What is the cheapest insurance provider for a Non Imm O-A long stay visa in Thailand?

@Lyndon ***********

or 1,900 baht if you don’t buy a reentry permit.

@Damien *******

I think the conversation here and the point I was making has gone way over your head. Never mind

@Damien *******

So bribery is ok but skipping 90-day reports is an horrendous crime? Wow!

@Marty ********

I'm not "bragging" about it, I was passing on information which could be useful to someone. You are aware that more than 50% of retirement visas are obtained through agents, which effectively mean they are illegal. It's well known now that Big Joke wants to overhaul the retirement visa process especially the agent "loans" used to bypass the financial criteria. People are on these groups constantly pushing agents to do this, and I don't see much pushback from those "abiding by the rules". I haven't seen Big Joke saying he's going to get stuck into those who don't file a 90-day report.

@Marty ********

There's lots of things that are not OK in Thailand and farangs forever look for workarounds. Motorcycle riders are probably the worst offenders. Disobeying road rules and then paying bribes to get out of it, riding without licences, riding whilst drunk endangering lives. I found a loophole in a bureaucratic process and successfully got away with it. It's hardly the crime of the century is it?

@Bob *********

Back then I never did any reporting so the 90-day system wasn't even aware of me. I don't know why people are getting so worked up about this. It's a 90-day report FFS! It's a nothing

@Marty ********

Jesus! People are on these groups the whole time suggesting using agents to pay bribes to government officials, sometimes to the tune of 50,000 baht. I haven't seen you criticising them. Bribery is actually a criminal offence. Not making a 90-day report is akin to a parking ticket

@Phil *****

During those years I had a few roadside checks, but they only ever wanted to see licence. I was never asked to produce passport. Generally it's only motorcycle riders they really target and as I refuse to get on a motorcycle in Thailand I was never in that "target" group. Car drivers seem to get much lighter treatment

@Marty ********

Exactly. And as I never did extensions I was never going to be picked up. I don't think the border immigration system is linked to 90-day reporting, otherwise I'd have been picked up when border bouncing for the second "free" year. To be honest I didn't even know about 90-day reporting (or TM30) until I'd already been living in the country for a year! And yes, even if I'd been picked up in say year four, the fine would still only have been 2000 baht maximum

@Phil *****

I don't know. The online system is not linked to border immigration, because even if you leave the country you still get a reminder that your 90-day report is due. I'd been in Europe for five weeks last year and got the reminder email, so obviously airport immigration system doesn't link to 90-day system

@Lyndon ***********

No bank account required and never registered a vehicle. I live in Bangkok so if I travel I rent a car.

@Phil *****

I agree, but during my first 5-6 years on the OA I never did any 90 day reports even though I was in the country. I never went to immigration so they had no record on me.

@Mark *******

I've no idea how the system actually works. If you don't submit the first one, there's no record so they won't be expecting any subsequent reports. People only ever get caught out when they visit an immigration office for other matters (such as extension). As I never visited an immigration office, I was never going to need to produce a 90-day report. By the time covid came along, I'd just re-entered the country and with the restrictions on travel being put in place I thought it wise to do the 90-dayer, which was of course 90 days after my last entry. Nothing was said, so I assume I had no record. It was great while it lasted.

The OP was concerned about insurance. I suggested looking into getting an O inside Thailand with the goal of continuing yearly extensions, with no insurance requirement, as an option. Getting an OA and returning to apply for a new OA every 1-2 years is also an option. I had an OA for 6 years but never returned to the US long enough for the application process. I also didn’t return for 3 years, 8 months during Covid. I already had Thai insurance before the OA insurance requirement was implemented and I have no concerns about bringing money into my Thai bank account or maintaining the 800,000 baht deposit.

The Thai visa environment is a little complex but that affords potential expats with a variety of options and I was just suggesting what is the most common choice for retirees. Back in 2017 the OA was a better choice than it is now for most people. It depends on your life circumstances.

@Marty ********

There's no need to extend at an immigration office. You just border bounce and get another year totally free of charge, so no requirement to go to immigration office in that two years, hence no need for TM30 or 90 day reports. I know it for a fact. I did it for six years. Border immigration don't care about TM30 or 90 day reports

@Phil *****

Yes I know it's a requirement, but with the OA there's no point and no need. There is never any need to go to an immigration office.

@Paul **********

Even better. I think some prices have dropped since I last looked. It's funny how some people are frightened to pay that for insurance and yet will think nothing of paying an agent far in excess of that to get a dodgy visa. Sometimes people's logic stuns me!

@Bob *********

Insurance stuffed it up, but still possible to get half decent insurance for around 30,000 baht. There are some gumps out there pay that to an agent to avoid having 800k in a Thai bank account. OA doesn't need anything in a Thai bank account.

@Bob *********

I didn't. I went back to Australia within the two years. Whilst there I got a new OA and repeated the process. Best visa ever, but now the OX is better. Gives five years, and can be extended another five

@Graham *****

Never applied for an extension because I'd return to Australia every two years to visit family and friends and get a new OA, so no extension required. But no, didn't leave every 90 days. No-one at the airport or land border gives a crap about 90 day reports. I didn't even know what they were.

@Bob *********

Can you tell me why you would go to immigration? Before covid I was in Thailand for six years and never once went to an immigration office.

@Graham *****

I lived in Thailand for six years on OA visa. I never once visited an immigration office. Never filed a TM30 or 90 day report. What for?

@Graham *****

Haha! I can see you've never had an OA visa!

@Paul **********

OA is a great visa especially if you intend to visit your home country once every 18-24 months. Many people frightened of health insurance, but the cost of the insurance outweighs the necessity of having to go to immigration. Keep in mind some gumps pay 25-30k baht per year to an agent to avoid going to immigration. See if you can pick up a basic insurance for that price.

@Marty ********

But OA doesn't require funds to be sent to Thailand. Can get two years from this visa without having to apply for extension. No TM30s, no 90-day reports. No need to ever go to an immigration office

Graham Seal do you know the age limit? I searched and didn’t find without asking them directly. I’m not ready yet and don’t want to be inundated with notices.

Personally I want insurance when the time comes to relocate. I understand presently good medical care is reasonable, but that could change. Also if accidents or a catastrophic illness occurs, best be covered. Also have vehicle insurance for you and others.