O_A Extensions 75+ Based on Retirement ONLY.

[sirwilly]

PLEASE can we have some experiences November 2019 onward from Elderly 75+ Single EX Pats who have been to  their Immigration Office to renew an Extension for a further 12 months  based on Retirement only.

Who in the past have renewed their Extensions for Retirement many times using the 800,00 Baht type Methods. Since leaving their Home Countries with an O-A Visa which of course is now expired. But now because of their age have been unable to get the MEDICAL INSURANCE.

What results did you get from the Immigration Officers. Given the Extension for a further 12 months or Refused. etc. 

[Maestro]

There is no separate rule for applicants older than 75 years.

[Goethe]

The OP is clearly asking for reliable information from retirees who have recently applied for an extension of stay based on retirement, but who cannot purchase health insurance because they are over 70 (or 75) years of age. 

This question affects many people: Will Thai Immigration officials grant an extension of stay to farang who originally entered Thailand on a non-OA visa, but who are unable to purchase health insurance? Is there a consistent application of policy across Immigration Offices, or is it a lottery?

[travelerjim]

I have learned from Pacific Cross that they will now consider applicants to age 80.

 

For O-A compliant health insurance policies.

 

Tj

[Bangkok Basha]

This is an extremely important topic, and I am looking forward to others' reports. 

[SheungWan]

Probably better off switching from O-A to extension to stay.

[alanrchase]

2 minutes ago, SheungWan said:

Probably better off switching from O-A to extension to stay.

He is doing an extension of stay. My understanding is that the financial requirements for money in the bank are the same for extending from a non OA as they are for a non O, ie. 800,000 for 2 months prior, 800,000 for 3 months after and not allowed to drop below 400,000. The problem appears to be that if you are extending from a non OA immigration are requiring health insurance. The original new rule as I remember only stated that insurance was needed when applying for the non OA but immigration seem to be applying it to extensions from a non OA as well.

[luckyluke]

1 hour ago, travelerjim said:

I have learned from Pacific Cross that they will now consider applicants to age 80.

 

For O-A compliant health insurance policies.

 

Tj

I assume the costs will be something like 250000+ for a cover of 400000.

 

And being that age, sure the insurance will find a reason for not paying. 

[Olmate]

12 minutes ago, alanrchase said:

He is doing an extension of stay. My understanding is that the financial requirements for money in the bank are the same for extending from a non OA as they are for a non O, ie. 800,000 for 2 months prior, 800,000 for 3 months after and not allowed to drop below 400,000. The problem appears to be that if you are extending from a non OA immigration are requiring health insurance. The original new rule as I remember only stated that insurance was needed when applying for the non OA but immigration seem to be applying it to extensions from a non OA as well.

Agree it’s important to many, myself and all my Ozzie mates have extensions of OA. I asked an agent last week who was unsure at this stage regarding the insurance at extension time. Surely someone would have extended by now?

[Martyp]

2 hours ago, travelerjim said:

I have learned from Pacific Cross that they will now consider applicants to age 80.

 

For O-A compliant health insurance policies.

 

Tj

I heard the same yesterday.

[longball53098]

ANd what is the premium cost for that age? I bet way over the top for what you get in coverage.

[Go4er]

I just went on Pacific Cross Insurance website. You can get coverage if you enter by year 75. If you are 75+ you can not get a quote.

[Go4er]

I have been living in Thailand for almost 10 years now. Each year I have returned to the US for my annual physical, taxes, and to visit family. Each time I obtained a Non-OA long stay VISA at the Royal Thai Consulate in Los Angles. I am now 75 going on 76 (May) and cannot find any health insurance for my age in Thailand. I am planning another trip to the US in March 2020. I am looking at a Non-O VISA married to Thai this time and apply for extended stay based on marriage once I get back in Thailand. I have a documented retirement income in excess of 165,000 Baht per month but don’t have the 400,000 in the bank.  My wife has house book, Thai ID and Passport. Additionally, I have an adopted Thai son. What are my best options? Does anyone have some suggestions for me? Thanks in advance.

[Tony45]

I am 74. O A visa extended 5 times for retirement. Just took out Pacific Cross. 90 000 baht premium and many exclusions including first 300 000 baht per year for three years for cardiac and other issues. It is a 90 000 baht ticket to get retirement extension.  Immigration laws give me no choice. I go today for next extension. Should be OK.

[Olmate]

2 minutes ago, Tony45 said:

I am 74. O A visa extended 5 times for retirement. Just took out Pacific Cross. 90 000 baht premium and many exclusions including first 300 000 baht per year for three years for cardiac and other issues. It is a 90 000 baht ticket to get retirement extension.  Immigration laws give me no choice. I go today for next extension. Should be OK.

Did IO advise you Insurance was required please?

[Olmate]

13 minutes ago, Go4er said:

I have been living in Thailand for almost 10 years now. Each year I have returned to the US for my annual physical, taxes, and to visit family. Each time I obtained a Non-OA long stay VISA at the Royal Thai Consulate in Los Angles. I am now 75 going on 76 (May) and cannot find any health insurance for my age in Thailand. I am planning another trip to the US in March 2020. I am looking at a Non-O VISA married to Thai this time and apply for extended stay based on marriage once I get back in Thailand. I have a documented retirement income in excess of 165,000 Baht per month but don’t have the 400,000 in the bank.  My wife has house book, Thai ID and Passport. Additionally, I have an adopted Thai son. What are my best options? Does anyone have some suggestions for me? Thanks in advance.

Start saving!

[4MyEgo]

17 minutes ago, Go4er said:

I have an adopted Thai son. What are my best options? Does anyone have some suggestions for me?

There is some kind of family support visa where I believe you don't need to have the funds i.e. 400,000 baht in the bank, although I could be wrong.

 

You may wish to PM Ubonjoe as he extremely knowledgeable on visas/extensions here on TVF. 

Edited December 12, 2019 by 4MyEgo

[matta]

Best option change visa type O-A  based on retirement to non O based on marriage NOT in Thailand but in your home country or nearby country to avoid the problem concerning the health insurance. This is also the advice what the Immigration Officers give here in Thailand.

I presume that they want get rid of that type of visa ( O-A).

There is already a discrimination because one must have 400k on the bank and the other 800k. The proposal is that you must have a Thai insurance and if you read the small letters on the policy, some illnesses are not covered. They have the privilege to cancel the insurance policy.

There is a law that says that it is legal that the price for a treatment for foreigners (falang) is double or triple than for a Thai person. How long do you think you must wait to see the problems?

The price for a health insurance is also too expensive for most people. I also don't understand why there are no transitional measures taken place for this issue.

 

 

 

[DrJack54]

28 minutes ago, Tony45 said:

I am 74. O A visa extended 5 times for retirement. Just took out Pacific Cross. 90 000 baht premium and many exclusions including first 300 000 baht per year for three years for cardiac and other issues. It is a 90 000 baht ticket to get retirement extension.  Immigration laws give me no choice. I go today for next extension. Should be OK.

Leave the country, kill current permission of stay. Re-enter visa exempt. 

Do conversion to non o based on retirement at immigration. Then apply for annual extensions of stay. No need for insurance.

Or obtain the non o outside of Los. Simple.

[Suradit69]

44 minutes ago, Go4er said:

I just went on Pacific Cross Insurance website. You can get coverage if you enter by year 75. If you are 75+ you can not get a quote.

A Pacific Cross agent told me you could apply up to age 76. 

 

At 74, I was told 81,000 baht per year, but first a quite extensive medical exam.

 

 

 

Edited December 12, 2019 by Suradit69

[luckyluke]

"It is a 90 000 baht ticket to get retirement extension"

-Tony45-

 

It seems indeed that now ca. 100000 will be the price to pay to get an extension for us elderly. 

 

The extra document needed will be called "Insurance";

but likely with no real value. 

[DrJack54]

12 minutes ago, luckyluke said:

"It is a 90 000 baht ticket to get retirement extension"

-Tony45-

 

It seems indeed that now ca. 100000 will be the price to pay to get an extension for us elderly. 

 

The extra document needed will be called "Insurance";

but likely with no real value. 

Obtain non O based on retirement. Not difficult.

[david555]

1 minute ago, DrJack54 said:

Obtain non O based on retirement. Not difficult.

Temporary solution I guess , as when them in power see the incoming extra's it will be expanded to the next group ...and so on and on

 

Who would refuse a money cash cow to multiply ?

[Pib]

OP: Switch to a Non-O Retirement in a nearby neighboring country like Laos or switch at your service immigration office.

 

Note: Doing the change at your local immigration requires you to leave the country without a re-entry permit for your current OA retirement extension of stay in order to kill-off your current OA extension.  Then immediately re-enter Thailand on a Exempt entry, and start the process at your local immigration office to change the Exempt to a Non-O Retirement. 

 

 

[Henryford]

57 minutes ago, Tony45 said:

I am 74. O A visa extended 5 times for retirement. Just took out Pacific Cross. 90 000 baht premium and many exclusions including first 300 000 baht per year for three years for cardiac and other issues. It is a 90 000 baht ticket to get retirement extension.  Immigration laws give me no choice. I go today for next extension. Should be OK.

A 90k ticket now but what happens in a few years when it rises to 150k, 250k ...

[Rdrokit]

Changing from an O-A to an O will bypass the insurance requirement but what happens if immigration sees people changing from O-A to O to bypass insurance and then changes the requirement for an O visa to include medical insurance. By the time this happens most of the people who changed to an O are now over age 80 and are S.O.L.

I would suggest IF you can afford medical insurance get it now.

[Deerculler]

This a big, big worry for many.

Goodluck to everyone and me.

I hope only sensible post come on here because it is so important 

[LivinLOS]

5 minutes ago, Rdrokit said:

Changing from an O-A to an O will bypass the insurance requirement but what happens if immigration sees people changing from O-A to O to bypass insurance and then changes the requirement for an O visa to include medical insurance. By the time this happens most of the people who changed to an O are now over age 80 and are S.O.L.

I would suggest IF you can afford medical insurance get it now.

It would be far bigger impact to widen this pool of catchment from OA visas to all non imm O's.. While I think it will happen I also think it will be many years down the road. Secondly given it is the last resort, I would guess there will need to be much greater consideration placed on folks who cannot obtain insurance, and other options presented. The negative publicity of forced exit of so many 1000s would be much greater than currently. 

 

Anyone in this position is better making the change sooner rather than later. There is also the possibility that grandfathering is applied to the non imm O retirement class, which would be worthwhile to be in. 

[Olmate]

6 minutes ago, Deerculler said:

This a big, big worry for many.

Goodluck to everyone and me.

I hope only sensible post come on here because it is so important 

Yes, but is it confirmed anywhere that OA extensions require insurance ,either by IO or by experience of expats? UJ can you confirm please?

[Olmate]

4 minutes ago, LivinLOS said:

It would be far bigger impact to widen this pool of catchment from OA visas to all non imm O's.. While I think it will happen I also think it will be many years down the road. Secondly given it is the last resort, I would guess there will need to be much greater consideration placed on folks who cannot obtain insurance, and other options presented. The negative publicity of forced exit of so many 1000s would be much greater than currently. 

 

Anyone in this position is better making the change sooner rather than later. There is also the possibility that grandfathering is applied to the non imm O retirement class, which would be worthwhile to be in. 

Why grandfather one group over another, both I would think!