Change from extensions to an O visa.

[marcusarelus]

The person from the ThaiVisa health project/Pacific Cross just said that everyone applying for an extension with an underlying O-A visa needs to have the new mandatory health insurance.  So what is the procedure for me to change from extensions to getting an O visa?  Do I have to go to Bangkok? 

[jacko45k]

I am sure he would! 

There has been NO posts saying this has been asked for.

Visas are only obtained outside Thailand.

[ubonjoe]

You would have to go to a embassy or consulate to get a non-o visa.

Immigration only issues non immigrant visas based upon qualifying for an extension of stay if you have a tourist visa or visa exempt entry.

[marcusarelus]

  On 5/23/2019 at 7:30 AM, ubonjoe said:

You would have to go to a embassy or consulate to get a non-o visa.

Immigration only issues non immigrant visas based upon qualifying for an extension of stay if you have a tourist visa or visa exempt entry.

Expand  

I have a valid extension of stay but would have to go outside of the country to an embassy to avoid buying mandatory insurance?  Where is the closest and easiest place to do this? 

[marcusarelus]

  On 5/23/2019 at 7:26 AM, jacko45k said:

I am sure he would! 

There has been NO posts saying this has been asked for.

Visas are only obtained outside Thailand.

Expand  

I hardly think that a representative of Thaivisa would make a false statement on an issue of this import that would effect thousands of expats and make international news. 

[ubonjoe]

  On 5/23/2019 at 7:41 AM, marcusarelus said:

I hardly think that a representative of Thaivisa would make a false statement on an issue of this import that would effect thousands of expats and make international news. 

Expand  

They are not a representative of Thai Visa.

I certainly would not do anything until I saw something official from immigration.

If any change is done it would not go into effect retroactively.

 

[GeorgeCross]

so retirees can just pop over to laos and come back with a new non-o to beat the insurance requirement?

 

if this happens it'll be the biggest loophole since the visa-run

 

 

 

 

[marcusarelus]

  On 5/23/2019 at 7:46 AM, ubonjoe said:

They are not a representative of Thai Visa.

I certainly would not do anything until I saw something official from immigration.

If any change is done it would not go into effect retroactively.

 

Expand  

Sorry, I thought the Thaivisa Health Project was part of Thaivisa. 

[wgdanson]

  On 5/23/2019 at 7:39 AM, marcusarelus said:

I have a valid extension of stay but would have to go outside of the country to an embassy to avoid buying mandatory insurance?  Where is the closest and easiest place to do this? 

Expand  

Why do you NOT want Health Insurance?

[marcusarelus]

  On 5/23/2019 at 8:00 AM, wgdanson said:

Why do you NOT want Health Insurance?

Expand  

I have good health insurance far more than necessary but no 40,000 out patient and A1A says they can't put in on. 

[GinBoy2]

I've been reading these various threads with amazement.

 

A good deal on TVF berate the US for not having universal health care, although we do in our own bizarre way thanks to Obamacare

But then those same folks can pivot on a dime to try to find a way to avoid mandatory health insurance in Thailand!

 

You can delude yourself about the need for insurance, and I think many do get lulled by the fact that you can go into any pharmacy and self medicate for next to nothing.

 

But you have something serious; heart attack, stoke, blood clot, joint replacement, all unfortunately the ills of the old, and if you want it treated in a decent hospital, that ฿800K you got stashed for your retirement extension is but a drop in the ocean

 

 

[GeorgeCross]

  On 5/23/2019 at 8:11 AM, GinBoy2 said:

I've been reading these various threads with amazement.

 

A good deal on TVF berate the US for not having universal health care, although we do in our own bizarre way thanks to Obamacare

But then those same folks can pivot on a dime to try to find a way to avoid mandatory health insurance in Thailand!

 

You can delude yourself about the need for insurance, and I think many do get lulled by the fact that you can go into any pharmacy and self medicate for next to nothing.

 

But you have something serious; heart attack, stoke, blood clot, joint replacement, all unfortunately the ills of the old, and if you want it treated in a decent hospital, that ฿800K you got stashed for your retirement extension is but a drop in the ocean

 

 

Expand  

 

i know someone who's had a  heart attack here. they had to have a stent and 5 days in intensive care. total cost just over 200K at a private hospital. 

[jacko45k]

  On 5/23/2019 at 8:32 AM, GeorgeCross said:

 

i know someone who's had a  heart attack here. they had to have a stent and 5 days in intensive care. total cost just over 200K at a private hospital. 

Expand  

Sounds cheap, guy I knew am pretty sure he ended up with a near mil bill for multiple stents!

[jacko45k]

  On 5/23/2019 at 7:55 AM, marcusarelus said:

Sorry, I thought the Thaivisa Health Project was part of Thaivisa. 

Expand  

If you are referring to this topic it makes no mention whatsoever wrt needing Health Insurance for retirement extensions!

 

[lopburi3]

  On 5/23/2019 at 8:54 AM, jacko45k said:

Sounds cheap, guy I knew am pretty sure he ended up with a near mil bill for multiple stents!

Expand  

Indeed that 200k is extremely low in my experience - but the stents themselves are a major cost factor so multi would be considerably more (and some stents/medicated can cost a lost more).

[GeorgeCross]

  On 5/23/2019 at 9:00 AM, lopburi3 said:

Indeed that 200k is extremely low in my experience - but the stents themselves are a major cost factor so multi would be considerably more (and some stents/medicated can cost a lost more).

Expand  

 

it was a close relative and i was there, but i agree, i was shocked by how low the treatment was too especially considering it was at a 'branded' private hospital.

 

its not open heart surgery though the stent goes in via the leg or arm

[lopburi3]

  On 5/23/2019 at 9:04 AM, GeorgeCross said:

 

it was a close relative and i was there, but i agree, i was shocked by how low the treatment was too especially considering it was at a 'branded' private hospital.

 

its not open heart surgery though the stent goes in via the leg or arm

Expand  

Yes have two of them normal non medicated and believe price was about 360 thousand a few years back at second tier price private hospital.  But perhaps stents have gone down a bit in price as most doctors are not as anxious to use for lower blockage as they were a decade ago.  But sorry I am really off-topic.

 

1.  There is no requirement for medical insurance for any extensions of stay provided in Thailand AFAIK.  What may or may not happen in the future is not now.  

2.  As said some have valid medical insurance of much better quality.

[marcusarelus]

I guess I should ask it again.  Where is the closest, easiest and quickest place to get an O visa?  If the guy from Pacific Cross is right I'm sure there will be thousands of us going there and I want to arrive early.

[ubonjoe]

  On 5/23/2019 at 9:43 AM, marcusarelus said:

I guess I should ask it again.  Where is the closest, easiest and quickest place to get an O visa? 

Expand  

The consulates in Savannakhet or Penang.

You will need to show 800k baht in the bank and proof of retirement to apply for it.

[marcusarelus]

  On 5/23/2019 at 9:46 AM, ubonjoe said:

The consulates in Savannakhet or Penang.

You will need to show 800k baht in the bank and proof of retirement to apply for it.

Expand  

Can I get it Thailand at Phuket?

[lopburi3]

  On 5/23/2019 at 9:48 AM, marcusarelus said:

Can I get it Thailand at Phuket?

Expand  

Suspect that was a typo - Penang more likely.  

[ubonjoe]

  On 5/23/2019 at 9:48 AM, marcusarelus said:

Can I get it Thailand at Phuket?

Expand  

Changed typo to Penang.

[DogNo1]

Sorry.  I have lost track.  Why would anyone want to switch from an extension of stay to an O visa?

[marcusarelus]

  On 5/23/2019 at 10:02 AM, DogNo1 said:

Sorry.  I have lost track.  Why would anyone want to switch from an extension of stay to an O visa?

Expand  

Guy from Pacific Cross and Thaivisa Health Project said O-A extensions will have to have mandatory health insurance. 

[DogNo1]

Lopburi3 is a long-standing and very knowledgeable member of TV. I would take his word for it when he says that no type of extension requires that the holder have health insurance, especially when it is his word against that of a salesman.  Don’t be conned.

[fishtank]

  On 5/23/2019 at 10:08 AM, marcusarelus said:

Guy from Pacific Cross and Thaivisa Health Project said O-A extensions will have to have mandatory health insurance. 

Expand  

Of course he would say that wouldn't he?

[jacko45k]

  On 5/23/2019 at 10:08 AM, marcusarelus said:

Guy from Pacific Cross and Thaivisa Health Project said O-A extensions will have to have mandatory health insurance. 

Expand  

Got a link, or was it over the telephone?

[JackThompson]

  On 5/23/2019 at 11:03 AM, fishtank said:

Of course he would say that wouldn't he?

Expand  

It's not what is written in the post, though - maybe changed since the OP?  The post from "Thaivisa Health Protect" refers to "Non-OA" Visa holders (aka "Long Stay" Visas), which are obtained at a Thai embassy in one's home-country. 

 

Those Visas are no doubt gaining popularity, given Immigration's changes to extension-rules - "money in the bank" and getting rid of embassy-letters for many of us.  Perhaps this "insurance rule" is in response to the shift away from extensions, to these Visas.  But, thus far, they have NOT said those obtaining in-country extensions must buy health-insurance with the worthless "out patient" coverage. 

 

If they did demand this, it would lead more back into OA Visas (not immigration's goal), though they would likely allow applicants to pay them off through an agent to avoid meeting the requirement - same all the other requirements, except being over 50.

[Andrew Dwyer]

Marcus is referring to this thread:
“Health insurance mandatory for long-stay foreigners in Thailand “

If you start from post #1625 you will see that the rep from Pacific Cross/Thaivisa Health Protect clearly states “ yes you do “ when I asked him “if an expat on an extension of stay based on retirement originating from an OA visa requires the mandatory health insurance .”

Although he does go on to say that the health insurance requirements for OA visa have not been fully finalised ( which I take to read as he has not been fully informed yet ).

It is his word against many and he did not provide any written information other than the badly worded document that we have already seen .

As he is a salesman/rep for an Insurance company you can make up your own verdict as to whether you believe him or not !!
He certainly did not provide any new evidence to back up his claim.

I personally am on an extension of stay ( retirement ) originating from an OA but my extension is only due September 25th so I have time to see how this pans out.

Marcus, on the other hand, has an upcoming extension ( July I believe ) and has unfortunately become the guinea pig for this situation.
I can understand Marcus’s concerns .

[marcusarelus]

  On 5/24/2019 at 12:27 AM, jacko45k said:

Got a link, or was it over the telephone?

Expand  

It was on Thaivisa.  Read the whole thread to get his complete statement that extensions will need insurance.  I asked him, did you really write that?