Greetings. I have a Non-Immigrant O-A retirement visa issued to me in 2017 in the US. I used it for two years and then renewed it last year. The renewal expires on February 5, 2020. I just got home from Chiang Mai immigration where they would not renew my visa because my health insurance company, Aetna, had not entered me in the system. I had a letter from Aetna confirming I am insured but that was not sufficient – it wasn't in the right format. AND, even if they did renew the visa they would only give me until the end date of my health insurance policy – June 15, 2020. AND, even though I have 2,000,000 baht worth of inpatient coverage (well over the required 400,000 baht), I don't have outpatient coverage. The officer at immigration suggested either negotiating with Aetna and getting the proper form OR leaving the country and getting a Non-Immigrant O visa instead because that visa doesn't require health insurance. How are others managing this new requirement? And if I decide to get a Non-Immigrant O visa in Asia, any recommendation for the easiest, most efficient embassy?
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is facing complications renewing their Non-Immigrant O-A retirement visa due to health insurance not meeting Thai requirements. Suggestions from the community include negotiating with the insurance for the necessary documentation or obtaining a Non-Immigrant O visa, which has different health insurance stipulations. The comments emphasize the need for proper insurance certification and the option to convert the current visa upon re-entry into Thailand.
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.