What Are the Insurance Requirements for Switching a Non O-A Visa to a Non O Visa Based on Marriage in Thailand?

Non O Visa Visa Extension Health Insurance

Oct 31, 2019

5 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

I have been in Thailand for 7 years on a Non OA visa based on retirement - extended yearly. I have completed paperwork, (pics, tm7, tm 30, over 400,000 baht in Bangkok Bank, etc) to covert to an extension based on marriage. I had the work prechecked at immigration, and intend to present it when my current extension is up in a few months. 

Two questions: 

1. Is it true that Non O is not required to show medical insurance? 

2. Assuming they approve my extension based on marriage will my visa be converted to Non O or must I do something else? 

3. If the answers to both the above are "no" - any suggestions? (I cannot get medical insurance as I am 79 years old.)

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user seeks clarification on the requirements for transitioning from a Non OA visa to a Non O visa based on marriage after living in Thailand for 7 years. They inquire whether medical insurance is necessary for the Non O visa and if their visa type would change upon approval of the extension based on marital status. Responses highlight that typically, a Non O visa does not require insurance if married to a Thai national, but specifics can vary by immigration office. Further, there are suggestions to check immigration rules and possibly apply for a new visa or a medical insurance plan.

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James ********

And as the OP checks once again with his local immigration office re his options and steps to obtain the NonO for Marriage to Thai visa, I close commenting. Thanks all for your comments.

5 years ago

Ron *******

The majority of immigration offices won't allow an extension for being married against an O-A visa. An O-A is specifically for being over 50 years old and retirement.

5 years ago

Ron *******

@Ted *****

yes. Some people have managed to do it but the majority of offices won't do it.

Your issue now 'COULD' be the very fact you will need Insurance at your next extension if you are on a marriage extension from an O-A visa.

5 years ago

Ted ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Interesting. Hua Hin Immigration looked over my my application and said nothing about my OS Visa being wrong for a marriage extension.

5 years ago

Reply to

Ted ******

Biff *******

Your visa is a thing of the past. You are here on an extension of stay. Your initial extension was based on a Non O-A visa which means that subsequent extensions for retirement would mean you meet the condition of requiring health insurance under the new rules. Now, whether or not a subsequent extension based on marriage still means that you will need insurance is something that the immigration office will know the answer to. Did you ask them when they did the pre-check you mentioned?

5 years ago

Biff *******

Sounds like a plan. If they say you do need insurance, then I would recommend you to go get a new visa (Non-Imm O type) and start your extension again from that.

5 years ago

Ted ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Yep. I guess I will wait a a month or two (my current extension is good until March) and then pay a visit. Give immigration a chance to sort this out first.

5 years ago

Ted ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

No. I did not. It was a few months ago and it seemed at that time no one was sure if the new insurance rule would apply to extensions.

5 years ago

Reply to

Ted ******

John ********

You can go to a Thai consulate in Laos and get a single entry Non-O and then go to immigration and get a year long extension based on marriage or I think you can apply for a 60 visiting family extension and then a year extension based on marriage.

5 years ago

Ron *******

'If' they allow the switch to extension for marriage, you'll still be running from the original O-A. How that is going to work regarding medical insurance, only immigration can say.

5 years ago

James ********

You do not need health insurance if Married to Thai. However, the only ones that can tell you exactly what to do and steps in doing it is your local Thai Immigration office. An O-A visa is believed not able to be converted to a NonO. You may have to go to Vientiane or Savanakhet to get the NonO Married to Thai.

@Tod ********

@Robert ******

are most knowledgeable of this process.

5 years ago

Reply to

James ********

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