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What are the current requirements for Non-Immigrant O and O-A visas in Thailand regarding medical insurance?
Non-Immigrant O VisaNon-Immigrant O-A VisaMedical Insurance RequirementsVisa ExtensionsImmigration RegulationsThailand Visa Policy90-Day Reporting RequirementExpat AdviceSurat Thani Immigration Office
Oct 11, 2019
7 years ago
Scott **************
ORIGINAL POSTERGood evening.
I had a meeting today with The Immigration office in Suratthani. I'm US citizen, 65 years old (NO current VISA)
Here on a VISA exempt, one month extension.
Will be heading to USA to get one, and had some questions for them about the new Medical Insurance regulation.
I was told that if I get a Non Immigrant O-A
with Multiple entry, I can return to Thailand, and MUST leave every 3 Months (or 90 days after returning). at the end of the year, I can apply for an extension, and from then on, I will only be asked to report to Immigration (90 days after entering Thailand) and 90 days after returning from a "Trip outside Thailand" AND Insurance would NOT be required.
She Also said that If I get an A-O (one year) VISA, that at the end of the year when I qualify to request an "extension"
(Along with the banking requirements), Proof of a qualifying Insurance policy WILL BE REQUIRED.
So, Non O ME....90 day stay (4 entries per year first year) NO ins. Second year annual Extension, NO requirement to leave.
Non O-A, (possible ME) 90 day check in, and at the One year mark (if requesting an extension) INS. Required!
Ok, the Question:
What have you heard (from any other Immigration Office)
I had a meeting today with The Immigration office in Suratthani. I'm US citizen, 65 years old (NO current VISA)
Here on a VISA exempt, one month extension.
Will be heading to USA to get one, and had some questions for them about the new Medical Insurance regulation.
I was told that if I get a Non Immigrant O-A
with Multiple entry, I can return to Thailand, and MUST leave every 3 Months (or 90 days after returning). at the end of the year, I can apply for an extension, and from then on, I will only be asked to report to Immigration (90 days after entering Thailand) and 90 days after returning from a "Trip outside Thailand" AND Insurance would NOT be required.
She Also said that If I get an A-O (one year) VISA, that at the end of the year when I qualify to request an "extension"
(Along with the banking requirements), Proof of a qualifying Insurance policy WILL BE REQUIRED.
So, Non O ME....90 day stay (4 entries per year first year) NO ins. Second year annual Extension, NO requirement to leave.
Non O-A, (possible ME) 90 day check in, and at the One year mark (if requesting an extension) INS. Required!
Ok, the Question:
What have you heard (from any other Immigration Office)
TLDR : Answer Summary
A US citizen in Thailand provided insights from their meeting with the Suratthani Immigration Office regarding Non-Immigrant O and O-A visas. The main points discussed included the necessity of reporting every 90 days for the Non-O visa without insurance for the first year, and the requirement for insurance when extending the Non-O-A visa after one year. Other comments from the community confirmed these details, indicating that insurance will likely be mandatory for O-A extensions as stated by multiple immigration offices. The conversation highlighted the importance of understanding these differences when choosing between visa options.
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Robert *******
And as we try to make it one discussion about this new requirement, I close this topic, please for further questions, remarks use this link:
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3/Ivan ************
What you were told by Surat Thani, that insurance will be required for an O-A extension, is the same as what other people have been told by immigration in Chiang Mai and Nong Khai. It's also consistent with the police order on extensions of stay.
Tod *********
@Scott *******
and I would say that the immigration officer is correct, you will be required to show proof of insurance when you apply for a yearly EXTENSION OF STAY at their office (which if you use the visa correctly is almost 2 years from the date you would have your visa issued)Ivan ************
The O-A you get stamped for one year each entry. It's also valid for one year. So before the expiry date on the visa you can do a border run to get one more year.
It is possible that you may need insurance to come back in on it after Oct 31 though, that is contemplated in the new police order. That you will only be stamped in if you have insurance, and rather than the 1 year as previously, only up to the expiry of your insurance. Whether they will actually check this at entry in practice is an open question.
The other point is that you can get the O-A now and swap to an O before your extension. Either in a year, or two if they aren't checking insurance at the border.
It is possible that you may need insurance to come back in on it after Oct 31 though, that is contemplated in the new police order. That you will only be stamped in if you have insurance, and rather than the 1 year as previously, only up to the expiry of your insurance. Whether they will actually check this at entry in practice is an open question.
The other point is that you can get the O-A now and swap to an O before your extension. Either in a year, or two if they aren't checking insurance at the border.
Ivan ************
Your other option is to get the O-A and use that for 2 years, doing one border run after year 1. Then leave at the end of the second year to a neighboring country consulate and apply for a non O then. You can then extend *that* for a year, without the insurance requirement.
This is presuming the insurance is an issue. If the insurance isn't an issue just get and extend the O-A.
This is presuming the insurance is an issue. If the insurance isn't an issue just get and extend the O-A.
Scott **************
ORIGINAL POSTERThanks Todd, That's My plan, after reading the advice here, and talking to the Consulate in Honolulu too.
Scott **************
ORIGINAL POSTERThanks, the challenge now is to decide on Non O, vs Non O-A
forced to leave every 90 days(after returning) is a burden.
forced to leave every 90 days(after returning) is a burden.
Reply to
Scott **************
Reply
Robert *******
a Visa is sold by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and you go to get information about it at a local Immigration Office. I understand the mistakes in the post.
Ivan ************
The local immigration office is in charge of extensions, and that's the interesting bit, if insurance will be required for a retirement extension if the perp was previously on a non O-A. Which it seems from this post and at least two others (Chiang Mai and Nong Khai) that insurance will be required. This is also consistent with the police order on extensions.
Reply to
Ivan ************
Reply
Ellie *******
What do you really want to know?
Ellie *******
do you know each immigration office has their own implementation and requirements? So information itself from all offices maybe not same.
Still how visa works is same. Multiple entry Non-O (any reason including being over 50) gives you 90days permitted to stay upon entry, not more. Non-OA gives you 365days entry so eligible for 90 days report.
You might mix the information of non-o and non-OA you heard or that immigration officer might have mix those things.
Still how visa works is same. Multiple entry Non-O (any reason including being over 50) gives you 90days permitted to stay upon entry, not more. Non-OA gives you 365days entry so eligible for 90 days report.
You might mix the information of non-o and non-OA you heard or that immigration officer might have mix those things.
Scott **************
ORIGINAL POSTERThe Question is about whether or Not we're all getting the same Information from the various Immigration Offices.
and (If Non O requires leaving the country 89 days after returning for the first year.)
and (If Non O requires leaving the country 89 days after returning for the first year.)
Reply to
Scott **************
Reply
Maria *************
There is nothing called NON-AO.
A NON-OA gives you 1 year from arrival and will require healthinsurace from 31 Oct. NON-OA are always multiple
NON-O retirement no healthinsurance required and can get single or multiple
A NON-OA gives you 1 year from arrival and will require healthinsurace from 31 Oct. NON-OA are always multiple
NON-O retirement no healthinsurance required and can get single or multiple
Scott **************
ORIGINAL POSTERSo Non Immigrant O-A is incorrect terminology?
Would it be just an O-A?
Sorry I just mixed up the letters (Corrected)
Would it be just an O-A?
Sorry I just mixed up the letters (Corrected)
Reply to
Scott **************
Reply
Terry **********
It is best that you ask the embassy or consulate in your home country.
If you get O A. After 31 Oct, it seems you need insurance, and you will have to report to your local immigration every 89 days (starts the date you report) at present (but can change) after 1 year, meet criteria and no insurance required for extension of stay.
If you get O A. After 31 Oct, it seems you need insurance, and you will have to report to your local immigration every 89 days (starts the date you report) at present (but can change) after 1 year, meet criteria and no insurance required for extension of stay.
Reply to
Terry **********
Reply
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