What Are the Requirements for the O-A Retirement Visa Extension and Health Insurance in Thailand?

Dec 4, 2019
5 years ago
Bo ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
FYI: Just did my O-A retirement extension/multiple re-entry permit. Normally would be one year to 13 December 2020. However because of the term of my mandatory health insurance, they ran until 1 September 2020 - the renewal date of the policy. I was told by IO to keep the mandatory health insurance certificate with me whenever I travel and need to re-enter Thailand. Also, the local IO told me that the 800,000THB requirement must be in THB not in an equivalent foreign currency amount in a Thai bank.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A user recently shared their experience with the O-A retirement visa extension and the requirement for mandatory health insurance. They highlighted the importance of keeping the health insurance certificate during travel and clarified that the 800,000 THB financial requirement must be held in Thai baht, not in a foreign currency equivalent. Comments from others in the community addressed confusion over the financial requirements and the acceptability of foreign health insurance compared to Thai providers.
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Guenter ********
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-Non-Immigrant-Visa-%22O-A%22-(Long-Stay).html A copy of bank statement showing a deposit of the amount *equal to* and not less than 800,000 Baht or an income certificate (an original copy) with a monthly income of not less than 65,000 Baht, or a deposit account plus a monthly income totalling not less than 800,000 Baht.
Fred *********
just did my O-A extension + multi entry no mention of insurance in and out 20 mins
Guenter ********
Okay. Thank you Tod and Robert.
Guenter ********
YES ... the difference RTP ./. MFA is ?
Robert *******
it is different, if you never been to Thailand and apply for a visa at a Thai consulate in your country it is impossible to show a Thai bank account with Thai baht on it. That is why you can use a bank in your country with the equivalent in your country currency.
Guenter ********
Robert, yes, right. But the requirement for 800 TTHB (or *equal to*) is the same for RTPI & MoFA, isn t it ? Are they different indeed ?
Robert *******
an Extension of Stay is applied for inside Thailand at the Royal Thai Police Immigration Bureau, a total different organization than the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who are allowed to sell a visa in their Thai consulates abroad. You can not compare their requirements.
Regis *******
I provided travel insurance with $
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coverage available through Alliance. Cost. About $50 a month renewable at 6 months. It was accepted by immigration. I was asked and allowed to proceed. My visa was issued on 30 October but they still asked as consulate warned might happen. AAA sells it in USA.
Regis *******
Great thx for clearing that up
Tod *********
keep in mind you CAN use foreign health insurance when you BUY a visa and when you stamp in to the country ON an existing O-A visa BUT you can't use it when you apply for a yearly extension at the immigration office :/

For that you need to use one of the 12 approved thai insurance providers.
Tod *********
@Bo *****
how about stating WHERE out of the 70+ immigration offices in the country you actually got your yearly extension?

there is no rule that says you can't have the equivalent of 800K baht in a foreign currency account. That's just your immigration office telling you something and you not disagreeing with them. I know people who ONLY have foreign currency accounts to meet the proof of funds and they get their extensions just fine.

Glad it worked out, Thanx for the update
Bo ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I will bring the foreign currency issue with them the next time I am near the immigration office given what you all are saying. Thanks guys.
Bo ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Mae Sot IO.
Kevin *********
I wonder if the 800K has to be in a conventional fiat bank then? Not in blockchain... That 800k may be worth about $27k now and $25k in a few years. (Price of being a retired expat in Thailand.)
Gregor **********
thank you very much for a valuable information at just this point when so much about the O/A visa or Extension requirement are unclear. Thank you
Stephen ***********
Hi all I work for Pacific Cross Health Insurance Based in Bangkok. I advise everyone to sync the start date of your visa with the start date of your Health Insurance so that way you will get a full year. If anyone has any questions or would like a quote feel free to Pm me.
Mark ***********
@Stephen **********
I wrote you a PM as well.
Billy ************
@Stephen **********
Would you please read my PM. Thank you
James ********
@Stephen **********
as I understand it the insurance company will sync at renewal with the permission to stay date...so possibly a short term renewal to do the sync.
Billy ************
Mike ***************
how old are you and what kind/cost per year for insurance?
Mike ***************
is pacific cross one of the Thai providers ?
Bo ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
75 years old - 70,190THB for the annual premium on the mandatory health insurance with Pacific Cross.
Darren *********
Thanks, confused about the 800,000 in THB in a Thai bank, I thought the equivalent in a foreign currency account in a Thai bank was acceptable?
Bo ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I guess as with other visa issues , the interpretation seems to be up to the local immigration office.
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