Alphim

4 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

 

This can only be done for the initial visa. It can not be done for in-country extensions of stay. And there is no approved Thai insurer who will newly issue a policy to someone over the age of 75.

 

For which reason the O-A visa is best avoided by people planning to live in Thailand full-time. It remains viable for people wanting to split their time between their home country and Thailand e.g. so-called "snowbirds". In that scenario they will have to keep getting new OA visas every two years.

 

OP consider getting a non-O rather than O-A visa as there is no insurance requirement for in-country extensions of stay based on an original O visa.

Thanks Sheryl, is the Luma Policy not approved. Do you think most of the ex-pats in Thailand stay on a Non O as opposed to O-A?

3 hours ago, skatewash said:

An alternative way around the requirement for 400k baht inpatient and 40k outpatient medical coverage is to come into Thailand on a Non-O (not Non-OA) visa.  Or come into Thailand on a visa-exempt entry or a Tourist Visa and apply for the non-O in Thailand.  The advantage is that the non-O and extensions of the same don't impose the mandatory insurance requirement.

Of course, a non-O has different financial requirements than a non-OA.  800k baht in a Thai bank or proof of 65k baht income per month for a non-O extension.  But it gets you out from under the health insurance mandate.  Of course, you can have whatever medical insurance you want to have that meets your needs but you don't need to meet the immigration mandate.

If I come into Thailand on a Non O visa and wish to extend it for a yearly O visa I  still have to have 400K in the bank for 2 months?

3 hours ago, gk10012001 said:

Yes.  It is possible to use your home insurance.  There was a form or certification that had to be signed by two agents or big wigs of the company, then approved by Thai officials.  A few people have posted here they successfully were able to do that and their home insurance cooperated and the Thai officials approved it.  Investigate that angle

Thanks gk, any idea from where I can get such certification?

3 hours ago, skatewash said:

Yes, you can think having medical insurance is the best thing in the world and still not want to be under the immigration department's health insurance mandate.  40k outpatient coverage is an expensive and rather bizarre requirement.  Also, the hoop jumping to make sure your insurance starts/stops when it's convenient for the immigration department rather than you.  You don't have to be anti-insurance to not want to participate with the immigration department's medical insurance mandate.

I have travelled on a Non Imm O visa for years but only staying in Thailand for the allowed 90 days.

Now I want to, stay for longer periods, hence the idea of a long term visa. The reason I am thinking about the O-A is that I've read that getting the O Visa is more complex, officials visiting the house, photos have to be taken, maps drawn to show the way to get to the house etc. etc. etc. What are your thoughts?

17 minutes ago, chilly07 said:

Just checked Aetna website for expats which says age restriction is 65 and stops at 70

I think Aetna are the brokers, they offer Luma Policies

2 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

The amount is the same but the proof of it and where the money can be is different.

If the 400k or 800k stays in the bank, fixed deposit for instance, then there can be no queries?

2 hours ago, drtreelove said:

Inquire with AA about "LUMA Long Stay Care" . Enrollment up to 80 yo. 

Thanks D, I'm in touch with them.

12 hours ago, TimBKK said:

https://www.aainsure.net

 

Lots of good reports in various threads here; I had Jenny from AA help me with O-A insurance, she was great.

12 hours ago, ThaiVisaCentre said:

TGIA is our recommended option for those over 75, and need to meet the entry requirements.

https://asq.in.th/thailand-covid-insurance

Thank you, I'll get in touch with them.

12 hours ago, TimBKK said:

https://www.aainsure.net

 

Lots of good reports in various threads here; I had Jenny from AA help me with O-A insurance, she was great.

Thank you, I will get in touch with them.

12 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

If I recall correctly all the allowed Thai companies have a maximum age of 75 to issue the insurance.

Check the companies here. https://longstay.tgia.org/home/companiesoa

If your existing insurance covers you while here and it meets the 400k baht in patient requirement and the 40k baht outpatient requirement you can use it for the OA visa.

Thank you ubonjoe, I see Aetna offer policies to max. age of 80, possibly there are more.

My South Africa insurance is good for Thailand but only for 90 days. For the O-A visa I have to get 12 month coverage. Thanks again. 

Good day,

I intend to apply for a O-A visa, retirement, in the near future. Everything is in place, bank acc.

criminal record clearance. Now for the Health Insurance part.

I am 78 years old and have notice that the few adverts I've seen stipulate 'up to 75 years of age'.

My request is, can anyone please recommend a local insurance company that can offer a policy to suit my needs.

I say 'local company' as from what I've seen the US/Euro companies are very expensive, with their deductibles and what have you. I should think local companies could offer lower costs. I have a very comprehensive medical insurance in South Africa, at a much lower cost.

Hoping somebody can advise, in anticipation, Thank you.

On 5/28/2021 at 11:07 AM, DrJack54 said:

Won't be anything like 30k for what you need and the fact you can satisfy the financials.

30k is to obtain the non O and then extension based on retirement and you not having funds in the bank.

 

It's not hard to do it yourself.

If you google something like "requirements for extension marriage thaivisa" .....you will find MANY threads explaining the process.

The 30K was what the recommended agents wanted to charge even with sufficient funds in my account, 40K without. Again, many thanks.

24 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Don't be overwhelmed.

The process for annual extension based on marriage is not difficult.

If you can afford keeping money in Thai bank account in your name only then extension based on retirement is even more simple.

For either option if the money in bank or monthly income is not an issue. You can do this yourself.

 

Regarding agents you need be aware of two 'levels' of service. One is where you satisfy all the requirements and simply need an expert to assist you. This is good option for those that just find it daunting or just prefer to have assistance.

The same agents also provide service when you don't/can't satisfy the financials etc.

You can see already by this thread the topic has very divided opinion. 

 

Thank you, the money will be in the bank it's just that I thought a little help would be good, but not at 30k!! 

Are your requirements not the same as you would look for in any other woman?????

19 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

Are you asking about applying for a non-o visa at immigration or a one year extension of stay based upon marriage or both.

If you have the 400k baht in a Thai bank you certainly do not need an agent.

B is a grey area. In my opinion they are not legitimate visa or extension applications.

Thanks for all replies. I will be making an application for a one year extension of stay based on marriage.

I have always go to Thailand on 12 month O visa based on marriage for the allowed 90 days, or the length of time I had available. Now the time has come to make my stay on a more permanent basis. I have never been to Immigration but have heard it can be an 'Experience'. So when I see Thaivisaforum advising they have linked up with an 'Agent' I thought it would save me time and trouble but never realising that these agents were could be breaking the the law or perhaps circumventing it,  same thing. The point I guess is, how can anybody advocate an entity knowing they are possibly "dodgy" and could possibly get the client, me, into trouble.   

Thanks again for all answers and advice.

Good day,

I recently read that the Forum had linked up with Agents to help out getting Visa's, or words to that extent.

I contacted one agent asking about an O visa based on marriage. They came back with 2 scenarios.

A, If I have THB400,000 in my bank account they would help with a 12 month visa at a cost of THB30,000

B, If I did not have THB400,000 in the bank they would help with the 12 month visa at a cost of THB40,000.

Is scenario B legal? Would I/they be breaking the law.

I asked what about happens at the end of the year, regarding money in the bank.

Doesn't seem a good thing to me.

16 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

You are so missing the point of my post.

If you google what I suggested regarding ASQ be it recommendations or first hand experiences or cost, food etc etc.....you will find it there. Some threads with excellent advice over several pages. 

I did not suggest "google ASQ hotels"

I suggested google

"ASQ hotels thaivisa"

"ASQ experience thaivisa"

"COE process thaivisa"

etc etc..... Try it you might be surprised.

I just did random search now that covers everything you wish to know

Apologies and thanks, I will try as advised.

3 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

You can apply for single non-o visa based upon marriage to a Thai that will allow one 90 day entry. You can apply for a 60 day extension of stay to visit her at a immigration office.

You can also apply for a one year extension of stay (it is not a visa). You will need 400k baht in a Thai bank for 2 months on the day you apply. Then the 400k baht need to be kept in the bank until the end of under consideration period that can be 30 days from the day you apply or the end of your 90 day permit to stay dependent upon the office where you apply. After that you can do what you want to with the 400k baht until 2 months before your next extension application.

Thank you Ubonjoe

Regarding the TM30. I know it is the house owner/landlord who should register for it but as my my wife is not computer literate can I do it online on her behalf or is it possible to go the the immigration office in Bangkok? Which is where. Thanks again.

15 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Some answers. 

400k in the bank for 2 months prior to applying for extension. When the extension is approved money can be withdrawn.

Re your question about ASQ hotels....there are so many threads. You should google "ASQ quarantine thaivisa" don't use the thaivisa search. Just Google including 'thaivisa' at the end

All the threads will show up. Some even going through whole process. 

Worry about the TM30 when your here. Not difficult. 

Good luck.

Thank you, I realise I can Google ASQ hotels. I was asking about personal recommendations of ASQ hotels, i.e From people who may have stayed there or had friends who may have stayed there.

Regarding the TM30 aren't I supposed to have one as son as I ma there? not that I've ever had one but here again I've never thought of applying for an extension.

Good day,

With all the unfortunate problems for the world caused by the Covid 19 Pandemic, including no Emirates flights out of South Africa, I have been unable to get back to my wife in Thailand since March 2020.

I see various articles on the Internet as to when Thailand will get back to some sort of normality. The latest one I read indicated that as from 1st April 2021 the mandatory quarantine stay in a ASQ hotel will be reduced from 16 days to 10 days. With this in mind I have decided, or my wife has, to bite the bullet and pay for the hotel stay. Saying this I have to ask for advice on certain things.

Hotels: Is there anybody who can please recommend a decent, reasonably priced ASQ hotel, this based on personal or friends experience.

Visa; I normally travel on a Multi Entry Non Imm. O visa based on marriage. The Royal Thai Embassy in South Africa advise that they now only issue single entry visas but that I can extend it for 60 days? I will be in Bangkok, how/where would I extend the visa? I believe for an extension I would need to show a TM30 document, which I believe one can register for and get online? My wife has little knowledge of computers, can she go to whichever office and register? Or can I register from South Africa?

Finally;   Eventually, perhaps this next trip, I will have to apply for the full O visa based on marriage. To do this I believe I need to have Thb. 400,000 deposited in my Thai bank account on application for the visa. For how long must the funds have been in the account before I apply. Importantly, does the 400k have to remain in my account for the duration of the visa, 12 months, or can I make withdrawals if the need arises?

Apologies for the drawn out post and questions, I though it best to get everything off one time.

Thank you and best regards.

On 2/6/2021 at 11:24 AM, Sheryl said:

For a Thai national, and assuming under the age of 60, I would suggest either April Thailand or Aetna - in that order

 

https://asia.april-international.com/en/international-health-insurance/myhealth-thailand

 

https://www.aetna.co.th/en/individuals.aspx

Thank you, I will give them a call.

On 2/6/2021 at 11:35 AM, Nout said:

Try Yui at Thai life insurance

0815758294

Thank you very much.

Good day,

Is it possible that somebody can recommend a good local medical insurance company for my wife, a Thai national.

I know Thai get free government health care but I prefer to go the private route.

 I am not in Thailand on a permanent basis so cannot use my own insurance.

Thank you.

6 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

You can obtain annual extension based on married to a Thai.

You will need to satisfy the financials.

I suggest "money in bank" best option. 

400k for 2 months prior to application. 

Have you used your 60 day extension to visit wife? You could obtain that to give you time to organize the financials.

Thanks DrJack54

6 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

You can apply for a 60 day extension to visit your wife.

Or a one year extension of stay based upon marriage. You will need 400k baht in a Thai bank for 2 months or proof of 40k baht income.

The fee for all extensions of stay is 1900 baht.

Thank you.

I don't want to apply for the one year extension just yet, just need to know that I can easily get a 60 or 90 day extension.

Good Day,

Traveling on a O non imm (married to a Thai National) can I extend my visit past 

the usual 90 days?  If so can somebody explain the procedure, the cost and where to do it?

My wife and I have a house in Bangkok.

Thanks and regards to all.