My way back to Thailand – from Non O to Non OA for Reason of Retirement

[Piscis]

I would like to share my experience with you, in getting back to Thailand during the COVID19 Pandemic. Many things are changing now on an almost daily basis, so while you read this, it might be outdated already...

 

Before the Pandemic, i entered Thailand on a Visa exemption, followed by an extension of stay, until the S... hits the Fan.

 

Because i was prepared to apply for a NON O based for reason of retirement anyway in the near future, and an IO adviced to do so, we decided to jump on that train and applied for the 90 Day NON O Visa for reason of retirement.

I did have enough THB on my Passbook collected there over the past years... however, the IO did not accept that money as it was not transfered straight from my german account. Time was already running out, as i had to apply at least 15 days prior my extension to stay was to expire. Did a few quick online transfers and the money showed up on my Thai Passbook...

 

After a couple of month, i had to leave Thailand, not knowing how things would change and if i would be able to return this year at all – if i could, i would have stayed here in Thailand! Unfortunattely this was not an option. I received my 1 year extension to stay and a Multi entry Re-Rentry Permit, just to be prepared to jump back on the next plane that would bring me back to my many year long Thai girlfriend.

 

Now things got very, lets say „dynamic“ from the Thai site...

 

I did have an already booked flight on November 11^th with Etihad Airways via AUH. Luckily i found out that Etihad was one of the few Thai approved Airlines to fly to Thailand. Well preplaned... LOL or just pure luck...

 

By end of October, i was still not eligible to receive the required CoE to get back to Thailand. I was not sure what to do. Wait and risc the flight to void or apply for a new NON O A for reason of retirement here in Germany. At that time, Thailand added more and more Visa options beeing eligible to receive a CoE. 

Time was running out, and i did not see any signs for NON O (Retirement) foreigner to return soon to Thailand.

 

I did not know much about the requirements for the NON OA (R.). So with a lot of help from this Forum, and especially from Peter Denis, it was a fast run to get all documents together. Some of them i ended up having twice from two different insurance companies. Get to the doctor for health certificate, receive a clear criminal record, and so on... Everything took a few days. Time was again running out... LOL

 

My german health insurance DKV offers a variety of covers – the policy i had with them did acctually cover all Thai requirements. AND they signed all the required paper for the NON O A Visa and the COVID 100KU$ insurance. However, for the 400K/40K THB coverage, i choose LMG. I had both requests running parallel, not knowing if the DKV would sign the required documents and not knowing if i would receive the LMG signed paper in time for the Visa application.

 

On beginning of November 2020, Thailand offered in Germany (and i think worldwide) the new MFA website to apply for a CoE (at the beginning i thought this website was only for the CoE process. However, later, after a visit to the RTC in Munich, i found out that the complete Visa application process is done via that website). A very friendly Lady at the RTC explained it to me... - https://coethailand.mfa.go.th/

 

Still, Non O (R) where not eligible to receive the CoE. So i decided to get the NON OA Visa. At that time most papers where on hand. Just waiting for the LMG signed Thai paper. First week November, i send all documents for the NON OA Visa, using the MFA website. After a bit back and forth, the RTC was happy with my sent documents, and i got an appointment for November 6^th.

^j5 Days before my flight...

 

November 6^th i received my NON OA Visa for reason of retirement. Back home i uploaded the remaining documents and the newly issued NON OA Visa to get the CoE. It took less than an hour and the CoE was submitted electronically back to me, using their MFA website. At this time a TR Visa was included to be eligible for a CoE... still no NON O (R.) though...

 

On November 9^th, i received my Fit to Fly certficate from Medicare at Munich airport and the required negative PCR test result. (both must be issued less than 72 hours prior departure):

 

During my trip back to Thailand on November 11^th, i was checked 9 (nine) times if all those papers are on hand (7 times from leaving airplane in Thailand to entering my ASQ Hotel):

 

• ASQ booking

• Fit to Fly Cert.

• Neg. PCR Test

• COVID19 100KU$ health insurance

• Visa

• CoE

 

At immigration, they wanted to see my 400K/40K LMG insurance paper as well.

 

From the airplane to the transportation Van, which has been arranged to bring me to ASQ, there where many checkpoints, lots of Immigration Police, Miltary and Airport staff. All in HazMat (or other PPE) . Many have faces covered with shields, eye protection and masks. Everywhere i was checked , they showed a list of people and i had to verify my name on their list... I wondered what would have happend if i was not on that list... ?!?

 

The car/van had an plexiglas devider, that seperated the driver from the passengers. All sealed with some rubberseals.

 

Once at the ASQ vacility (Chor Cher Hotel), i had to wait in the car. My luaggage was brought to my room. After that i was allowed to went inside the Hotel, all alone, no welcome drink ???? up to my room...

 

The Hotel is great. Very well prepared for ASQ operation. Sufficient water, fruit juice, milk, hotel ammenities and so on... But i think i will write a review somewhere else, as this thread is already way to long, and i doubt anybody finished it until here...

 

Best regards, and warm greetings from Thailand... i just learned that NON O (R.)  is now eligible for a CoE... LOL 

 

John

[Hmunker]

15 hours ago, Piscis said:

 

 

On November 9^th, i received my Fit to Fly certficate from Medicare at Munich airport and the required negative PCR test result. (both must be issued less than 72 hours prior departure):

 

 

Thanks for the write up.Some useful information there.On this point in quotes.Did you get the fit to fly certificate and PCR test done with the same company/ doctor?.And I assume they are two different pieces of paperwork?
 

Thanks

[Piscis]

Hmunker, yes. I did both at the same company. And you will get two documents. Both in englisch. PCR Test i received after 6 hours the same day. Fit to Fly was handed out to me when i left. All in all it took about 1 hour, incl. waiting time...

 

Easy job, nothing to worry about!

 

John

[Bluetongue]

Thanks for the read, I've been told I have the patience of Joab so I should be alright when the time comes. 

[thailand49]

I know there are differences but why is a O-A on the list yet people with a Non-O retirement dump a few million baht into the economy like myself for 15 years not on the list?

[Piscis]

1 minute ago, thailand49 said:

I know there are differences but why is a O-A on the list yet people with a Non-O retirement dump a few million baht into the economy like myself for 15 years not on the list?

Acctually they are on the list since this week!

 

You can check the MFA website...

 

John

[DogNo1]

Sorry about the bad luck with the timing.  It seems that nobody had a clue when the retirement extension and re-entry permit would be accepted for a return to Thailand.  Unfortunately any change in policy is not planned and announced.  That leaves all of us flying by the seat of our pants.

[Piscis]

Thanks DogNo1. Since mid October was preparing for both, entry on my old NON O extension and getting a new Visa NON OA from scratch. I knew that some documents for the NON OA might need some time, so i started the process getting all paper together, even if i still had hope at that time to use my NON O extension again. Finally it was just about 5 days... LOL

 

Acctually i am very thankfull that Thailand opened up a little bit more step by step to make it possible for me to return at all! I have no bad feelings what so ever... Just happy to be here again!

 

Best Regards,

 

John

[AKJeff]

I did the same from the US.  Went for the O-A because non-o wasn't on the list.  Just after I got the visa they put Non-o and TR on the list.  I had been on a Non-o (r) for the last 3 years.  I wish I could have kept it.  

 

I am currently in the air on a flight.  Entering quarantine soon.

 

Just a heads up, Qatar hasn't really enforced the mask wearing that much.  Walking back and forth to the bathroom I have seen many people without one.  I find it odd because they give you a face shield and say you have to wear both items.  But lots of people aren't.   At least on the DFW to DOH leg.  Not sure what it will be like on the final leg.  The leg from BHM to DFW the mask rule was strictly enforced.   Just FYI for any who care.

[Piscis]

Etihad enforced the mask too. However, as long as you eat or drink, no mask required. So keep drinking...

[farangkrab]

I've given up on getting a Non OA in the US due to the paperwork challenges. I'm now going the Non O route since it now appears to be an option to get back in.  I am planning on applying for a retirement visa in BKK.

 

What are some options for insurance to satisfy the COE?  Any company recommendations etc. appreciated.

[canerandagio]

I don't have evidence written on any site except direct experience from a close friend who is now doing quarantene in bkk, but i can state positively that he was able to come back with a simple nonO and re-entry permit.

Coe from thai authorities in Italy. I read somewhere that the thai embassy website of paris states it is possible, but i didn't check.

Surely my friend succeeded.

[Peter Denis]

7 hours ago, farangkrab said:

...

What are some options for insurance to satisfy the COE?  Any company recommendations etc. appreciated.

When under 70 years of age the SafetyWing < https://safetywing.com/nomad-insurance > travel-insurance package includes covid-19 coverage and is accepted for CoE.  Whatever your nationality or current place of residence, you can subscribe to that decent and generous insurance policy at a premium often LOWER than the ridiculous TGIA covid-19 only insurance policies.

[Awinkl]

23 hours ago, Piscis said:

 

Piscis, regarding your Quarantine Hotel - did YOU choose that one, or was it the Thai Authorities that selected it? 

At what cost?

[Piscis]

1 minute ago, Awinkl said:

Piscis, regarding your Quarantine Hotel - did YOU choose that one, or was it the Thai Authorities that selected it? 

At what cost?

AFAIK, all foreigners can choose their ASQ facility. Arriving in BKK and Don Muang, i think you have to stay in the Bangkok area. Not sure if you can go to Chonburi...

 

The Chor Cher costs 37.000THB, all inclusive.

 

John

[Piscis]

Oh, and at this time, i did not have to install any APP to my phone, and no GPS wrist band was given to me. However, they might change that as well... I heard they want to have foreigners wear a GPS wrist band with temperature controll function...

 

John

Edited November 15, 2020 by Piscis

[Sheryl]

2 hours ago, Peter Denis said:

When under 70 years of age the SafetyWing < https://safetywing.com/nomad-insurance > travel-insurance package includes covid-19 coverage and is accepted for CoE.  Whatever your nationality or current place of residence, you can subscribe to that decent and generous insurance policy at a premium often LOWER than the ridiculous TGIA covid-19 only insurance policies.

actually the cost of the tgia policies varies greatly depending on tour age and which country you are coming from. I priced it for a 65 - 69 years old  coming from Japan and it was significantly cheaper cheaper than SafetyWinfg for 4 weeks. (Safety Wings = $138 vs tgia = 2,564 baht).

 

Of course Safety Wings provides coverage for more than COVID whereas tgia does not, and that should be a consideration for anyone without other insurance,  But purely by cost,  older people and those coming from low transmisison areas may  pay less with tgia.  This is because SafetyWings cost more the older you are (whereas tgia rate is independent of age) and tgia costs less if coming from low COVID risk area  (whereas Safety Wings is independent of place of departure).

[EricTh]

@Piscis

 

Since when Non-O retirement are allowed into Thailand? Can you please give a link please?

 

[Peter Denis]

25 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

actually the cost of the tgia policies varies greatly depending on tour age and which country you are coming from. I priced it for a 65 - 69 years old  coming from Japan and it was significantly cheaper cheaper than SafetyWinfg for 4 weeks. (Safety Wings = $138 vs tgia = 2,564 baht).

 

Of course Safety Wings provides coverage for more than COVID whereas tgia does not, and that should be a consideration for anyone without other insurance,  But purely by cost,  older people and those coming from low transmisison areas may  pay less with tgia.  This is because SafetyWings cost more the older you are (whereas tgia rate is independent of age) and tgia costs less if coming from low COVID risk area  (whereas Safety Wings is independent of place of departure).

Hi Sheryl,

You are of course correct, and I would recommend everybody to make the comparison between the 2 options TGIA vs Safety Wing, for their specific circumstances (age/nationality).

Yes, when you are an older national of a Low Covid Risk country, then the TGIA covid-19 ONLY insurance premium will be cheaper than the SafetyWing policy fee.

And when you are a middle-aged US or UK citizen the premium for both options will be approx same.

But in fact we are comparing apples with oranges (actually comparing one cherry with a full fruit-bowl).  TGIA only provides covid-19 coverage (till 100.000 US $), while SafetyWing provides a FULL travel-insurance package covering ANY medical treatment - including covid-19 - and this to 250.000 US $, as well as other travel-insurance benefits (like lost luggage, repatriation, etc.).

>> Only when your age does not allow you to subscribe to any other insurance that covers covid-19, would the TGIA policy be your policy of the last resort (as it is age-independant, which is of course absolutely ridiculous from an insurance-risk point of view).

[Otto2910]

24 minutes ago, EricTh said:

@Piscis

 

Since when Non-O retirement are allowed into Thailand? Can you please give a link please?

 

https://thaiconsulate.de/coe

[Piscis]

28 minutes ago, EricTh said:

@Piscis

 

Since when Non-O retirement are allowed into Thailand? Can you please give a link please?

 

You can go to the MFA website, choose your RTE/RTC and the type of Visa you have/wish to apply for on the dropdown list.

 

https://coethailand.mfa.go.th/

 

John

[EricTh]

5 hours ago, Piscis said:

You can go to the MFA website, choose your RTE/RTC and the type of Visa you have/wish to apply for on the dropdown list.

 

https://coethailand.mfa.go.th/

 

John

 

Wow! To think that this news wasn't even announced in Thai newspapers.

 

Finally, those with O retirement can enter Thailand...

Edited November 15, 2020 by EricTh

[Piscis]

I guess most of the relevant press doesnt even know there are two different kind of Visa for retirement...

 

John

[Hmunker]

8 hours ago, Awinkl said:

Piscis, regarding your Quarantine Hotel - did YOU choose that one, or was it the Thai Authorities that selected it? 

At what cost?

Here is a selection of some of the hotels with prices.The page has a search/filter function so you can select cheapest first.

 

https://asq.wanderthai.com/

[TerraplaneGuy]

On 11/14/2020 at 4:41 PM, DogNo1 said:

Sorry about the bad luck with the timing.  It seems that nobody had a clue when the retirement extension and re-entry permit would be accepted for a return to Thailand.  Unfortunately any change in policy is not planned and announced.  That leaves all of us flying by the seat of our pants.

Is there now any official statement that an extension of a non-Imm OA or O for retirement qualifies for a COE, as distinct from the visa itself?  I've heard there are some reports that it worked for some people but I've seen nothing published.  

[ubonjoe]

2 minutes ago, TerraplaneGuy said:

I've heard there are some reports that it worked for some people but I've seen nothing published.  

I have seen nothing in the news about it but it has already been posted on some embassy websites plus the online certificate of entry site.

[TerraplaneGuy]

24 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

I have seen nothing in the news about it but it has already been posted on some embassy websites plus the online certificate of entry site.

Thanks.  I'm Canadian and I just checked the Thai embassy site in Ottawa and see nothing about extensions, only visas.  And I looked on the COE site where you register and apply, and saw nothing about extensions; they ask you on the 2d page (registration) to enter the "type of permitted person" and there is an option for "long-stay visitor (Non-O)".   That doesn't to my mind include extensions (especially of non-OA which is my category).  I didn't go ahead and register so I don't know whether subsequent pages might say something but I somehow doubt it because this would be the place.  Do you know where it actually refers to extensions?

[ubonjoe]

11 hours ago, TerraplaneGuy said:

I'm Canadian and I just checked the Thai embassy site in Ottawa and see nothing about extensions, only visas.  And I looked on the COE site where you register and apply, and saw nothing about extensions; they ask you on the 2d page (registration) to enter the "type of permitted person" and there is an option for "long-stay visitor (Non-O)".   That doesn't to my mind include extensions (especially of non-OA which is my category).  I didn't go ahead and register so I don't know whether subsequent pages might say something but I somehow doubt it because this would be the place. 

The info is not appearing yet on all websites. Perhaps if you check when it is Monday in North America you may find more info. 

You have to remember that when it says visa that can also be a extension of stay. Some embassy websites do mention a re-entry permit instead of visa.

You go through and apply for the COE here and upload a copy of your extension and re-entry permit.