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Posted
  On 10/18/2019 at 5:51 AM, Sheryl said:

 

The part that is unclear is if they will enforce for entries on O-A visa issued before Oct 31 effective date.  We will soon find out.

 

They will definitely enforce for entries on visas issued after then,  and it is clear they will stamp people in only for the duration of their insurance so people will need to renew policies before making last entry on the visa.  Most insurers will  allow renewal a month or two before policy expiration date.

 

Doesn't really take much bandwidth to ask for a single sheet of paper and check the name and dates on it.

 

However Jim P does not currently have a compliant policy

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If people are presenting non-Thai policies to check that it meets the cover would be quite challenging I would think. 

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Posted
  On 10/18/2019 at 5:51 AM, Sheryl said:

They will definitely enforce for entries on visas issued after then,  and it is clear they will stamp people in only for the duration of their insurance so people will need to renew policies before making last entry on the visa.

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Does this mean that Immigration officials will be checking insurance documentation on arrival at the airport?

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Posted
  On 10/18/2019 at 5:50 AM, Jingthing said:

Where did you get that understanding? I didn't see that clarified either way in the police order, did you?

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Only in so much as it sets out that exact scenario for a second entry made on an OA effective oct31st 2019. Whether it means when the visa was issued or when the entry was made is a bit confusing

 

image.png.eda66e5e704df109b11598e27fcf98fd.png

Posted
  On 10/18/2019 at 5:56 AM, lupin said:

Only in so much as it sets out that exact scenario for a second entry made on an OA effective oct31st 2019. Whether it means when the visa was issued or when the entry was made is a bit confusing

 

image.png.eda66e5e704df109b11598e27fcf98fd.png

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Exactly. Not clear. My guess is that they mean to say it will be enforced on entries even with original visas older. But whether the border officers actually do that is another question. 

Posted
  On 10/18/2019 at 5:58 AM, Jingthing said:

Exactly. Not clear. My guess is that they mean to say it will be enforced on entries even with original visas older. But whether the border officers actually do that is another question. 

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If the second entry on an exempted OA were to require health insurance, I can see a lot of people who try a bounce 3 days before the OA expiration date getting stamped in for a total of 3 days ????

 

Posted
  On 10/18/2019 at 6:05 AM, lupin said:

If the second entry on an exempted OA were to require health insurance, I can see a lot of people who try a bounce 3 days before the OA expiration date getting stamped in for a total of 3 days ????

 

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Well if so, this could be seen as a way to "crack down" on the long standing "loophole" of people being able to get close to two years out of a one year visa. Not saying this was their intention. I don't try to read their minds. 

Posted
  On 10/18/2019 at 6:07 AM, Jingthing said:

Well if so, this could be seen as a way to "crack down" on the long standing "loophole" of people being able to get close to two years out of a one year visa. Not saying this was their intention. I don't try to read their minds. 

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Agree... it'd be one hell of a conversation for the unsuspecting OA holder at the border or airport though.

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Posted
  On 10/18/2019 at 5:58 AM, Jingthing said:

Exactly. Not clear. My guess is that they mean to say it will be enforced on entries even with original visas older. But whether the border officers actually do that is another question.

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image.png.c3ececa04f1e2aa268953cfac96be701.png

The above highlighted line indicates it is only for new OA visas issued after October 31st. One issued before that date would not have any remarks about the insurance.

For the 2nd entry they would be looking at the remarks and if the insurance was less than a year they would only stamp a person in until the date it expires unless a person present that a person had extended the insurance coverage for another year already.

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Posted
  On 10/18/2019 at 6:39 AM, khm2412 said:

Another report from this morning - October 18th - confirming the situation at Phetchaburi Immigration.

 

"I encourage everyone to check on their own personal circumstances and situation, but here’s our experience and insight:

We talked with the Sr. Immigration officer at Phetchaburi office;

He indicates the law (after October 31, 2019) requires all new OA Visas, AND  any annual retirement extensions based on those visas to have health insurance."

 

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old news

Posted

Another report from this morning - October 18th - confirming the situation at Phetchaburi Immigration.

 

"I encourage everyone to check on their own personal circumstances and situation, but here’s our experience and insight:

We talked with the Sr. Immigration officer at Phetchaburi office;

He indicates the law (after October 31, 2019) requires all new OA Visas, AND  any annual retirement extensions based on those visas to have health insurance."

 

 

 

Not old news.  Only a few hours old and just a confirmation of the post yesterday stating the same thing.  I hope this information is useful for those in the Phetchaburi area with extensions of stay renewals happening soon, so that there are no surprises when they turn up at Tha Yang.

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Posted
  On 10/18/2019 at 5:37 AM, Jim P said:
That`s the way I understand it too, my extension is in April but my policy will only have 6 months to run at that time. Not worried about the provider it is with Pacific Cross, one of the quoted companies. Guess we will just have to wait and see what happens over the next few months.
Pacific Cross is saying you can add on 40k OPD cover to an existing policy. They are well aware of the new visa rule so m8ght also be willing to let you extend earlier. Call them.

Sent from my SM-J701F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

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Posted
  On 10/18/2019 at 5:42 AM, Jim P said:
You right Sheryl, it will in fact be April 2021 as I will be doing exactly that. Things should be pretty clear by then. I can`t see immigration asking for insurance at the airport or border.
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Oh, they will be. Just not clear yet if they will ask it only for visas issued after 31st or also for new entries on visas issued earlier, especially second entries. Watch this space after the 31st.

Sent from my SM-J701F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app
 

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Posted
  On 10/18/2019 at 5:53 AM, Jingthing said:
If people are presenting non-Thai policies to check that it meets the cover would be quite challenging I would think. 
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As I have explained repeatedly Imm will not examine policies. Full stop.

They will look for:

1. Embassy notation (first entry O-A issued after 31st only) OR
2. Certificate issued by the insurance company. One page standard form.

Not clear at this time if they will accept this form on letterhead of a foreign company at other than 1st entry.

Sent from my SM-J701F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app
 

Posted
  On 10/18/2019 at 6:39 AM, khm2412 said:

Another report from this morning - October 18th - confirming the situation at Phetchaburi Immigration.

 

"I encourage everyone to check on their own personal circumstances and situation, but here’s our experience and insight:

We talked with the Sr. Immigration officer at Phetchaburi office;

He indicates the law (after October 31, 2019) requires all new OA Visas, AND  any annual retirement extensions based on those visas to have health insurance."

 

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So, based on the discussions, your understanding is that insurance is only required for new O-A visas issued after 31 October 2019 and any subsequent annual retirement extensions based only on those new O-A visas issued after 31 October 2019?  Is that correct?  This was my initial thought when reading the police order. Thanks.

Posted
  On 10/18/2019 at 9:34 AM, Martyp said:
He indicates the law (after October 31, 2019) requires all new OA Visas, AND  any annual retirement extensions based on those visas to have health insurance."
 
That statement seems to address those who get an O-A visa starting October 31 but does not address whether people who arrived with O-A visa in the past and are currently on extensions of stay are required to have insurance when applying for future extensions. It is that ambiguity that fuels these discussions.

Yes, this is exactly why I was asking in case he had any further clarification. In my case, it would be whether insurance is required for a first annual retirement extension based on a previously issued pre-31 October 2019 O-A visa.


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Posted
  On 10/18/2019 at 10:51 AM, flexomike said:

I came in on an OA in 2016, been on extensions since according to what is being said I have to have insurance for my next extension, but my friend who came at the same time on an  O doesn't,  this is what doesn't make sense, but we both need 800,000 in the bank 

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At this point, I'd say it's not certain that extensions of stay from pre 10/31/19 O-A visas will be covered by the insurance rule.

 

But, it's say it's increasingly looking like extensions of stay from O-A visas issued from 10/31/19 onward are likely to fall under the insurance rule.

 

But there's no clear or official interpretation on anything of this relating to extensions of stay as yet that has come forth from Immigration HQ -- just interpretations being offered at various outlying Immigration offices that members here are reporting.

 

Posted
  On 10/18/2019 at 11:23 AM, Aforek said:

I have not read the 22 pages, but somebody sent me this text; look at the last paragraph 

For the first year, they accept that we get a foreign insurance, but the second year, they say we must buy an insurance in a thai compagny

 

http://longstay.tgia.org/home/guidelineoa

 

 

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Yes. We've seen that. You should contact the insurance companies and inquire about their policies. I mean ask them about the real policies not on the government website. Ask if they will meet the new Immigration requirements.

 

I appreciate that there may be difficulties with giving up insurance in your home country. I'm just making the point that there are legitimate policies to be purchased with the Thai companies.

Posted
  On 10/18/2019 at 11:05 AM, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

At this point, I'd say it's not certain that extensions of stay from pre 10/31/19 O-A visas will be covered by the insurance rule.

 

But, it's say it's increasingly looking like extensions of stay from O-A visas issued from 10/31/19 onward are likely to fall under the insurance rule.

 

But there's no clear or official interpretation on anything of this relating to extensions of stay as yet that has come forth from Immigration HQ -- just interpretations being offered at various outlying Immigration offices that members here are reporting.

 

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my biggest worry is that I am leaving the country for five days in mid November, what are the chances they don't let me in because of lack of insurance, could get ugly, I already have my re-entry permit

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