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What are the health insurance requirements for a retirement visa in Thailand, and how can I open a Thai bank account from my home country?
Retirement Visa ThailandNon-O VisaNon-OA VisaHealth Insurance ThailandThai Bank AccountExpat in ThailandVisa Requirements
Sep 9, 2025
8 months ago
Molly *****
ORIGINAL POSTERIm uk based applying for retirement visa. AXA quoted £2600-3800 for global health insurance with £250k - £1M in patient cover . No excess not pre existing health single mid 50s. Seems high for visa requirements . Any advice. Also if you apply from home country how do you open Thai bank account?
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user, based in the UK, is applying for a retirement visa in Thailand and has received high insurance quotes for global health insurance. They seek advice on insurance costs and how to open a Thai bank account from their home country. Comments reveal that the Non-O visa does not have mandatory insurance requirements, unlike the Non-OA visa, which often necessitates specific insurance coverage. Many suggest opting for local insurance in Thailand rather than international plans due to lower costs and better suitability. Additionally, it is possible to open a Thai bank account after arriving in Thailand.
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.
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Steve *******
Just go for insurance in Thailand, not worldwide.
Maybe speak to an Agent.
I’m using AA Insurance and their quotes are a lot cheaper, and i’m 66.
Maybe speak to an Agent.
I’m using AA Insurance and their quotes are a lot cheaper, and i’m 66.
Tony ******
Look at khon ken Den YouTube channel. Latest video he’s in hospital & tells about his insurance. Hope it helps (hope it’s ok for me to mention it admin 😎🙏🙏)
George *******
I came over here and ended up having 90 day tourist visa. got all the retirement Visa and everything sorted while I was here including the bank account.
It's entirely up to you but it seems £300 per month is quite a lot of money. Personally if you're healthy I would put the £300 a month into a separate bank account and self-insure you can always use the 800,000 deposit in your bank account for any big bills as long as it is is replenished by end of renewal.
It's entirely up to you but it seems £300 per month is quite a lot of money. Personally if you're healthy I would put the £300 a month into a separate bank account and self-insure you can always use the 800,000 deposit in your bank account for any big bills as long as it is is replenished by end of renewal.
Molly *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@George ******
you cant open bank account on tourist visa?Dave *******
@Molly ****
just get agent easyEric **********
@Molly ****
NO !!!!Reply to
Eric **********
Reply
Grant *********
Ive looked to at insurance thru cigna. quoted &4200-4800 AUD. I still cant work out how much cover I need even thru a broker and thai insurance. Any help appreciated
Jesper *******
Get a nonO instead of nonOA travel to thailand and get local insurance
Peter *******
What do you need global coverage for? Your planning on living in Thailand.
Om ********************
Man do not come to thailand now they eat your money very fast
Ling *****
@Om *******************
best place on earth.Om ********************
@Ling ****
40 millions thai people has no money no income no job no futureReply to
Om ********************
Reply
Pertti *************
@Om *******************
here is very affordable live👍Reply to
Pertti *************
Reply
Michael ********
If OA then look for the list of Thai approved providers, unless you need global coverage. Big difference in cost with global coverage when you take countries like the US out of the quote
Paul ********
I have my non o from application in the uk and you don’t need insurance
Molly *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Paul *******
you only have one entry on an non of?Greg ***********
@Molly ****
you enter on a Non-O, visa fee is 60 GBP, you get 90 days stay permit stamped, then transfer 800,000 THB onto your freshly opened Thai bank account and apply for the "1-year extended stay permit" after the money has sat in your account for 2 months. For this 1-year stay permit you buy a multi re-entry permit for 3800 Baht and you can exit and re-enter for unlimited times. NO mandatory health insurance required, NO police record required, No doctor health check required . . . . AND, don't forget, after the 2 years you can max out of a Non-O/A visa, you need to buy a private Thai health insurance, because Thai Immigration will not accept a foreign insurance any moreTim **********
@Greg **********
spot onReply to
Tim **********
Reply
Paul ********
@Molly ****
you apply for it when you get here and get a multi entryReply to
Paul ********
Reply
Stuart *********
There are no mandatory insurance requirements for a Non O visa based on being over 50.
Perhaps you are applying for a Non OA visa which does have that requirement as well as health check and police check.
Perhaps you are applying for a Non OA visa which does have that requirement as well as health check and police check.
Reply to
Stuart *********
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