What are the health insurance requirements for the OX retirement visa in Thailand, especially regarding its validity period?

Feb 19, 2023
2 years ago
Martin *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I have a question for anyone who successfully got the OX retirement visa in Australia.

[members only]

The requirements say you have to show proof of health insurance for at least 1 year.

I already have Thai health insurance that expires in July. It is impossible to extend this early, so when I apply for the OX visa, my health insurance will only cover me for the next 5 months or so. Will it be sufficient to show that I have a year-long insurance policy?

Also, does the insurance expiry date affect the date you're stamped in till? I've seen that OX visa holders get stamped in for the full 5 years, but it's impossible to get health insurance for such a long period. When I last entered on an OA visa, they only stamped me in to the date that my insurance expired, which was slightly less than a year. Was that because of covid rules at the time? Or does the entry stamp date get handled differently with the OX visa compared to the OA visa?

Thanks for any advice.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The inquiry focuses on the OX retirement visa requirements, specifically regarding health insurance validity. The original poster has Thai health insurance expiring in July and questions if this will suffice for the OX visa application, which requires proof of health insurance for one year. Respondents suggest contacting the consulate for guidance on whether 5 months of insurance is acceptable, clarifying that the visa should still be stamped for the full 5 years regardless of the insurance duration.
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Les *******
I converted from an OA visa to an OX visa partway through my OA visa.

The process I took was cancelling the existing insurance and starting a new full insurance from the intended start date of the OX visa.

I went with the same insurance company because they had my details and it was a no hassle's process.

Going through immigration, the visa stamp was to the end of our passport expiry date which was 3
***
years even though our insurance was only for 12 months. I haven't reached the end of the first 12 months of the OX visa, so I'm not sure of what process they will follow in confirming continuation of health insurance.
Martin *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks Les. Yes I spoke to the consulate in Sydney and they said they definitely need to see the insurance valid for a year. So it looks like I'll have to do the same as you, cancel the existing policy and reapply for it again.
Les *******
@Martin ********
you should get a pro-rata refund for the portion of unused insurance so won't be too bad.
Tod *********
contact the sydney consulate and ask THEM if your insurance will work with only 5 months validity OR if you'll have to buy a new policy (because you can't renew the insurance policy you have that early).

You'll get stamped in for 5 years when you show up, and it has nothing to do with the insurance validity, it has everything to do with the OX visa class.
Martin *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I called the consulate. They said the insurance definitely needs to be valid for a year. So it looks like I will need to cancel my current policy and sign up for it again.
Martin *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you Tod. I'll contact the Sydney consulate and report back here what they say. If I end up getting another OA visa, do you know whether that would now be stamped in for the whole year, regardless of insurance validity?
Martin *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks Tod. That difference is exactly what i wanted to clarify
Tod *********
@Martin ********
nope, on an OA visa entry you will get stamped in for as long as your health insurance is valid for up to one year..
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