What are the current visa options for staying in Thailand for 4-5 months without annual health insurance?

Non-O Visa Visa Requirements Health Insurance Thai Immigration Visa Exempt Entry Visa Extension Border Run Family Visa Expats in Thailand

Oct 4, 2024

12 days ago

Roger ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Every year, I spend 4 or 5 months in my wife's house in Thailand.

The texts on the embassy website are vague and imprecise.

For the 3rd year, I submitted an application for a non-immigrant O visa with health insurance covering the 4 months of stay. This time, it doesn't work anymore, and the embassy doesn't answer my question, even by email.

Looking at the websites of the embassies in Paris and London, I believe I understand that the reason it doesn't work is that the medical insurance must cover a full year.

Would that be correct?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is seeking clarification about the health insurance requirements for their Non-O visa application, as they have encountered issues with embassy communications. Comments suggest alternatives like entering Thailand on a Visa Exempt Entry, applying for extensions, or obtaining different types of visas such as a Non-OA or METV. The community provides various options for legally staying in Thailand for an extended period without health insurance requirements.

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Robert *******

Okay, some seem to forget or NOT READ that you have a Thai wife.

OPTIONS:

Apply for the Non Immigrant O visa based on visiting Thai family for more than 90 days, get 90 days on entry and extend once with another 60 days based on visit Thai family.

5 months done.

OR

visit without any visa and get 60 days Visa Exempt Entry, extend at immigration with 30 days based on being a tourist and later with another 60 days based on visiting Thai family

5 months done.

NO need for border runs with companies to stay 4 months in Thailand if people just read and understand the rules.

12 days ago

Roger ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Robert ******

Thank you !

10 days ago

Reply to

Roger ********

Kevin ***********

Get a six month METV. You will need to leave the country once at 60 days, or 90 if you get a 30 day extension.

12 days ago

Roger ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Kevin **********

What is a METV please ?

10 days ago

Mike *********

@Roger *******

assume he refers to a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa that allows 2 months (60 days) each visit?

10 days ago

Reply to

Mike *********

Simon *******

Come on a 60 day visa then apply for a retirement visa or get a multiple entry 60 tourist visa can stay for 6 months every 60 days you need to do a visa run to get another 60 days,or chance it on multiple 60 day exemptions doing boarder runs

12 days ago

Ellie *******

Do you mean Non-OA visa for retirement? That visa requires you to have specific insurance to apply. But other Non-O single entry visas don't require insurance.

12 days ago

Ellie *******

You can apply for Non-O based on being a spouse to a Thai national (Spouse and Family Visa) or Non-O retirement. Both are single entry visas valid for 90 days and give you 90 days on entry. Then you can apply for 60 days family visit extension at the local immigration office. No border run for 4-5 months.

12 days ago

Roger ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Ellie ******

Thank you.

10 days ago

Reply to

Roger ********

Declan **********

For a non-oa you need a full years coverage for just a normal non-o (retirement or marriage) insurance isn't required.

12 days ago

Roger ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Declan *********

Than You very much !

10 days ago

Reply to

Roger ********

Graham ******

There is no health insurance requirement for a Non-O issued by RTE London. Are you using the correct website?

************************

12 days ago

James ********

Suggest you forget about getting any visa for your trip to Thailand.

As you are wanting to stay for 5 months,

Simply enter Thailand as Visa Exempt Entry...gets you 60 day STAMP on arrival. PLUS can get One 30 day extension of stay ADDED for 1900 Thai baht at your local Thai Immigration office.

Then do a BORDER BOUNCE and get a NEW 60 days STAMP on arrival plus one 30 day extension of stay...= 6 months in Thailand.

12 days ago

Allan *********

@James *******

But using the Visa Exempt entry he must (just in case) have a ticket out of Thailand after the 60 days expires..right?

12 days ago

Nga **************

@Allan ********

you can book a "pay later" ticket on Vietjet and use that booking.

12 days ago

James ********

@Allan ********

if his airline requires proof of ticket departing within 59 days of arrival, yes. Thai Immigration officers normally do not ask unless you have a recent history of staying in Thailand. Ask your airline.

A simple cheap One way ticket to Phnom Penh from Don Mueang airport in Bangkok will be accepted. If you can book it online and with free cancel within 24 hours...book it, print out the ticket and cancel it.

12 days ago

Reply to

James ********

BTW... it's a smart idea to have a good travel insurance policy for your stay in Thailand. Not required, but WISE to have one.

12 days ago

Reply to

James ********

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