What are the requirements for renewing a Non-OA retirement visa from the US and returning to Thailand?

Oct 21, 2021
3 years ago
Marilyn ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Quick question and thanks in advance.

I have a non O A retirement visa, which I renew yearly in America. Last year of course I couldn't, so I extended at Krabi immigration. Requirements were proof of health insurance and 800,000 baht.

If I fly back to the US and renew from there, does anyone know definitely if the same health insurance and seasoned money in the bank will be required upon returning to Thailand?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
When renewing a Non-OA retirement visa from the US, you will need to meet specific requirements, including providing proof of health insurance and demonstrating 800,000 THB in a Thai bank account or an equivalent amount in a foreign bank account. It's important to note that renewing a visa isn't a direct process of 'renewal' but rather a new application. While in the US, individuals can use funds in their US bank accounts to fulfill financial requirements for the visa application. Upon returning to Thailand, the health insurance must cover the full length of stay or correspond to the duration of the current extension. Additionally, the requirement to maintain a bank balance of 800,000 THB may vary based on the circumstances of your stay and the visa type under which you re-enter.
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Marty *********
If she decides to purchase an OA visa in the US then those rules apply. She should be able to use money in the US and she will be stamped in for one year or the to the end of her current health insurance policy. She also, I think, will have to leave without a re-entry permit to void her current permission of stay. After that everything should be the same as before. She would not need to meet the 800k in a Thai bank requirement anymore.

As a strategy, returning to the US to purchase a new OA each year can make sense if you want/need to return to the US anyway and you are able and willing to go through the OA application process each time.
Bobby ********
Marty Pollard. That's how I used to do it with Australia. I'd always have a trip back home every 12-18 months, so sometimes I'd use the border in/out at Chong Mek to get the free extra time. By far the best retirement visa. In theory you need never transfer one cent to Thailand.
John ********
@Marty ********
ahhh yup, not wanting the 800k deposit. Understand the motivation now!
Bobby ********
You don't actually "renew" a visa, you apply for a new one, which means you can meet the financial requirements by using money in a US bank account. There are some changes afoot with regards to insurance so you'd need to check with the embassy on the requirements at the time you apply.
John ********
The way you are doing it is a quite expensive and complicated way ...extensions in country are usually easier, and can be done by logistics on your foreign trip dates. Arguably a non imm O for 3 months and then extend in thailand yearly due to retirement is cheaper and easier by avoiding the mandatory thai insurance required for oa retirement visas
Marilyn ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *******
I'm fine with having the 800k over here, and I already have it here... But with this new rule about anyone entering Thailand needing 100k covid insurance, then wouldn't I need that insurance in order to re-enter Thailand (from a holiday in the states) in either case? I guess I'm just unclear if the insurance would be required for only those first 3 months (duration of the initial O-visa, before turning in documents at immigration), vs insurance for the year with an OA.... Or if now (due to the new covid requirements) I'm going to need to keep that insurance year round regardless.

I've been doing the OA because I wasn't required to bring the money over and was traveling to the states each year anyway- plus with a multi entry, I was really getting about 2 years out of it if I did a quick border bounce trip just before the 1 year expiration. But since covid, doing it all in the country, I definitely wish I was on an O. But in either case, this new insurance to re-enter on any visa is making me rethink my strategy, as this new requirement is a lot more expensive. My previous required insurance was just under 8k baht a year so very reasonable. This new one, I'm not seeing it available for less than 30k baht unfortunately. If I'll have to have it for the year either way, I'd prefer to keep my funds in the states where they do more good and just go with the OA... But if the requirement for insurance would be less if going with the O (3 month duration instead of 12), then that would be a factor to consider... And that's the part I'm still quite unclear about.
James ********
Here is the new foreign insurance certificate completed by a non Thai insurer which can be used every year for both initial OA visa issue and extensions of stay done inside Thailand...policy must be for 3 Million Thai baht.
John ********
@Marilyn *****
covid insurance yes, everyone currently has to have. The 40k out and 400k in insurance for OA is a significantly heavier burden. Not required for O retirement extension. Better general Medical insurance can be bought overseas rather than in thailand for medical bills. Some may even cover the covid requirement.
David *******
@John *******
OA is now 3 million baht
John ********
@David ******
glad Im on an O extension then! Thought the 3m was a proposal as yet and not introduced?
David *******
@John *******
Had O extension but had to get OA to get in.

Starts to get expensive when the $50,000 doesn't cut it.

And the 400k / 40k becomes 3 million baht.

I've asked Canberra to clarify because the embassy site is still out of sync.

I need to get a CoE and its requests for insurance at the first step now...

I hope it's still a pipe dream.

But TIT.
James ********
@John *******
John Fitton you are quoting the old OA visa insurance requirements.

As of October 1st the new amount of insurance needed for the OA visa and extension of stay based on the OA is 3 Million Thai baht (US $100,000) inpatient and 60,000 Thai baht outpatient medical coverage... Which includes coverage for COVID medical care.

It can be either a Thai insurer or from your home country or obtained outside of Thailand with proof of the OA compliant health insurance policy.
John ********
@James *******
yup indeed changed ...but let me check with you:

Both OA and O insurance requirements are the same (and less? Than the old OA requirement)

Is there any insurance requirement for extensions of OA and O (retirement) inside Thailand now???
Benjamin ******
@John *******
I do not *BELIEVE* there are any insurance requirements for a Non-O visa. I hope James can chime in though.
John ********
@James *******
thanks James ...will look up on the thai embassy website to update myself ...being on an O extension (retirement) hopefully will continue to not be relevant (until the next change? 🙄)
Marilyn ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *******
thanks for all your helpful info. In my strategizing and researching into the tangle of OA vs O and healthi insurance I have found that the government is talking about requiring health insurance for the O visa now as well. It might take some time, but it looks like that's coming. Game changer, and I thought it might be helpful to know
Benjamin ******
@Marilyn *****
>I have found that the government is talking about requiring health insurance for the O visa now as well.

The "O" class of visas are very very broad brushed, and I can not imagine insurance being required for ALL Non-O visas. Remember, unless it's an office making the change, just ignore what directors/ government heads say in the news.
Marilyn ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Benjamin *****
hah! So true. I've noticed over the years that our Krabi immigration office has its own uh, interesting and unique way of doing things.
Sara ******
@Marilyn *****
I know 🙄
Armin *********
Benjamin ******
@Armin ********
Can you make your own post? There's too many questions that may need to be asked, and it'll completely derail the poster's question. Thank you.
Benjamin ******
>does anyone know definitely if the same health insurance

You will need health insurance for the length of your stay in Thailand when you return (or the expiration date of your one year extension of stay based on retirement).

> and seasoned money in the bank

Your CURRENT extension of stay requires 2 months of 800K THB in a Thai Bank Account BEFORE you apply for the extension of stay, 3 months of 800K THB in a Thai Bank account AFTER is is granted, and for the balance to not drop below 400K THB between those two time periods.

If the bank balance falls below the 800K THB requirement anytime during the three months after your extension of stay was granted, then you would have been on overstay.

>If I fly back to the US and renew from there

You will not be able to get a new extension of stay outside of Thailand (since only immigration offices sell extension of stays). You can purchase a new Non-OA Visa from the local Thai consulate. You will need proof of 800K THB in Thailand OR the equivalent in foreign currency in a foreign bank account, along with proof of health insurance.
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