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What should I know about applying for a Non-OA visa in Thailand, including insurance and rental agreements?
Non-OA VisaInsurance RequirementsProof of AccommodationTM30 RegistrationHealth Insurance for ExpatsThai Visa Rules
Mar 28, 2026
a month ago
Steve *****
ORIGINAL POSTERJust starting my non oa visa application online. Need some help. Was there a prefered list of medical insurers posted somewhere?
Also, if I’m staying with my Thai gf at her place, how do i get around proof of property rental agreement?
Thanks
Also, if I’m staying with my Thai gf at her place, how do i get around proof of property rental agreement?
Thanks
TLDR : Answer Summary
The Non-OA visa application can be supported using a hotel booking contract as proof of temporary accommodation, which can be canceled post-application. Once in Thailand, you can stay with your Thai girlfriend without needing a rental agreement, provided she registers your stay with Immigration using her household registration book and ID. For health insurance, you can use a home country policy initially, but will need a Thai-listed insurer for extensions.
OA RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Go to the OA 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 OA 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.
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Michael *********
I used Thai AXA for my original application and again for my extension. I did watch a YT where a guy tried to swap insurers heading into his extension and it caused a ruckus with start dates etc, but with mine at extension I just submitted the old/new AXA policies together and there was no issue.
Nongnuch ********
for the first two years out of a Non-Imm-O/A Longstay Visa, you can use a health insurance from your home country or an international health insurance, as well as a tgia-listed Thai private health insurance, as long as the insurance is willing to sign the F.I.C. (Foreign Insurance Certificate). However when you change from the visa to the 1-year extension of stay, Immigration will only accept a tgia-listed Thai private insurance
Yaoyu ***********
I remember seeing a referred insurance companies in Thailand listed on their website.
But it can also be a non-Thai insurance company. 😃
But it can also be a non-Thai insurance company. 😃
Marty *********
For the OA visa you can use your home country insurance and funds in your home country bank account. The OA is a 1 year multiple entry visa.
Later when you apply for 1 year extensions then you may need to switch to a Thai insurer listed in the TGIA website mentioned in a previous comment.
Later when you apply for 1 year extensions then you may need to switch to a Thai insurer listed in the TGIA website mentioned in a previous comment.
Gerar ********
You can use any insurance company if you do the extension in Phuket but the insurance policy has to be confirmed by the consul and at least 3 mm Baht insured policy.
Joe **********
Marty Pollard Sorry to hijack, is annual travel insurance acceptable?
Malcolm **********
Joe At Work I used to travel a lot and had annual travel insurance and found that all the ones I tried only covered you for 30 days from leaving your home country, your's might be different. They did give insurance for the year but only in 30 day periods, it wasn't a problem for me as I was only out of UK about 2 or 3 weeks at a time but it would expire if I stayed out of UK longer that 30 days, that also meant that if I came to Thailand and then did a 'visa run' to Laos every 30 days it still wouldn't cover me longer than the first 30 days. You need to read the small print on all insurance policies as they are often not what you think they are. Also I don't think it would be accepted anyway.
Graeme ******
Malcolm Whitlock travel insurance is not acceptable for a non o-a visa. You can get travel insurance from the uk that covers longer than 30days in one go? I have travel insurance that allows visits over 90 days per trip you just need to look
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Graeme ******
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Marty *********
Joe At Work I doubt it. You will have to check the current requirements. I had an OA and now have an LTR. Both require insurance but I haven’t checked the OA requirements in a while. I have Thai insurance.
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Marty *********
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Lois ***************
This was the site that has the recommended insurers longstay.tgia.org
Graeme ******
Is the non oa retirement visa really the one you want? There is a non o over 50 retirement visa available that does not require health insurance, police checks etc.?
Michael *********
Graeme Mort a police check is a straight forward online process and I wouldn't live in my home country without private medical insurance, let alone Thailand..... Thai AXA give you 4mm bht cover for about 20k bht premium. That little card in your wallet means if you do have an emergency issue you get taken straight to a private hospital.
Graeme ******
Michael McKeown thanks I understand all that i was just asking if the non O would be a better choice, you can still buy health insurance but its not mandatory for the visa. The non O in my opinion is a better long term retirement visa as you have less mandatory requirements other than a bank account and enough money for the extension
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Graeme ******
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Graham ******
You get your girlfriend to write you a letter of invite to stay with her with full details including her name and Thai ID number and the address.
Nongnuch ********
Graham Seal for that you need to squeeze a couple of copies, signed pdf documents into one single .pdf file, copy blue housebook, copy Thai ID-card, copy of invitation letter in Thai and English. . . . . . . I hope your girlfriend is so computer-smart. . . . Why make it so complicated? Visit booking com, book a few nights in a Bangkok hotel and upload that single pdf file into the application. After submitting the e-visa application, just cancel the booking for free 😎
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Nongnuch ********
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Nongnuch ********
for the application to the 1-year Non-OA Longstay e-visa you can use the booking contract of a few booked nights in any Bangkok hotel, which you may cancel after having submitted the application. After you entered Thailand, you then move in at your girlfriend, get TM30 registered on Immigration by her within 24 hours, using her blue housebook and her Thai ID. You do not need a rental contract from your girlfriend, it is sufficient when she tells Immigration that you accommodate in her place. Myself I am living registered per TM30 in my GF's house since 17 years on annual extensions of stay, I was never asked for any rental contract by my Immigration
Steve *****
ORIGINAL POSTERThank you for this
Nongnuch ********
Steve Dix check what Graeme Mort told you. It is much better to start out on a 90-days Non-Imm-O retirement visa. On this visa there is no mandatory health insurance, and you keep your free choice of insurance in case you wish to contract one. And the application process is much easier
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Nongnuch ********
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