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What are the current health insurance requirements for the Non-Immigrant O-A Visa in Thailand?

Non-Immigrant O-A VisaHealth Insurance RequirementsThailand Visa RegulationsVisa Application ProcessExpatriate InformationVisa Extensions in Thailand
Oct 22, 2019
5 years ago
Ed ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
So.

Lodged my application today in Sydney for Non Immigrant O A multiple entry.

Was not asked for the health insurance and was assured will not be asked for it at entry point though i will need it fir any extensions in Thailand after 31/10/2019.

I’ll report back when i pick up the passport and Visa on Friday.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A user recently lodged an application for a Non-Immigrant O-A visa in Sydney and reported that they were not required to present health insurance at the time of application. Comments from the community suggest that while proof of health insurance is currently not needed for entry, it will be mandatory for visa extensions after October 31, 2019. There is speculation regarding the requirement for a Thai health insurance policy for O-A visa holders who obtained their visa before this date. Several users highlight the ongoing confusion about health insurance requirements and advise having proof of foreign insurance ready when entering Thailand.
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Ron *******
The more I look at that form, the more it appears that it's a form to obtain a new O-A visa using a non Thai insurance company. I don't think, but I've no problem being proved wrong, that it is for proving you have a foreign health insurance policy when entering Thailand on a previously obtained O-A visa that has no Insurance annotation marked on the visa. Just my thinking but I'm edging towards a Thai Insurance policy going to be needed on O-A visas issued BEFORE 31st October.

There is mention in section 3 of the police order about buying Thai health Insurance before being allowed entry if you don't have insurance. I'm 100% certain there is going to be Health insurance agency's at the airports at least in order to buy insurance.

Just my opinion how I see the use of that form.
5 years ago
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James ********
And lets all take a step back and await the actions of Thai Immigration on and after October 31, 2019.

Commenting closed.
5 years ago
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Tod *********
I stand corrected, and am bowing out of this discussion. We'll find out come the 31st I'm sure. I can wait until then
5 years ago
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Gregor **********
That's correct. But even if somebody who got the visa before October 31 now enters AFTER October 31, holding this form signed by his foreign health insurance, underneath an immigrations officers eyes, this will have absolutely NO effect because the officer is not supposed to accept this form, Same applies to applicants of Extension of Non-Imm-O/A s achieved before Oct. 31. That's all that I am saying. And that only IF insurance should become mandatory for anyone with a O/A visa issued befroe Oct. 31, which until now is not 100% clear
5 years ago
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Tod *********
@Gregor *********
, you are correct I CAN read and did see that it says for applying for an O-A visa. BUT I dont' see any other way that people ON an O-A visa will show people they have insurance when stamping into the country especially if they got the visa BEFORE the rule change and it's not noted on the sticker of the visa itself

I guess we will all have to wait and see what they do with O-A holders who got the visa before the rule change who enter the country after the 31st..

I'd bet by the 2nd or 3rd of Nov we'll know with certainty what's what..
5 years ago
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Gregor **********
I am not a dick to you, i am just explaining the topic. I suggest you READ what the form says, and explain to me again why you think that this form has to be shown to the Immigration officer at the entry port. The HEADER of the form says CLEARLY: "for Alien applying for a Non-Imm-O/A" and now please tell me, WHERE do you apply? Answer: on an Embassy or consulate. And in other words: HOW would an immigration officer VERIFY such a document? Only the Embassy staff can
5 years ago
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Tod *********
@Gregor *********
 for yearly extensions of stays you must have thai provided insurance.

BUT I think that form is not for giving to the consulates but for showing when you come into the country.

In other news; Why are you such a dick to me when you post?

I'm starting to take it personally, so I will ask you once, nicely, to dial back your venom a notch or two okay?
5 years ago
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Gregor **********
@Tod ********
 the form is ONLY for applicants of Non-Imm-O/A Visas after October 31, to hand out to the Embassies or Consulates of Thailand staff in applicants home country. And they will probably KEEP THE FORM when a visa is granted. This form has never been intended to be handed out to an immigration officer at an entry point or inside the country. And most surely NOT acceptable for any EOS or extension of the O/A visa into the second year. And it can only be accepted for the first year of the O/A visa. I can't stress this any further than what it CLEARLY says in its text! I think we all can read . .
5 years ago
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Ron *******
@T**
 between half a dozen of us, we probably have the correct answer 😂
5 years ago
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Tod *********
The more I look at the form I see that it is for people entering on a valid O-A visa AFTER the 31st of Oct.

You can't use foreign insurance for a yearly extension of stay off an O-A visa, but you CAN use it for any entry on a valid O-A.
5 years ago
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Ron *******
@Robert ******
 I think you've lost what I'm saying. It doesn't matter. This is too hard. I am explaining WHAT I see, as the use of the foreign insurance information form. Once again, it is ONLY as I see it, to apply for a new O-A and a one time entry from that visa. It isn't for use of entering on a previously issued before 31st October, O-A visa. That scenario, I believe as I read it, requires Thai health insurance
5 years ago
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Ed ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Robert mine will be first entry on a visa granted before
*****
i will fly to BKK
*****
what do you think ?
5 years ago
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Robert *******
If you need a new entry stamp, who cares how long you have this visa in your pocket and where you stored the passport for the last year. If you need a NEW entry after 31 Oct you need insurance.
5 years ago
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Ron *******
@Robert ******
 section 2 applys to those 'Already in Thailand' on a permission to stay. Meaning if your already in Thailand on a 12 month stamp or extension, you won't need to rush up town and buy insurance. It doesn't apply to entering.
5 years ago
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Robert *******
@Ron ******
 No killer catch, just simple, no insurance = no valid visa = no entry.
5 years ago
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Robert *******
And to answer your question
5 years ago
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Ron *******
This section here is the killer catch all from how I read it
5 years ago
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Ron *******
@Robert ******
 people keep saying this BUT the order makes NO mention of when a visa was obtained. Only a date when legislation becomes effective.
5 years ago
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Robert *******
With previous visa nothing change till the moment, the holder goes for a new Extension of Stay or goes for a new entry.
5 years ago
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Ron *******
@Robert ******
 yes I don't think there is any doubt of the process applying for visas on or after the 31st October. It's previously issued visas that is questionable in how it may be applied.
5 years ago
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Ron *******
@Ed *******
 not a worry for me lol

Until the 31st October nobody can say with any certainty how they will apply it.
5 years ago
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Robert *******
Could it be that the period of health insurance you have when you apply for the visa are the remarks on the visa, written by the Thai Embassy as mentioned
5 years ago
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Ed ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@R**
 its s worry ? Girl at consulate seemed to think id be fine entering country
5 years ago
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Ed ********
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Ed ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
As a side not she didn’t really seem to know much about it and I thinks it’s one of those typical government implementations dine without due diligence or staff training just like they do in Australia lol and yes Tod ill have 1 year comprehensive travel insurance. Always do.
5 years ago
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Gregor **********
" for alien to apply for Non-Imm-O/A" Any questions? You do not apply at the border or inside Thailand. How would an Immigration officer at any entry point VERFIFY the originality of the document? And it will not be accepted for any extension, be it the Visa extension or by EOS based on marriage or retirement. I even think that the Embassy will keep the form after they issue the visa! Here you go . . . .
5 years ago
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Gregor **********
thats what it says: Foreign Insurance Certificate

for Alien to apply for Non-Immigrant Visa Type O-A (Period not exceeding 1 Year)

in accordance with the Cabinet Resolution, dated 2 April B.E. 2562 (2019) (has to be signed by TWO directors of the said insurance company) It is NOT for immigration, it is not for showing off at an entry point, and it is NOT acceptable for ANY extension. It is SOLELY for the purpose of applying for a Non-Imm-O/A at Embassy or Consulate in applicants home country and ONLY for the first year of a Non-Imm-O/A (that's why it says: "period not exceeding one year"!!!)
5 years ago
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Gregor **********
James Miller you are wrong! This form says in the header: "for application of Non-Imm-O/A" and that is done at an Embassy or consulate ! This form must be signed by your foreign helath insurance company, and THE EMBASSY will keep this form, as they are the only ones who issue the visa or not and can verify the originality of the document. The Thai Immigration at any entry point in Thailand does not have ANYTHING to do with this form. Please read the form header carefully! It is only acceptable at Embassy or Consulate for first application of Non-Imm-O/A and NOT for subsequent extensions! For ALL subsequent extensions, only a thai accredited health insurance will be accepted
5 years ago
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James ********
Gregor Huettner not true. There is a form which must be completed as proof of international health insurance.

On this page: download "overseas insurance certificate"

******************************************
5 years ago
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Gregor **********
well, that's all wishful thinking, we shall see. We shall know more after one year.
5 years ago
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Gregor **********
he will need an extension of the Visa itself after ONE year, going into the second year he will need the health insurance. That's how I read the police order. And he posted: "for ANY extension" which for me includes the one going into the second year
5 years ago
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Tod *********
@Gregor *********
 he WILL need health insurance for an EXTENSION but he won't need an extension for almost 2 years
5 years ago
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Gregor **********
@Tod ********
 but he just said that he was assured at the embassy that he will need a health insurance for any extension AFTER October 31. Did you not read his entry post?
5 years ago
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Tod *********
they are JUST now getting the O-A visa
@Gre***
. IF they use the visa correctly they won't need to worry about showing proof of insurance for an extension for almost TWO years.

How about we give it a rest for now?
5 years ago
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Gregor **********
i am not sure that when you log in your first Extension inside Thailand, the proof of a foreign insurance will not be accepted any more as it is only accepted when you apply for the visa on Embassy or consulate. For any Extension after your entry and after October 31, it needs to be an insurance accredited in Thailand - from the tgia official list
5 years ago
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Gregor **********
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Robert *******
Thanks for letting us know that you're not asked for a requirement taht does not exist at the moment. It seems to be to strange to understand but the first date this health insurance comes into play is effective as of October 31, 2019.
5 years ago
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Tod *********
You wouldn't be asked for it now seeing as the rule doesn't come into effect until Oct 31st.

AND it appears to read that you will get into the country with at least ONE entry without the need to show proof of insurance after Oct 31

BUT

I wouldn't bank on it and I would download the proof of foreign insurance form and have it ready when you stamp in if you're flying in after the 31st
5 years ago
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Tod *********
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