What should I know about onward flights, COVID insurance, and visa extensions when arriving in Thailand?

visa extension COVID insurance Thailand immigration retirement visa NON-O visa COVID extension onward flight requirements

Jun 22, 2021

3 years ago

Scot *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

A few questions. We will likely arrive in a few weeks using visa exempt and get our 45 day stamp. Our goal is to get our 30 day extension, then the 90 day non o, then the retirement extension. Hopefully my terminology and plan is OK for the sticklers 😉.

Should the onward flight be at 45 days, or will they assume we will get the 30 day extension and the flight can be at 75 days?

Should the covid insurance, sold in 30 day increments, also be at 60 days or 90 days depending on the onward flight date? This is kinda obvious I guess as the insurance has to cover the full stay, but it leads to my next question.

What are the covid insurance requirements after the COE? Is it required forever? Is it required for visa applications or extensions? Is it only a COE thing?

Thanks again.

Another thing, should the 60 day covid extensions still be a thing when we are there, would we use that option instead of the 30 day extension, and can the visa application be made while on a covid extension?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The poster plans to arrive in Thailand with visa-exempt status and seeks clarity on various immigration requirements. They inquire about the necessary timing for their onward flight, questioning if it should align with the 45-day stamp or the anticipated 30-day extension. Additionally, they ask about COVID insurance requirements, specifically if it is needed beyond the Certificate of Entry (COE), its necessity for visa applications or extensions, and how the potential introduction of a 60-day COVID extension may affect their plans. Comments from the community suggest that the insurance is primarily for the COE, not mandatory afterward but recommended. They advise checking with the airline for onward flight policies and propose obtaining the Non-Immigrant O visa before traveling for easier processing.

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Steve *******

Why not get the Non Imm O before you leave. Much easier than in country and solves most of your issues

3 years ago

Scot *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Steve ******

- not an option. We are us citizens in Malaysia.

3 years ago

Reply to

Scot *******

Stuart *********

You’d need to check with your airline regarding the onward flight. It’ll be at check in that you’d have a issue, not normally at immigration entering the country.

3 years ago

Scot *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Stuart ********

- I wouldn't think there would be any issue if the onward flight is 45 days out and we have 60 days of covid insurance. Agreed?

3 years ago

Scot *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

That makes things a lot easier. Thank you.

3 years ago

Stuart *********

@Scot ******

as I said I’d check with the airline. The last thing you’d want is to be refused boarding because you don’t have the right tickets. They don’t have to be return tickets just a cheap flight out of Thailand would do.

3 years ago

Scot *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Stuart ********

- I don't understand what the right tickets means. We will of course have tickets out of the country. The only issue is the date, and 45 days should be acceptable.

3 years ago

Stuart *********

@Scot ******

sorry didn’t see the 45 days. I read it as your original comment. You should be fine.

3 years ago

Scot *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Stuart ********

- so just to verify, they won't be looking for covid insurance when we go to get the 30 day extension?

3 years ago

Stuart *********

@Scot ******

3 years ago

Reply to

Stuart *********

The insurance is only for the COE. After that not needed, but recommended.

Most offices require you to get the regular 30 days extension before allowing a Covid extension.

3 years ago

Reply to

Stuart *********

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