Martyp

A variation of what you suggested would be to renew in February for a year. Then get a new policy for a July and they refund you the unused months. By this time the insurance companies must have encountered this issue and have come up with a solution. Not only would it depend on the insurance company but it may also depend on the Immigration office. There was a recent post from someone who had a problem synchronizing their policy with their extension dates. Best to know what the Immigration office expects before talking with your insurance company.

2 hours ago, Jim P said:

I have an O-A visa issued in London March 2019, before the insurance requirement cut off date. I have booked a trip to Cambodia  to coincide with the expiry of the visa and will return in time to be stamped in for my one year extension. I actually have 5m baht cover with one of the recognised companies which expires in September but I opted to forgo outpatient cover as it gave me a 20% discount, meaning it doesn't fully conform to the new requirements. Do I need to bring the policy or certificate with me to show at immigration or do I even need it at all as my visa was issued before October 30th 2019 and I am therefore currently exempt. Im sure it already been asked in here but the thread is 137 pages long tia.

 

Secondly assuming I dont need to show insurance for my extension my plan is upon renewal of my insurance in September to purchase just to the expiry of my extension in March 2021 and from then on to purchase a years insurance every year at extension time.

 

 

 

I would say that your policy doesn’t matter at this time if it doesn’t conform.

4 minutes ago, TerraplaneGuy said:

 

In my view it would have to be by the Immigration Bureau itself because any daylight between them and a third party would give them the excuse to depart from what is posted.  It has to be official.  What I think is needed is a concerted effort by expats to pressure Immigration, using formal letters but also newspaper and FB publicity, to do the right thing. 

I understand what you are saying but it will never happen. It is obvious that many people seek this very information online (TVF among others). The trustworthiness of any 3rd party website has to earned. The Thai visa advise Facebook group manages to give out pretty accurate information without allowing crazy rumors and speculation. That information of the FB group just needs to be put into a easily visible form on a website and then kept up-to-date. A well designed website would make it easy for administrators to keep it up-to-date.

Anyways . . . neither is like to happen. 

31 minutes ago, onekoolguy said:

Confusing for sure!

Assuming you leave and reenter the country frequently and dont need to do 90 day reports? So not here to report bank book balance?

There have been numerous posts saying that if you miss your date you can just go in as soon as you return.

10 minutes ago, TerraplaneGuy said:

Back to the main point here, it is clear that Immigration imposes irrational requirements that are outside the law.  What I wish is that at least they would publicize those requirements so we don’t have to go through the agonizing ritual of guessing each year and getting rejected.   Why can’t they simply post on the website a clear list of documents for each visa class so, absurd or not, we will know what to obtain and bring?  I’d like to see an expat movement pressing for that.  

I wish the same. Even if different offices have different requirements a clear up-to-date website would work wonders. It doesn't even have to be an Immigration website. It could be a 3rd party website that has close contacts with a particular Immigration office. A good project for some enterprising Thai web developers. 

The OP’s situation is all a little confusing but in my situation my extension expires November 19th. My new Pacific Cross policy goes from January 1, 2020 to January 1, 2021. I have an insurance certificate. If I renew my policy again for January 2021-2022 and get my insurance certificate before I apply for my extension on November 19 (or before) then I will have two insurance certificates covering this year and the next year. I should be OK, right? If so then this may be the timing to make this work.

This obviously doesn’t help the OP who doesn’t have a valid certificate now and has already purchased next years insurance.  It may also be difficult for people traveling and living here part time.  However, if you are planning to purchase now it may be a strategy to discuss with your insurance agent. It wasn’t a strategy on my part. The timing just worked out that way. My problem may be trying to renew my insurance 3 months early. 

5 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Just to clarify .....when did you last apply for extension at CW? 

I mean attended for extension and provided tm30. 

When all the noise was about re tm30 and in cases fines being issued, the reports were that you were not even getting to the L area (extensions). People were being checked for tm30 first. 

That certainly not the case now. 

The 2 blokes I spoke with in L area waiting for return of passport had never done tm30. I noticed they had used different io,s to me, so thinking wasn't just luck.

Perhaps some folk can advise on recent experience at CW for extensions re tm30

I got my 2nd extension (off an original O-A) at CW on October 7th. I submitted the TM30 receipt along with all my other documents. The IO saw it and kept it with the documents. No words were spoken about it one way or the other. We’ll never know if I could have omitted it.

I’ve conceded that the rule may have changed since then. And then there is the variable of the particular IO. My real point is then when presented with conflicting or confusing advice (the norm on TVF) then bring everything you can as long as it is easy to do and costs little. Plan for contingencies. 
 

For this particular person, given that the TM30 requirement is uncertain enough to ask the question here, they should go early enough to have the time to fix any problems as they arise. I realize some people have great difficulty getting a TM30. I’m not suggesting this guy get one. Just read what you can here, think about it, make a plan, be prepared.

Apply as early as possible so he has time to get a TM30 if needed. He should research what he has to do if asked to get one.

In October I submitted a TM30 and it accepted at CW. It is possible/probable that has changed. All he can do is prepare for all options. Don’t go expecting one thing and then get mad if it doesn’t go his way.

Last October I submitted a print of a photo of the TM30 receipt. Not exactly what you are doing but they did not ask for an original receipt. A printout was OK.

 I guess I would add to make sure it is a printout of the correct online screen.

7 hours ago, SCOTT FITZGERSLD said:

question is WHAT KIND of medical certificate? that certify that you are fit for retirement?

that one is fit to watch T.V. 6 hours a day?

OR that you are in perfect condition to live among such a healthy country as thailand is?

or is it just a certification that you are from the same gender you were born with, so you

won't steal jobs from the local ladyboy work force?

it is getting worse and worse. can easily spend one week of traveling back and fourth

to immigration offices with no result. 

Go to a hospital or local clinic and tell them you need a medical certificate for your visa application. They should know what you are asking for. 
 

I needed a medical certificate for a Thai drivers license. I, of course, didn’t know what that involved but I went to a local clinic. They gave me a cursory medical exam and signed a certificate.

22 minutes ago, SCOTT FITZGERSLD said:

i think the "bank letter" includes a confirmation in thai language that the 800K came from abroad

No. The letter for the 800k method just states that you have an account and states the account balance at the time of the letter. I have to do a same day bank book update to confirm that the balance hasn’t dipped below the requirement. People typically prove that money was transferred from abroad by the wire transfer coding on their Thai bank statement. People using the monthly income method get a different bank letter verifying foreign origin and monthly transfer amounts and dates. I’ve read of some people using their Transferwise paper trail to prove foreign origin. I’ve never seen anyone prove foreign origin using ATM receipts.

Also, for years now, I have transferred money from Bank of America to Kasikorn and the transfer code is always a domestic transfer because it gets to my account through an intermediary Thai bank. I have over two years of transfers specifically coded as domestic transfers not foreign.

To prove my address I get an affidavit from the US Consulate in Bangkok. It’s just a blank affidavit form. I write a single sentence stating my address. The Consulate  notarizes it and that is what I bring along with my other extension documents. You might try that. I bring my rental agreement with me but I’ve never been asked to show it.

1 hour ago, Kickstand said:

Dr Jacck 54- Why the snarky tone in your reply? I asked a legitimate question and you gave back snark. I don't need that <deleted>.

 It was at Phatum Thani office.

 

This clearly states he has to return on April 14th. 90 days after his extension for a bank book check. It says nothing about bank account balance for the rest of the year. Nor does it say he has to do a bank book check again. 
 

What is commonly known as a 90 day report is completely different. This coincidence that you have to keep the 800k in your bank account for 90 days and people’s seemingly misunderstanding of 90 day reports is causing endless anxiety and confusion. 

I applied for my 1 year extension at CW last October. I got the bank letter from Kasikorn on Saturday and applied for my extension on Monday. I updated my bank book and made copies downstairs while I waited for my queue number to be called. All very easy.

That October extension was my second extension at CW and I have never been asked to prove that the 800k came from abroad.

I should add that I arrived on an O-A visa in 2017. I got an additional 9 months permission to stay on that visa due to a trip to Cambodia during the first year. I had had my 800k deposited for at least a year before applying for my first 1 year extension. 

13 minutes ago, tinca tinca said:

a frend of mine (71) has had to pay over 3100 G B P for his health insurance...!!

That sounds pretty good. About what I am paying at 63. Of course it depends on the details of the policy. I’m from the US so insurance expectations are probably completely different than for someone from the UK.

The Elite visa program make a lot more sense for single non-working  people under 45 years old who have almost no other options to stay long term. A non-O or non-O-A is significantly less expensive and are easy to do and maintain yourself. These days a non-O may be the preferred option because there is no insurance requirement.

17 minutes ago, tomx2 said:

@Martyp Thanks for the clarification. As I stated I've only received METV visas. I apologize for my ignorance regarding O-A visa. When I was in Thailand last year, people were telling me certain visa shops could prepare 1 year visa for a fee. I assume this was a O-A visa. Based on your reply, I will apply for a 1 year extension just prior to the end of my O-A visa.

 

During my interview with Thai immigration at Suvarnabhumi, they mention I needed medical insurance and a Thai bank Account. I got both before departing to the U.S.

 

@Surelynot. Thanks, I will print copy of my Bank Statement 1 day prior to visit. Does it have to be notarized?

 

TC.

 

When you apply for a 1 year extension you should talk to your insurance company to sync the policy dates with the extension dates.

It sounds like you are going to get a non-immigrant O visa and then extend it for 1 year. You will not need insurance to do that. Insurance is only required for people who get a non-immigrant O-A visa purchased in their home country. Your plan to get an O visa is the best choice.

1 hour ago, Iandre said:

Wow re rent. That's insanely low 

Where do you plan to go and for how long in each place? You are not going to find a house/condo for 3000/month unless you are in rural Thailand or a city slum. However, I am writing this from a hotel in Isaan near the Cambodian border that is 500 baht per day. 

Tomx2

It is nice that you have insurance. Note that when you arrive, you will only be given permission to stay until the end of your insurance policy. Not 1 year.

You cannot get an O-A visa inside Thailand. You can only get an O-A visa in your home country.

An O-A visa is a 1 year multiple entry visa. There is nothing to convert once you get here. At the end of the visa you can apply for a one year extension of stay which which is not a visa. 

I agree. You should research getting a non-immigrant O visa. It is a 90 day visa that can then be extended yearly the same as an OA however a non-O does not have the insurance requirement. There are several ways to go about getting a non-O.

Since you need to do something by June there is no point in speculating about the future of the O visa. Just get it. There is a bit of effort, costs and a process but it is probably worth it. I have seen some posts by people who are disabled and for which the travel involved in a consideration. If you want to delay the decision for an O visa for a year then contact Pacific Cross to discuss insurance options. 

Given that digital nomad work is a grey area I would not advertise that that is what you are doing. Keep it as quiet as possible. If you are not on a long term visa or extension of stay then your next biggest problem will be being questioned by Immigration as to how you are supporting yourself if you are spending a lot of time in Thailand. Obviously “ digital nomad” is not the correct answer.
 

Are you under/over 50 years old? How long do you think you will be here?

 I had a friend, in his 60’s, who was consulting online with his former employer in the US. He was getting paid in the US. When he broke up with his Thai girlfriend his ex’s friends threatened to expose him to Immigration for working without a work permit. So he quit his online job and of course lost this additional income from that job. Whether he had to do this or not he didn’t know. He got scared into quitting. The point of that anecdote is to point out that you should be careful who you talk to about your “work”.

A legitimate tourist here for a short time has nothing to worry about.

7 hours ago, Travelerusa40 said:

If you have an OA you should be able to leave a few days before your OA Visa expires then come back in before the Expiration date of your OA Visa and get an Extension of Stay Stamp for 1 additional year. You will need to get a multiple Entry or single Entry stamp each time you leave country. 

 

Then after this Extension of STay "Stamp" Expires you will need to get an Extention of Stay based on Retirement for an addiontal year which requires bank statements and documentation.

 

I have to do the same thing. My question is I came in Thailand with an OA Visa before OCT 31st 2019 requirements so is immigration requirement me to have proof medical insurance now that I am in Thailand? If anyone has experience with this please advise.

 

**************

If you have any first hand feed back on my issue please advise. - Thanks - 

 

Background: I came to Thailand on November 7th 2019. My OA Visa was dated September 6th 2019. So, I was allowed entry into Thailand without having to Provide a Foreign Medical Certificate or proof I had Medical Insurance.

 

Question # 1: Will I have to prove or get Medical Insurance when it is time to get my Extention of Stay "Stamp"?  My understanding with the OA Visa I can leave country a few days before the Visa date Expires then re-enter Thailand and immigration will automatically just stamp me for one more year.

 

Will immigration require me to have or show proof of insurance at this time?

 

My understanding is that since I am on a 1 Year Stay Entry Stamp at this time I will also need to get a re-entry permit every time I leave Thailand during my final year on an OA Extention Stamp.

 

Question #2: My other question is when I finally get to Year 3 and want to get an offical  Extenstion of Stay will I need to prove insurance at this time? Remember I came into Thailand on an OA Visa November 7th 2019 but my OA Visa was dated / approved on Septermber 6th 2019 from the US Thai Consulate. No need for insurance was requirement because the new immigration policy came into effect OCT 31 2019.

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After your OA expires and while you are on the final 1 year permission to stay stamp you will need a re-entry permit if you leave the country. You can purchase a single re-entry for each trip outside the country or you can purchase a multiple re-entry permit. A multiple re-entry will only extend until the date of your permission to stay stamp.

Sorry but I am not sure if Immigration at the airport will want to see an insurance certificate during this final permission to stay period. I don’t think so but you may be questioned about it depending on the Immigration officer. 
 

You will need health insurance from a Thai company to get a 1 year extension of stay.

What Immigration office are you using?