Should I replace my O-A visa by an extension of stay?

[silver sea]

Currently, I have an old style O-A visa, which is on its second and final year. It was issued before last year’s new rule requiring proof of medical insurance.

 

During its second and final year, it will expire on 20th August 2020.

 

Photos of my visa and of the date stamps from Bangkok airport are below.

 

I was intending to fly back to England during next August. However, in view of the pandemic, and the way things are progressing in the UK, it is unlikely I will be able to fly into UK. Even if I am able to, it may be that Thailand may not allow me to return. All countries seem to be about to close their borders to other countries. This morning the UK government has announced a lockdown forcing people to stay at home.

 

So what should I do next? 

 

The only one I can think of, subject to any other suggestions, is applying to my local Immigration Office (Hua Hin) for an extension of stay as soon as possible.

 

I understand that as I have an O-A, Immigration will require me to get medical insurance.

 

I have just had confirmation from Pacific Cross that they have accepted my application and payment and that my policy will be accepted by Immigration. I have not yet received the hard copy, but it will be effective from 18th March.

 

Can you confirm please what forms will be required by Immigration for an extension of stay? For instance on this forum above under Immigration templates, I notice that ubonjoe has listed TM7. I assume that is the form, although it seems fairly straightforward, I fill out.

 

What other documents are necessary please e.g. a copy of my lease; a formal letter from my local bank showing that I have 800,000; two passport photos; a copy of my passport id page; a copy of the medical policy.

 

Do I need a Thai police report from my local police station in Hua Hin and a medical report from a local clinic saying I do not have the usual illness of elephantiasis or leprosy etc? How much will either if these cost?
 

Thank you for any help and suggestions you can offer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[jacko45k]

5 minutes ago, silver sea said:

I understand that as I have an O-A, Immigration will require me to get medical insurance.

Presuming you get an Extension based on retirement and not marriage to a Thai. 

[silver sea]

Yes you are right it will be based on retirement not marriage. Sorry for not making that clear.

 

An alternative that someone has suggested is that I should wait until about 45 days before the O-A expires on 20th August and then apply to Immigration for an extension of stay (retirement). This would be about 7th July.

 

My insurance policy will be dated 18th March 2020. Immigration would only grant the extension of stay until 17th March 2021. The insurance brokers have indicated that the insurance policy date can be cancelled and then reissued with the date of around 7th July so that Immigration will issue me an extension of stay with a full 12 months.

 

I am not sure, because of the present crisis and the possible death rate, that I should wait until 7th July to apply to Immigration. My feeling is that the window of opportunity for me to sort out my long term stay in Thailand may soon close. I need to act now, but maybe others will disagree and advise me to wait.

[jacko45k]

Here is the list I use to do my retirement extension at Chonburi IO. Mine is based on a Non-Imm-O so you must add the insurance requirement. 

Retirement Ext List.rtf

 

Likely you will not be able to do it now as 45 days prior is usually the maximum, and 30 days at many offices. They are pretty busy at the moment and may well tell you to go away until then.

Can't give you any input on insurance needs. 

 

[silver sea]

OK thank you. I didn’t realise that there was a 45 day rule that prevented you from applying to change your O-A to an extension of stay at an earlier date.

 

 

[Peter Denis]

19 minutes ago, silver sea said:

OK thank you. I didn’t realise that there was a 45 day rule that prevented you from applying to change your O-A to an extension of stay at an earlier date.

Actually 45 days is the exception applied at certain offices, the rule is 30 days.

What is your IO?

[KhunBENQ]

5 hours ago, silver sea said:

I need to act now, but maybe others will disagree and advise me to wait.

Keep quiet and wait.

If until August the situation at borders/neighboring Thai consulates hasn't come back to somewhat normal we are doomed anyway.

Check your options again at end of July.

The options to get rid of Non O-A (visa/border run) or get some insurance for cheap (without real value) have been discussed in depth.

 

I have until end of September and keep my feet under the table.

90 day report by postal mail, zero visits at immigration till then.

And won't buy a high priced useless Thai health insurance.

[silver sea]

5 hours ago, Peter Denis said:

Actually 45 days is the exception applied at certain offices, the rule is 30 days.

What is your IO?

 My IO is Hua Hin.

[Peter Denis]

I have seen at least one report of some-one applying 45 days before expiry of permission to stay at the Hua Hin office.  But in case of doubt, better contact your IO about it.

An additional question > Is the health-insurance policy you have thai IO-approved?

The fact that your insurer is a thai company and is on the TGIA-list posted by IO, does not necessarily mean that YOUR policy is indeed approved by IO as meeting the requirements for extension of stay.  Also here in case of doubt > contact your insurer.

>> In case your health-insurance policy is not eligible for OA Visa - extension, or when you want to convert your present extension based on an OA Visa to one based on an O Visa (requirements are identical, except that the O - retirement Visa extension does not require mandatory thai IO-approved health-insurance), I PM-ed you a comprehensive roadmap containing all details/options to do just that.

[silver sea]

I have just been into the small satellite immigration office in Hua Hin. By coincidence, my 90 day stamp was due on 6th April, but you can apply upto 14 days before and 7 days after.

 

i asked her about changing to an extension of stay. She confirmed that it was 45 days not 30 days before O-A visa expires. And you apply to the main Hua Hin immigration office outside of town.

 

I have read a lot of the posts about Thai medical policies being a sham. Certainly the basic ones don’t offer much.p, and as you say are intended to satisfy immigration rules only. 
 

When applying for medical protection, I made it clear that I needed to be covered for serious road traffic injuries and dengue fever, where you have no choice but to have in house hospital treatment. I was assured by the insurance agents, who sent me numerous attachments of information, that these would be included in the policy. It cost 61,420 baht.