Answered7 years ago
What is the current experience for O-A visa holders entering Thailand regarding health insurance requirements?
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 🙏
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 🙏
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.
25 repliesnewest first
Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.
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.
Danny *********
Welcome home
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.
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.
Edward ******
@Tod ********
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 !
Eze ********
Thanks for asking and updating the group.
Richard *******
Thank you for update👍
Carl ***********
Thank you for that as I return soon
Daniel *******
Relieved would be over-stating it for me, but based on the common-sense answers from the IO, encouraging...
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
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
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.Gregor **********
. . and the quandry is the reason why I hate to spoil somebody's happy day and his expectations . . . . . . .
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
James ********
@Gregor *********
and that's why posts like his are helpful. Gathering first hand experiences.
John *********
@Martin ********
- Thank you for asking the IO.
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
Michael ********
@Adrian *****
Me too. I would have gotten the stamp and been straight off.
Martin *********
OP@Adrian *****
? .. 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 😉👍🏻Peter *********
@Adrian *****
exactlyPeter *********
Why bother asking???
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?Martin *********
OP@Peter ********
because I wanted to know 🤔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.
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.
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.
Activity
19 joined19
people
Related
25What are the latest updates on insurance requirements for the O-A visa in Thailand?
3.9k34252y
Is health insurance required for the 90-day Non-O visa in Thailand?
1.9k1392y
What are the health insurance requirements for applying for a Thai Pass with an O-A visa?
1.4k1095y
What are the requirements for renewing an O-A visa in Thailand and is health insurance still mandatory?
1.1k6106y
What are the current requirements for proving financial stability for O-A visa extensions in Thailand?
6.2k43836y
Can I Convert My O-A Visa to O Visa Without Health Insurance Requirements in Thailand?
1.1k5126y
Are O-A Visa Holders Required to Have Health Insurance for Extensions?
667336y
What Are the Recommended Health Insurance Companies for an O-A Visa in Thailand?
9794117y
Is Health Insurance Required for My O-A Visa When Returning to Thailand?
770467y
What Are the Health Insurance Requirements for a Long-Term Visa in Thailand?
6961117y
Is Foreign Health Insurance Sufficient for Thai O-A Visa Requirements?
2k15167y
What Are the Health Insurance Requirements for O-A Visa Holders in Thailand?
1.5k6207y
What Are the Health Insurance Requirements for O-A Retirement Visa Holders in Thailand?
1.4k6187y
What Are the Requirements for the O-A Retirement Visa Extension and Health Insurance in Thailand?
3.2k25297y
Is Health Insurance Noted in the Immigration Record for O-A Visa Holders Upon Re-entry to Thailand?
1.2k7117y
What are the current requirements for returning to Thailand on an OA visa regarding health insurance?
1.5k9147y
What are the health insurance requirements for an O-A visa holder entering Thailand?
2.9k22277y
What Should I Know About Health Insurance Requirements for O-A Visa Holders in Thailand?
2k12247y
What Is the Latest Experience with the O-A Retirement Visa and Health Insurance Requirements in Thailand?
1.7k5337y
What is the current status of health insurance requirements for O-A visa holders re-entering Thailand?
3k19377y
What Are the Insurance Requirements for the O-A Visa in Thailand?
2.4k19197y
What Are the New Health Insurance Requirements for Expats in Thailand?
722247y
What Health Insurance Meets Thai Immigration Requirements for the O-A Visa?
477127y
Is health insurance now required for O-A visa holders in Thailand?
36527y
What are the insurance requirements for the O-A and O-X retirement visas in Thailand?
1.6k12108y
Resources
Need help with your Thai visa?
#1 visa agent · 4,000+ reviews · 100,000+ expats served