@Marc ********

currently, non-O doesn't have health insurance requirements.

Thanks very much Tod. That filled in the confusion for me. Much appreciated to all.

... and I can apply for the extension as long as it's in process prior to July 31. Can anyone offer a comment on that?

@Bobby *******

that's interesting. I was told I could under the amnesty by the CM immigration and they gave me 2 packages: one for an O visa and a package for my extension.

Thanks

@T**

Daniels. The extension of my OA is my back up plan. If fact my OA has expired while I was waiting to fly home so I'm still here on amnesty til July 31. And judging the current situation, it doesn't seem likely that I would be able to leave and return on a visa-exempt before July 31st, so my OA extension maybe my only option. I'll post my question again if and when I apply for an O visa. Its a little confusing reading the info leaflet from immigration on requirements for an O visa. It seems to suggest that I need to apply for an extension of 30, 60, or 90 days while I'm still on a visa-exempt. I was just confused as to why I can't directly apply for the O visa (TM87) immediately upon arrival on a visa-exempt.

@James *******

thanks James.

Originally, my 90 days reporting was supposed to be Jan 7 but I had gone to HK in early December and returned to CM Dec 11... so I assumed that my new 90 day reporting would be 90 days from Dec 11 as that's the day I landed back in CM. However the only document I have in my passport regarding 90 days reporting shows Jan 7 as my due date to do reporting.

@James *******

thanks James... I think it is good for Canadians of any province cuz once you obtain your health care card from any province, you're free to seek health care from anywhere in Canada.... now if only I can figure out this visa thing, I'd be a very happy camper. 😆. Rules are constantly changing so I'll continue with monitoring these topics. I've also heard that you can provide an additional 450,000 baht in your Thai bank to avoid the mandatory insurance coverage... and who knows what new rules or modifications will be in a few months. 😊

I would exercise that option only if I need emergency medical care. In my case, as long as I spend 5 months or more in Canada, I'm covered. However, if I have spent several years continuously outside of Canada and require medical treatment, then I would have to fly to the province of New Brunswick and established residency to receive immediate medicare. This was established by the NB legislature to encourage expats to return home from their exodus due to lack of employment.

Thank you

@James *******

.

Here's an excerpt your Canadian friends maybe interested in following up