What are the steps to take after receiving a Non-Immigrant O-A visa for retirement in Thailand, particularly regarding the TM30 and health insurance?

October 22, 2019
5 years ago
Christine *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Good morning to the expert ! I need your advice as I’m totally new and will be moving over to Chiang Mai in exactly two weeks’ time. Both my husband and I have just gotten our one year, multiple entry , non immigrant o-A visa ( received retirement visa on 10 oct ) from the Thai Embassy in Hong Kong.

We will be entering Thailand on 4 nov and hubby will remain in CM. I will be flying back to HK on 12 Nov for a couple of weeks before flying back to CM for good.

First question: Do we go to the immigration dept straight after entering Thailand ?! I must do this before leaving CM on 12 Nov. Can we do this ourselves or must go thru agent ?

Second question: When or do we have to submit TM30 ? We owned our house we are staying.

Third question: health insurance- do we need to buy one now ? Can we get one from AIA in Hong Kong ? Can we get one good one without outpatient ( seldom fall sick)?

Fourth question : 90 days checkin- from the day you enter Thailand ( 4 nov ) or in our case, after we go to immigration dept with our OA visa ? In my case, I leave on 12 nov and back in maybe 2-3 weeks... how do I report ?

Thank you so much for your help
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is seeking guidance on the necessary steps to take after arriving in Thailand on a Non-Immigrant O-A visa, specifically regarding immigration procedures, health insurance, and the TM30 reporting requirement. The community advises that both the user and their spouse must report to the immigration department and file a TM30 within 24 hours of arrival, regardless of owning their residence. Additionally, they are cautioned about proof of health insurance, suggesting they prepare documentation from their insurance provider in Hong Kong, as new rules may apply upon entry.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
  • Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
  • For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
  • Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
  • Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
Christine *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Noted Tod. I will do that
Tod *********
@Chri*****
, I definitely would download that proof of foreign insurance form in our Files section, have it filled out and bring it with you just in case.

No one knows what's gonna happen to O-A visa holders who enter AFTER Oct 31st as far as will you or won't you be asked for proof of insurance.
Christine *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi Tod.. we were told by Thai embassy in Hk to go to immigration dept within 90 days to report. Is this TM30 ?

Health insurance.. can we get health insurance ( paid yearly) from hk ?!
Christine *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Yes... I will update here. I’m wondering whether I should enter without insurance ?! Will see
Yvonne *********
@Christine ****
Could you please let us know how you get on with the insurance when you come in both times. We are living in Phuket since April have insurance from Australia we are flying home in January for a week, interested to see if Immigration ask to show proof.
Tod *********
@Chri*****
I guess you'll find out if it works or not. There's no option to pick and choose (because you don't get sick much) I would imagine that you either meet the requirements of 40K/400K and you get stamped into the country or you don't meet them and they don't let you stamp in.

BUT

No one really knows how it will work on people who got an O-A visa BEFORE the insurance requirement came into effect and entered the country after Oct 31.

All I can say is you will find out when you stamp in
Christine *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks Tod for the explanation !

For insurance , we were told that we should have 40,000 baht out patient .. if we don’t have out patient covered in our insurance as we don’t fall sick as much.. will that do ?!
Tod *********
you can show proof of foreign insurance <- that means insurance you got in YOUR country that meets the minimum requirements) by downloading that form I mentioned in the Files Section of this group and having it filled out to present in case you're asked when you stamp into the country
Tod *********
You are confusing a couple things :O

You need to file a TM30 <- notification of foreigner in residence within 24 hours of you showing up here. Period end of story

AND

IF you are in thailand for 90 days you need to go file a TM47 <-90 day report.

They have NOTHING to do with each other.

the way the 90 day reporting works is IF you're in thailand on the 90th day you are obligated to report.

If you leave Thailand before that 90th day when you come back your NEXT 90 day report date is 89 days from the date you stamped in (the count the day you stamp in as day one).
Tod *********
When you do clear passport control at the airport make sure you're stamped in for a whole year (actually a year minus two days :O )

many people on O-A visas get stamped in wrong :(
Tod *********
You need to file a TM30 within 24 hours of arriving. Meaning you BOTH go file a TM30 after you arrive and then you will file another one when you return. Doesn't matter if you own, rent or stay free, you need to file a TM30.

The health insurance question is gonna be trickier. You got your visas BEFORE the rule came into effect (so it didn't affect you when you applied for the VISA) but you're comin' into thailand after the rule starts so you COULD be asked to show proof of insurance (and foreign insurance is fine)

There is a form in our FILES section that is for proof of foreign insurance. I'd down load it and get it filled out and signed to be safe..
Tod *********
Your first and second question are the same answer, you GO file a TM30 within 24 hours of arriving here.
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