Answered7 years ago
What are the insurance requirements for entering Thailand on an OA Visa after the new rules?
Ok folks anyone on OA Visa I've just arrived tonight at Bankgkok Suvarnabhumi Airport I WAS asked for insurance which I showed my UK insurance and it was accepted, I'm stamped in for a year, thanks Tod for advising :-)
Answer summary
A user shared their recent experience entering Thailand on an OA Visa, mentioning that their UK insurance was accepted by immigration upon arrival. They were stamped in for a year despite questions and mixed responses in the community regarding the new insurance rules post-October 31st implementation. Community members engaged in a discussion about whether insurance should be mandatory for all OA Visa holders entering after this date, highlighting confusion over regulations.
25 repliesnewest first
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Martin ********
FFS travel insurance is for holidaymakers. It’s being confused with health insurance. Travel Insurance last a maximum of 90 days in general this isn’t health insurance
Tod *********
@Martin *******
, careful now. You can indeed use travel insurance to get the O-A visa from a thai consulate in your country AND to enter the country on a valid O-A visa BUT you can't use it to get a yearly extension from the immigration office
Geoff *******
@Martin *******
Not true, travel insurance is for travellers, whether on holiday or not. It can last for as long as you are prepared to pay for. I use this form of insurance all the time. I stay in Thailand for 90 days but my travel insurance covers me from departure from UK until my return, certainly more than 90 days total.James *******
@Martin *******
Exactly, and when it comes to extension time I don’t think it will cut it. Bear in mind extensions are supposedly only issued for the duration remaining on the health policy.
Bobby ********
@Ca**
. When you say UK insurance, is that travel insurance?
Mark *************
Two weeks ago returned from Cambodia and brought my US health insurance contract just in case....but nothing was mentioned and I'm stamped in just fine.
Philip *********
I will be arriving tomorrow Bangkok OA issued March 2019 . Short visit out in . I expect to be stamped for a year with no mention of insurance
Tod *********
report back and let us know if you were asked or not.
It seems there is some discrepancy in the interpretation. The way the wording of the rule change is written EVERYONE on an O-A (no matter if it was issued before Oct 31st or not) who enters the country AFTER Oct 31 should be required to show proof of insurance. BUT it seems the immigration officers are letting some people who have O-A's issued before the Oct 31st date to enter without proof of insurance.
It's a crap shoot as far as what will happen to you
It seems there is some discrepancy in the interpretation. The way the wording of the rule change is written EVERYONE on an O-A (no matter if it was issued before Oct 31st or not) who enters the country AFTER Oct 31 should be required to show proof of insurance. BUT it seems the immigration officers are letting some people who have O-A's issued before the Oct 31st date to enter without proof of insurance.
It's a crap shoot as far as what will happen to you
@Phi***
Carl ***********
OP@Philip ********
it's the new rules mate as from 31st Oct to have insurance
Marty *********
This just adds to the confusion. He shouldn't have been asked for insurance. If you hadn't shown whatever insurance you have would they have stamped you in for a year?
Daniel *******
@Marty ********
Agree. As if the water wasn’t muddy enough...Carl ***********
OP@Marty ********
you need to read new regulations on entry to the Kingdom on OACarl ***********
OPOk folks my OA issued Aug19 first visit before new rules, now today on new rules, immigration officer went through all documents needed when I showed my screen shot of uk insurance he just read a little then took photos of all my paperwork then issued 1 year stamp :-)
Bell *******
Congrats!
James *******
Your talking about an airport entry? What documents did he go through? I just give my passport.
Eze ********
@Carl **********
thanks for the update.
Ron *******
His O-A visa was issued August 2019
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0/Eze ********
@Ron ******
thanks.Eze ********
Carl, when was your visa issued?
Carl ***********
OP@Eze *******
Aug19Eze ********
I'm guessing before October 31st since you didn't mention that you had the foreign insurance certificate filled in.
Stephen ***********
Carl ...was that your first time coming in to Thailand on that Visa?
Carl ***********
OP@Stephen **********
2nd time once before Oct 19 and yesterday 2nd Dec
Martin *********
Carl , was that an 0-A extension , or an actual 0-A visa ?
Carl ***********
OP@Martin ********
actual OA I got in Aug 19Activity
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