Northwest87

It may be related to BOI's staff been spread thin, but they do not answer email questions anymore; at one point they were quick about it.

That's a good point.

Hi, thanks for the info. I doubt very much they would take THB for payment, since an extra 10K+ fee is built in. Another user on this thread has reported 1500 BP for the UK. Out of curiosity, I checked the web site of the Paris Embassy, and it's EUR 1750 there, which is THB 64K and change at current rates.

The Embassy in DC refers to the LTR visa https://thaiembdc.org/visas/ (scroll to almost the bottom of the page). This page https://thaiembdc.org/visas/ shows a letter that mentions at the beginning that the fee is US$1600 so they probably handle the visa, and they might be better at answering their phones. Except for the LTR seminar announcement (now obsolete), I don't see any info on the LTR on the LA consulate web site. How did you deal with the medical insurance requirement in the end? NW

On the US Embassy web site, dated late August, the fee is US$1600, which comes to THB 61,000 and change ????

Replying to Khunjeff: Thanks, this is very useful. I checked my AFPSA account on the web, and under the "Plan Overview" tab, the following info is displayed (top left). . Medical Coverage From Jan 1, 2022 to Dec 31, 2022 For [First Name] This page includes coverage details for common services. At least that's something with a stated period of coverage, but regardless, it does seem that the application period is going to be roughly December-February for the typical US citizen, taking into account that according from info in this thread, there is a grace period for justifying insurance coverage. So, we could apply (presumably) in Nov or Dec and prove coverage in January, which is the earliest date at which said coverage for the new year will be posted, if the insurer won't state it formally in a letter. That doesn't interfere badly with my plans for the initial visa, but what happens every year at immigration "check-in" after that is worrisome, especially is said "check-in" is anytime after February and we become de facto uninsured for the purpose of maintaining the visa. And if they're not going to check going forward after the visa is issued, why ask for a 10-month coverage minimum now? Please keep us posted on what happens with this insurance business. NW

But what does the letter state?

The way I understand what was published by the BOI is that after you get the letter of approval, you have a window of 60 days to apply for your visa at a consulate: this is not the validity date of the visa, i.e. the latest date you can enter Thailand. Even a 60-days Thai tourist visa has a validity of 3 months once issued, or used to anyway. During the recent BOI seminar, I asked in writing what the validity of the LTR visa would be, once issued. I made sure my question was clearly written. After the seminar, they handled some of the written questions and someone from the BOI answered mine in writing with: "the visa validity is the date written on the visa" ???? For planning purposes, that's something it would be interesting to know though. Regarding the LA consulate, it's also a 6-7 hours drive for me, but I had a visa issued before by sending them my passport, and that was well before the issuance of e-visas, so I would not expect to have to travel there. NW

That's a major bummer. Now, I don't want to split hair, but assuming the BOI refers to your US policy, the answer quoted above does not tell you which part of the requirement your insurance fails: is it the minimum $50K coverage, or the "Health insurance policy covering entire course of stay in Thailand" ? The latter's wording is odd since they want a 10-months proof of validity to deliver a 5-years visa, when the visa prolongation/renewal date is taken into account. If it is the 50K coverage missing, on what do they base their refusal and what do they want as proof?

I'm not worried about that part because it would be relatively easy to prove from existing brochures and public documentation online. People on this thread who are currently applying are truly taking one for the boys. ????

Agreed, but in the case of pepper402, his insurance covers him with a statement his policy is good until 2099, but not with the guaranteed minimum coverage statement.

Interesting; I'm with AFPSA so I might have the same problem on similar policies. How about dropping the "$50K or more" wording? That might be the ticket. The BOI requirement is that applicants have **at least** US$50K of coverage. Would the US insurer consent to write a statement to the effect that the policy will cover a US$50K, or better yet $100K (the statement is still true) medical bill incurred in Thailand? No "or more" wording. That might be a way to get it done from a US "cover your ass" point of view since you are only asking for a true statement not subject to interpretation (they will indeed cover the stated amount, never mind if it's more or less). A higher than $50K stated amount is better because otherwise the insurer might want to include a cover-your ass statement about your deductible(s) or maximum annual out-of-pocket (mine is $5K). Presumably, the US insurer is not going to ask you for a BOI written justification of what the guaranteed amount needs to be. NW

It looks to me like this is what I'll have to do too, although I'll check with my insurer to see if they're willing to help with a letter of justification. In view of the annual gov employees FEHB open season, in which retirees can also participate and switch insurer, I think the insurer might balk since technically they don't know if I will renew or switch.

I understand. Thanks for the clarifications. NW

Hi. Your post is a bit cryptic to me. Keep in mind I have no experience with OA extensions, but I don't understand the ref to Tricare or the US Embassy: do you mean they won't certify that you have valid health insurance for the purpose of providing certification for your current visa extension? Same question for the LTR. You state that you have Tricare, which is way more than what the BOI is asking for. Now, I understand that it may insist (I'm not sure anymore) on the 10-months/$50K justification even if you are personally insured by the Queen of England, and that perhaps they will not budge on that. Proving the 50K requirement is not a problem, but will Tricare not provide you with a written certificate that you are insured at least for the coming 10 months from the date of your application? I ask because I have the roughly equivalent civilian type of insurance and I'm going to hit the same hurdles if the 10-months thingy is an issue, and at one point I suppose I'd have to hit Aetna (the plan administrator) for a letter of justification. I'll be applying around Oct-Nov. NW

I have the civilian equivalent (the so-called Foreign Service Plan) and I'm fully covered abroad; I can elect to switch every November and if I don't it gets renewed automatically into the current plan. I'm taking the plan with me in retirement and I'm wondering if that LTR 10-months remaining thingy applies to these plans. Technically, the plan doesn't end until or unless you decide to switch. Are you under that system with Tricare? NW

My understanding is that if you are approved at the pre-screening stage by the BOI, getting your visa issued is a simple formality after that because you have been pre-approved. You don't have to go physically to an embassy or consulate, all can be done by mail or email. If you're in Thailand, I don't know who actually issues the visa, but that should be even simpler than doing it from abroad. NW

One thing that was made very clear during the seminar is that the work-from-Thailand visa is for people who are employed and salaried full-time by large companies, so that's settled. NW

Good luck, and please keep up posted. NW

You and the probable majority of realistically potential applicants under the category. This is the very reason that killed what would have been my second option. The rules may change though; I think that when faced with number data on eligible applicants, the rules may have be adjusted to include contractors/freelancers. It may take a while of course, but I don't think it is very far ahead because the LTR was established to bring in revenue in large amounts: https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2355499/long-term-resident-ltr-visa. "An estimated one million qualified new foreign residents over a five-year period (2022-2026) are expected to generate one trillion baht in spending, 800 billion baht in investments, and 270 billion baht in tax income..." NW