What are the health insurance requirements for the Non-Immigrant Visa-O-A in Thailand, particularly for retirees with pre-existing conditions?

May 20, 2023
2 years ago
Eric *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I would like to apply for Non-Immigrant Visa-O-A for retirement. I understand I need medical insurance to cover 40k Bahts for out-patient and 400k Bahts for in-patient. I have pre-existing condition (diabetes) and am not sure if I can get health insurance.

However, my travel insurance covers hospitalisation due to injury or illness (for a trip of up to six months. Is this travel insurance coverage is acceptable for the O-A visa?

Thank you in advance for any advise.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The post inquires about the health insurance requirements for applying for a Non-Immigrant Visa-O-A for retirement in Thailand. The user has a pre-existing condition (diabetes) and is unsure if travel insurance is acceptable for the visa, given it only covers up to six months. Community responses clarify that standard travel insurance is generally not accepted, and the visa typically requires health insurance with specific coverage amounts (recently discussed amounts include 40k and 400k Bahts). Some suggest applying for a different visa type (Non-O) from within Thailand and mention that health insurance can still be obtained despite pre-existing conditions, as long as those conditions are excluded from coverage.
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Sid *******
They dropped the outpatient requirement. It is now 3m inhospitable only.
Steve ********
If insurance is declined you can use value of assets in your home country in lieu of insurance
Jeffrey ************
Of course you can get health insurance. Existing symptoms will just be excluded.
Brook ********
Instead of the Non OA, consider applying for the Non O from within Thailand.

A much better option, in my opinion, and the opinion of others (above).

Before you come, purchase a one year (max) term of inexpensive travel insurance from World Nomads, Safety Wing or similar.

Good luck.
John **********
I thought the insurance requirement had risen to 3 million?
Eric *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
I read the website of Royal Thai Embassy in Singapore yesterday, the amount is 40k & 400k Bahts.
Gan ***********
@Eric ******
A 3 million baht cover requirement is pretty high. Thats even higher than the cover for a private ward in a government restructured hospital here in Singapore. Insurance policies by insurers based in Singapore typically offer an equivalent of 2.56 million baht cover or lower based on the current exchange rate.
John **********
@Gan **********
it is what it is
Gan ***********
@John *********
Oh. I got my figures wrong. The typical cover in Singapore is around 25.5 million baht not 2.55 million baht. Whew! My bad.
John **********
@Eric ******
they may not have updated their website so I'd double check although embassies can do what they want pretty much. It's actually the entry to Thailand that's important where I think they check your insurance. The requirement changed pretty recently.
Colin **********
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Colin *******
AXA will issue health insurance, they will exclude any diabetes related claim, with a first 300,000 user pays the premium is about 25,000 per year.
Steve *******
For the OA visa you need cover for 1 year
John ********
It's much easier for you to come to Thailand and do the retirement visa here in Thailand so read the information on the website
Kool *******
There are other options. First your travel insurance won't be accepted, and if by some strange chance it is your visa extension will only be valid for the length of the insurance. If you apply for the type O retirement extension there is no insurance requirement.
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