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Answered7 years ago

Why does the Thai government require a Foreign Insurance Certificate for health insurance when applying for a visa?

Patrick ******
asked Oct 30, 2019
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Straight from Royal Thai Embassy, D.C. website. What I don't understand is that if you purchased an insurance, why showing the insurance is not good enough, they ask you to take an extra step to ask your insurance to sign an document -- Foreign Insurance Certificate Form. Thai government really loves paper works. I am amazed.
Answer summary
The conversation revolves around the anticipated requirement for a Foreign Insurance Certificate when applying for a Non-Immigrant O-A visa in Thailand, indicating that mere presentation of an insurance policy is insufficient. Participants express confusion about paperwork demands, the reasons behind the regulations, especially concerning proof of funds and insurance, and the bureaucratic challenges faced by foreigners. Several comments highlight that the new requirement, effective from 31 Oct 2019, aims to prevent misuse and ensure that applicants can adequately provide proof of their insurance coverage.
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Robert *******
Robert *******
And with this last comment I assume it is time to close for commenting. i know it will be a new requirement starting 31 Oct 2019 and we will see what happens. I assume that we all can assume that if we guess that others assume we have no clue what we all assumed. Be positive and be prepared if you use or apply for the Non Immigrant O-A visa or for an Extension of Stay later in the progress.
Martin *********
Martin *********
I’m confused , when you arrive in Thailand , and go through immigration, they only want to see your passport surely , I’ve never seen anyone getting out certain paperwork .. surely you have to get this insurance and show it ’ before ‘ you obtain your visa from the Embassy in your home country , otherwise you won’t get that visa , And I’m guessing when you wish to apply for your extension next time round you will also have to obtain insurance ( amongst other things ) at the immigration in Thailand .. Airport immigration I would assume that they would ‘ assume’ you have the necessary requirements otherwise you wouldn’t have a Stamp allowing you in , in your passport ?
Marty *********
Marty *********
You might try to get your insurance company to write their own letter summarizing the inpatient and outpatient coverage and whether they will cover someone living long term in Thailand. No one knows how this whole thing will work. It might be worth a try.
Robert *******
Robert *******
OMG, the next problem for the foreigners. Thai Embassy or Consulate and Immigration do not want me to show the app on my phone to show I have money, they do not believe the credit card i have in my pocket has a positive balance, they want proof. Now a new requirement, they want proof of health insurance and the foreigners are already upset, a bunch of papers from their car insurance is not good enough, it must be a certificate from the health insurance company to proof they have health insurance. Just try to imagine why the Thai Government changed to this requirement, yes, to much abuse from foreigners.
Robert *******
Robert *******
It becomes a requirement tomorrow and all of you already have genuine problems how to deal with it. It sounds funny if it was not that serious. Next week I need a form signed but i think, guess, assume, wager that people are not willing. I, the only MR Positive on this page. thinks, guess, assume and wager that people are willing and think it would be possible if you really ask and explain what and why documents are needed for.
Ivan ************
Ivan ************
Were gambling not illegal here I would wager that many foreign insurance companies are not going to be willing to sign this certificate looking for "two directors" to certify it. It's a genuine problem for people even those that have good insurance.
Lindsay *******
Lindsay *******
Ok confused too - by “long stay”, does this apply to short term (1 week) tourists from the US/visiting countries? I think the majority of the group is Australian but I’ve been trying to sort out the exact requirements for insurance too
Robert *******
Robert *******
long stay is a phrase used for this type of visa. The lenght you like to stay inside Thailand is not important and has nothing to to with it. If you apply for the Non Immigrant O-A (long stay) visa the health insurance is one of the requirements
Marty *********
Marty *********
A tourist for 1 week? Of course not. It specifically applies to people getting a non-immigrant O-A visa at a Thai consulate in their home country. And as a US citizen you can arrive without a visa and you will be stamped in for 30 days. It doesn't even apply to people who get tourist visas.
Ron *******
Ron *******
They are not interested in looking through reams of paper in a foreign language when entering at immigration. Most people cannot understand an insurance policy themselves. Hence they want a certificate.
Dave *******
Dave *******
In Canada ,if purchasing insurance, it will be next to impossible to have the form signed and stamped by the directors
Ivan ************
Ivan ************
You are still going to have to persuade your insurance company to sign it, and mistranslation or not that's what it says on the form.
Benjamin ******
Benjamin ******
Director, in this case, is someone with authority that can verify the insurance was purchase. I think it's just a mistranslation.
Glenn *********
Glenn *********
Dave Allen that's why this will not work.. no director of any major Western company will sign it. So shortsighted of Thai Immigration.
Brian *********
Brian *********
Does this mean I just have to photo copie my policy ?
Tod *********
Tod *********
and do you have an O-A visa that you got from a thai consulate in your country before you came here? That's the one that required a police background check and a medical certificate and gets you stamped in for a whole year every time you enter.

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