Answered5 years ago
What are the latest updates regarding insurance requirements for non-immigrant visas in Thailand?
Latest from the Government
Answer summary
Recent discussions on a government update reveal confusion surrounding new health insurance requirements for foreign residents in Thailand, specifically related to non-immigrant visas. Some commenters express skepticism about claims of foreigners failing to pay hospital bills, while others debate whether the insurance mandates apply only to Non-OA retirement visas, as opposed to all non-immigrant visa holders. A significant amount of commentary focuses on the potential financial implications for elderly expats and the accuracy of translations from Thai to English media. The inclusion of a US$100,000 health coverage requirement for certain visa categories amid unchecked media narratives is causing concern and frustration among expats.
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Nigel *********
Folks,,,, this article is Bullshit... don't panick
Phill ******
another reason to go elite . thats what there pushing for .
Dieter *********
Well that clears it up
George *************
Some words of caution are in order. First, this report comes from the media. Second, this report comes from the Thai media. ;-) Third, this report comes in English when all events described occurred in Thai. Fourth, the nomenclature that is used to describe visas and extensions of stay is used VERY imprecisely (one might even say sloppily) by nearly everyone, especially immigration.
That said, "All foreigners living in Thailand as non-immigrants will in the future have to prove they have insurance coverage of at least US$100,000 (three million baht) against Covid-19." would indeed cover all non-immigrants foreigners living in Thailand if it were true.
Then they introduce the NIV abbreviation for Non-immigrant Visas, which I've never seen before.
Then comes the kicker:
"At present, holders of the NIV must be insured to the tune of just 40,000 baht for out-patient treatment, or 400,000 baht for in-patient treatment at a hospital."
That sentence just isn't true. Only holders of Non-OA [note the 'A' it's significant] visas and extensions of stay derived therefrom must meet the stated medical insurance requirement. Specifically, holders of a Non-O for purpose of retirement [note there is no 'A' the absence is significant] visas and extensions of stay derived therefrom do NOT have to meet the stated medical insurance requirement. People who have Non-O visas or extensions of stay derived therefrom for the purpose of marriage do NOT have to meet the stated medical insurance requirement.
In fact, ONLY holders of Non-OA visas or extensions of stay derived therefrom have to meet this insurance requirement.
[By the way, someone who has looked at the minutes of the meeting in translation has stated that nothing in those minutes indicates that the new requirement applies to any non-immigrant visa OTHER THAN the Non-OA. From Thaivisa.com's resident immigration guru, ubonjoe.]
That said, "All foreigners living in Thailand as non-immigrants will in the future have to prove they have insurance coverage of at least US$100,000 (three million baht) against Covid-19." would indeed cover all non-immigrants foreigners living in Thailand if it were true.
Then they introduce the NIV abbreviation for Non-immigrant Visas, which I've never seen before.
Then comes the kicker:
"At present, holders of the NIV must be insured to the tune of just 40,000 baht for out-patient treatment, or 400,000 baht for in-patient treatment at a hospital."
That sentence just isn't true. Only holders of Non-OA [note the 'A' it's significant] visas and extensions of stay derived therefrom must meet the stated medical insurance requirement. Specifically, holders of a Non-O for purpose of retirement [note there is no 'A' the absence is significant] visas and extensions of stay derived therefrom do NOT have to meet the stated medical insurance requirement. People who have Non-O visas or extensions of stay derived therefrom for the purpose of marriage do NOT have to meet the stated medical insurance requirement.
In fact, ONLY holders of Non-OA visas or extensions of stay derived therefrom have to meet this insurance requirement.
[By the way, someone who has looked at the minutes of the meeting in translation has stated that nothing in those minutes indicates that the new requirement applies to any non-immigrant visa OTHER THAN the Non-OA. From Thaivisa.com's resident immigration guru, ubonjoe.]
John *********
Maybe better imm. george
George *************
@John ********
Hopefully better, but I recognize that things can always be worse than they are now. I'm an optimistic pessimist. ;-)
Bobby ********
OPGeorge Marinkovich. At the present time, people entering on a Non-O retirement are required to have the
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insurance. I think it's possible the non-O retirement might in the future have this requirement for extensions, as it's illogical to have different conditions for two similar retirement visas. ED visas may also require some medical insurance, but I doubt the B visa would, as mostly employers offer some form of medical care. But for now, I guess we just wait and see what happens
Ron ******************
@Bobby *******
why would you need it in future if you are vaccinated? Bobby ********
OPRon van den Heever. Need what?
George *************
@Bobby *******
I think you're right regarding people entering on a Non-O retirement visa, at least one obtained in some countries (US, UK) However, extending that Non-O visa in Thailand does NOT currently require health insurance (as opposed to the Non-OA which does). No one knows what the future holds. If logic were an important consideration in immigration policies I think we might have a totally different immigration system. ;-)
Darren *******
Apparently it's for non-OA only and not all non-immigrant visas.
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8962Kool *******
BP has become extremely anti-government, more so than normal, so they are intentionally doing everything they can to cause controversy with the government. I suspect this bad translation was intentional on their part.
Kool *******
@Darren ******
the article stated it is for 4 non-immigrant visa types, retirement, marriage, business, and work.George *************
@Kool ******
Yes and we know how media reports are generally sticklers for accuracy when it comes to immigration matters, especially the always precise and unambiguous use of terms for describing visas and extensions of stay. ;-)Bobby ********
OPDarren Grist. Probably another breakdown in translation? 🤣
Nigel *********
@Bobby *******
Just the Bangkok post being shit at their jobBobby ********
OPNigel Ponsonby Smallpiece. I think Bangkok Post just likes to stir the pot!
Darren *******
@Bobby *******
in Thailand? 😂
Christophe **********
Yes nothing like the ship crew drilling holes in the Titanic
Bobby ********
OPChristophe Clugston. I think it's becoming more obvious that Thailand only wants people with a bit of spare cash.
Christophe **********
@Bobby *******
they've had the delusional idea that they are in competition with places like Spain, Switzerland or Monaco as a destination. Bobby ********
OPIt gets worse
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44-elderly-expats-given-lifeline-regarding-mandatory-insurance-requirement-for-non-immigrant-%E2%80%9Co-a%E2%80%9D-visas/
Colin *******
And what extra this going to cost us ??
Bobby ********
OPColin Rouse. I'm thinking more of the 75+ age group who probably cannot even get insurance. They will probably have to stick a million baht in a bank account.
Kool *******
@Bobby *******
actually according to the article they will need a bank account with at least the equivalent of US$100,000 in it, or about bt3.4millionBobby ********
OPKool Breez. I think this might be closer
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44-elderly-expats-given-lifeline-regarding-mandatory-insurance-requirement-for-non-immigrant-%E2%80%9Co-a%E2%80%9D-visas/George *************
@Kool ******
Gee, an English-language media outlet made a huge mistake in translating something that happened in Thai. Absolutely shocking. Especially concerning a subject like immigration with its precise and well-understood nomenclature. ;-)Kool *******
@Bobby *******
there are now reports that BP made big mistakes in the translation of the actual cabinet minutes. The actual minutes are only adding a requirement to the health insurance already required for an OA retirement visa, by adding the US$100k covid-19 coverage requirement. Before that was not part of the health insurance requirement, and that seems to be the only thing the cabinet addressed.Bobby ********
OPKool Breez. That might include other assets. I think it's far too early for any real speculation. We know from previous media reports that items often get lost in translation.
Trond **********************
o yes new rulles never ends
Thomas ************
Oh that’s going to attract lots of retirees and others to stay
Garrett ***********
Sounds as ridiculous as usual. Also never have I ever seen "non immigrant visas" abbreviated as "NIVs"..
Frédéric ******************
@Garrett **********
STV, NIV, TR, etc. Probably millennial's language 😂
Charles ********
Questions, is it actually an issue of foreigners not paying hospital bills? I have yet to hear a single story.
Bobby ********
OPCharles Meyers. It's an old article but the general theme hasn't changed much
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Nigel *********
@Charles *******
It does happen,,,, as @Bobby *******
mentioned, GoFund me retrospective insurance is quite popular . You do also hear of people on the bones of their arse, ill health and so on... but it's not that common.Bobby ********
OPCharles Meyers. The only place you'll find these stories are on GoFundMe and they're mostly tourists too stingy to take out a simple $100 travel insurance cover, or those without correct licence who decide to ride a motorbike without a helmet whilst on holiday
Garrett ***********
@Cha****
No, just Thailand being Thailand.Activity
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