered3 years ago

What are the best visa options and health insurance solutions for retirees living in Thailand?

Jackie *********
asked Aug 17, 2023
3.6k
views
30
replies
3
likes
Well. 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
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.
30 repliesnewest first
15

Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.

Ali *******
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 *******
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 *********
Jackie *********
OP
@Ali ******
how long are you going to Thailand for
Ali *******
Ali *******
@Jackie ********
indefinitely, will be applying for the extension once there
Kenny **********
Kenny **********
Move to Bulgaria 👍🙂 Amazing country & tons of brits already. Cheaper than Thailand and basically free Healthcare.
Jackie *********
Jackie *********
OP
I’m not getting into this conversation
Paul *******
Paul *******
@Peters *****
Yes and a population much more awake than Thais. No masks, no Covid BS.
Jackie *********
Jackie *********
OP
@Paul ******
thanks for idea but no thanks
Paul *******
Paul *******
@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.
Damo ******
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 **********
Gregor **********
@Damo *****
every SIXTY days. 90 days only if you include a 30-days extension for 1900.- THB to the initial 60 days
Damo ******
Damo ******
@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 **********
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 extensions
Gregor **********
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 ************
Mark ************
Hello Jackie from
***************
... OFFER of Health & Life insurance Premiums held for 5 years… Please check messages from
**************
Mark ************
Mark ************
Direct to Wrlife....
***************
****************************
Faron *************
Faron *************
get a metv
Danny *******
Danny *******
We have Pacific Cross here in Thailand and were able to get it before turning 75.
Jackie *********
Jackie *********
OP
So do we go with no visa and then apply at local immigration offices
John ********
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
CjandBrigitte **********
CjandBrigitte **********
***************************


Got travel insurance for my mom 80 years old. Medical insurance till age 100.
Ian ********
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

*****************************
Graham ******
Graham ******
Get your Non-O inside Thailand where there is no insurance requirement
Jackie *********
Jackie *********
OP
@Graham *****
so what visa do we get then because all visa need insurance
Graham ******
Graham ******
No, it's usually 2 months seasoned for the 12 month extension application not the initial Non-O
Lynnette *******
Lynnette *******
@Jackie ********
as he said, non-O inside Thailand. Doesn't need insurance.
Graham ******
Graham ******
@Jackie ********
Enter Thailand (Visa exempt) and apply for the Non-O if you meet the 800k financial requirement
Kool *******
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.
Graham ******
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)
Jackie *********
Jackie *********
OP
@Graham *****
that’s a retirement visa 800k in the bank for three months?

Activity

15 joined
Jackie *********
Jackie *********
Jackie *********
Jackie *********
Jackie *********
Jackie *********
15
people
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
...members60% approval
Member 1
Member 2
Member 3
Member 4
Member 5
Member 6
Member 7
Member 8

Related

25
Can I extend my Non-O visa in Thailand by showing monthly bank transfers?
5013716d
Can I use the Non-O retirement visa for three-month stays and return home without issues?
3.7k10961mo
Can I get a Non-O visa, open a bank account in Thailand, and apply for a visa extension while there?
617384mo
How long does it take to get a Non-O visa and extension with the help of an agent in Thailand?
4.4k32579mo
What should I fill in on the TM 8 form for my re-entry visa application?
8442151y
Can I reapply for an O Visa (retirement) in Thailand after it expires?
1.3k1151y
What are the options for obtaining a retirement visa in Thailand without the required funds?
10.4k891071y
What should I do if I received a 90-day stamp on my Non-O retirement visa instead of the expected 60 days?
1.3k5172y
Can I convert my Non-ED visa to a yearly extension based on retirement in Chiang Mai, or do I need a 90-day Non-O visa?
553212y
When is the earliest I can apply for a 1-year extension on my Non-O retirement visa in Thailand?
1.7k9163y
What are the TM30 requirements for returning expats with a non-O retirement visa in Thailand, and when can I apply for a visa extension?
9302113y
Can my husband apply for a 1-year extension on a Non-O spouse visa during a short visit to Thailand?
2.6k23153y
Is 30 days enough for Taiwanese citizens to apply for a Non-O visa extension in Thailand, or should they get a 60-day tourist visa instead?
541213y
Can I get a Non-O visa after arriving in Thailand on a tourist visa or visa exemption, and extend it for retirement purposes?
767363y
Can a 30-day visa exemption extension be transferred to a 90-day Non-O retirement visa in Thailand?
1.6k7224y
What is the process and experience for renewing a Non-O visa extension based on retirement in Pai, Thailand?
737285y
Can I switch from an O-A visa to a Non-O visa while in Thailand, and what happens to my extension when I leave and return?
1.3k7145y
What is the process for obtaining a Non-O retirement extension at Chiang Mai immigration?
1.8k8245y
What are the options for US expats after the STV visa ends in Thailand?
2.3k19176y
Do I need to get a new extension for my Non-O retirement visa before the September 26 deadline?
1.1k2206y
What are the steps to obtain a Non-O visa and a one-year extension in Thailand, especially for expats who are married?
2.4k22126y
Can I convert my 30-day exempt visa to a Non-O visa in Hua Hin and apply for an extension?
9594108y
Is it necessary to leave Thailand to apply for a 90-day Non-O visa from a tourist visa?
1.7k12138y
What are the requirements and process for extending a Non-O Visa in Thailand?
1.1k4138y
Can my friend on a Non-O visa extend his stay in Thailand if his funds haven't been in the bank for 60 days?
1.8k15109y

Resources

Need help with your retirement visa?