Answered7 years ago

Will I have trouble re-entering Thailand on an O-A visa without health insurance during my travels?

O-A visa Health insurance Visa extension Re-entry rules Traveling in Thailand

asked Oct 23, 2019

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I am currently in Thailand on an O-A visa. I am aware that I will require health insurance when I apply for an extension. I want to synchronise the dates of the health policy with the visa extension so that I have the required full-year cover at the time of extension application so I was planning to get health cover at the time of the first extension application. However, I also want to leave Thailand to travel a few times before then. Will I have problems getting back into Thailand on the existing O-A without health insurance?

Answer summary

The user is currently in Thailand on an O-A visa and is planning to synchronize the health insurance policy dates with the visa extension application. They are concerned about traveling outside Thailand and whether they will face issues re-entering the country without valid health insurance, as the requirement for health insurance applies for entry after October 31, 2019.

9 repliesnewest first

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Robert *******

And as this will be another discussion about the same issue, I close it down. There is one topic open for discussion and yes, the same issue is already mentioned in there. For any more questions, ideas or information please use this topic

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7 years ago

Robert *******

If you arrive after 31 Oct 2019 and want to use a Non Immigrant O-A visa to enter Thailand you need a health insurance.

7 years ago

James ********

@Keith *******

it makes sense to sync the policy with visa

7 years ago

Keith ********

@Marty ********

This is what I was hoping to find out. Thank you.

7 years ago

Jit **********

@James *******

i ask my immigration officer friend about it. But seem it is new rule. Let see as you say.

7 years ago

Marty *********

@Keith *******

Talk to your insurance agent. My agent at Pacific Cross said they would sync their policy and adjust the yearly premium accordingly. It is a legitimate request for any of the Thai insurance companies. Maybe it would work for a foreign insurance company as well.

7 years ago

James ********

I say lets wait to see what actually is happening from reports AFTER OCTOBER 31ST.

Then we all will know just how Thai Immigration are applying the so called new health insurance requirements for O-A visa holders.

And as one who reads many forums this issue is very important to many Expats who hold or obtain the O-A Visa.

I personally hold the O-A...so I will be watching carefully. And will report back when more is known.

7 years ago

Robert *******

And this is something you discuss with your health insurance provider and has not much to do with visa advice. You need to be covered by an insurance and you need to be covered for the minimum costs mentioned. Where you do this, for how long you do this is between you and the insurance company.

7 years ago

Keith ********

Thank you for confirming Robert. If I apply for health cover now, this will leave me without full years cover when I come to apply for an extension. The only way around this I can see is to take out a 1-year health insurance policy for the remainder of my OA first year and take out a new policy with a different company for a full year starting from the date of expiry of the existing OA. As I understand it you can only renew an existing health insurance policy within one month of the expiry which would leave me without a full years coverage when I come to extend. It would mean that I waste a few months of coverage under one of the health plans. Has anyone else thought of how to synch health insurance and extensions for existing OA holders without insurance?

7 years ago