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What medical insurance do I need for a retirement visa in Thailand while in Sydney?

Thailand retirement visamedical insuranceexpat advicevisa requirementsbank accountNON-O visaexpat life in Thailand
Nov 7, 2023
a year ago
Jimmy *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Does anybody know off the medical insurace that i need for a retirement visa im here in sydney ,but will visit bkk soon ,in pursuit of retirement visa bank acc ecc????? Confusing stuff This visa 🙏🙏would appreciate any advice 🤔
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TLDR : Answer Summary
To apply for a retirement visa in Thailand, medical insurance is not a requirement, but it can be beneficial. You can use government hospitals at lower costs compared to private ones. For opening a bank account, it may be necessary to visit multiple banks and bring a Thai friend for assistance. Additionally, applicants over 50 with a certain level of provable monthly income may qualify for the retirement visa.
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.
Kevin *********
Can't you also get a retirement meet VISA if you are over 50 years old and make over a Certain amount of provable income a month?
a year ago
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Richard *********
do NOT Need insuance for a Non O visa
a year ago
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Richard *********
some banks will ask for insurance to open an account on a tourist visa, costs around 5,000 OR use an agent
a year ago
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Fernando ********
@Richard ********
 you do if you apply for the visa in Sydney
a year ago
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Fernando ********
yes, you can
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a year ago
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Jimmy *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Fernando *******
 Thank you 🙏🙏😀
a year ago
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Jimmy *******
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Jimmy *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Fernando *******
 so if i get the NON O 3 month visa in sydney ,i can use this to open Bank acc ,,when i arive ,?????
a year ago
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Donna ******
@Jimmy ******
 yes
a year ago
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Richard *********
@Jimmy ******
 yep

MIGHT need a cor from immigration but thats no problem
a year ago
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Richard *********
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Jimmy *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Fernando *******
 i Think i will find out about health insurance costs here in sydney before deciding ,,,but it sounds like i may need to get a three month non resident visa and apply from bangkok ,,,may be easier 🤔
a year ago
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Graham ******
@Jimmy ******
 The difficulty then is opening a Thai bank account to get your 800k transferred for your application (unless you already have one).
a year ago
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Jimmy *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Graham *****
 Yes Thats what is doing my head in ,They want something other than a Tourist Visa to open a bank account ,but need me to have a bank account before they give me retirement Visa 🤕😵‍💫😵‍💫
a year ago
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Jimmy *******
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Mark ************
Can do your Health cover for Thailand from any amount to suit you as no need on visa application.
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a year ago
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John ********
If you are going to apply for an retirement visa in Thailand you don't need the medical insurance, but that's up to you as you can use the government hospitals, you still have to pay but it's a lot cheaper than private hospitals you have to pay 25% more than the thai people, as for your opening the bank account its been more difficult now you will need to go walking to different banks and ask them take a thai friend with you go looking smart and be very polite to the staff who you are dealing with good luck
a year ago
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Jimmy *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *******
 Oh i didnt realise that about going to hospitals in Thailand ,Thank you
a year ago
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John ********
@Jimmy ******
 you still have to pay for the service and take a thai friend with you as they don't all speak English so it will help you
a year ago
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John ********
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Jimmy *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *******
 Thank you ,im overwhelmed by the retirement visa A/Form i downloaded here in sydney today ,i tryed to open a bank account about a week ago in Bangkok in multiple banks but with my visa on arival couldnt do it ,there seem to be extra requirments if i apply from sydney ,,,i,e,health insurance ,police chex ,i have to return for dentals in bkk febuary ,maybe easier to complete visa app from Bangkok 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️it appears that this retirment visa is maybe not a simple thing ,Thank you for your reply mate 👍👍
a year ago
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Donna ******
@Jimmy ******
 you need to apply for a non o visa on the Thai website, and opt for retirement that gives you 90 days, then you change that for a retirement visa when you’re in Thailand, which is for 1year, and renew every year.

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a year ago
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Jimmy *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Donna *****
 You made it very clear for me thank you ,,,,so the 3 month NON O VISA will be the visa i need to open Bank Acc ,Transfer funds then i can get an agent and begin the retirement visa process ???😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫
a year ago
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Donna ******
@Jimmy ******
 yes open your bank account when you’re in Thailand and convert your non o to a full year retirement visa, good luck! We’re doing it in December, we have our non o visa’s they took about a week to come through 👍
a year ago
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Graham ******
@Donna *****
 It's not a conversion of the Visa it is an application for Extension of Stay based on retirement using immigration form TM7
a year ago
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Donna ******
@Graham *****
 yes I understand, sorry if I used the wrong terminology, I was basically saying that if you get a 90 day non o based on the retirement option, it makes it more straightforward to get a retirement visa once in Thailand.
a year ago
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Jimmy *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you young Lady !🙏
a year ago
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Jimmy *******
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Graham ******
@Jimmy ******
 It seems like you are looking at the requirements for a Non-OA retirement Visa, maybe the Non-O retirement Visa is what you need (also available outside of Thailand).
a year ago
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John ********
@Jimmy ******
 if you have the money to have some help with this you can use a visa company, I believe that thai visa center is a good one to help you it will cost about
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to sort out you can Google the address in Bangkok
a year ago
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Jimmy *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *******
 Thank you i will reach out to Thai visa and see whether they can get a retirement visa in the works for me ,,,Thank you John 👌😀
a year ago
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Richard *********
@Jimmy ******
 Be aware the visas'/extensions u get from an agent are NOT always going to be where you are going to live

I do recommend thai visa centre

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a year ago
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Richard *********
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Stuart ***********
@Jimmy ******
 did you have a visa when you arrived or did you arrive without a visa or visa exempt. If so that could have been the problem.

I agree with John about the O type visa inside Thailand, seems easier and a better option you.

When you come next time get a 60 day visa online that can be extended by 30 days.

The bank account opening is definitely the most difficult part of the visa process, but as John said try several banks. I found Bangkok Bank to be the most accommodating, but I had to try 3 different branches until successful. They might make you buy some accident insurance as a sweetener!

Once you get this, you transfer the 800,000 and wait 2 months to apply for the retirement Visa.

You need to get the requirements for this from immigration, fill out the form, provide original and photocopies of everything, some recent passport size pictures and pay the fee.

There are lots of very knowledgeable people on here to help you through the process.

Good luck.
a year ago
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Jimmy *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I had a visa on arrival in my passport Tried all the banks on 3 floor at EM Qaurtier and others next to landmark all gave me same answer after looking in-my PP ,i have to come back in january for Dentals ,and ideally stay in thailand after that ,Thank you for your information 😵‍💫im so confused 😀
a year ago
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Jimmy *******
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