Answered6 years ago
What are the insurance requirements for a Non-OA visa in Thailand, especially for seniors looking for coverage?
Today I went to immigration in Chiang Mai for extension of my non immigrant O-A VISA.
Now they asked me for papers so they can see I have insurance. I have some insurance at Muang Thai I said but they said no, you have to have insurance with one of the 14 listed Thai companies.
Okay, so I applied with one of them. For me not a big deal but I spoke with my Irish neighbor and asked if he knew about this. He is much older then me, 77 years old and to get insurance at that age is very difficult and expensive.
Does anyone know if there is an age limit to this new law or knows a way to get an insurance at that age??
Now they asked me for papers so they can see I have insurance. I have some insurance at Muang Thai I said but they said no, you have to have insurance with one of the 14 listed Thai companies.
Okay, so I applied with one of them. For me not a big deal but I spoke with my Irish neighbor and asked if he knew about this. He is much older then me, 77 years old and to get insurance at that age is very difficult and expensive.
Does anyone know if there is an age limit to this new law or knows a way to get an insurance at that age??
Answer summary
A recent visit to the Chiang Mai immigration office revealed that applicants for a Non-OA visa must provide insurance from one of 14 specifically listed Thai companies. This regulation poses significant challenges for older expats, particularly those over 70, like a 77-year-old Irish neighbor, who may find it difficult and costly to obtain such insurance. Several commenters shared their experiences and insurance providers, noting that some companies, like Navakij, might cover people up to 80 but not beyond. It was also mentioned that those on a Non-O visa do not currently require insurance, leading to discussions about potentially switching to that visa type for easier insurance options.
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Hettie *******
Any insurance for people above 65 with underlying conditions..
Hettie *******
Do you have to go back to your country to renew your AO visa?
Garrett ***********
@Het***
No, you can extend it once a year.
Greg ********
@Hettie ******
no you extend it in Thailand 
Alan *******
With O, instead of OA, you don’t need insurance.
Alice ********
I have Foreign insurance because I am a veteran and none of us who have this type get to use it. We still have to buy it. It’s so stupid.
Alice ********
I will when I switch from a non B. I am still teaching right now although I am old enough.
Ivan ************
You can change visa type to an O and then you don't have to buy Thai insurance.
Coen *********
OPThanks for all the replies... i searched non O also. I do not know if it’s possible to switch but isn’t it right that with non O you have to do border runs every 90 days?
Ivan ************
You get 90 days on the inital O visa. Then you do a 1 year extension of stay, same as you would on the O-A at the end, but you don't need to show insurance for the extension. Just the 800k in the bank (or 65k/month income).
Roy ***********
@Coen ********
No border runs, but report to immigration office for 90 days report. Can do it online also, but does not always work for everybody.
Chris *******
DM
Chris *******
@Coen ********
incorrect. No border runs. There are always “other” option:-)
William ********
It might be worth swapping over to a type O Thai visa.
Greg ********
I paid 19,100 Baht with a 40,000 deductible for my insurance, I'm 50 and healthy. I can see the cost becoming an issue in the future
Garrett ***********
@Gr**
40k baht deductible!? That's insane.Roy ***********
Very difficult at 77. Not an answer to your question, but if he is on Non-OA, maybe he can change to Non-O?
Rick *******
I am 73 and have already made the decision not to go back to Thailand after living there for 15 years. There will be more hoops to jump through once the country opens up and I am done jumping through their hoops. There are many other countries that are much easier to retire in.
Bobby ********
@Roy **********
. He's better off to find some insurance company which will cover him. Once you're in, they will keep renewing until you're 99. The Non-O doesn't need insurance YET, but word is insurance will be required for this one too, for over 50's
Philip ***********
As far as i know, only Navakij ( from the companies accepted by Immigration ) accepts at the age of 77 But they end the contract at the age of 80 ... :-( This is a big problem for people, older then 70 or 75, who want to start a health insurance
Peter ***********
Does anyone know the names of the 14 listed companies?
Joe ***********
Check out Pacific Cross
Andrew ********
@Peter **********
, I have ThaiLife, I hope they’re on the list. Following 
Michael ********
@Peter **********
the guy posted the link aboveGarrett ***********
Yes, the Non-OA visa requires health insurance from one of the 14 Thai companies authorized by immigration.
This DOES NOT apply to those on Non-O visas or extentions, just Non-OA which is the 1 year multiple entry you can only get in your home country.
This DOES NOT apply to those on Non-O visas or extentions, just Non-OA which is the 1 year multiple entry you can only get in your home country.
Ken ******
@Garrett **********
any way to change from OA to O in thailand? is there any agent can help?Hettie *******
@Garrett **********
Doyou have to go back to renew it in your country Rick *******
Yes, it is BS and a new scam to make money for the select elite of Thailand. Guess who owns the 14 insurance companies that are required to be used?
Joel ********
I have DavidShield from Israel. 100% covered . So if I’m reading this right immigration wont accept this ?
Joel ********
Hi everyone. I have health insurance. I need to know if it’s limited to 14 companies that Thailand recognises? I have a excellent insurance from Israel
Rick *******
My thought is that once Thailand reopens, they will require everyone to have health insurance PLUS a health certificate.
Joel ********
My original retirement Visa from 2017 is like that
Joel ********
By the way it expired since I’ve been out of country
Joel ********
Retirement visa . No where have I found category ?
Joel ********
I don’t know the alphabet. It’s a retirement visa
Garrett ***********
@Jo**
Correct, not for a Non-OA visa extension. Coen *********
OP******************************************
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