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What Are the Latest Insurance Requirements for the OA Visa When Entering Thailand?

OA VisaInsurance RequirementsThailand Immigration
November 12, 2019
5 years ago
Bobby ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Entered Thailand at Suvarnabhumi yesterday afternoon with OA visa expiring on 19 Feb 2020. Stamped in until 09/11/2020 (i.e. 365 days from yesterday's date). No questions, no queries, no strange looks, no request for proof of insurance. Once stamped I stuck my neck out and asked the IO what the latest was on the insurance angle. He said it's a Visa application requirement, the same as police report and disease report, not an immigration issue. This is first hand, it's me (not hearsay), it was yesterday.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion revolves around recent experiences and updates regarding the OA visa, specifically concerning the insurance requirement upon entry into Thailand. A user shared their successful entry to Thailand on an OA visa, stating they were not asked for proof of insurance, contrary to what some expected. Other users expressed concerns about future insurance mandates, particularly for renewals and extensions. The conversation highlights varying experiences with immigration officers, the evolving nature of visa regulations, and insurance policies, suggesting that clarity around these rules is still developing.
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Robert *******
And it is time to close it down. Some people do have to much time on there hands. Please, people do ask questions to clear situations, what happened in your nightmares or day dreams does not help. We have now 1 person discussing for 5 days with Immigration at an airport to get a stamp to be allowed to enter Thailand or not and we have one man, running around for 1 day between the plane and immigration and somehow get hold of a document to show the Immigration to enter Thailand. Amazing Thailand. Good luck and take care.
5 years ago
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Nicolas ******
a good thing to understand in Thailand : any rule can change according to the officer you have in front of you. There is no such thing as a solid national implemented rule
5 years ago
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Bobby ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Nicolas *****
. You've hit the target. A friend has recently said that entering Thailand is a bit like entering a lottery. Still, makes it all very exciting doesn't it?
5 years ago
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Bobby ********
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Fred *********
I have been traveling to Thailand for many years O-A extension with travel insurance cover one year and have used it, is travel insurance permissible
5 years ago
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Bob **********
@Fred ********
 hey buddy if they don't let you in have them call me I'm on an O-A now recommend by them but before the law changed hope your doing ok
5 years ago
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Tod *********
unfortunately
@Fred ********
, I think you're gonna find that "travel insurance" isn't gonna cut it entering on a yearly extension from an O-A visa AFTER this rule started.
5 years ago
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Bobby ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Fred ********
. Yes me too, but unfortunately "for many years" expired on 31st October this year, and unless you can get your insurer to complete the health insurance certificate it will not be accepted. And good luck with getting that signed!
5 years ago
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Bobby ********
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Bob **********
Hope all the IO's follows suit
5 years ago
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Karen-Lee ***********
You were fortunate. I unfortunately didn’t have the same experience on November 7. I spent well over an hour trying to get enough information from emails to prove I had medical insurance, as I couldn’t provide immigration with a certificate. My Cigna insurance card wasn’t enough. The 3 officers who were dealing with me kept showing me a folder which had all the new regulations in English and a range of certificates issued by Thai insurance companies.
5 years ago
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Tod *********
and what was the ultimate outcome
@Kare*****
? Did they finally stamp you in on the O-A visa, did they stamp you in on a visa exempt entry and tell you to get insurance then go to the immigration office to get the year stamp or what?
5 years ago
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James ********
@Roy **********
 yep...you are correct....now if we could get Cigna to have a second Outpatient option limited to 40,000 Thai baht ...BINGO

BTW...I will be asking then that question in coming weeks 😉
5 years ago
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Bobby ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
So you were denied entry?
5 years ago
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James ********
Karen-Lee Singleton but does your Cigna policy have a specified OUTPATIENT coverage of at least 40,000 Thai baht????

Most people that I know who obtain the Cigna policy do NOT add the Outpatient coverage option as its very expensive add on cost.
5 years ago
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James ********
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Bobby ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
One of the recommended insurance companies has this letter of consent which allows them to report your insurance status to Thai immigration. I assume therefore that your immigration record would reflect this, meaning you don't have to produce documents each time you re-enter
5 years ago
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Dan ******
I would hope that certain people will now stop defending the actions & motivations of Thai Immigration in a continuous positive light.
5 years ago
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Bobby ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Let me quickly add that to assume anything with Thai immigration is a dangerous strategy!!
5 years ago
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Bobby ********
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Ed ********
I’m wondering what will happen on last re entry for another 12 months stamp.

I did watch a video from an American solicitor in BKK that said after consultation with Thai immigration that existing OA holders in retirement status would be grangfathere and safe from this. That is people originally granted OA before 30 Oct 2019.

Also they said to him corridor for O visa will be narrowed and it will be difficult to attain later unless maybe married or have Thai relatives. It will be phased out for retirement.
5 years ago
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Andy *******
Okay guys, as my “ information “ is deemed as unreliable I have deleted it.
5 years ago
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Ed ********
Well one thing for sure I’m getting insurance even though mu OA was granted before Oct 30 I’m not going to risk problems flying into DM especially.
5 years ago
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Ron *******
Andy Dwyer I could think of other things to call the TVF immigration committee rather than reliable. Particularly the lovely Sheryl, the most important person this side of the Atlantic. A hybrid version of Quincy MD and Miss Marple. They make it up as they go along playing too their fan club
5 years ago
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Ron *******
If you read back through that thread, he went to CW first, they told him that the 30 day stamp was correct as he had no Insurance.

How you could walk through to immigration at BKK, in order to get a stamp changed, I have no idea.

There appears to be more confusion than answers.
5 years ago
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Bobby ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andy ******
. That's a valid point. Also people need to be careful with insurance companies trying to paint a picture of doom and gloom and offering above and beyond policies. Soon enough one will offer a "bare threads" policy specifically for OAs and the others will follow suit. Those with time on their hands should sit back and rock on their heels until the dust settles
5 years ago
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Tod *********
I think the person in video you watched really has no idea what will or won't happen. :/

There was NOTHING mentioned about O-A visas issued before Oct 31 being exempt from showing proof of insurance when entering the country after the rule came into effect. In fact people entering on O-A's gotten before the 31st HAVE been asked for proof of insurance when entering after the 31st, no matter if it was the 1st entry or a subsequent one.

PLEASE; Let's NOT start any rampant speculation.
5 years ago
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Tod *********
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Tod *********
So let's recap, this was NOT your first entry on this O-A visa, and you were not asked for insurance right?
5 years ago
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Bobby ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
. This was my third entry on this visa, and I was definitely not asked for Insurance.
5 years ago
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Bobby ********
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Bobby ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I think the overall message we can learn is that it is best to get insurance whilst you're under 65. In that way most insurance companies will continue insurance up until you're 99. Getting insurance over 70 is very difficult, and although an avenue is open through getting an O visa, there is nothing to suggest mandatory insurance will not also be placed on O visas in the future.
5 years ago
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Thomas **********
Yeah sure, but after 65 the insurance fees will double+ for less offer. I had an accident insurance 2500/year with min refund 50.000 and when 65 they wanted 7500 and cover only 30.000 in case of problem.
5 years ago
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Thomas **********
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Tod *********
Thanx for the update..
5 years ago
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Adam *********
Alot of Expats would be thrilled if it only applies to new Visa applications & not Visa Extensions!
5 years ago
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JJ *********
I arrive back home in one week. Thank you for this update, a little less stressed now.
5 years ago
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Tony **********
I’m wanting to retire in Thailand, is it best to get a visa here in the USA or wait until I get to customs in Thailand
5 years ago
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Bobby ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@JJ ********
. I'll get in before the post gets closed down, but what the IO said makes perfect sense, in that this is a Visa requirement. When entering the country on an OA you are not asked to show Police Report, Disease Report or proof of funds in a bank account. These are Visa application criteria, in the same way as insurance is now a requirement. I do point out that I do always have travel insurance, which although does not cover the OA criteria, it does protect me in case of accident or illness.
5 years ago
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Bobby ********
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