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What Are the Health Insurance Requirements for a Retirement Visa in Thailand?

Jul 7, 2020
6 years ago
Paul ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
I am in Australia just applying for a retirement visa as mine expired some time ago ,with the health insurance do I need to have cover for $100,000 US or is that only for the people with work permits and spouses that are returning now , as I can’t return till thailand opens up again would be grateful for any advice thanks
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The individual is applying for a retirement visa while in Australia and seeks clarification on the health insurance requirement of $100,000 USD. Comments provide insights into current regulations stating that the choice between Non-O and Non-OA visas affects insurance necessity, with Non-OA requiring insurance. However, as of the current situation, entry to Thailand and visa processing are impacted by COVID-19, and the OP is advised to stay updated on regulations before making their application.
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.
Benjamin ******
I'm shutting this down.

1. The OP is currently in Aus, is not married, does not have a valid visa, and has no "urgent" need to return to Thailand per the Thai government regulations.

2. There are two types of retirement visas (basically): A Non-O and a Non-OA. AS OF RIGHT NOW, the Non-OA need health insurance, the Non-O visa does not need insurance. IF he wants an Non-OA visa, he can use
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to get a quote from an approved insurance company

3. AS OF RIGHT NOW, the consulates are not selling visas.

4. AS OF RIGHT NOW, to enter Thailand, COVID-19 health insurance is needed. The OP can not enter Thailand, and therefore will not need COVID-19 insurance. Will it be needed after the borders reopen? I don't know, my crystal ball is broken.

MY ADVICE:

The OP should continue watching the news, and when the borders reopen, to apply for a visa, insurance (if required), and to come to Thailand. We don't know what the future holds.

Good luck
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Mike ******
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Lesley *******
Be sure to get insurance with a company on the Thai list. We use Pacific Cross who have a dedicated policy for our ‘retirement’ situation.
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Mike ******
@Lesley ******
This topic concerns two different subjects: 1) Mandatory Health Insurance for Non Imm OA 2) Insurance required to enter Thailand. It can be the same policy as long as two conditions are met: A. Confirmed coverage for Covid 19 Related illness(s)B. The minimum coverage for the long stay Visa is 400,000 Baht IPD and 40,000 Baht for OPD. The mandatory insurance for entry has a minimum policy limit of $100,000 or just over 3 Million Baht. It can be confusing and one has to be very careful what policy to buy.
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Paul ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Lesley ******
yes had a lot of quotes from companies on there list thanks
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Benjamin ******
That's for OA visas only; Non-O visas do NOT need health insurance.
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Mark ********
@Benjamin *****
But all entering Thailand under the current criteria require insurance up to $100,000 'Covid-19' cover. That may change as the government opens up more obviously.
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Benjamin ******
@Mark *******
BUT the OP can't enter Thailand right now though, he doesn't have any "urgent need" that I can see.
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Mark ********
@Benjamin *****
Correct, my point being the insurance may still be a requirement when things open up more. I certainly wouldn't negate it.
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Mark ********
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Benjamin ******
I'm reading this, and I need some more information. Why do you want to return to Thailand? Do you want to return:

1. To be with family?

2. Because you're retired and you want to return back to your home here?

3. Do you want to get a new "retirement visa" (and if so, what exactly is a "retirement visa"?
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Paul ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Benjamin *****
I have been living in Thailand for 2 years , not married yet but own my house with fiancé, I had a retirement visa but expired 7 months ago but as I was fly in fly out of Australia I was only there one week and 2 weeks at work in Australia so didn’t renew it . But now stuck in Perth after having back surgery I want to renew retirement visa as it looks like my working days are over and want to return to my home when they open up air travel again
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Benjamin ******
@Paul ***********
When does your retirement visa expire?
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Paul ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Benjamin *****
was going to apply now for a new one , ready for when Thailand opens again
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Paul ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Benjamin *****
it expired last October
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Benjamin ******
@Paul ***********
My understanding, from the Thai government, is that people with "urgent" may be allowed to return to Thailand. Having a house and a fiancé [not a wife] in Thailand is not "urgent", sadly.

What I recommend doing is to apply for another retirement visa when the consulates reopen, either a Non-O or a Non-OA. AS OF RIGHT NOW, the Non-O retirement visas do NOT require insurance.
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Steve **********
@Benjamin *****
Non O visa extension of stay does not require insurance meaning not even 100.000$ covid 19???
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Bobby ********
@Steve *********
. Extension of stay means you're already in country. This guy is in Perth
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Bobby ********
@Benjamin *****
. I think he's talking about the $100,000 Covid insurance, which at this stage ALL visas require. I think it's reasonable to point out that although this requirement may be abolished when Thailand opens up, there's a possibility it won't be, so I think he should be aware of the situation
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Paul ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bobby *******
yes mate I few on the list include it so I might play safe and pay the extra for it thanks
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Paul ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
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Paul ************
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