Hi Tod, Robert and Team. You have probably answered this question already here, so if you send me a link telling me what to do, I will be extremely grateful. I have an extension of stay based on retirement until May next year. My original visa was non immigrant O-A, issued in 2017. I am 71. The health insurance quotes at my age are very expensive. Some companies do not want to insure at my age. So my question is linked to what visa can I get to enable me to stay here with out the new insurance rule. Thank you
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is seeking advice on what visa they can apply for to avoid the new health insurance requirements linked to their Non-Immigrant O-A retirement visa. They are currently facing challenges with expensive health insurance quotes given their age. Comments suggest leaving Thailand and returning on a Tourist Visa to then apply for a Non-O visa which has no medical insurance requirement.
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.
I now have all the information I need as per the link posted by Robert and Tod. There is no need for further info. I thank everyone for their valuable feedback regarding my post. Appreciate all your comments
Went to Jomtien and asked what I could do to switch back to the non-o based on retirement from an o-a and I was told to leave and get a non-o out of country come back and they will extend
Bob, if one gets a non O , do you have to leave the country every 90 days, or report to immigration here in Thailand the same as you would on a non O-A. Thanks
Barry Tewes OK. No problem. I will visit the immigration office at Hua Hin in January to find out the finer details. I am going to have a worry free Christmas first lol
Just remember Barry, as Tod explained in the link, you need to first visit your own immigration office to find out if you can change to a non O once you leave Thailand and re enter. Not all immigration offices have the same rules unfortunately.
make the advice above your second step, please visit your local immigration office first IF they are allowed an can convert a Visa Exempt Entry or a Tourist Visa into a Non Immigrant Visa.
Robert, if I manage to eventually obtain a non O, do I have to leave the country every 90 days, or carry on with 90 day reports here in Thailand the same as one would with a non O-A . Thanks
Robert Lagas Thank you Robert. I appreciate your response. I have the 800,000 in my bank account as per the extension I received this year. I complied with that.
Your first step is to break the link with your original O-A visa. Let your current visa expire. Leave Thailand and return on a tourist visa from a Thai consulate in either your country of passport or a near Thailand country. Once you return to Thailand start the process to apply for a retirement visa from you local Immigration Office. No medical insurance required but you will need to season 800,000 Thai baht..
Paul Darby Thank you Paul. I appreciate your response. In fact I still have the 800, 000 in my Thai bank account as per the extension I received this year. I have followed that rule 100%
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