What are the new insurance requirements for the O-A Visa renewal in Thailand?

Mar 14, 2023
2 years ago
Karl ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
So the word is that they've just raised the insurance requirement for a O-A Visa renewal. They went from 400,000 to 3.5 million?

Anybody else here of this?

I'm also told that we do not need to have insurance on a renewal.

What is the truth ¿??¿?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
There's been recent confusion regarding the insurance requirements for the O-A Visa renewal in Thailand, with claims that the minimum insurance coverage has risen from 400,000 to 3.5 million. However, recent comments clarify that the insurance requirement of 400,000 remains in place and that updates on the insurance rules had come into effect as of last October. It's noted that while insurance is necessary for renewal, some suggest potential strategies for managing insurance costs during the renewal process.
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Adrian ******
Or change to O visa
Christopher *************
@Adrian *****
yes but have to leave the country to do that
Karl ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Christopher ************
Yes I know you have to leave the country and restart your Visa to apply for an o

But it also says in the embassy paperwork that you need to have the United States embassy verify and guarantee your retirement income. United States embassy Bangkok stop doing that 5 years ago.

So basically they're saying a USA passport holder cannot have an o Visa.
Russell *******
@Karl *******
I don't think you need anything from your embassy to apply for non o. At least I didn't .
Karl ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Russell ******
you from USA?
Russell *******
@Karl *******
no UK. But I understand US has a favorable immigration agreement , so I would of thought it would be the same as a minimum.
Christopher *************
Then do 12 months after
Christopher *************
O VISA FOR 3 MONTHS FIRST
Christopher *************
They are brilliant you will get visa I'm sure
Christopher *************
@Karl *******
talk to thai visa centre
Karl ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Adrian *****
can't. USA embassy That's not provide certification letters guaranteeing your retirement income.
Adrian ******
@Karl *******
then do it right or pay a agent
Graham ******
@Adrian *****
You cannot do that inside Thailand
Adrian ******
@Graham *****
yeh I know but only a little trip out & back to start process
Roberto *********
Buy the insurance the day you get your extension, then cancel the next day. At most you'd lose one month's premium. Make sure you have another more reasonably priced health insurance anyway so you are covered.
Roberto *********
@David *******
Many Australians are now favouring the OX, as Australians do not have to transfer money to Thailand for this visa and it gives us a FIVE YEAR entry stamp. You do need 400k insurance which is available for around $1000 a year, but it's well worth it.
David ********
Ah, thanks ... looks to be different for the Australian embassy/consulate (unless this is something new ... I'll check the Canadian site, but I was just curious. I'm already on an 0, so I don't need it, but I do have a buddy considering retirement to Thailand, this might save him some expensive insurance money if he decided to retire here.)
Roberto *********
@Da***
Landry. You have to check your own embassy and consulates. These are the three available from the Sydney Consulate as well as the LTR
Roberto *********
@Oleg **********
Of course I know how much insurance costs! My insurance costs me only
*****
baht per year. The OA insurance from Thai companies is much higher, so I get that just to satisfy immigration, then I cancel it. I just don't like transferring big sums of money into Thai bank account, or paying heavy bribes. I get much better interest rate in Australia for my dosh!
Oleg ***********
Then if you not like transfer money to Thailand for retirement visa - you get no visa lol
Roberto *********
@Oleg **********
I get OA visa in my home country. OA is ok for two years. I visit home country every 18-24 months. Never have to transfer money. Stays in Australia earning 7.5 to 8.5 % tax free. Why put it in a Thai bank account earning 0.5%? Now you can lol again! 😆😆😆
John **********
@Roberto ********
how do you get the second year if you don't have approved insurance?
Eric *******
@John *********
When you have an OA visa, you automatically get an extra year of validity when you come back to the Kingdom after you left (1 year extension automatically stamped in your passport at the airport).

So, your initial one year OA Visa is actually valid for 2 years, if you plan it well.

Then you just have to apply for it in your home country every two years, to keep it rolling.
John **********
@Eric ******
always provided you have valid insurance for the full year. As Roberto said it's also not an extension but a final 12 months stamp during the validity of your visa, which gets you stamped in for 12 months every entry for the duration of the visa (assuming insurance for the same period)
Roberto *********
@Eric ******
Correct except you're not getting a one-year extension stamped in your passport when you re-enter. You're actually getting a one year entry stamp. Two very different entities.
Eric *******
@Roberto ********
You're absolutely correct on the terminology.

Reading what this person had wrote in his previous posts, I was just trying to use TERMS that would be clear enough and not add more confusion to his thoughts.

Communication is only useful when the other party has a chance to understand what you're saying.
Roberto *********
@John *********
Until this year you could use home country insurance, I just renewed it from the date of the bounce. Now I guess you'd just use the strategy I mentioned before. Get the insurance, then cancel it as soon as it's served it's purpose
John **********
@Roberto ********
ah so you've never actually done that. I did wonder how you managed to not follow the requirements of your visa yet still have a visa. It's not a strategy I'd recommend as your visa is only valid for as long as your insurance is valid.
Roberto *********
@John *********
It's no different to people who use agents. That's all the agents do, set up insurances and bank accounts for short term use. But yes I have actually done it once to facilitate a border bounce. I still have insurance which meets the requirements but is not a Thai recognised company. I just never had any desire to transfer 800k and leave it sitting in a Thai bank account for the rest of my life, so I now use the income method on a non-O although my intention is to get an OX the next time I'm in Australia
John **********
@Roberto ********
the OX makes a lot of sense for Australians. I don't see any agents being able to "help" with an OA, while I get the point you're trying to make but I've seen a number of people coming croppers due to using dodgy agents, although they are not all so.
Roberto *********
@John *********
I'd would never ever use an agent, I was merely pointing out the tactics they use. When I did the border bounce in question the insurance requirement had changed to 1 million baht, and the premium was ridiculous, considering I'd not long renewed my own insurance at about half the price and double the benefits, so it was a risk I was prepared to take, and if I was caught out, I could still show I had the required insurance, just not with one of "their" companies. During the course of that year, I left the country, got a non-O and reentered on that, so the insurance requirement became superfluous. But yes, the OX from Sydney looks attractive as I like the idea of a five year stamp. Those that already have it swear by it
David ********
@Roberto ********
How did you get an non-O outside the country? Is this something special for Australians? My experience is that it's O-A if you apply outside Thailand and O if you convert inside of Thailand!?
Oleg ***********
@Roberto ********
do you know how much insurance cost for people over 50? If you knew, you would not write your post.

Insurance will cost you more than visa. To do like this is pointless..
Oleg ***********
Requires same
*****
0. No problem. Visa extension also need show money
Oleg ***********
Go your own way - need insurance. With help no need
Karl ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Oleg **********
so you're see if I go in by myself I need the insurance but if I have an agency take care of it I don't need?
Oleg ***********
Todd *********
@Karl *******
That is true
Brandon ************
The new insurance requirement took effect in October of last year, so I wouldn't say they "just" raised it.

Also you are required to have the same level insurance forever if you extend based off your non-OA Visa.
Karl ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
are you saying I only need the 400,000

My insurance company tells me I need the 3.5 million.
Brandon ************
@Karl *******
the amount required changed in October 2021. You're required to have $100,000 USD in insurance coverage. Which at today's exchange rate is about 3.5 million baht.
Karl ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
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