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What should I do about health insurance for retiring in Bangkok with pre-existing conditions?

Health Insurance Retirement Visa NON-O Visa

Mar 10, 2020

6 years ago

William *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

I am planning to retire in Bangkok soon but the government of Thailand request the applicant to have a medical insurance from Thailand insurance company . However, I have diabetes and high blood pressure. It is unlikely to buy health insurance in Thailand but I have my medical insurance from prudential in Hong Kong. What can I do?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is concerned about the requirement for Thai health insurance while planning to retire in Bangkok due to their pre-existing conditions (diabetes and high blood pressure). Various comments suggest that health insurance is not mandatory for a Non-O visa for retirement in Thailand, but it is recommended. The user could potentially enter the country on a tourist visa or visa exemption and then convert it to a Non-O visa at a local immigration office to bypass the health insurance requirement for Non-OA visas.

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Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
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Robert *******

And please, terminology is so important if you're willing to give advice.

Retirement Visa?

a Non Immigrant O Visa from a Thai Consulate OR

a Non Immigrant O Visa from your local Immigration Office OR

a Non Immigrant O-A Visa from the Embassy in your country of Residence OR.

an Extension of Stay from your local Immigration Office.

These 4 options are all based on being over 50 years of age and willing to sit out the rest of your life in Thailand,

I see requirements from all options above and they are all correct if you name all Retirement Visa, but all wrong if yo use another option

6 years ago

James ********

Thai Immigration does NOT REQUIRE health insurance to retire in Thailand.

Go to your local Thai Immigration office and pick up the list of requirements for the Non O and Extension of Stay for retirement of persons age 50+.

The O-A Visa for age 50+ applied for in your home country does require health insurance.

If you arrive into Thailand on a exempt visa on arrival, tourist visa or Non O visa, it may be converted in local Thai Immigration office for retirement.

Be prepared to meet the financial requirements in Thailand for retirement.

Good luck.

6 years ago

Larry *******

Sorry poor choice of words. For a non-Imm O obtained in HMC or Savannakhet does it require a 90 day border bounce ?

6 years ago

Larry *******

@James *******

if I enter Thailand on a tourist visa can I convert it to an Non Imm O in HMC or Savannaket which don’t have the financial requirements?

6 years ago

James ********

@Mark ****

sorry Mark. This forum never recommends using an Agent. Such remarks are deleted. Good Day!

6 years ago

William *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@James *******

wonderful and thanks

6 years ago

Reply to

William *******

Max *********

Come on a tourist visa or visa exemption and convert it into a 'Non O visa for the purpose of retirement' here in Thailand.

In this way you bypass the need for thai insurance (which is for the non OA visa only). I recommend you get insurance anyway.

6 years ago

Andy **********

You only need insurance with the non oa visa. Come in on the visa mentioned above and convert to a non o for 50+ yrs old. No insurance required

6 years ago

William *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Max ********

do you mean I can use my worldwide prudential medical insurance instead of Thai medical insurance?

6 years ago

William *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Max ********

I am willing to buy insurance but no one will accept my application because I am a long term diabetes and high blood pressure patient. That’s the point.

6 years ago

William *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Max ********

but I think no insurance company will accept my case.

6 years ago

Reply to

William *******

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