Non Immigrant O-A and Non Immigrant O-X Did the Rules Change?

[Thomas J]

Here is the latest on the Thai Embassy website for entry into Thailand and application for Non-Immigrant O-A and Non Immigrant O-X visas.  Am I correct in the following:

 

1. The amount of bank deposit/and or bank deposit plus income has dramatically increased for an O-X Visa to 3 million baht or 1.8 million baht plus an annual income of 1.2 million baht.

 

2. To obtain a certificate of entry back into Thailand a person using the O-A or O-X visa would need to obtain health insurance FOR THE ENTIRE STAY IN THAILAND

3.  Does that mean that a person on an retirement visa if they left Thailand would upon return to Thailand need to obtain health insurance permanently if hey were planning on staying in Thailand indefinitely?  This seems problematic given that at some age, health insurance would not be obtainable. 

4. The list of requirements seem confusing in that at one point it says that the O-A or O-X visa must have insurance of not less than 40,000 THB for inpatient and 400,000 THB for outpatient.  Later it references a minimum requirement of $100,000 USD?   What is the true number? 


 

Visa and Certificate of Entry for Non-Thai nationals who wish to obtain long stay visa (Non-Immigrant Category O-A / O-X)

Visa and Certificate of Entry for Non-Thai nationals who wish to obtain long stay visa (Non-Immigrant Category O-A / O-X)

Non-Immigrant Visa Category “O-A” (long stay)

Purpose of Visit: This type of visa may be issued to applicants aged 50 years and over who wish to stay in Thailand for a period of not exceeding 1 year without the intention of working. Holder of this type of visa is allowed to stay in Thailand for 1 year. Employment of any kind is strictly prohibited.

Eligibility:
1. Applicant must be aged 50 years and over (on the day of submitting application)
2. Applicant not prohibited from entering the Kingdom as provided by the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979)
3. Having no criminal record in Thailand and the country of the applicant’s nationality or residence
4. Having the nationality of or residence in the country where applicant’s application is submitted
5. Not having prohibitive diseases ( Leprosy, Tuberculosis, drug addiction, Elephantiasis, third phase of Syphilis) as indicated in the Ministerial Regulation No. 14 B.E. 2535

Non-Immigrant Visa Category “O-X” (long stay)

Purpose of Visit: This type of visa may be issued to applicants aged 50 years and over who wish to stay in Thailand for a period of not exceeding 10 year without the intention of working. Holder of this type of visa is allowed to stay in Thailand for 5 years each time (total 10 years). Employment of any kind is strictly prohibited.

Eligibility
1. Applicant must be aged 50 years and over (on the day of submitting application)
2. Applicants must be nationals and passport holders of eligible countries, namely; Japan, Australia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Netherland, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Canada and United States.
3. Applicant must have a bank deposit of no less than 3 million bahts in Thailand or a bank deposit of no less than 1.8 million bahts and annual income of no less than 1.2 million bahts. Such amount must be maintained in bank deposit in full for at least one year, and keep at no less than 1.5 million bahts thereafter.
4. Applicant must have a Thai health insurance for the duration of stay, with coverage for outpatient treatment of no less than 40,000 bahts and inpatient treatment of no less than 400,000 bahts.
5. Applicant not prohibited from entering the Kingdom as provided by the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979)
6. Having no criminal record in Thailand and the country of the applicant’s nationality and residence.
7. Not having prohibitive diseases ( Leprosy, Tuberculosis, drug addiction, Elephantiasis, third phase of Syphilis) as indicated in the Ministerial Regulation No. 14 B.E. 2535

Procedures for Non-Thai nationals who wish to obtain long stay visa
(Non-Immigrant Category O-A / O-X)

1. At least 15 working days before the intended date of travel, the applicant must fill in the information and upload all required documents online here

2. The Royal Thai Embassy / Consulates-General will review the application. If the applicant requires a visa, the applicant may submit the following documents through mail to the Royal Thai Embassy (ATTN: Visa Section) or Royal Thai Consulate-General in Los Angeles, Chicago, or New York:

2.1 Passport

2.2 Two passport-size photographs (2″x 2″)

2.3 Visa application form (Download) (if the applicant does not have a valid visa to enter Thailand)

2.4 Declaration Form (Download)

2.5 Medical insurance or letter from employer guaranteeing that the insurance company or employer will cover a minimum of 100,000 USD (or equivalent in other currencies) of medical costs incurred by the applicant in Thailand, including medical costs in the event that applicant contracts COVID-19 (The insurance must cover the whole duration of stay in Thailand).

2.6 A confirmation of booking of Alternative State Quarantine (Please check the list of the alternative state quarantine hotels at www.hsscovid.com or www.thaiembdc.org/asq)

2.7 Copy of a certificate of residence (if applicable)

2.8 Addition Application form (Download)

2.9 Evidence of adequate finance

• O-A visa: US or Thai bank statement showing a deposit of the amount equal to and not less than 800,000 Baht or an income certificate (an original copy) with a monthly income of not less than 65,000 Baht, or a deposit account plus a monthly income totaling not less than 800,000 Baht. In the case of submitting a bank statement, a letter of guarantee from the bank (an original copy) is required
  ————————————————————————————————————————————————
• O-X visa: A copy of bank statement from Thailand financial institutes and a letter of guarantee from the bank with bank’s contact information showing a deposit of the amount equal to and not less than 3 Million Bahts. (Please note that such minimum amount must be maintained at least 1 year after receiving the visa) or A copy of bank statement (from financial institutes located in Thailand only) and a letter of guarantee from the bank with bank’s contact information showing a deposit of the amount equal to and not less than 1.8 Million Bahts and proof of annual incomes of not less than 1.2 Million Bahts. Once the applicants enter Thailand, they must have accumulated money deposited in Thai bank located in Thailand not less than 3 million Baht within 1 year.

 

2.10 Criminal record (Letter of verification stating that the applicant has no criminal record (verification have to valid for not more than three months and must be issued from a state or Federal Bureau of Investigation only. Online criminal record without authorize signature is unacceptable ))

2.11 Medical certificate showing no prohibitive diseases as indicated in the Ministerial Regulation No.14(B.E. 2535) certificate shall be valid for not more than three months (Download)

2.12 Additional health insurance requirement for Non-Immigrant O-A / O-X (Long Stay)

• Effective from 31 October 2019, the applicant must be medically insured for the entire period of stay in Thailand with the following coverage:
  – Outpatient benefit with a sum insured of not less than 40,000 THB, and
  – Inpatient benefit with a sum insured of not less than  400,000 THB

   

  The applicants must submit the following:

• Health insurance policy document issued by a Thai or foreign insurance company, stating that the applicant is medically insured for the period and with coverage as mentioned above:
  (a) In case of a foreign insurance company, the applicant must submit the original insurance policy document with 2 copies;
  (b) In case of a Thai insurance company, the applicant must submit 2 copies of the insurance policy document or, if available, the original insurance policy document with 2 copies. A list of Thai insurance companies participating in the scheme can be found here: http://longstay.tgia.org
• Foreign Insurance Certificate as stipulated by the Office of Insurance Commission and Health Insurance of Thailand, which must be completed, signed and stamped by the insurance company. The form can be downloaded here: Foreign Insurance Certificate Form

2.13 Self-addressed return envelope and visa fee $200 if the applicant does not have a valid visa

3. At the departure airport, the approved applicant is required to present

3.1 A “Certificate of Entry into the Kingdom of Thailand” issued by The Royal Thai Embassy.

3.2 A Medical certificate with a laboratory result indicating that COVID -19 is not detected, using RT-PCR test, issued no more than 72 hours before departure

3.3 A ‘Fit to Fly Health Certificate’ issued no more than 72 hours before departure

3.4 A Medical insurance covering all expenditures of medical treatment, including COVID-19, while traveling to Thailand in an amount of at least 100,000 USD (The insurance must cover the whole duration of stay in Thailand).

4. Upon entry to Thailand

Travelers arriving in Thailand during the COVID-19 pandemic must present the following documents

4.1 COE and Declaration Form

4.2 Medical certificate with a laboratory result indicating that COVID -19 is not detected, using RT-PCR test, issued no more than 72 hours before departure

4.3 Fit-to-fly/Fit-to-travel Health Certificate issued no more than 72 hours before departure

5. If granted entry, traveler must go through 14 days of Alternative State Quarantine
*** The applicant must arrange their own 14-day Alternative State Quarantine (ASQ) at their own expenses. More information, including list of permitted hotels (in Thai) can be found here at http://hsscovid.com/ or Royal Thai Embassy’s website .***

[howerde]

I'll try,   don't get confused between the Health insurance requirement  for O-A OR O-X visa,   and the $100 000 Covid-19 insurance to enter thailand

 

1/ O-X was always 3 million or 1.8 made up to 3 million within a year 

 2/ O-A and O-X require insurance for you entire stay, this changed a few years ago 

    the  40 000 and 400000 have not changed, 1st year you can use a home policy but future years you need to buy a policy from tgia list

 

the $100 000 is a Covid-19 requirement that you need to have for a COE to enter Thailand or indeed board an aircraft.

If you are outside  Thailand with  an O-A visa then you must already hold health insurance, as long as it specifies the 100 000 and states Covid-19 then you are ok, if it does not state Covid-19 then you need cover for that, it can be bought from a thai company or any where, it is supposed to cover your entire stay, but most seem to just

buy a month or few months of cover to comply with entry requirements.

 

 

 

 

Edited October 3, 2020 by Maestro
corrected cov-19 to Covid-19

[howerde]

2 hours ago, Thomas J said:

3.  Does that mean that a person on an retirement visa if they left Thailand would upon return to Thailand need to obtain health insurance permanently if hey were planning on staying in Thailand indefinitely?  This seems problematic given that at some age, health insurance would not be obtainable. 

Indeed i can see this being a big problem in the future, the Thai insurance is not that good or cheap and with age restrictions, i looked some require a medical at 61! should you have a claim or 2, you would probably not be insurable by your 70s. or earlier

Edited October 3, 2020 by howerde
MISSING TEXT

[Max69xl]

22 hours ago, howerde said:

I'll try,   don't get confused between the Health insurance requirement  for O-A OR O-X visa,   and the $100 000 Covid-19 insurance to enter thailand

 

1/ O-X was always 3 million or 1.8 made up to 3 million within a year 

 2/ O-A and O-X require insurance for you entire stay, this changed a few years ago 

    the  40 000 and 400000 have not changed, 1st year you can use a home policy but future years you need to buy a policy from tgia list

 

the $100 000 is a Covid-19 requirement that you need to have for a COE to enter Thailand or indeed board an aircraft.

If you are outside  Thailand with  an O-A visa then you must already hold health insurance, as long as it specifies the 100 000 and states Covid-19 then you are ok, if it does not state Covid-19 then you need cover for that, it can be bought from a thai company or any where, it is supposed to cover your entire stay, but most seem to just

buy a month or few months of cover to comply with entry requirements.

 

 

 

 

"1st year you can use a home policy but future years you need to buy a policy from tgia list"

Not entirely correct. From October 31 last year if having a foreign insurance you need a certificate to be signed by 3 directors at the insurance company. Those 3 signatures are almost impossible to get. That leaves you with a very expensive Thai insurance from day one + the insurance covering $100,000 incl full Covid-19 coverage. 

[JTXR]

Most governments, when a "crisis" allows them to enact a restrictive policy, rarely get rid of it when the crisis dies down. 

I suspect the US$100K health insurance cover for covid-19 will eventually become the permanent health insurance requirement for all long-stay visas (and extensions) in future.  Yes, the premiums will pose a very big problem for people over 65, and especially those over 70.

[TimBKK]

Any recommendations for a policy that covers both O-A and Covid requirements (rather than getting 2 separate policies)?  @Peter Denis?

Edited October 4, 2020 by TimBKK

[ubonjoe]

10 hours ago, TimBKK said:

Any recommendations for a policy that covers both O-A and Covid requirements (rather than getting 2 separate policies)?  

This one does. https://www.pacificcrosshealth.com/en/visa-friendly/

[Peter Denis]

10 hours ago, TimBKK said:

Any recommendations for a policy that covers both O-A and Covid requirements (rather than getting 2 separate policies)?  @Peter Denis?

 

12 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

This one does. https://www.pacificcrosshealth.com/en/visa-friendly/

Indeed, UJ's response is correct > The Pacific Cross Visa Friendly policy meets BOTH requirements

- it provides 100.000 US$ covid-19 coverage (actually, it does NOT exclude covid-19 related hospitalization costs from the health-insurance coverage it provides);

- it meets the 400K / 40K minimum coverage requirements for in / out-patient treatment, AND is accepted by IO as a Non Imm O-A compliant policy provided by a TGIA-associated insurer.

 

However, it would be very worthwhile to compare the cost/benefit of subscribing to that PC Visa Friendly policy with the cost/benefit of subscribing to two separate policies.

Budget-wise (and value for money wise) it would in almost all cases be far better to opt for the

- cheapest available 'throw-away' health-insurance policy > that's the LMG Insurance Plan 1 (with 200K deductible) which sells for an annual premium of 6.000 to 11.400 THB in the age brackets of 51 to 75 years.  And that policy does NOT require an expensive medical when subscribing to it;

AND combine that one with

- the SafetyWings 'on the fly' travel-insurance policy < https://safetywing.com/nomad-insurance > which provides 250.000 US $ health-insurance coverage (with 250 US $ deductible) and INCLUDES covid-19 related hospitalization costs.  That policy can be subscribed to by ANY nationality (and irrespective of where you are residing) till the age of 69 years.  And the premium is in monthly (actually 4-weeks) payments which can be cancelled any time, ranging from 40 US $ to approx 130 US 130 US $.

 

Note: Also be aware that when subscribing to a Pacific Cross policy that covers covid-19, that in general those policies only covers you after 15 days in Thailand.  So if you use it for re-entering Thailand and you are tested positive on entry, you are NOT covered.  Nice surprise... caveat emptor.

 

>> When you are interested in the LMG Insurance Plan 1 policy, PM me to receive the latest version of the Tips & Caveats Guideline document I compiled to subscribe to that policy.

 

[Peter Denis]

11 hours ago, Max69xl said:

"1st year you can use a home policy but future years you need to buy a policy from tgia list"

Not entirely correct. From October 31 last year if having a foreign insurance you need a certificate to be signed by 3 directors at the insurance company. Those 3 signatures are almost impossible to get. That leaves you with a very expensive Thai insurance from day one + the insurance covering $100,000 incl full Covid-19 coverage. 

Likewise not entirely correct.

1 - ... having a foreign insurance you need a certificate to be signed by 3 directors at the insurance company. Those 3 signatures are almost impossible to get.

Directors is a bad translation, if you have the Foreign Insurance Certificate signed by e.g. your foreign insurance rep, an insurance sales rep and a customer services rep, that will do fine.  But unless you have a good personal relationship with your foreign insurance rep, it might indeed be difficult to get the FIC signed as it refers to Thai legislation which is unknown by your insurance company and will often invoke a NO from the juridiscial dept of your insurer.

2 - ... a very expensive Thai insurance from day one

See my post #8 re the very affordable LMG Insurance Plan 1 (with 200K deductible).  But I do agree that the other thai IO-aproved Non Imm O-A compliant insurance policies on the market are ridiculously expensive for the low value they provide.

[superatoz]

1 hour ago, ubonjoe said:

This one does. https://www.pacificcrosshealth.com/en/visa-friendly/

@ubonjoe so this one is usable for non immigrant O ( marriage)  ? im really confused at all the visa types ...  thanks 

[ubonjoe]

10 minutes ago, superatoz said:

@ubonjoe so this one is usable for non immigrant O ( marriage)  ? im really confused at all the visa types ...  thanks 

Insurance is not required to apply for a non-o visa or extension of stay based upon marriage.

The only time insurance is needed is to apply for a certificate of entry at a embassy or official Thai consulate that requires $100,000 of covid 19 insurance coverage.

[superatoz]

2 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

Insurance is not required to apply for a non-o visa or extension of stay based upon marriage.

The only time insurance is needed is to apply for a certificate of entry at a embassy or official Thai consulate that requires $100,000 of covid 19 insurance coverage.

im not if this has been answered before , this 100k of covid insurance , does one need to buy full 12 mths ? 

 

or just one mth is fine '? thanks 

[ubonjoe]

11 minutes ago, superatoz said:

im not if this has been answered before , this 100k of covid insurance , does one need to buy full 12 mths ? 

or just one mth is fine '? thanks 

If used for entry to the country it has to valid for your length of stay.

For example if entering with a non-o visa only 90 days of coverage would be needed.

[Thomas J]

5 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

If used for entry to the country it has to valid for your length of stay.

For example if entering with a non-o visa only 90 days of coverage would be needed

Ubonjoe

 

Does that mean that the person using a non-o-visa would have to have a round trip ticket showing that they were leaving the country before the 90 days or could they conceivably buy the 90 day insurance enter the country and then apply for a visa extension? 

I know that right now that is a mute point since Non-O are not allowed to get Certificate of Entry. 

[ubonjoe]

4 minutes ago, Thomas J said:

Does that mean that the person using a non-o-visa would have to have a round trip ticket showing that they were leaving the country before the 90 days or could they conceivably buy the 90 day insurance enter the country and then apply for a visa extension? 

Others have been able to use only 90 days of insurance and not asked for a ticket out of the country.

The go by the allowed stay the visa allows.

You could apply for the extension near the end of your 90 day entry.