Non-Immigrant Visa, OA code (1 year term) holders to require Covid insurance

[PET]

Why do people get the 0-A visas when the Non-O for retirement purposes is available to those of 50yrs plus. Is it to avoid the large amount of cash that needs to be in the bank. If not then they have the medical insurance also?

[Dannie Boy]

Why do people get the 0-A visas when the Non-O for retirement purposes is available to those of 50yrs plus. Is it to avoid the large amount of cash that needs to be in the bank. If not then they have the medical insurance also?

I think it depends on your circumstances - when I decided to move to Thailand when I retired, I was working and living in the UAE and the only long-term Visa they offered me was an O-A, so that’s what I took and that was 10 years ago. With the new insurance requirements, I’m looking to switch over to an O visa next year when my current O-A visa expires - I plan to leave Thailand before the O-A expires and without a re-entry permit so that I come back on a 30 day tourist permit or obtain a 2-3 month tourist visa from the Uk Thai Embassy and then apply for the O visa in Thailand - assuming of course that they don’t change the insurance requirements for an O Visa!!


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[StevePIraq]

Why do people get the 0-A visas when the Non-O for retirement purposes is available to those of 50yrs plus. Is it to avoid the large amount of cash that needs to be in the bank. If not then they have the medical insurance also?

If you are correct this seems much simpler and more cost effective than O-A. However when I applied for my visa while in Indonesia I was told I could not get a Non O and I must apply for an O-A. The Jakarta Thai embassy web site states as follows.

Non-immigrant visa “O”
Non-Immigrant Visa Type “O” may be granted to applicants who meet one of the following requirements:
-Applicants who are lawfully married to a Thai citizen
-Dependents of a foreigner currently working or studying full-time in Thailand
-Volunteers or applicants who work for a non-governmental organization (NGO)

[PET]

Well I cannot remember my own case 16 yrs ago but I applied for a visa from UK and was told that provided I applied in Thailand for an extension for retirement purposes WITHIN 3 months of arrival it would be approved. I had the required money in my bank account ( bht800,000?) from arrival and it was approved.
Others on the forum will be more clear on this but I know many people who have told me that was how it was for them
- the important point was to apply within that 3 month period of arrival.
Sorry mods this may not be in the correct place now .

[HAPPYGOLFER]

I'm not sure, but I choose this thread. I have one year of non-immigrant O visa with multiple entry, which I got in April-2021 I went home to Norway this summer and want to return to Hua Hin in December. Is my one-year visa still valid, or do I have to start the process again?

[Big Boy]

Did you get a re-entry certificate when you left?

[HAPPYGOLFER]

I did not get a re-entry certificate when I left, and I did not ask for it, and nobody offered it to me. Because for the last 10 years I have traveled between Norway and Thailand 3-4 times a year with the same type of visa. one year Non-immigrant O visa with multiple entries without having any problems at the immigration
Have the Government changed the rules for those leaving the country during the pandemic?

[Big Boy]

Edited for me talking rubbish

I missed the multi-entry bit. IMHO you should be fine then. However, you will also need one of these new fangled Thailand Pass thingies to support it. You should probably be on this thread viewtopic.php?f=50&t=39124

[HAPPYGOLFER]

Thank you, as I understand, there is no problems with my visa. So then I can start doing the work with Thailand Pass, I wish myself Good Luck

[Dannie Boy]

Thank you, as I understand, there is no problems with my visa. So then I can start doing the work with Thailand Pass, I wish myself Good Luck

The biggest issue I encountered doing the Thailand Pass was being able to submit the supporting documents as jpeg files when the originals were pdf documents - give yourself plenty of time to get everything done


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[HAPPYGOLFER]

Thank you for your helpful advice. I have installed a PDF-JPG converter and put all the files in a separate folder, and I also need to have some luck. My biggest threat now is that the system is upgraded and changed again, and I have to start all over again with the whole process

[Dannie Boy]

I’m not sure whether this contravenes Forum rules, but an interesting update regarding medical insurance for long-term retirees on an O-A visa.

https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/ ... ure-387715

Long stay retirees in Thailand to be allowed to self-insure

The Thai Ministry of Health has published the details of the October 1 changes to the O/A annual retirement option which raises the level of compulsory hospital inpatient insurance from 400,000 baht to three million baht, or US$100,000. They apply both to new applications at Thai embassies abroad and to annual extensions at Thai immigration offices. The minimum age remains 50 years.

The insurance must cover all medical eventualities, including but not restricted to Covid, whilst both foreign and Thai-based insurance companies are eligible to provide cover. Under the expiring regulations, foreign insurance may be used only for the initial application at a Thai embassy and not for the subsequent extensions of stay.

For the first time in Thai immigration history, applicants for the O/A visa or extension who are unable to obtain comprehensive medical insurance because of old age, infirmity or pre-existing conditions will be able to self-insure. They will be required to show at least three million baht of assets which can include cash in a Thai or foreign bank, ownership of property or similar funds. Alternatively, they can show evidence that their hospital bills in Thailand will be paid for by the home country of the applicant. This could benefit, for example, retirees from the US military who are often given worldwide health cover.

However, the Ministry of Health memorandum makes it clear that any claims of wealth abroad, or insurance issued by foreign-based companies, will require confirmation by the Thai authorities including Thai embassies abroad or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bangkok. In other words, applicants can expect a complex paper chase. The insurance requirements, of course, are on top of the 800,000 baht held in a Thai bank, or proof of regular monthly payments, which are part of the current requirements.

Immigration consultants are already saying that wealthy O/A retirees in Thailand, who cannot obtain insurance, would be well-advised to keep and retain 3,800,000 baht on deposit here. That’s the simplest way to prove the new baseline. The alternative appears to require several affidavits, forms for companies and banks to sign as well as approval from Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials.

It should be noted that the October 1 revisions apply only to the O/A visa and annual extensions. Retirees living here with alternative permissions – for example the Elite visa, non-immigrant “O” extensions of stay based on marriage or retirement – are not mentioned in the Ministry announcement.

It is not easy to change the initial O/A visa to the less onerous O, once granted by the Thai embassy abroad. The procedure requires the pensioner to leave the country and enter again with, say, a 60 days tourist visa which can then be converted to three-months O at Thai immigration plus the 12 months extension. Then you are in the clear. For now anyway.

[PeteC]

The Pattaya Mail is ok.

What the article says gives people some choices and should be a relief to many.

[handdrummer]

In other words, all you have to do is give a Thai bank 3 mils. 800,000 baht to play with and receive very little interest. Sounds like a good deal to me.

[HHTel]

A little off topic but it reminds me of the losses you can suffer holding money in Thai baht. When the British Embassy discontinued income letters, I opted to place 800,000 baht in the bank. At the time that cost me around £22K. That cash now (which has gleaned 8,000 baht in interest) if it was to be changed back into GBP is worth £17K+. A loss of close to £5K.