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What is the current experience for O-A visa holders entering Thailand regarding health insurance requirements?

O-A Visa Immigration Experience Health Insurance

Nov 25, 2019

5 years ago

Martin *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Ok , I thought I’d let you all know my experience arriving at BKK this evening 

On my O-A extension, which I obtained in September ( my 5th ) ...

I had of course a multi re entry also 

WHAT HAPPENED. ?

Nothing not a word , stamped in until my next extension is due up October 10th 2020 

So I couldn’t resist but to ask ( the very attractive) IO ... 

I Didn’t need to show you health insurance did I ? ...  she just said , no , if you have a extension stamp , or an O-A visa .. we would of course assume you have it or you wouldn’t be issued one .. I said , but I obtained mine before the new rule came out ? ... yes ok , then you don’t have to have it anyway ...and she laughed !  

JOB DONE 😀👍🏻. So relived as I’ve got to leave the country numerous times this coming year 🙏

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A user shared their recent experience entering Bangkok on an O-A extension, indicating that health insurance was not requested by the Immigration Officer (IO) during their entry. They expressed relief about the lack of inquiries regarding insurance, even after the rule was implemented. Other users commented on the variability of experiences at immigration, suggesting caution regarding future entries as health insurance requirements may still be enforced inconsistently.

Patrick ******

I recently entered on my O-A visa into BKK on Nov 19th. No questions asked by IO. Entered and processed normally. ( O-A Visa was issued from LA Thai Consulate 8 months ago). I do not have insurance. Hope this data helps.

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Danny *********

Welcome home

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Tod *********

thanx for the update. (y)

Remember boyz and squirrelz (especially if you have an O-A visa or extension from one) YOUR mileage may vary. The actions of the immigration officers to the O/P's entry on a yearly extension from an O-A visa in NO way mean that will happen to you.

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Edward ******

and that is why I will reapply for a new OA visa in my own country- rather than come back and get an extension- and I will get health insurance according to their liking- which I personally don’t agree with- but so be it until further things are more explicit !

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Edward ******

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Eze ********

Thanks for asking and updating the group.

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Richard *******

Thank you for update👍

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Carl ***********

Thank you for that as I return soon

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Daniel *******

Relieved would be over-stating it for me, but based on the common-sense answers from the IO, encouraging...

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Gregor **********

Martin Howarth I hate to spoil somebody's happy day. You wrote at the end: "So relived as I’ve got to leave the country numerous times this coming year" . . . this is where the problems could begin. . . . . If you take some time and check by the search function of this group, you might find quite a few reports which indicate that once after a trip abroad, on re-entry you will be asked for the proof of a thai based health insurance. Even when you got an O/A visa issued before the insurance rule came into effect. We still do not clearly & 100%-ly know what there is on the wait for you upon a re-entry. You might be given the additional 365 days admitted stay, or might be given a 30-day visa exempt and get told to buy a thai accredited insurance

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Gregor **********

you will have lost 11 months and your Non-Imm-O/A visa will become void unless you buy the insurance. And after 30 days you will technically be in overstay

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Scott ********

@Gregor *********

when I come back in in January just prior to my first year being up I will ask to see the regulation if they choose to give me a visa exempt stamp. Nothing to lose at that point.

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Gregor **********

. . and the quandry is the reason why I hate to spoil somebody's happy day and his expectations . . . . . . .

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Gregor **********

we know that beginning with November 7th after a meeting of immigration officials at the airport, it was agreed that FIRST entries at Suvarnabhumi Airport with an O/A issued before 31st of October 2019, were admitted without the proof of the health insurance. Numerous reports told the same. However it does not apply 100% when someone leaves and re-enters, or applies for the Extension of Stay

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James ********

@Gregor *********

and that's why posts like his are helpful. Gathering first hand experiences.

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James ********

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John *********

@Martin ********

- Thank you for asking the IO.

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Adrian ******

I would not have asked just in case they see it as like blowing a raspberry in the face like after the fact but fair play on asking

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Michael ********

Me too. I would have gotten the stamp and been straight off.

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Martin *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

? .. I don’t think they would be offended at all . These things are good to know and I’m sure the IO’s are glad to get it cleared up ASAP , instead of getting angry about it .. I’ve found most are really helpful , she certainly never had an issue at all with me asking , In fact only too helpful to explain 😉👍🏻

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Peter *********

exactly

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Peter *********

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Peter *********

Why bother asking???

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Bobby ********

@Peter ********

. Why not? This group has been filled with questions relating to this. It's good to get some feedback straight from the horse's mouth, wouldn't you think?

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Martin *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Peter ********

because I wanted to know 🤔

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Martin *********

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Bobby ********

That's similar to the response I got when I came back in two weeks ago. I was stamped in and then asked the question. The IO didn't smile but he pleasantly said it was a condition of visa application, like police report and diseases clearance.

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Mark ******

Thank you...and logical reasoning. Hope it spreads. With this logic, they would understand that all new applications for an O-A, or new extensions, would be the gate to check insurance.

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Robert *******

Amazing Thailand, you asked questions to an Immigration Officer, she answered and even laughed. It must be true that Immigration Officers are human creatures.

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Robert *******

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